Sunday Gold
- October 13, 2022
- BKOM Studios
- 13h median play time
Successfully marrying two completely different types of gameplay while still making sure they're sufficiently deep is no mean feat, but Sunday Gold offers up that and more with its excellent gameplay and lovable cast of foul-mouthed characters.
"Sunday Gold" is a point-and-click, turn-based adventure game set in a gritty, dystopian future. As a trio of criminals, you must hunt down the secrets of an evil mega-corporation and its ruthless billionaire leader. Experience a blend of escape room puzzles, combat, and RPG mechanics as you explore the poverty-stricken streets of near-future London.
Reviews
- Unique blend of point-and-click adventure and turn-based RPG mechanics, providing a fresh gameplay experience.
- Stunning art style and excellent voice acting that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Engaging story with well-developed characters that keep players invested throughout the game.
- Combat can become tedious and repetitive, especially with spongy bosses that prolong battles unnecessarily.
- Some puzzles and mini-games can be frustrating, with unclear mechanics leading to confusion.
- The ending feels abrupt and leaves many plot points unresolved, which may disappoint players seeking closure.
- story158 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally engaging and features well-developed characters, but it suffers from predictability and a rushed ending that leaves many plot points unresolved. While the narrative is easy to follow and has moments of intrigue, it ultimately feels condensed and lacks depth, leading to a sense of disappointment for players hoping for a more substantial conclusion. Overall, the combination of interesting mechanics and artistic presentation enhances the experience, but the story's execution leaves room for improvement.
“The story is interesting enough, but the characters, sound, visuals, and especially voice acting are the driving force that kept me playing.”
“It's a game dripping with style and coherent artistic vision, good performances, and a story that's easy to follow.”
“Great game with a cool story.”
“Too bad they're wasted on a story that is so predictable and short.”
“Story turned from a generally decent dystopian cyberpunk mystery into an easy-to-predict ending which is super rushed; the game ended abruptly with a 30-second cutscene after a 30-minute boss fight that felt like forever.”
“The story while promising in the beginning, ends up being nothing special.”
- gameplay126 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Sunday Gold" presents a unique blend of point-and-click adventure and turn-based RPG mechanics, which some players find innovative and engaging, while others criticize it for being tedious and unbalanced. Many reviews highlight interesting mechanics like the composure system and action points, but they also point out issues such as bullet sponge enemies, cumbersome combat, and a lack of polish that detracts from the overall experience. Despite its artistic strengths and compelling narrative, the gameplay often feels inconsistent and can lead to frustration, particularly in later chapters.
“Sunday Gold experiments with mechanics and visuals I've never really seen in other games, and they work very well too. Yes, there are some minor frustration factors here and there, but that's nothing compared to the good of this game.”
“The gameplay is a mix of point-and-click and party-based RPG, combining what is essentially a straightforward adventure game with a tactical element. While that gameplay aspect might be a little simple, it functions marvelously in the context of being an intruder and thief, helping nail the tone of being under pressure without forcing you into an uncomfortable situation.”
“The gameplay at its core is decent, but once you reach the later part of the game, it starts to get extremely boring when enemies are just time sinks and puzzles that have you jumping back and forth in the same rooms.”
“The systems/mechanics themselves were neat, but every enemy is a bullet sponge and bosses are even worse.”
“A genre mix that does neither of its parts well, which leads to an ultimately subpar experience in each of its gameplay segments.”
“The gameplay at its core is decent, but once you reach the later part of the game (most notably chapter 3) it starts to get extremely boring when enemies are just time sinks and puzzles that have you jumping back and forth in the same rooms.”
- graphics94 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their unique and vibrant art style, often compared to a blend of "Persona 5" and "Disco Elysium." Reviewers highlight the stunning hand-drawn visuals, detailed character designs, and immersive environments, which are complemented by excellent voice acting and a captivating soundtrack. While some minor visual issues and gameplay frustrations were noted, the overall aesthetic and artistic direction are considered standout features that enhance the gaming experience.
“The art style is like nothing I've seen before: it's a beautiful combination of comic-book art styles, backgrounds with vibrant colors and extreme detail, and 3D character models that just blend right into everything else.”
“The visuals are absolutely beautiful, both in the character art and the backgrounds.”
“It's dripping with style, with striking visuals, snappy combat sequences, a soundtrack that'll get stuck in your head, and voice acting that brings the game's cast of big personalities to life.”
“The game is a classic 'comic' point and click, the graphics are a bit reminiscent of Persona, but we are not at those levels.”
“I also encountered a bunch of little bugs (from background graphics not appearing, the HUD occasionally deciding to be in the foreground so you can't click on stuff in the world behind it to crashes, there is sure to be something for everyone).”
“The art style isn't such that it would be upsetting to everyone but it might put some off.”
- music42 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its outstanding quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as catchy and well-composed, complementing the unique art style and strong voice acting. However, some users noted occasional glitches and a lack of variety in the music, suggesting that while it is generally excellent, there are minor issues that could detract from the experience.
“Don't overlook this, the music and sound design for Sunday Gold is seriously outstanding.”
“The game oozes style in both its visuals and music, and the adventure game elements are fairly fun.”
“Sunday Gold has fantastic art, fantastic music, and industry-best voice acting.”
“I've had some music glitches in the game sometimes but nothing game-breaking that a quick restart didn't help.”
“It's pretty good, don't get me wrong, but there's so little variety that you're much better off listening to your own music and then putting the earbuds back in when there's dialogue.”
“- the background music bugged out in act 3 and was just a mess.. my ears need vacation now”
- grinding27 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly during combat sequences that can drag on for extended periods. Many reviews highlight the lack of enemy diversity and the basic nature of the combat, which diminishes enjoyment and leads to a sense of monotony. While the game's artistic elements and story are praised, the gameplay loop often feels like a chore, with mini-games and lengthy battles contributing to the overall sense of tedium.
