Strangeland

Strangeland goes out of its way to convince you you’ve fallen off your chair and woken up in the 90s.

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"Strangeland" is a single-player horror point-and-click game with an intriguing story and splendid gameplay. You awaken in a nightmarish carnival and must navigate a dense atmosphere filled with unique characters and puzzles to destroy a Dark Thing to save a golden-haired woman from endlessly falling. With exceptional visuals, delightful music, and a highly emotional narrative, "Strangeland" offers a haunting and memorable experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 606 reviews

story104 positive mentions

character development3 negative mentions

Strangeland features stunning visuals and a unique art style that creates a haunting atmosphere.
The writing is rich with metaphors and allegories, providing a thought-provoking narrative that resonates with players.
The game includes a built-in hint system that is well-integrated into the story, making it accessible for players without sacrificing challenge.

The story can feel vague and overly cryptic, leaving some players confused about the protagonist's motivations and the overall plot.
Some puzzles may come off as too easy or straightforward, lacking the complexity found in other adventure games.
The game is relatively short, which may leave players wanting more content and depth.

story
419 mentions
25 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Strangeland" is a complex and often abstract narrative that explores themes of grief, loss, and introspection, with many players finding it both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. While some appreciate its depth and the use of metaphors, others criticize it for being vague or lacking a clear plot, leading to mixed feelings about character development and engagement. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its unique atmosphere and artistic presentation, though opinions vary on its coherence and impact.
- “It grips you from the beginning with its intriguing story and riveting dialogue.”
- “A great point-and-click adventure game with a genuinely thought-provoking story.”
- “The story is deep and immersive, the art is amazing, and there's just enough randomness to keep you on your toes.”
- “This game is all mood, atmosphere, and allegories, but has little to no plot, characters, or background story.”
- “The story hadn't gripped me; it seemed like a generic 'oh no, I must save my dead wife' thing. I found the game tedious and after playing it for an hour, I won't be coming back to it.”
- “The main storyline is plain and vain, and if you do not figure out the plot twist in the first few minutes, the game outright tells you soon after.”
graphics
183 mentions
50 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning and unique art style, often described as surreal, macabre, and reminiscent of the works of H.R. Giger. Players appreciate the atmospheric visuals that enhance the storytelling, with many noting the effective use of pixel art and a haunting color palette that contributes to the game's eerie ambiance. Overall, the combination of beautiful artwork, fluid animations, and a cohesive aesthetic has made a significant positive impact on the gaming experience.
- “This is an incredibly well-written adventure game with great puzzle direction and a gorgeous art style.”
- “The visuals are incredible.”
- “The artwork and overall atmosphere is something else.”
- “If you are sensitive to graphic and disturbing imagery, this might not be a game to play.”
- “The visuals are distorted, gritty, and visceral, whereas the soundscape feels suitably tortured and tormented with a lot of droning tracks and reverb, both very unsettling and effective in burrowing their way into your psyche, even without resorting to any gore and jump-scary cues.”
- “Despite its alien aesthetic, this game is, at its heart, about being human.”
atmosphere
101 mentions
49 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and gripping qualities, characterized by a blend of eerie visuals, haunting sound design, and a surreal, often macabre tone. Reviewers note that the atmosphere effectively enhances the gameplay experience, even when the narrative or character development may be lacking. Overall, the game's ability to evoke deep emotions and create a unique, unsettling environment is highlighted as a standout feature.
- “Atmosphere and OST made it really immersive.”
- “The atmosphere was very well crafted and the writing and dialogue was intriguing.”
- “Strangeland absolutely nails the dark, oppressive atmosphere and all the little tidbits of high strangeness you'd expect from a game called... well, Strangeland.”
- “This game is all mood, atmosphere and allegories, but has little to no plot, characters, or background story.”
- “Having not suffered an untimely loss of a loved one, I felt like I lacked the emotional intelligence to engage with the moody atmosphere and metaphors that this game so elegantly crafted.”
