Tacoma

If you're a big believer in great storytelling in video games, Fullbright has once again nailed it, proving it can be done, and it can be done to the highest standard.

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"Tacoma" is a single-player mystery action game with an ingenious story, amazing gameplay, great graphics, and sensational music. You explore a high-tech space station in 2088, uncovering the crew's personal stories and the gripping tale of trust, fear, and resolve through digital surveillance recordings. While it offers a lot of content and is highly emotional, the game is not very replayable and has some bugs. The developers have added over two hours of audio commentary, available in Commentary Mode.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,084 reviews

story993 positive mentions

replayability19 negative mentions

Engaging and well-written story that keeps players invested in the characters and their relationships.
Unique gameplay mechanic of using augmented reality recordings to piece together the narrative, allowing for multiple perspectives on events.
Beautifully designed environments that feel lived-in and immersive, enhancing the overall experience.

Short playtime of around 2-4 hours, which may not justify the full price for some players.
Limited interactivity and lack of traditional gameplay elements, making it feel more like an interactive movie than a game.
Some players found the story predictable and lacking in depth, with a few feeling that it could have explored its themes more thoroughly.

story
2,400 mentions
41 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of *Tacoma* is a compelling exploration of human relationships and corporate dynamics set in a near-future sci-fi environment. Players piece together the narrative through augmented reality recordings of the crew's interactions, revealing their personal struggles and the events leading to the station's abandonment. While the game is praised for its innovative storytelling mechanics and character depth, some reviewers noted its brevity and predictability, suggesting that it could benefit from a more complex plot and longer playtime. Overall, *Tacoma* is celebrated for its emotional resonance and engaging narrative, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of story-driven games.
- “The characters are well-written and fleshed out, the environment is detailed and realistic, and the story itself has some moments that really pulled me in.”
- “The story is engaging, the voice actors are great, and the environment is very nice.”
- “The way they present the story is beautifully paced, and you don't need me to tell you, look at all the awards it won!”
- “It's more of a story that's being told to you than a game (e.g. it has no 'puzzles' to complete it).”
- “Tacoma is very short, with the story coming to an abrupt end that left me asking, 'is that it?'.”
- “The story of Tacoma touches on, rather than deeply embraces many interesting themes, but has a narrative that is a little too binary for me - with 'evil corporation prioritizes money over lives' trope, in my uneducated opinion, was a bit of a narrative cop-out for me, that detracted from the substantially more interesting explorations of existentialism, circumstance and crisis that, in my humble opinion, were much more compelling aspects of this premise.”
gameplay
476 mentions
32 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Tacoma is primarily characterized as a "walking simulator" with a focus on exploration and narrative rather than traditional gameplay mechanics. Players engage with the story through a unique augmented reality mechanic that allows them to rewind and replay recorded interactions among the crew, providing a fresh take on storytelling. While the game is praised for its innovative mechanics and engaging narrative, many reviewers note its limited interactivity and short playtime, which may not satisfy those seeking more action-oriented gameplay.
- “The central mechanic of watching a short series of events multiple times, from different perspectives, is a great fit for the vision of the game.”
- “The gameplay focuses on reconstructing a story, watching virtual reality records of past events, reading a few documents, and exploring the space station, sometimes finding keys and codes to access restricted areas.”
- “The main mechanic makes what in another game would be a boring cutscene into an interesting dialogue puzzle.”
- “The gameplay is the weakest area of this game but that's alright.”
- “However, the lack of traditional gameplay elements or challenges might not resonate with players seeking more action-oriented experiences.”
- “If you play games for gameplay, if a game needs to have gripping gameplay in order to actually draw you in, do not buy this game.”
graphics
252 mentions
56 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics in Tacoma are widely praised for their beauty and attention to detail, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the unique art style and the effective use of holographic visuals to convey the narrative, with many noting that the game runs smoothly even on less powerful hardware. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point of the game, contributing significantly to its appeal despite some minor technical issues.
- “The graphics are stunning, and the game felt extremely immersive.”
- “The visuals are gorgeous and the entire aesthetic lends itself to the mystery the game presents; I found myself completely absorbed in the atmosphere from the opening screen.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the environments are well thought out.”
- “The graphics were nothing special, which normally is a problem for me, but in the case of this game the dialogue and little hints lying about are genuinely able to hold your focus without fancy aesthetics to back them up.”
- “Bought it after reading a lot of good reviews, but just couldn't get into the graphical style of the game, which to me just looks and feels really basic and old.”
- “The atmosphere, graphics, and dialogues are highly competent, but the whole project is let down by a story that lacks ambition.”
emotional
126 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Overall, the emotional aspect of "Tacoma" is described as touching and engaging, with players forming connections to the characters and their stories. However, many reviewers note that it lacks the profound emotional impact of "Gone Home," often feeling less intense or memorable due to its shorter playtime and broader cast of characters. Despite this, the game still delivers heartfelt moments and a compelling narrative that resonates with players, making it a worthwhile experience for those who appreciate emotional storytelling in video games.
