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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a compelling and dark story that effectively addresses sensitive topics, providing a deep emotional experience.
- The character development is strong, with well-voiced performances that help players connect with the protagonists.
- The gameplay includes engaging puzzles and a unique blend of fantasy and reality, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
- The villains lack depth and complexity compared to previous entries, making them feel one-dimensional.
- There are issues with backtracking and pixel hunting, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- The graphics, while improved, still fall short in character animation, leading to a somewhat stiff presentation.
- story120 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of this game is a complex and emotional journey, centered around a young girl named Ophelia who navigates a fantastical world while confronting themes of trauma and resilience. It serves as a sequel within an interconnected series, blending elements of dark fairy tales with real-life experiences, and is praised for its compelling narrative and character development. While some players found the story engaging and thought-provoking, others noted inconsistencies and felt that certain elements diluted the impact of previous installments.
“The first four games were pure fiction, while this one is based on a true story – it's almost like using the power of fairy tales for the therapeutic retelling of someone's (or, unfortunately, many people's) real-life experience.”
“Summit of the Wolf is a multi-faceted story of a child facing and triumphing over abuse.”
“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.”
“I suppose my only complaint is that there was not a little bit more to the backing story as well as the journey to the summit of the wolf after leaving Scarwood Keep.”
“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, but luckily there is a great character on the job to help discover the truth: Brianna, the protagonist from the filmmaker, is back as the second protagonist of this story.”
- gameplay24 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of point-and-click mechanics with engaging inventory puzzles and integrated 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 and sound-dependent challenges, which may alienate certain players. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its depth and creativity, though improvements like a hint system and fast travel options are suggested.
“Far more gameplay than their others, lots of integrated puzzles, even a couple of minigames.”
“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 developer's lazy way to introduce some type of gameplay into their games (Telltale) and here it feels out of place.”
“Also, there will be some people that just can't do these, that enjoyed this developer's previous games, due to physical limitations with mouse movement, etc. I hope the developer rethinks this aspect of gameplay for their next game and leaves it out.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's graphics have received mixed feedback, with some players initially hesitant due to the art style but ultimately appreciating its charm and breathtaking artwork. While not universally appealing, many found the visuals complemented the game's haunting music and engaging narrative, contributing to an overall positive experience.
“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.”
“- graphics as is not that great.”
“It is a very sensitive subject and can trigger some people, but trust me, there is nothing graphical about it.”
- music14 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its haunting quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, effectively setting the mood for each scene. Players appreciate the beautiful compositions and the seamless integration of voice acting, with many opting to focus solely on the music. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, complementing the game's breathtaking artwork and engaging narrative.
“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.”
“The voice acting is well done, but I tend to turn voices off and just enjoy the music, which effectively sets the mood for each scene.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is described as a gorgeous and heart-wrenching dark fantasy that tackles serious themes such as emotional and sexual abuse, making it a deeply emotional experience for players. The narrative, based on true events, prompts reflection and transforms the quest to free Ophelia into a poignant journey. However, players should be aware that some content may be distressing, particularly for those with personal experiences related to the themes presented.
“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.”
“Story-centric worlds have returned with another great and emotional story.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively incorporates humor, balancing it well with its mature themes. Notable comedic elements include witty dialogue and quirky scenarios, such as a swamp inhabited by sarcastic talking trees, which add levity to the 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.”