- “Despite the game's largely muted colors fitting to a gloomy atmosphere full of despair, bright purples and yellows in neon-lit lights bring an interesting element to awe-inspiring pixel art, and even intense macabre creations have an underlying beauty to them.”
music
84 mentions
48 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the immersive experience with ambient and haunting sounds that fit the game's themes. While many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to create mood, some feel it lacks memorability and could stand out more. Overall, the combination of music, sound design, and voice acting contributes significantly to the game's artistic presentation and emotional depth.
- “Breathtaking environments, music, and sound design.”
- “The musical score is likewise breathtaking, adding a great sense of foreboding and dread to the already fantastic background art.”
- “The art, soundtrack, overall atmosphere, puzzle mechanics, and voice acting were amazing though.”
- “The music is generally ambient and not very noticeable.”
- “I do wish there was more music as there were particular moments/rooms that had standout pieces.”
- “Other important thing to talk about is the music, as it sets up the mood and atmosphere, which I feel is especially important in a game that relies on surreal, fantastic and disturbing imagery, and, to be honest, I don’t remember a single track or melody from the game.”
gameplay
58 mentions
28 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a classic point-and-click adventure, featuring clever and intuitive puzzles that are generally straightforward, though some players found them occasionally obscure or requiring external help. The mechanics are fluid and responsive, with interesting elements like a death-resurrection mechanic that adds depth to the experience. While the atmosphere, art style, and voice acting are praised, some reviewers noted the game's linearity and short length as drawbacks, suggesting that while the gameplay is enjoyable, it may lack meaningful complexity.
- “The puzzles and gameplay are clever, but not too obtuse to figure out.”
- “Gameplay mechanics are interesting as well: it is not every day that dying in an adventure game is sometimes desirable or even necessary.”
- “Great gameplay with good puzzles, and an incredible soundtrack, very good at setting the tone of the game.”
- “Unfortunately, the game's general ambiguousness and surrealism also make the puzzles and gameplay quite obscure.”
- “During my gameplay, I had to get stuck in a walkthrough to progress the game, and I quickly lost interest in the vague story.”
- “It is not a bad game, but overall pretty linear in terms of gameplay (find new item, bring it where you need it, find other new item).”
humor
31 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark, macabre elements and clever, self-aware wit, often poking fun at the player's misfortunes and the game's serious themes of grief and loss. While some moments are grotesque, the humor provides levity and engages players through absurd scenarios and sharp dialogue, creating a unique tonal balance that keeps the experience both entertaining and thought-provoking. Overall, the game successfully navigates a fine line between humor and seriousness, making it appealing to fans of cerebral, dark humor in adventure games.
- “The story clearly comes from a deeply personal place and deals with heavy themes like grief and loss of self, but it maintains a dark sense of humor throughout its 4-5 hour runtime.”
- “Striking images and scenarios with an amazing tone that balances all manners of dark emotions with humor and a glimmer of hope.”
- “You will meet all kinds of strange individuals that will poke you and make fun of you; the game is actually funny, despite being somewhat serious - love that bird by the phone, best character.”
emotional
28 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a deeply heartfelt and often dark narrative that explores themes of grief and personal struggle, resonating with players on various levels. While some found it difficult to connect with the main character or the abstract elements, many praised the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its compelling story, rich symbolism, and atmospheric design. Overall, it offers a unique blend of emotional depth and psychological horror, making it a memorable experience for those willing to engage with its themes.
- “A compelling if heart-wrenching story.”
- “It's the heartfelt story of a man working through his grief and pain despite however much he might fight himself along the way.”
- “Beautifully horrifying art, solid puzzle design, and deep symbolism combine to push the genre to new heights of emotional storytelling.”
optimization
12 mentions
42 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is highlighted by its exceptional visual design and strong voice performances, particularly from Abe Goldfarb, whose portrayal of the protagonist is noted for its depth and passion. While the overall voice cast is praised for their contributions, some performances are seen as less impactful, yet the narrative pacing and writing remain commendable. Overall, the optimization of voice acting significantly enhances the immersive experience.
