Riley & Rochelle
- February 3, 2022
- Owlskip Games
Get on Steam
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.
Reviews
- The game features a brilliant soundtrack and excellent voice acting, enhancing the immersive storytelling experience.
- The puzzles are cleverly designed, requiring observation and deduction without being overly frustrating, making for a satisfying gameplay experience.
- The characters and their stories are well-written, providing a relatable and engaging narrative that draws players in.
- The focus on finding specific dates for events can become repetitive and may detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- There is a lack of a true mystery to solve, as the gameplay primarily involves reading through the characters' lives rather than deciphering complex clues.
- Some players may find the absence of a save slot function frustrating, as accidental clicks can lead to lost progress.
- music11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in "Riley & Rochelle" is highly praised for its brilliance and immersive quality, featuring a diverse range of tracks that enhance the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the integration of music with gameplay, as it allows them to explore the protagonists' lives in the late 1990s music scene through various media. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element that elevates the game beyond typical narrative experiences.
“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.”
- story11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story is highly praised for its immersive quality, engaging voice acting, and a brilliant soundtrack that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the clever integration of historical events and the satisfying connections between earlier clues and later puzzles, which deepen the narrative. Additionally, the main storyline, centered on relationships and personal growth, is complemented by entertaining side-games that offer further deduction challenges.
“The music and voice acting were really good and the story was immersive.”
“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.”
“Haven't finished it yet as some of these puzzles are a tad fiendish, but the story is keeping me going.”
“The story focuses on their relationship and career and can be funny just as readily as it is heartbreaking.”
“Have finished the main story but not all the quizzes yet.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game delivers a heartwarming true ending that deeply invests players in the main characters, blending humor with poignant moments. Its masterfully crafted narrative explores themes of love and success, enhanced by a nostalgic 90s soundtrack, making for an emotionally resonant experience.
“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.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its relatability, stemming from well-developed characters who navigate both comedic and poignant moments in their relationships and careers. This blend of kindness and humor adds depth to the narrative, making it both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
“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.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players consistently appreciate the gameplay in Tim Sheinman's music culture detective games, highlighting it as an enjoyable experience.
“I always enjoy the gameplay of Tim Sheinman's music culture detective games!”
