Seen
- June 20, 2019
- Seen Games
- 2h median play time
Seen is a single-player platformer game with fantastic gameplay, fabulous graphics, and an outstanding soundtrack. The game follows the story of a lonely kid trying to escape his dark world, offering a unique atmosphere full of emotions and humor, although it can be quite grinding and buggy. The game features trading cards, badges, backgrounds, and emoticons.
Reviews
- story853 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth and unique storytelling approach, often conveyed through visuals and music rather than dialogue. Players appreciate the poignant themes of loneliness, hope, and resilience, with many noting how the narrative resonates personally, despite some criticism regarding its brevity and occasional lack of clarity. Overall, the combination of a touching storyline, beautiful graphics, and a compelling soundtrack creates a memorable experience that many players find deeply moving.
“This game has a very interesting story; I really love the thoughtfulness it has representing moving forward through hard times.”
“A captivating and emotionally driven story about a sad boy going through a dark world in search of hope.”
“The story is clearly designed to take center stage, and it lands quite well when it matters.”
“The story doesn't hold much of an impact, and the game just isn't interesting.”
“The story is virtually nonexistent and you're left with a lot to wonder about.”
“The story tries extremely hard and just did not resonate with me.”
- music621 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its emotional depth and atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the storytelling and gameplay experience. Many players noted that the soundtrack beautifully complements the game's visuals and themes, often evoking strong feelings of sadness and hope. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, with some players expressing a desire for a soundtrack release due to its captivating nature.
“The music in the game is absolutely fantastic, it really feels like I'm feeling the story through the music and it is very emotional.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely stunning and very moving.”
“The music, the setting, the feelings, there was everything and I can't wait for part 2!!”
“The music often restarts at the wrong point in the score at completely inappropriate points and is often the wrong piece for the point you are at.”
“The actions in the game also go along the music as well which just amplifies the atmospheric depth of the game.”
“When doing challenges, or anything for a matter that involves the tense music- if you die, it stops the music and changes it to a new song to show a quote, then starts back up again with the previous song.”
- graphics378 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beauty and artistic style, often described as stunning, minimalistic, and atmospheric. Many players appreciate the hand-drawn aesthetics and how the visuals enhance the storytelling, creating an immersive experience. While some reviews mention a lack of detail or a simplistic approach, the overall consensus is that the graphics are a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and appeal.
“The graphics are absolutely gorgeous—definitely a feast for the eyes.”
“The game's graphics enhance the storytelling and contribute to its overall immersive atmosphere.”
“One of the key features of Seen is its beautiful, hand-drawn graphics, which give the game a unique and visually appealing look.”
“Seen is, well, the first thing you'll notice about this abandoned early access endless runner is the developer ripped off the art style for Microsoft's award-winning 'Limbo' with no remorse whatsoever.”
“The achievements are overwhelming and unneeded, and the art styles of the main 2D character and the 3D background just clash uncomfortably, at least from what I've seen.”
“The graphics my computer right now can't handle because it's too graphic heavy; causing my laptop to lag horrendously.”
- gameplay374 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and enjoyable, while others criticize it for being generic and frustrating due to unresponsive controls and simplistic mechanics. Many comparisons are made to titles like "Limbo" and "Inside," highlighting a visually appealing atmosphere but noting that the gameplay can feel limited and repetitive. Overall, while the game offers a unique blend of storytelling and mechanics, it suffers from inconsistencies and a lack of depth in its gameplay experience.
“The gameplay is really engaging and fun.”
“The game's engaging storytelling and branching paths provide a dynamic and personalized gameplay experience.”
“The gameplay is intuitive and enjoyable, working with the endearing and meditative narrative.”
“Gameplay-wise, it is very boring and generic. The puzzles are okay, not really that good; don't expect out-of-the-box amazing puzzles. Personally, I didn't like the movement and how it's limited to tiles; it felt limiting and annoying.”
“The gameplay is nothing original, and you could get a better experience for the same price or even for free on one of those browser gaming websites.”
“The gameplay is mostly just a sidescroller where you move up and down and jump; this at least is pretty fluid.”
- emotional304 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players noting its deep themes, heart-wrenching music, and touching story that often evokes strong feelings, including sadness and empathy. Players report being moved to tears by the narrative, which explores loneliness and hope through the journey of a sad boy and his cat, complemented by beautiful visuals and a poignant soundtrack. While some critiques mention gameplay frustrations, the overall emotional impact and relatability of the story resonate strongly with players, making it a memorable experience.
“A captivating and emotionally driven story about a sad boy going through a dark world in search of hope.”
“The emotional journey, from moments of euphoria to heart-wrenching decisions, paralleled the complexities of navigating human relationships, evoking a sense of empathy and understanding.”
“This game is amazing and heartfelt.”
- atmosphere123 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its emotional depth, combining a haunting soundtrack with stylish visuals to create a captivating and immersive experience. Players describe it as melancholic and soul-crushing yet beautiful, effectively enhancing the storytelling and emotional impact. While some find the atmosphere relaxing and engaging, others note that certain gameplay elements can detract from the overall experience.
“The atmosphere is amazing, the graphics are stunning and the soundtrack is beautiful.”
“The music and atmosphere are enough to tell a story by themselves.”
“The developers have done a fantastic job at creating an atmosphere incomparable to anything else.”
“Additionally, the overstimulating amount of achievements for collecting singular orbs drives away from the atmosphere presented.”