- “The artwork and voice acting are superb with a standout performance by Wadjet Eye veteran Abe Goldfarb as the protagonist.”
- “Abe Goldfarb is powerful in the leading role; many other familiar voices populate the supporting cast, and there's not one weak performance in the bunch.”
- “That said, the game's narrative is expertly done, paced well, and features another standout performance by Abe Goldfarb, bringing that forlorn-gravel-greatness in every game I hear him in.”
- “The writing and performance are lacking in optimization, leading to a disjointed experience.”
- “The game suffers from poor optimization, causing frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “Despite the strong voice acting, the overall optimization of the game leaves much to be desired, affecting immersion.”
character development
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized, with many reviewers noting a lack of growth or substance in the main character. While some appreciate the exploration of psychological themes, they feel it lacks specificity and depth, resulting in an overall sense of meaninglessness. The immersive atmosphere and high production quality are overshadowed by the short length and poor character development.
- “The breathtaking visual style of environments and character designs and animation fits this unusual setting perfectly, which is full of surrealism and resembles the works of art by surrealist artists.”
- “In a certain sense, there's not really a plot - the character development and exploration of a character's psychology *is* the story, and it's plumbed at depth.”
- “No character development or substance to the main character.”
- “Character development or growth is not really present.”
- “I also felt like the whole experience the protagonist is going through in the game is, well, meaningless, as in it feels like there’s no character development, no growth, no fighting your internal struggles and overcoming them, learning from mistakes and doing better; everything feels like 'a thing to do', or just another whatever metaphor.”
replayability
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers limited replayability due to its short playtime and some frustrating puzzles, but it does feature multiple endings and various dialogue options that encourage players to revisit it for a deeper experience. While some players found the replay value appealing, others felt it could be improved in future titles.
- “There is replay value; no one could possibly get all of the nuance out of the game with just one playthrough.”
- “With the many options you get throughout the game, it seems there is some good replayability, and I even wanted to restart right after the credits screen.”
- “A gorgeous, disturbing, atmospheric psychodrama that suffers from a few frustrating puzzles, a very short playtime (with little replayability), and pacing issues in its narrative.”
- “One thing I would suggest for future games would be to try and include as much replay value to the games.”
- “It's a bit shorter than Primordia, but I feel like there's still some replay value here if you like to get all the dialogues and endings.”
grinding
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game, with some finding it tedious due to slow movement and unskippable animations, while others appreciate improvements in interface and level design that reduce frustration. Overall, the experience can feel drawn out, leading some to lose interest after a short playtime.
- “The story hadn't gripped me; it seemed like a generic 'oh no, I must save my dead wife' thing. I found the game tedious, as moving around areas is quite slow even with double-clicking, and after playing it for an hour, I won't be coming back to it.”
- “Some of the uncontrollable delays just felt tedious.”
- “Some of that playtime is also taken up by things people wouldn't be faulted for finding tedious, like unskippable death animation bumpers and the occasional long walk.”
stability
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates strong stability on the Steam Deck, with users appreciating features like the ability to highlight interactive elements and quickly navigate using the D-pad, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- “It runs great on Steam Deck, and I appreciated that you could press Y to highlight interactive elements and use the D-pad to quickly jump your cursor to each one.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for more innovative and risk-taking approaches in game development, criticizing current monetization strategies as often being cynical cash grabs or uninspired sequels focused solely on profit rather than creative expression.
- “I want to see more risks in the gaming industry and see the developers' desires realized, instead of a cynical cash grab or a passionless sequel with minor iterations just to cash a check.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more money to enjoy basic features that should be included in the game.”
- “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great reduced to a series of paywalls and microtransactions, making it hard to enjoy without spending extra.”