Related: Chapter one
- April 30, 2020
- FRACTALCATZ
Related is a game that immerses into the dark but fascinating story of two sisters. Explore the dark locations of an abandoned orphanage, solve mysteries, while immersed in memories. The first chapter “Everything is back” introduces the unusual main characters. They are conjoined twins living in an orphanage. They share not only the body, but also one head! Each sister controls her half of the…
Reviews
- The art style is visually appealing and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.
- The story has potential and is intriguing, drawing comparisons to other successful psychological horror games.
- The game features creative puzzles that are engaging and not overly difficult.
- Gameplay is slow and can feel tedious, particularly in the early stages, which may discourage players.
- The dialogue mechanics are clunky, leading to frustration when trying to progress through conversations.
- The game feels unfinished and lacks polish, with some players expressing concern over the lack of updates and potential abandonment.
- story26 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story has garnered mixed reviews, with many players finding it intriguing and promising, particularly praising its emotional depth and engaging atmosphere. However, some express disappointment over its brevity and the lack of character development, wishing for a more polished and immersive narrative. Overall, while the story captivates many, there are calls for improvement and continuation, especially since the game appears to be abandoned.
“The art and storyline are very transfixing, so much so that I will definitely keep an eye out for when chapters two and three are available because I must know what happens after chapter one.”
“The story's pretty good; it sets up the mystery well and has some sweet moments in it. The opening of the story does a good job of setting the mood for the game and tells you what you’re in for.”
“This game shines through beauty, effective simplicity, and great storytelling through a combination of exploration, action scenes, and cut scenes, with an occasional jump scare thrown in.”
“Sadly, the story and dialogue aren't great.”
“That made the 'story' fall flat for me.”
“With all of that, I actually do hope the developers give it another shot with more character development, deeper story, and more of an immersion quality.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful hand-drawn art style, which enhances the overall atmosphere and complements the music. While the character designs may be less appealing, the artistic execution is considered one of the game's standout features, contributing to a haunting and immersive experience. However, some reviewers noted that the dialogue does not match the subtlety of the visuals and sound design.
“The art style is really good; it has this nice hand-drawn feeling to it. One of the best parts of the art in the game is the music box puzzle; the artist did a really good job with it.”
“The art style is gorgeous, and I also really enjoyed the music tracks.”
“I adore the art style.”
“Puzzles are easy enough once you know how to do them, but it's the graphics and story that let the game down.”
“While the graphics and sound are subtle and haunting, the dialogue is clunky and lacks that subtlety.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed feedback, with some players enjoying the atmosphere and story while others find the mechanics lacking refinement and polish. The point-and-click and puzzle elements are engaging, but there are calls for more intuitive movement options and overall improvements to enhance the experience.
“The gameplay reminded me of Fran Bow, and I loved the music; it fits the atmosphere perfectly.”
“Related is a 2D sidescroller that uses puzzles and point-and-click gameplay.”
“It has a great story and fun gameplay!”
“Gameplay is excruciating.”
“I do wish that there were more intuitive walk mechanics.”
“The mechanics could use some tweaks/improvements, and the game feels like it could use some basic polish as well.”
- music6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the gameplay, with many reviewers noting its quality and fitting nature. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the standout elements, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“The music in the game is pretty nice and fits the game very well.”
“The art style is gorgeous, and I also really enjoyed the music tracks.”
“Style, story, music really interested me.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its spooky and immersive qualities, enhanced by fitting music and strong art design. Reviewers note that it effectively creates a compelling and mysterious environment, reminiscent of other successful titles in the genre. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal as a solid point-and-click horror experience.
“The gameplay reminded me of Fran Bow, and I loved the music; it fits the atmosphere perfectly.”
“The atmosphere in the game is pretty good and spooky.”
“Episode 1 is a short but solid point-and-click horror game, featuring a captivating story with good mystery, sweet moments, beautiful art, and a spooky atmosphere.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its touching and poignant narrative, tackling difficult themes such as mental health and child abuse, which resonate deeply with players. Despite its emotional impact, the game's abandonment leaves players longing for more of its compelling story.
“It had a touching, sad story in which I would have loved to continue playing (sadly, the game is abandoned now).”
“A short and touching point-and-click game, involving difficult topics including mental health and child abuse.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for improved character development, emphasizing the need for a deeper story and greater immersion. They suggest that enhancing character appeal and incorporating quality music could significantly elevate the overall experience.
“I hope the developers give it another shot with more character development, a deeper story, and enhanced immersion quality. It would be great to see the characters polished to be more appealing, along with some quality music.”
“The character development in this game is truly impressive, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters and their journeys.”
“I love how the game allows for meaningful character growth, making each decision feel impactful and shaping the story in unique ways.”
“I actually hope the developers give it another shot with more character development, a deeper story, and improved immersion quality. The characters could be more appealing, and the addition of quality music would help.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on any meaningful level.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of growth in the characters throughout the game; it felt like they were stuck in one-dimensional roles.”