“Some levels were unnecessarily challenging as you had to do them in one go or else you had to start all over, and for a game that I thought I could enjoy for the sad and scary story, this really ruined the atmosphere for me.”
“Delete the leaderboard that appears in the game process, because it has no relation to the game subject and damages the game atmosphere.”
- grinding48 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 65 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players stating that it requires an excessive time commitment, often likening it to needing "a second life" to complete. While some find the achievement farming aspect challenging, it is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. A few players noted that using guides can alleviate some of the grind, but the general consensus is that the experience can become frustratingly monotonous.
“The length of the game is to a point where it's not tedious to play through repeatedly but long enough to enjoy.”
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“This is by far the most contrived piece of dogsh*t achievement farming garbage I've seen in a long time.”
“The game, if you're impatient, is incredibly tedious.”
“It was fun in the beginning, then as it went on it became tedious.”
- stability39 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as getting stuck or experiencing unresponsive controls. While some users acknowledge these issues as typical for an early access title, others express hope for improvements in future updates. Overall, the game shows promise but currently suffers from significant stability concerns.
“It is well made with no glitches or other bugs.”
“The last cutscene is buggy and randomly moves me somewhere like I'm on ice sliding, and after that, I just can't walk.”
“As it is still an early access game as of my play and review, there was one buggy part where I was not able to move up and down and had to fall a couple of times for it to resolve itself.”
“The gameplay itself is buggy and unpolished.”
- replayability32 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with many users noting low replay value due to exhaustible storylines and limited choices after the initial playthrough. However, some players appreciate the presence of hidden achievements and challenges that can enhance replayability, suggesting that while the core experience may not encourage multiple runs, there are elements that can entice completionists.
“There are also plenty of achievements that you can try to hunt, so the game has plenty of replay value.”
“There are hidden areas placed between the checkpoints, holding some extra hope points and events that notch up the replay value a fair deal.”
“For now, the game does have replay value, as there are all sorts of hidden achievements to get if you so wish.”
“There is low replay value.”
“[b]🔄 Limited replay value[/b] despite its branching narrative paths, players may exhaust the available choices and storylines after completing the game once.”
“The replayability isn't good; it's one of those games that you finish once and then never touch again.”
- optimization17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 35 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with players reporting poor performance across various hardware setups, including high-end GPUs. Many users noted issues such as low frame rates, janky gameplay mechanics, and inadequate support for mobile platforms, indicating a need for substantial improvements to enhance the overall experience. While some players found aspects of the optimization acceptable, the consensus leans towards a frustrating and unstable performance.
“The game is not well optimized for older hardware.”
“Although the game looks amazing, it doesn't look like it'd need a lot of resources to run smoothly; however, I get a lot of frame drops with 4K max settings + GTX 1650 Super.”
“Optimization needs some improvements as it runs kind of poorly compared to other indie games.”
“Bad optimization, broke gameplay mechanics which are too rough and playing with these is just frustrating.”
“Even with a RTX 4080 16GB, my GPU was at 70-80% on ultra, which is terrible performance.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of clever achievements that allow players to spell funny words, amusing scenarios involving characters, and a blend of lighthearted moments amidst more serious themes. Players appreciate the comedic elements, such as the quirky interactions and the absurdity of certain situations, while some find the humor to be a bit hit-or-miss, with a few moments leaning towards awkwardness rather than outright comedy. Overall, the game successfully incorporates humor that resonates with many players, making it an enjoyable experience.
“The achievements in the game are letters you can use to spell funny words on your profile, which might be its own motivation to play the game. The way they are acquired is by collecting the main collectibles, meaning that you will regularly be inundated with many achievements throughout the experience of playing the story.”
“It's funny that a remake of the WhatsApp story 'Annie96 is typing' is available for purchase, which is a great pleasure for fans of this strangely creepy story.”
“No matter how many times you miss that one spot and have to start over, no matter how many times you fall to your death, it never feels like the game is laughing at you.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players feel that microtransactions significantly impact gameplay, others appreciate that there are no in-app purchases, relying instead on video ads and surveys. Additionally, there is criticism regarding the promotion of a sequel during early access.
“Microtransactions that do not interfere with gameplay.”
“However, there are no in-app purchases in the game, so you only need to watch video ads and take surveys.”
“Microtransactions over gameplay!”
“Microtransactions that significantly affect the gameplay.”
“It also feels unjustified putting a part two advertisement at the end, while this is still in early access.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for being shallow and lacking depth, leading to low immersion and a disappointing narrative experience. However, some players appreciate the emotional resonance achieved through stunning artistic design, animation, and music, suggesting that the game's strength lies more in its aesthetic and emotional presentation than in character growth or gameplay mechanics.
“The team has beautifully executed the design by allowing the player to experience the emotional side due to the beautiful artistic backgrounds, animation, and character design, as well as the choice of music. Everything synergizes together, creating a unique and creative emotional experience.”
“The character development is deeply engaging, allowing players to connect with the characters on an emotional level. The choices you make truly impact the story and how you perceive each character's journey.”
“I love how the game focuses on character growth and emotional depth. Each character feels real and relatable, making their development throughout the story incredibly rewarding.”
“The story is shallow and depressing, with low immersion and no character development.”
“The character development is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“Despite the beautiful artistic backgrounds and animation, the game fails to provide meaningful character development.”