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RE:CALL

RE:CALL is an easy-to-recommend puzzle mystery title for those looking for a small adventure with a strong narrative focus.
RE:CALL Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding
81% User Score Based on 53 reviews
Critic Score 74%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

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RE:CALL Game Cover

About

RE:CALL is a single player action adventure game with drama, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by maitan69 and was released on January 17, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

In Re:Call memories are malleable and changing them will modify the present. Tackle mind-bending puzzles that rely on altering your own recollections to shape the future.

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RE:CALL screenshot
RE:CALL screenshot
RE:CALL screenshot
RE:CALL screenshot
RE:CALL screenshot
RE:CALL screenshot
RE:CALL screenshot
RE:CALL screenshot
RE:CALL screenshot
RE:CALL screenshot
RE:CALL screenshot
+6
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81%
Audience ScoreBased on 53 reviews
story22 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • Innovative core mechanic of altering memories to change the present creates engaging and creative puzzles, especially strong in the first half of the game.
  • Compelling, well-written characters with unique personalities, supported by a distinctive pixel art style and vibrant character designs.
  • Excellent soundtrack and atmospheric presentation that complement the narrative and gameplay effectively.
  • The game’s pacing and gameplay quality decline significantly midway, with the core memory mechanic largely abandoned in favor of repetitive stealth and switch puzzles that many find tedious.
  • The story feels underdeveloped and leaves many plot threads unresolved, leading to a lack of satisfying conclusions and some players feeling confused or wanting more depth.
  • Technical issues including occasional soft-locks and bugs impact the experience; some players also note awkward controls, annoying screen blur effects, and lack of accessibility options.
  • story
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is generally praised for its intriguing, emotionally engaging, and well-written narrative with compelling characters and unique time travel elements. However, many note pacing issues, especially in the latter half, with some plotlines left unresolved and an ending that feels rushed or underdeveloped. Despite these flaws, the story remains a highlight, praised for its themes and ability to keep players guessing.

    • “Eng: what a sadness to finish this game, is one of those that you don't want it to end, the story lasts between 7 and 8 hours, which is great, a masterpiece in my opinion, the gameplay of the puzzles fits perfectly with the narrative, and the sound is exquisite, I highly recommend it, 10/10 I would erase my memory to enjoy it again.”
    • “Re:call is a masterpiece from start to finish and one of the best games I've ever played, from the ambiance of the game, the intriguing and well-crafted story, colorful and well-written characters to the core, and unique gameplay that keeps reinventing itself, this game has it all.”
    • “The story is also extremely interesting and kept me guessing the entire time.”
    • “I presume I'm close to the end, and I want to see how the story goes, but I can't bring myself to drag us through that pointless padding content.”
    • “However, the story is also where we find the game's biggest flaws; the short length doesn't allow for proper development of everyone, and some characters end up undercooked compared to Bruno or other major players.”
    • “The lack of time doesn't allow for a proper exploration of the game's story and lore, leaving many empty gaps that make piecing together the story harder than it should be, or simply handwaving away problems so that the story can move forward.”
  • gameplay
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is praised for its unique and innovative memory-altering puzzle mechanics in the first half, which creatively tie narrative choices to changing reality. However, many reviewers note a significant decline in engagement and mechanical depth in the second half, where the core memory-shaping element is largely abandoned in favor of repetitive stealth and simpler puzzles, leading to pacing issues and less satisfying gameplay overall. Despite this, the early chapters' inventive design and integration with the story are often enough to recommend the experience.

    • “The premise of altering memories which then alters reality is an amazing idea for a puzzle mechanic and it's used to its fullest extent in Re:call.”
    • “The memory shaping mechanic itself is handled in a unique and interesting way, with variety in the gameplay that makes it not monotonous.”
    • “Game start strongly with an interestingly unique gameplay mechanic where the main character is asked to retrace his steps from memory, and is able to change what happens in the past in order to get out from sticky situations in the present (think: I am being held at gun point, find a past where the guard doesn't have a gun so you can escape).”
    • “If you can get past half of the game having repetitive gameplay that's barely engaging in the slightest, then you'll probably like this one.”
    • “The usage of the core mechanic, the namesake of the game, is barely even present in the second half of the game.”
    • “Unfortunately, I was sad that the later chapters removed this retcon aspect and focus on stealth, simple switch puzzle solving and a very tedious game mechanic near the end.”
  • music
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's music is widely praised for its charm, energy, and fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, with many highlighting memorable and engaging tracks that complement the art style and narrative. While a few find the music serviceable but not standout, the majority appreciate its whimsical and cinematic qualities, making it a notable aspect of the game.

    • “The visual style, the narrative, the characters, the music, the whole game is a collection of incredibly well done and lovingly crafted parts.”
    • “It has this cool cinematic feel to it - the camera zipping around to follow the action, the text boxes dynamically shaking and flashing, etc. It's supported as well by some stand-out music; I especially found myself bobbing my head to some of the songs that play in the puzzle segments.”
    • “The art style is reminiscent of old school pixel adventure games, the music slaps, and the character design is vibrant and fun!”
    • “A soundtrack that... well, it does its job through all the game.”
    • “The music tracks and sound effects are serviceable but never something I really took notice of.”
    • “Music: 6/10.”
  • graphics
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics feature a charming, old-school pixel art style with vibrant, expressive characters and detailed backgrounds that many find fun and visually appealing. While some note a simplistic presentation and occasional visual effects like blurry screen edges, the overall aesthetic is praised for its nostalgic yet lively design, complementing the game's whimsical and engaging atmosphere.

    • “Gorgeous pixel graphics, with expressive portraits and detailed backgrounds.”
    • “The art style is reminiscent of old school pixel adventure games; the character design is vibrant and fun!”
    • “The game's presentation is simplistic, with characters rendered in a stylized pixel art style similar to a stylized Pokémon game, featuring recognizable silhouettes.”
  • grinding
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in the game is marked by lengthy, repetitive stealth and puzzle sections that many find tedious and overly padded, particularly in chapter 5. These segments disrupt the pacing and detract from the overall experience, making progression feel more like a chore than engaging gameplay.

    • “Then chapter 5 is a massive, tedious labyrinth of sneaking past guards with flashlights.”
    • “The game had good potential, but it felt massively padded with tedious sneaking sections, and the ending felt lacking.”
    • “Unfortunately, I was sad that the later chapters removed this retcon aspect and focused on stealth, simple switch puzzle solving, and a very tedious game mechanic near the end.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users praise the game’s vibrant and fun character designs, highlighting a strong concept that complements the overall experience. However, specific details about character development beyond design are not emphasized.

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74%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews
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8h Median play time
8h Average play time
8-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

RE:CALL is a action adventure game with drama, mystery and thriller themes.

RE:CALL is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac OS and others.

On average players spend around 8 hours playing RE:CALL.

RE:CALL was released on January 17, 2023.

RE:CALL was developed by maitan69.

RE:CALL has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked RE:CALL for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

RE:CALL is a single player game.

Similar games include Backbone, Tails Noir, Evan's Remains, Murder by Numbers, Tales of the Neon Sea and others.