Skip to main content

Quarantine Circular

A vast improvement from Subsurface Circular, Quarantine Circular is a standalone sequel that tells its succinct story through engaging characters, a nice storyline, and a shift in protagonists.
87%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
character development, grinding
88% User Score Based on 790 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCMac OSWindows
Buy Nowfrom $5.99
Buy NowGet on Steam $5.99

About

"Quarantine Circular" is a narrative-driven game where players navigate conversations between a diverse group of scientists and government officials during the containment of an alien infectious threat. Decisions made throughout the game affect the story's outcome, leading to multiple endings. The game features a real-time dialogue system and a mysterious, atmospheric setting.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Quarantine Circular screenshot
Quarantine Circular screenshot
Quarantine Circular screenshot
Quarantine Circular screenshot
Quarantine Circular screenshot
Quarantine Circular screenshot
Quarantine Circular screenshot
Quarantine Circular screenshot
Quarantine Circular screenshot
Quarantine Circular screenshot
Skip User Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 790 reviews
story228 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • Engaging and thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of trust and cooperation during a global crisis.
  • Well-written dialogue with distinct character personalities, making the interactions feel meaningful.
  • Improved mechanics over its predecessor, allowing for multiple perspectives and branching storylines.
  • Some characters feel one-dimensional and lack depth, leading to predictable interactions.
  • The ending can feel abrupt and unsatisfying, with a lack of resolution compared to the buildup.
  • The game may railroad players into certain choices, reducing the sense of agency in decision-making.
  • story
    598 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Quarantine Circular" is a thought-provoking narrative centered around humanity's first contact with an alien during a global plague, featuring multiple perspectives and branching choices that impact the outcome. While some players found the writing engaging and the character development intriguing, others criticized the linearity and predictability of the plot, feeling it lacked the depth and complexity of its predecessor, "Subsurface Circular." Overall, the game is recommended for those who appreciate interactive storytelling, despite its shortcomings in character development and pacing.

    • “The story itself is pretty interesting and thought-provoking.”
    • “Quarantine Circular is an incredible story despite its flaws, and it successfully attempts to deal with its thematic concerns.”
    • “The story is thought-provoking, and each character is thoroughly thought out.”
    • “A mild recommendation for an okay story, that's nowhere near close to the level of subsurface circular.”
    • “This story could have been entirely about humans and the interstellar part was neither explored in any meaningful way, nor added anything meaningful.”
    • “After the first few conversations, I no longer felt like I had any meaningful control over the story.”
  • gameplay
    160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Quarantine Circular" is primarily dialogue-driven, focusing on making choices that influence the story and character interactions, which some players find engaging and immersive. While the mechanics are simpler compared to its predecessor, "Subsurface Circular," the game introduces elements like character approval and social manipulation, adding depth to conversations. However, criticisms include a lack of complexity in branching paths and a tendency for dialogue loops, which can detract from the overall experience, making it more suitable for those who appreciate narrative over traditional gameplay mechanics.

    • “The gameplay is very simple and straightforward (just dialogue choices), but the writing is quite well done, and overall I felt engaged in its story.”
    • “The gameplay is all about getting information by asking the right questions or the right person, sometimes also at the correct time.”
    • “The way the game lets you maneuver conversations is wonderful and a step up from the already new and interesting mechanics in Subsurface Circular.”
    • “Branching mechanics are blatantly crippled – you get stuck in notorious endless dialogue loops until you choose the right option, you get hilarious utterances like 'we need a friendly face for a negotiator; let’s take *n*' (by far the most antagonistic and openly hostile character, which is absurd, and you (as a commander that makes final decision!) can’t object to this choice).”
    • “Because of the primitive branching system, gameplay is pretty much non-existent.”
    • “This 'game' has barely any gameplay and it is extremely short.”
  • graphics
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game are generally praised for their aesthetic appeal and ability to complement the narrative, with many noting a significant upgrade from its predecessor, "Subsurface Circular." While the visuals are described as clean and polished, some reviewers mention that they can feel static and simplistic, focusing more on storytelling than dynamic animations. Overall, the graphics enhance the immersive experience, making it a visually pleasing addition to the visual novel genre.

    • “Gorgeous graphics, astounding soundtrack, thrilling plot.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, and the way that the text and choices are presented are as clean and enjoyable as the first.”
    • “There's definitely an upgrade in visuals, with shifting environments, and models which move in more complex ways than anything presented anywhere else.”
    • “The visuals may seem a bit motionless and bland after a while, but the text and story itself is the focus, and rightly deserves praise.”
    • “The 3D models and graphics were pretty, but the character interactions could be more interesting with varied body or facial expressions.”
    • “The visuals are pretty bland compared to the first one.”
  • music
    46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the storytelling, while others find it unremarkable or repetitive. Notably, the soundtrack features a shift towards grandiose classical pieces and ambient chillwave styles, which many players appreciate for their emotional resonance and subtlety. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, opinions vary on its impact and memorability.

    • “The soundtrack was excellent - eerie and driving.”
    • “The music in Quarantine is also an advancement over Subsurface, with less focus on catchy techno tunes and more grandiose classical pieces that change and become more or less prominent depending on the player's choice or situation.”
    • “Special credit goes to an awesome soundtrack that responds beautifully to nuanced and subtle moments in the story.”
    • “The music in quarantine is also an advancement over subsurface, less focus on catchy techno tunes and more grandiose classical pieces that change and become more or less prominent depending on the player's choice or situation.”
    • “Its soundtrack is a similar ambient chillwave style, and while the graphics of quarantine circular are a noticeable step up technically from those of subsurface circular, they're still simple enough that the game's system requirements are quite low.”
    • “Also special mention goes to the music, when the game is paused many of the musical elements fade out and you might be left with just a bass, or a synth part.”
  • replayability
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers a moderate level of replayability, primarily due to its multiple endings and the ability to explore different dialogue options, although some players feel that the short playtime diminishes the overall incentive to replay. While many enjoy the engaging narrative and character choices, others note that the experience may not compel them to revisit unless they are keen on achieving all possible outcomes. Overall, it provides enough variation to warrant a second playthrough for those interested in uncovering more of the story.

