Riley & Rochelle
- February 3, 2022
- Owlskip Games
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Get on itch.io Store"Riley & Rochelle" is a narrative puzzle game that explores the lives of two musicians from different backgrounds who find fame and love in the 90s. Through journals, music, and real events, players uncover their story and make decisions about what makes art authentic, the cost of creation, and who gets to make art. The game is a nostalgic journey through 90s pop culture and counterculture.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a brilliant soundtrack and immersive storytelling, effectively incorporating real-life historical events as clues.
- The deduction puzzles are well-designed, challenging yet fair, encouraging players to think critically without being overly frustrating.
- The characters are relatable and well-written, providing a rich narrative experience that keeps players invested in their journey.
- The focus on finding specific dates for events can become repetitive and may detract from the overall mystery experience.
- There is a lack of a traditional mystery to solve, as the gameplay primarily involves reading through the lives of the characters rather than deciphering clues.
- Some players experienced frustration due to the absence of a save slot function, leading to potential loss of progress.
- music22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in "Riley & Rochelle" is widely praised for its brilliance and diversity, featuring a range of styles from confessional indie tracks to 90s pop ballads, which enhances the immersive storytelling experience. Players appreciate how the soundtrack complements the narrative, making it feel like a deep dive into the music world of the late 1990s. Overall, the combination of a captivating soundtrack and engaging voice acting significantly elevates the game's appeal.
“Brilliant soundtrack and a wonderfully told story.”
“Deeply touched by Riley & Rochelle's songs and the stories behind, much better than to read a biography or something else.”
“But, the music is the true standout here and what really sets it apart from the rest; a diverse set of tracks ranging from Elliot Smith style confessional pieces to early 90s Celine Dion pop balladry all the way through Portishead, Radiohead, and other indie tonebenders.”
“To sell the soundtrack you guys even made a deduction game, huh?”
“But, the music is the true standout here and what really sets it apart from the rest; a diverse set of tracks ranging from Elliott Smith-style confessional pieces to early 90s Celine Dion pop balladry all the way through Portishead, Radiohead, and other indie tonebenders.”
“In Riley & Rochelle, you are tasked with delving into the lives of the protagonists as they navigate the perilous and fickle music world of the late 1990s using their music, diaries, voicemail, and other media to nail down the mile-markers of their journey.”
- story22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story is highly praised for its immersive narrative, strong character development, and clever integration of real-life historical events, which enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the engaging deduction puzzles that deepen their connection to the plot, while the soundtrack and voice acting further elevate the storytelling. The narrative balances humor and emotional depth, particularly in exploring relationships and personal journeys.
“The way real-life historical events were incorporated as clues was really nicely done, and it was so satisfying how dates from earlier chapters related to puzzles in the later chapters; it made the story feel even more real.”
“Brilliant soundtrack and a wonderfully told story.”
“The story focuses on their relationship and career and can be funny just as readily as it is heartbreaking.”
“Haven't finished it yet as some of these puzzles are a tad fiendish but the story is keeping me going.”
“Excellent deduction puzzles spur you deeper into the story, requiring you to pay close attention to hidden notes and private thoughts.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a heartwarming true ending that deeply invests players in the main characters' relationship and career journey. The narrative balances humor and heartbreak, enhanced by masterfully crafted fake 90s music, creating a compelling love and success story.
“The true ending was heartwarming, and I was invested in the main characters.”
“The story focuses on their relationship and career and can be funny just as readily as it is heartbreaking.”
“And that's not even touching the masterfully written fake 90s music and interesting love and success story.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its blend of kindness and relatability, with characters facing genuine struggles that resonate with players. The narrative balances comedic moments with poignant themes, making it both funny and emotionally impactful.
“The characters feel real, have relatable struggles, and are written with a great mix of kindness and humor.”
“The story focuses on their relationship and career and can be funny just as readily as it is heartbreaking.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players consistently praise the gameplay of Tim Sheinman's music culture detective games, highlighting their enjoyable and engaging mechanics.
“I always enjoy the gameplay of Tim Sheinman's music culture detective games!”
