Sorry, James

About

"Sorry, James" is a first-person puzzle game where players manipulate time to solve increasingly complex challenges. As the eponymous James, players experiment with time loops and construct unique solutions to progress through each level. With a focus on creativity and exploration, the game offers a fresh take on the puzzle genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 313 reviews

story96 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

Fun and simple puzzles with a good difficulty curve that keeps players engaged.
The atmosphere is eerie and noir, enhancing the overall experience.
Decent playtime, especially for those aiming for 100% achievements.

The story is vague and leaves much to interpretation, which may frustrate some players.
Gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, leading to potential boredom.
The initial login screen and lack of instructions can be confusing for new players.

story
272 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
55%
10%
The game's story is often described as vague, convoluted, and open to interpretation, leaving many players confused even after completing it. While some appreciate the unique storytelling method through fragmented chat logs, others find it unsatisfying and lacking a coherent conclusion. Overall, the narrative seems to take a backseat to the puzzle mechanics, with many reviewers suggesting that the game is better suited for those who prioritize gameplay over a compelling story.
- “The story was interesting, though open to interpretation; you have to play the demo and read everything to have any understanding of what's going on, and even then you kind of have to fill in the blanks yourself.”
- “The gameplay is kind of a 'minesweeper' thing; you 'decrypt' files by solving puzzles and unlock non-linear texts that make up the story.”
- “The atmosphere is very interesting and keeps you wondering why you're solving all these puzzles in terms of the story.”
- “One of the game's biggest disappointments lies in its storytelling and narrative development.”
- “While the premise hints at a captivating psychological horror experience, the execution of the plot feels convoluted and lacks clear direction.”
- “I played this game for more than seven hours and finished it, but I still have no idea what the story is.”
gameplay
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
77%
8%
The gameplay is primarily a point-and-click puzzle experience that draws comparisons to "Minesweeper" and "Sudoku," featuring simple mechanics that become repetitive and tedious over time. While some players appreciate the unique storytelling methods and initial puzzle engagement, many find the gameplay lacks depth and becomes boring after a few levels, making it hard to recommend for those seeking a compelling narrative or varied mechanics. Overall, the game offers a mixed experience, appealing mainly to fans of straightforward puzzle games.
- “Fun and engaging puzzle mechanics that ramp up in difficulty at a pretty good pace.”
- “However, the game mechanics are both original and intuitive, and you will enjoy wrecking your brain trying to get a perfect decryption for every file.”
- “The puzzles are a lot of fun to solve with simple mechanics that build on themselves to become more layered and complex but never frustrating.”
- “The lackluster gameplay mechanics, inconsistent visuals, and narrative shortcomings make it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the game's world.”
- “Gameplay-wise, there isn't much here. Sad to say, at first the puzzles seem interesting and fun; finishing them feels fulfilling and enjoyable at first. However, after about the first five, they become boring, repetitive, and uninteresting.”
- “What passes for gameplay here is some sort of dumbed down 'minesweeper for Windows 3.11' that gets stale five minutes in, and then goes on forever.”
music
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric and relaxing qualities, likening it to ambient soundscapes that enhance the overall experience. However, some players find it inconsistent or even grating, leading to a polarized reception. Overall, while the soundtrack is highlighted as a standout feature by several users, opinions vary significantly on its effectiveness and appeal.
- “The best part of this game is the soundtrack.”
- “I mean it's so, so good, possibly the best soundtrack of 2017.”
- “Good retro graphics, good discrete music, good puzzles, and the story you unveil (or decrypt) after finishing each puzzle adds a sense of mystery I love!”
- “The soundtrack attempts to create a haunting ambiance but often fails to maintain consistency.”
- “The music is grating, so much so I had to mute it.”
- “It's an okay game, nothing special to be honest, except maybe for the 'music'... 2/5”
graphics
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
53%
8%
The game's graphics feature a retro aesthetic that appeals to fans of old-school computer interfaces, creating an immersive atmosphere complemented by chill music. However, the overall graphical quality is inconsistent, which can detract from the experience, especially when combined with lackluster gameplay mechanics. While some players appreciate the unique visual style and atmospheric design, others find it insufficient for full immersion in the game's world.
- “The game atmosphere, which is created by just a few simple features, is immersive and aesthetically pleasing.”
- “Very nice visuals and interesting story.”
- “The graphics and sound were solid, and had no technical issues of any kind with everything just working as expected.”
- “While it does offer some atmospheric and well-designed environments, the overall graphical quality feels inconsistent.”
- “The lackluster gameplay mechanics, inconsistent visuals, and narrative shortcomings make it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the game's world.”
- “It's purely a retro aesthetic that isn't needed.”
atmosphere
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
39%
11%
The game's atmosphere is described as eerie and noir, effectively creating suspense through immersive sound effects and a unique aesthetic reminiscent of old-fashioned hacking. While some players appreciate the intriguing narrative and well-designed environments, others note inconsistencies in graphical quality that detract from the overall immersion. Overall, the atmosphere is engaging and complements the puzzle-solving experience, though it may not fully deliver on the darker, horror-themed expectations set by its promotional materials.
- “The suspenseful atmosphere of the game is very well-created, and the immersive sound effects also make for a perfect experience of an old-fashioned hacker environment.”
- “The story is really sucking me in and the atmosphere is incredible (even though it's just music and a computer screen...)”
- “Certain areas lack detail and polish, detracting from the overall immersion and unsettling atmosphere the game tries to establish.”
- “I do feel the atmosphere and expectation it sets with the trailer and overall design are much darker and 'horrorish' than the game merits.”
- “The game atmosphere, which is created by just a few simple features, is immersive and aesthetically pleasing.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of "Sorry James" is criticized for its heavy reliance on repetitive tasks that quickly become tedious, leading to diminished engagement and immersion. Players often find the gameplay monotonous and feel they must endure excessive, repetitive activities to progress in the story.
- “Sorry, the game relies heavily on repetitive tasks that quickly become tedious, diminishing the overall engagement and immersion.”
- “If you can call it gameplay, it gets old and repetitive very soon and far too tedious even sooner.”
- “Be prepared to jump through a lot of tedious hoops for your story segments.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently highlight the game's strong emotional impact, describing it as a wholesome experience that resonates deeply with them.
- “This game really affected me emotionally.”
- “This game really affected me emotionally.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of spicy and sexual themes, often evoking nostalgia for early internet culture, which some players find hilarious while others may be put off by its chaotic storytelling. This blend of comedic elements and existential undertones keeps players engaged, despite the confusion surrounding the plot.
- “With some spicy, funny moments at most times and some existential feelings in others, it makes you get involved in the story.”
- “I have no idea what's going on with the story; it's like reading old cyber sex chat logs from 1996. For some people, this might be a huge turnoff, but for those of us who spent time on AIM back in the day, it's hilarious.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is criticized for being poorly executed, resulting in a lack of depth and clarity that leaves players feeling disconnected and uninvested in the narrative.
- “The story beats and character development are not well fleshed out, leaving players with unanswered questions and a lack of investment in the outcome.”