SELF
- January 15, 2020
- doBell
Get on Steam"Self" is a text-based adventure game with simulation and puzzle mechanics, where you must find your vanished father in a world where reality, dreams, truth, and memories blur together. Interact with an old CRT monitor to uncover clues, make choices, and reach various endings. This introspective journey explores the complexity of self-discovery and the power of memory.
Reviews
- The story is complex and rewarding, providing a satisfying experience as players uncover the narrative's intricacies.
- The game features great surreal aesthetics, with effective art style and music that enhance the overall mood.
- It offers a unique choose-your-own-adventure experience with creative mini-games that add variety to the gameplay.
- The game is perceived as too short for its price, leading some players to recommend waiting for a sale.
- Many players found the plot confusing and cryptic, making it difficult to fully grasp the story's context.
- Some mini-games were considered repetitive and unengaging, with an overly simplistic 'give up' option that detracted from the challenge.
- story16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 88 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is a standout feature of the game, characterized by its complexity and engaging text-based format that allows players to make choices that shape the narrative. While many players find the overarching plot intriguing and rewarding, some express confusion over specific details and character identities, leading to a sense of cryptic storytelling. Overall, the game is praised for its compelling narrative and strong visual and audio elements that enhance the storytelling experience.
“The story is really where this game shines; it was super interesting to piece together the overarching narrative, and I found myself feeling compelled to see it to the end.”
“The story is complex and rewarding, and the storytelling and visualization of this game are fabulous.”
“I haven't reached all endings yet, but what I personally enjoy about the story is that it leaves a lot for interpretation as to what's really going on.”
“My only major gripe with it is that I'm still not sure what exactly the plot is; I know bits and pieces and can largely infer the majority of the rest, but I've still got no clue what exactly happened with the main character's father. Is he John? Is he King or is King his friend? Does he even know King?”
“The story is... cryptic.”
“It has some slow repetition to get to the points where the story branches, and the avoidance minigame is largely boring, but these are very minor gripes.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and mood, contributing significantly to the narrative experience. Reviewers highlight its quality and effectiveness in creating an engaging and immersive environment.
“Art style and music are used to great effect to build mood.”
“The music is really good, let me start with that.”
“Such an interesting little game, with great music, atmosphere, pacing, writing, all the things that matter to craft a compelling narrative experience.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their great surreal aesthetics, with the art style and music effectively enhancing the overall mood of the game.
“Great surreal aesthetics.”
“The art style and music are used to great effect to build mood.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a unique emotional experience characterized by frustration and isolation, as characters in the game frequently ignore their requests and questions, only to later offer help. This dynamic evokes feelings reminiscent of dealing with unresponsive customer service, highlighting the game's ability to elicit strong, relatable emotions.
“Everyone else (your mother, the king, the clown, the people that speak to you over church bells, the fellow student at school) ignores the requests you make of them and questions you ask, only to ask you shortly thereafter 'what they can do to help.' It was frustrating, and a unique emotion to be induced by a game - it made me feel like I was on the phone with the customer service department at the local cable company.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its engaging music, pacing, and writing, all of which contribute to a compelling narrative experience.
“Such an interesting little game, with great music, atmosphere, pacing, writing, all the things that matter to craft a compelling narrative experience.”
