Robotherapy
- August 7, 2023
- Lucas Molina
"Robotherapy" is a single-player drama visual novel game that offers a unique and humorous take on a dystopian society where robots are in search of happiness after killing all humans. As a robot therapist, you will make dialogue choices, meet quirky robot patients, and enter their minds to uncover their issues in this story of pain, hope, and healing. With at least five jokes, minimalistic art, and a captivating original soundtrack, "Robotherapy" is an emotional dark comedy worth exploring.
Reviews
- The game features a charming and humorous story that effectively balances lightheartedness with deeper themes of mental health and identity.
- The writing is clever and engaging, with well-developed characters and a unique premise that keeps players entertained throughout the short playtime.
- The art style and soundtrack complement the narrative well, creating an enjoyable atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- The game is very short, with minimal replayability and choices that often feel inconsequential, leading to a linear experience.
- Some players found the humor to be overly reliant on puns, which may not appeal to everyone and can detract from the overall narrative.
- There are concerns about the depth of the therapeutic themes presented, with some players feeling that the advice given may not be suitable or effective in real-life contexts.
- story41 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is a charming blend of humor and depth, focusing on a robot named Smokes who navigates identity and mental health themes while helping others. While some players appreciated the witty writing and character interactions, others criticized the linearity and predictability of the plot, feeling that the robot elements were underutilized. Overall, the narrative is seen as enjoyable yet simplistic, with a mix of funny moments and philosophical undertones.
“A charming short narrative game, with a very funny sense of humor, a solid cast of characters that play very well off each other for both the funny and serious moments, and a sentimental story about mental health and therapy.”
“It is funny, very funny, with very good characterization, mini games, animations, character and graphic design, excellent writing, very good poetry that fit the story, realistic sci-fi themes, even the narrator is a character, a plot twist, confrontations, actually pretty basic therapy techniques in here - love it if a bit stereotypical - but educational while still funny and witty.”
“I loved this story.”
“The game offers very little content, and what is offered is quite a shallow story that is advertised as a deep and psychological story.”
“Unfortunately, there's very little in that aspect, as the story doesn't go very deep, and is very predictable.”
“On top of that, the story is incredibly short, and the choices you make have absolutely no impact on the story.”
- humor28 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and balance between lightheartedness and serious themes, often incorporating dark humor and philosophical insights. Players appreciate the witty writing, relatable characters, and amusing interactions, particularly the unique naming of robots that adds to the comedic effect. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with meaningful messages about mental health, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
“A charming short narrative game, with a very funny sense of humor, a solid cast of characters that play very well off each other for both the funny and serious moments, and a sentimental story about mental health and therapy.”
“Extremely funny, relatable, and smart.”
“While still laughing throughout most of the game, you might even learn a few tricks about how to approach depression and negative thoughts.”
- music8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with standout tracks that complement key moments, such as poetry readings. Reviewers noted the impressive soundtrack alongside the game's appealing visuals and humor, contributing to a well-rounded and enjoyable atmosphere. Overall, the combination of engaging music and art has left a positive impression on players.
“The pixel art is quite nice, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality soundtrack.”
“Music was good, especially the song that played when poetry was being read.”
“The soundtrack and when music does begin to play does wonders for that feeling too, of course.”
“Art was gorgeous, characters had extremely comical names, and the music slapped.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The graphics are well-integrated into the storytelling, enhancing the game's themes and humor while maintaining a simplistic yet effective aesthetic. Users appreciate the thoughtful design and character animations, which complement the narrative and contribute to the overall experience. While not groundbreaking, the visuals are praised for their ability to convey deeper messages and engage players throughout the game.
“The graphics are very well thought out and are an amazing storytelling piece that will only make sense at the end of it all.”
“The graphics fit the type of story well.”
“Great soundtrack, visuals, humor, characters, robots.”
“Art style is nothing to write home about either.”
“The game offers simplistic visuals and audio that complement each other nicely.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is minimal, resembling a classic point-and-click style but lacking depth, with only about an hour of playtime and limited replayability. While it may not satisfy those seeking intense gameplay, it offers a lighthearted experience with a decent story for those looking for a casual laugh.
“If you are looking for something not intense gameplay-wise, and for a laugh, or quite a few in my case, I would definitely give this a try.”
“It may look like a Lucasfilm-era point & click, but make no mistake, there is no gameplay.”
“This game has one hour of gameplay and very little replayability.”
“Although I wish the dev would've sacrificed some of the story for more gameplay, I will say the story is decent enough for how simple it is.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers only about an hour of gameplay with minimal replayability, as player choices seem to have little impact on the experience. Despite this limitation, it is still recommended due to its low price.
“This game has one hour of gameplay and very little replayability.”
“I don't think your choices matter at all, so it doesn't really have any replay value, but I'd still recommend it at the low price.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be deeply emotional, highlighting its heart-touching moments that resonate strongly and leave a lasting impact.
“This is one of the most heart-touching games I've played in a long while.”
“Some moments were really touching.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is perceived as lacking, leading to a disconnection where players feel indifferent towards the protagonist's backstory and growth.
“As a result, I don't really care about his backstory or character development.”
“The character development feels shallow and unengaging, making it hard to connect with anyone.”
“I found the character arcs predictable and lacking depth, which diminished my overall experience.”