“The combat gets a bit tedious after a while since it is quite basic and repetitive.”
“It's original, but at the end of the day, the battles are long and repetitive, taking away the fun and just feeling like a tedious task you need to finish to return to the game.”
“The bosses were alright but the rest of the combat was tedious at times and the challenge completely disappeared after the first chapter because I figured out what the best abilities were and I just leveled up my characters.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by well-written characters, particularly the main trio, whose funny dialogue and chemistry enhance the experience. Players appreciate the blend of dark humor and satire, with comedic moments woven into gameplay mechanics, such as characters using unconventional methods to avoid fights. Overall, the humor is engaging and complements the game's dystopian setting, making it a standout feature.
“The three main heroes (Gavin, Frank, and Sally) are very well written and come with funny dialogue.”
“Multiple times I've had a character do a bump of coke to avoid a fight, which is super funny, but also a fantastic way of making the gameplay intertwine with the story.”
“It makes the game stand out while fitting the dystopian setting, satirical tone, and dark humor.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, engaging soundtrack, and well-developed characters, which collectively enhance the overall experience. While some players find the combat interruptions disruptive, the charming dialogue and cohesive theme contribute significantly to the game's immersive quality. Overall, the combination of art style and atmospheric elements creates a captivating environment that resonates with players.
“I love the characters, the voice acting, the freaking music (I wish the OST is sold somewhere) and the overall atmosphere is amazing.”
“It gives more charm to the atmosphere; I can’t even imagine playing it without hearing Frank’s sarcasm, Gavin’s complaints, and Sally’s thoughts about their (not great) situation.”
“The puzzles, the soundtrack, the general atmosphere, theme, and setting - it all fits together quite nicely.”
“The puzzles are fun to solve and discover, but they annoyed me when I had to end the turn, enter a 10-minute combat just to move a box, or in a super important part of the story, enter a fight with random characters that disrupt the atmosphere of the scene.”
“It gives more charm to the atmosphere; I can't even imagine playing it without hearing Frank's sarcasm, Gavin's complaints, and Sally's thoughts about their (not great) situation.”
“Love the art style, which has a dark but vibrant atmosphere!”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is limited, with many players feeling it offers a one-time experience due to its short length and lack of diverse character builds and enemies. However, some aspects, such as multiple problem-solving approaches that lead to different scenes and dialogue, provide a slight incentive for replaying.
“They don't impact the story in a meaningful way, but they give you multiple ways to solve a problem, each with exclusive scenes and dialogue, adding some replay value.”
“However, at 20 hours total, I think you must understand that this is it - no replay value, one and done.”
“I think this game needs a bit more diversity in character builds, a couple more playable characters, and a bigger pool of enemies, because right now the combat, even though it is a great addition to this style of game, feels a tad bit superficial.”
“Not sure how much replay value there is.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the game's optimization is commendable, showcasing a cohesive artistic vision and strong voice acting that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the captivating performances and well-executed humor, contributing to a polished and engaging narrative.
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players report occasional music glitches and sound bugs that can disrupt gameplay, but these issues are generally not game-breaking and can often be resolved with a quick restart. Some mechanics may feel overwhelming, and performance can vary, particularly on older systems, leading to frustrating experiences in certain gameplay elements.
“I've had some music glitches in the game sometimes, but nothing game-breaking that a quick restart didn't help.”
“Mechanics and fights sometimes feel overwhelming, and the sound is buggy, but nonetheless a must-play.”
“Additionally (and this may be because I played the game on an older system), Sally's strength game can either be extremely buggy or just downright undoable.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express disappointment with the emotional impact of the game, citing frustration over repetitive tasks and a sense of unfulfillment with the ending.
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
While the game features impressive art style, character design, and voice acting, the overall character development is perceived as lacking depth, leaving players feeling that the narrative and character arcs are merely satisfactory.
“I love the art style, the character design, the voice acting, and the worldbuilding.”
“The game looks amazing too; I'd put these character designs and portraits beside Disco Elysium's.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way.”
“Despite the interesting premise, the characters remain one-dimensional and fail to grow throughout the story.”
Critic Reviews
Sunday Gold Review – Not their Sunday best
A silky, suave graphic novel art-style and engaging Cyberpunk world can’t save Sunday Gold. With every strength on offer comes some weird design choices or bugs that will ruin your fun at every turn. This game is an experimental risk, blending both the point-and-click genre with turn-based combat, peppering in RPG progression. That mixture shows promise at the start but ultimately ends up being an average net loss. A gamble that’s not worth taking. Don’t place your bets on this one. Go all in elsewhere.
50%Sunday Gold Review
Sunday Gold is a pretty decent turned-based action RPG with an acceptable story that carries the player until the end but there is so much lost potential in it as well.
80%Sunday Gold Review (PC)
In between silly remarks, turn-based combat and puzzle solving, Sunday Gold provides enough entertainment to keep you going until the end, which is probably around 12-15 hours if you figure out the puzzles and finish the boss fights faster. Sunday Gold is a hybrid of two genres, point & click adventure and turn-based RPG, that simply works. It doesn’t make everything perfect, but at least it comes up with some interesting ideas that could be refined in a future title. BKOM’s game is trying to do something different and, partly, it succeeds. I enjoyed many parts of the game and some of the mechanics, and the story, while pretty generic, it did make me feel like I’m playing in a Guy Ritchie movie. Ultimately, Sunday Gold is entertaining and that’s what I expect from a game, so I consider this a successful experiment. Review code provided by the publisher.
85%