Summit of the Wolf
- April 21, 2020
- Storycentric Worlds
Get on SteamSummit of the Wolf is a poignant point-and-click graphic novel adventure. A young girl wakes up in an ethereal garden and sets out on a personal journey to the fabled Summit of the Wolf, whereupon she must uncover the tragic events that led to her arrival in this fantasy realm.
Reviews
- The game features a compelling and dark story that effectively addresses serious themes, providing a thought-provoking experience.
- The character development is strong, with well-voiced performances that create emotional connections with players.
- The gameplay includes engaging puzzles and a mix of fantasy and real-world elements, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game suffers from some technical issues, such as non-fluid camera movement and occasional pixel-hunting, which can detract from immersion.
- There is a lack of a hinting system and hotspot detector, making it difficult to find interactive elements at times.
- The introduction of quick time events feels out of place and may alienate players who prefer traditional point-and-click mechanics.
- story60 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is a complex and emotional narrative that intertwines elements of fantasy with real-life trauma, particularly focusing on themes of abuse and recovery. Players control Ophelia, a young girl navigating a dreamlike world while uncovering truths about her past, supported by familiar characters from previous installments. While the storytelling is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, some reviewers noted inconsistencies and a dilution of previous storylines, yet overall, it is regarded as a compelling and thought-provoking experience.
“The story is well written and nicely told.”
“This is (at times) sobering, but a heartfelt amazing story based on true events.”
“The story makes you think, as you play, and freeing Ophelia (in the real and dream world) becomes an emotional quest for the player.”
“But on the one hand, there's no particular reason this nurse should be the character from the filmmaker because her experiences in that story don't seem to influence her actions in this one whatsoever, and the stuff to do with shady brook has the unfortunate effect of diluting the well-crafted ending to that game.”
“The story is about a little girl, Ophelia, who after an accident ends up in a coma. As the game trailers show, the cause of this accident isn't totally clear, and the parents seem to not be totally honest about what really happened. Luckily, there is a great character on the job to help discover the truth: Brianna, the protagonist from the filmmaker, who is back as the second protagonist of this story.”
“For the players who want to approach this, don't let the cute fantasy aspect make you think this is a lighthearted story.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of point-and-click mechanics with engaging inventory puzzles and minigames, offering a mix of both fantasy and real-world elements. While many players appreciate the intelligent design and challenging puzzles, some express concerns about the inclusion of quick-time events, which may alienate those with physical limitations. Overall, the gameplay is well-received, though players desire improvements like a hint system and fast travel options.
“For those who think they don't want to play some elf-fantasy nonsense, I want to say this has a lot of 'regular world' gameplay too.”
“I enjoyed the gameplay so much; you switch between the real world and the fantasy world Ophelia made in her mind. The puzzles are fun and quite difficult; I wished there was a hinting system, as well as a fast travel function on the map since you have to go back and forth in a couple of areas.”
“As for the gameplay, it's like a point-and-click slideshow of scenes, with mild, but fun, inventory puzzles.”
“I always thought it was a developers' lazy way to introduce some type of gameplay into their games (Telltale) and here it feels out of place.”
“Gameplay is pretty trouble-free, apart from a bunch of puzzles/minigames that require quick reactions (you can try again, though) and two that are sound-dependent.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews; while some players initially hesitated due to the art style, they found the breathtaking artwork and charming backgrounds ultimately rewarding. Others noted that the visuals may not appeal to everyone, but they complement the game's strong narrative and emotional themes. Overall, the graphics are considered a unique aspect that enhances the overall experience, despite some reservations.
“At first, I was very hesitant to get this game because of the art style, but I got it recommended and gave it a try, which I surely don't regret.”
“This game features great puzzle-solving, haunting music, breathtaking artwork, and a mind-bending story that is both tragic and spiritually uplifting.”
“Great artwork, music, narrative, and characters you care about.”
“The visuals aren't really my cup of tea, but a lot of the backgrounds have their charm.”
“Graphic design is not that great.”
“It is a very sensitive subject and can trigger some people, but trust me, there is nothing graphical about it.”
- music7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, complementing the breathtaking artwork and engaging narrative. Players appreciate the fully voiced characters, though some prefer to turn off the voices to focus on the beautiful soundtrack, which effectively sets the mood for each scene. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth.
“This game features great puzzle-solving, haunting music, breathtaking artwork, and a mind-bending story that is both tragic and spiritually uplifting.”
“The music is wonderful, just like all the previous games. What I loved the most about Summit of the Wolf is that everything is voiced; every line in the game is voiced by the characters, including the journals, codex, and anything you interact with. The cast did an amazing job.”
“Great artwork, music, narrative, and characters you care about.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is described as a deeply emotional dark fantasy that tackles serious themes such as child abuse, sexual and emotional trauma, and loss, making it a sobering yet heartfelt experience. Players embark on an emotional quest to free the character Ophelia, engaging with a narrative that intertwines fantasy elements with real-world issues, prompting reflection and introspection throughout the gameplay. The dialogue-heavy format and exploration enhance the emotional depth, though it may be triggering for some players due to its sensitive subject matter.
“Gorgeous, heart-wrenching, and totally engrossing dark fantasy from the brilliant minds of Christopher and Elle Brendel!”
“This is (at times) sobering, but a heartfelt, amazing story based on true events.”
“The story makes you think, as you play, and freeing Ophelia (in the real and dream world) becomes an emotional quest for the player.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively incorporates humor, balancing it well with its mature themes, featuring witty moments like sarcastic talking trees in a swamp. This blend of levity and depth enhances the overall experience.
“There's plenty of humor in the game at the right time, even though it deals with mature subject matter.”
“There were humorous passages too, such as a swamp filled with sarcastic talking trees.”