    • “Great story, compelling decisions that allow for replay value.”
    • “It's got a variety of endings based on the choices you make, so there's a lot of replayability here.”
    • “There are a lot of fun moments and engaging characters throughout, and while short, the many possible endings to the game offer a lot of replay value.”
    • “Despite having so many endings, I don't think there's much replayability here unless you really want to get all the achievements.”
    • “An utterly stunning experience with some pretty tough choices (though it seems I made the right ones) might lack somewhat in replay value as I at least will find it difficult to change choices on subsequent playthroughs.”
    • “The replay value mostly consists of trying different dialog options to expose more parts of the lore for the player to consume.”
  • emotional
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Quarantine Circular" is highlighted by its engaging narrative that evokes a range of feelings, from tension to introspection, as players navigate moral dilemmas and character interactions. While some players may struggle to connect with multiple perspectives, the game effectively delivers profound emotional experiences through its storytelling and character development, particularly with the complex figure of Gabriel. Overall, it is praised for its ability to leave a lasting impression and provoke thoughtful reflection on humanity's choices.

    • “The narrative is tense at times, touching at others, and overall left a big impression on me.”
    • “Quarantine Circular is a fantastic narrative, full of twists and turns, and demands that the player make moral and emotional choices.”
    • “A simple, thoughtful, and heartfelt dialogue on what humanity chooses itself to be.”
  • humor
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as engaging and occasionally funny, with clever dialogue and wry remarks that add levity to serious themes. While some moments are humorous, others lean towards a more serious tone, particularly in relation to the game's darker themes. Overall, the humor is well-integrated, providing both comedic relief and commentary on significant issues.

    • “The aliens just feel way too much like our own regular humans, except they look funny.”
    • “Branching mechanics are blatantly crippled – you get stuck in notorious endless dialogue loops until you choose the right option, you get hilarious utterances like 'we need a friendly face for a negotiator; let’s take *n*' (by far the most antagonistic and openly hostile character, which is absurd, and you (as a commander that makes the final decision!) can’t object to this choice).”
    • “Gabriel and other people's lines are quite frequently wry and hilarious.”
  • atmosphere
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise its immersive qualities, engaging storytelling, and atmospheric music, others feel it lacks the fun and intriguing premise found in similar titles. Overall, the visuals and audio contribute positively to the experience, but some users express disappointment in the absence of a compelling atmosphere and memorable twists.

    • “Good twists, good atmosphere, compact story pacing, and your choices actually do matter.”
    • “Great storytelling, lovely interface and graphics, and very atmospheric music/audio too.”
    • “It was simple mechanics paired with pretty visuals and well-written content; the atmosphere was insanely immersive.”
    • “There was no atmosphere, no cool twists, no head-bopping tracks with headphones - I just couldn't feel the love in this one.”
  • character development
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the dialogue is masterfully written and offers a variety of choices and outcomes, some characters fall into stereotypes without sufficient depth or growth. The visual appeal and UI enhance the experience, but a lack of movement and variety in character design detracts from the overall development. Ultimately, players may find enjoyment in the choices available, but some characters may leave them wanting more in terms of complexity and evolution.

    • “There are many choices to make, several outcomes to see, and a lot of enjoyment to be had from reading masterfully written dialogue, watching great UI and character designs, and admiring the freedom of choice.”
    • “You managed to make me dislike that character so much, but you did not use that in your writing at all, you just kept the stereotype going, no info, no character development.”
    • “You managed to make me dislike that character so much, but you did not use that in your writing at all, you just kept the stereotype going, no info, no character development.”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the puzzles are praised for their quality and complexity, they can also feel tedious and disrupt the narrative flow. The slow pace of replaying the game further contributes to a sense of grind, particularly as challenges are limited to the finale, which can halt the momentum of the story.

    • “My only complaint is, replaying through the game is incredibly tedious and slow.”
    • “Quarantine only really challenges you to a puzzle towards the finale, which brings the build-up to the end to a grinding halt.”
    • “Puzzles have also been retained from subsurface circular, now focusing on quality and difficulty over quantity with the penultimate one being so complex I had to seek a guide to complete - a feature I appreciate and admire, but seemed a bit tedious and a change of pace in the face of an imminent situation within the story.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has been criticized for experiencing performance issues during mid-game, and some voice clips, particularly Gabriel's, are considered grating. Additionally, the notes section remains underutilized, indicating potential areas for improvement.

    • “There are some performance issues in the middle of the game.”
    • “Gabriel's voice clips are a bit grating.”
    • “The notes section is still underutilized.”
Skip Critic Reviews

85%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Quarantine Circular

2h Median play time
2h Average play time
1-2h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Quarantine Circular

Games Like Quarantine Circular

Subsurface Circular Image
88%2.6kreviews

Subsurface Circular

2017Casual Puzzle
Nintendo SwitchPCMac OS+5
Minds Beneath Us Image
93%696reviews

Minds Beneath Us

2024Role Playing
PCSteam DeckWindows
Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos Image
75%1.3kreviews

Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos

2013Casual Role Playing
LinuxPCMac OS+1
The Red Strings Club Image
This game contains adult content
80%5.9kreviews

The Red Strings Club

2018Puzzle
Nintendo SwitchLinuxPC+2
Unavowed Image
91%3.2kreviews

Unavowed

2018Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchLinuxPC+7