Retention
- January 13, 2015
- Sometimes You
Get on Steam"Retention" is a game-photo album where you help a man recollect his memories after an accident, through slides of his past. With a unique genre and 8 different endings, your choices and observations will shape his fate. The game features an original soundtrack, Steam Trading Cards, and a user-friendly interface for an immersive experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique narrative concept that allows players to explore memories through a series of photographs, creating a personal experience.
- Some players found the music and visuals to be beautiful and thought-provoking, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.
- It provides an opportunity for players to reflect on their own memories and experiences, making it a potentially meaningful experience despite its flaws.
- Many reviewers criticized the game for lacking actual gameplay, describing it as a simple slideshow of images with no coherent story or meaningful interaction.
- The execution of the concept was deemed poor, with players feeling confused and frustrated by the lack of connection between the images and the narrative.
- Several players felt scammed, stating that even at a low price, the game did not provide enough value or entertainment to justify its existence.
- story17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The story in the game is centered around a man who suffers from temporary amnesia after an accident, leading him on a quest to rediscover his identity through a series of photographs. However, players find the narrative confusing and lacking depth, with many feeling that the choices made do not significantly impact the story's outcome. Overall, the game fails to deliver a coherent or engaging narrative, leaving players disappointed with its execution.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“Moving right along, story-wise you play as a man who has an accident and has his memory stolen from him. He runs in search of finding out who he is, about his past, the people he knows, and his present.”
“What you choose from each set affects the outcome of the framing story, which is a short, but powerful allegory: a man falls with his bicycle and suffers temporary amnesia.”
“It's all very confusing, no story or purpose, and on top of that I don't know how they managed to make a game consisting only of clicking photos so laggy and slow.”
“Whilst it does somewhat try to give an opportunity to tell a man by his memories in the form of a photo album that the player's personality can cause change to, it really fails to get any kind of story or meaning into it due to lack of depth or explanations, bar one-liners on each picture.”
“A big problem with retention is that it promises a story that never happens.”
- music15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it relaxing and interesting, while others describe it as odd, dull, and poorly fitting for the game's theme. Many users express frustration with the music's quality, suggesting it detracts from the overall experience, although a few appreciate its unique touch. Overall, the consensus leans towards the music being a significant drawback rather than an asset.
“Relaxing and interesting experience with nice instrumental music.”
“The music adds an interesting touch to the game as well.”
“I also personally enjoyed some of the art and music in this photo album simulator.”
“The music was just weird for me. To be honest, I never heard anything like it... I didn't enjoy it.”
“The game must be awarded for not making any sense at all, using dull uninspiring photos and picking music that is not fitting in any shape or form.”
“Seriously, the music is so odd like it was completely performed by those doing work experience.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of positive and negative feedback; while some users appreciate the value and quantity of gameplay for a low cost, others criticize the lack of depth and interaction, noting that it primarily consists of simple image selection and reading evaluations.
“So small cost and so much gameplay, wow!”
“Even 10 minutes of gameplay for $0.50!”
“What about the gameplay!”
“If there was more gameplay and interaction.”
“There are no game mechanics beyond picking images and reading your evaluation afterwards, hence all the hateful reviews.”
“This occurs numerous times, and makes up the entirety of the gameplay.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often highlighted through the amusing nature of negative reviews, with players finding entertainment in the exaggerated complaints and frustrations expressed by others. This meta-humor adds an unexpected layer of enjoyment to the overall experience.
“The best part about this game is all of the complaining in the negative reviews; some of it is downright hilarious.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever writing that keeps you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, making for some genuinely funny moments.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while some users find little to no replay value, others appreciate the opportunity to revisit and view all the individual pictures, deeming it worthwhile.
“There is replay value; if you want to view all the individual pictures, it's worth it in my opinion.”
“The game offers multiple endings and choices that make each playthrough feel unique.”
“I love how each run can lead to different experiences, keeping the game fresh and exciting.”
“There's no replay value.”
“There is replay value, if you want to be able to view all the individual pictures (it's worth it in my opinion).”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy is criticized as being poorly executed, akin to a subpar website promoting low-quality content.
“The monetization system feels like a cash grab, prioritizing profits over player experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra money.”
“The in-game purchases are overpriced and often feel necessary to progress, which ruins the overall enjoyment.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and unfulfilling, with some expressing frustration over the minimal payoff after significant time spent clicking. The lack of a meaningful conclusion further exacerbates the dissatisfaction with the grinding experience.
“I got to the end of the game after about 15 minutes of tedious clicking, and was given a vague ending that didn't seem to mean anything at all!”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I spent hours grinding for resources, only to realize it was all for a lackluster reward.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The graphics have been criticized for being subpar, with some users stating that the experience fails to meet even basic standards for a game or interactive graphical experience, leading to a strong recommendation against it.
“The graphics are outdated and lack any real detail, making the game feel bland and uninviting.”
“I was disappointed by the low-resolution textures; they detract from the overall experience.”
“The character models look stiff and lifeless, which really pulls you out of the immersion.”