- “The depth of the characters and the emotional arcs that emerge from these recordings create a sense of connection and empathy with their experiences.”
- “By the end, I was emotionally invested in every single character - because the game let me take the time to get to know them.”
- “It's a genuine, heartfelt story that, while it won't always surprise you, still manages to make you feel something by the end.”
atmosphere
119 mentions
72 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and detailed environment, effectively capturing the eerie and melancholic essence of a space station. Players appreciate the combination of stunning visuals, strong voice acting, and a compelling narrative that enhances the overall experience, despite some noting the game's brevity and predictability. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating, making it a standout feature that resonates with fans of narrative-driven and exploration-focused games.
- “It is an imposing game that has a terrific and intricate setting, and a remarkable atmosphere.”
- “The visuals are gorgeous and the entire aesthetic lends itself to the mystery the game presents; I found myself completely absorbed in the atmosphere from the opening screen.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing; it was such a joy to explore the station, full of very nicely done details.”
- “However, Tacoma lacks the atmosphere, sense of mystery, and cool details in the game world that Gone Home has.”
- “The atmosphere, graphics, and dialogues are highly competent, but the whole project is let down by a story that lacks ambition.”
- “I was certainly interested in what happened to the crew and that propelled me forward, but the atmosphere did little to establish my character's personal stake in the story.”
music
75 mentions
55 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as sparse but effective, primarily consisting of diegetic tracks that enhance immersion and emotional impact during key moments. While some players found the soundtrack memorable and beautifully integrated, others noted a lack of a traditional score, relying instead on ambient sounds and occasional licensed songs. Overall, the music contributes positively to the atmosphere, though opinions vary on its prominence and memorability.
- “Touching game with a great setting and a soundtrack that still haunts me.”
- “The graphics are smooth, the music selections are wonderful, the characters feel realistic and sympathetic, and the story really hits a sweet spot between heartfelt and thrilling.”
- “The music was so well placed for everything, and all the characters had so much personality to them.”
- “Music: I don’t seem to recall any music in the game other than random songs the crew members were listening to.”
- “The soundtrack really only kicks in at the end and in specific parts throughout the game, mostly when characters are by themselves either playing an instrument or listening to music.”
- “The voice acting is great and the lack of a musical score for the most part fits with the isolation felt in this setting, but some ambient music to set the mood during particular scenes could have elevated the overall experience.”
replayability
53 mentions
6 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is characterized by very low replayability, with most players noting that it can be completed in a short time frame of 2-3 hours and lacks significant incentives to return after the initial playthrough. While some players mention the possibility of revisiting for achievements or to experience the story from different perspectives, the consensus is that once the narrative is known, there is little reason to replay the game. Many recommend waiting for a sale due to its brief length and minimal replay value.
- “Note: on the plus side, I reckon Tacoma has massive replay value.”
- “There is also a bit of replay value if you didn't uncover absolutely everything on your first playthrough.”
- “If you like games that are intended to tell a story, rather than necessarily offering some kind of replayable gameplay, then I would recommend this wholeheartedly.”
- “There's zero replay value, unless you want to go through and try to find all the cats or other completionist activities.”
- “The campaign comes in at under two hours though - which for a £15 game with very little to no replay value is absurd.”
- “If the short playtime and low replayability are dealbreakers for you, pick it up on sale!”
character development
36 mentions
33 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Character development in Tacoma is praised for its depth and innovative storytelling methods, allowing players to engage with characters through environmental interactions and recorded flashbacks. While many reviewers highlight the remarkable character design and individual histories, some criticize the brevity of the game, which limits the potential for deeper development. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some finding the character development compelling and others feeling it falls short due to the game's short duration and pacing issues.
- “The amount of character development packed into a couple of hours is amazing.”
- “The character development is remarkable, and the environments are detailed to match.”
- “The character development is fantastic, as we get to know their individual histories, quirks, and relationships with the rest of the crew - including its AI - through recorded flashbacks.”
- “However, due to the short span of the story, there is almost no character development.”
- “I enjoyed Gone Home and really wanted to like this game, but it just fell flat mainly because it was too short to establish any sort of real character development.”
- “Everything about this game feels rushed: from the narrative, to the character development, to the world-building; not a single piece of this game feels fully realized.”
optimization
28 mentions
32 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is mixed; while many players report smooth performance on various hardware setups, some experience intermittent stuttering and crashes. The graphics are generally praised, with the game running well even on older systems, but there are concerns about its ability to fully utilize advanced hardware. Despite these issues, the engaging voice performances and storytelling contribute positively to the overall experience.
- “Performance: no issues with performance on my desktop PC.”
- “Really interesting 3 hours, and really beautifully optimized.”
- “Pros: great story, great graphics, great optimization, good soundtrack, very original.”
- “Just note the game is far from optimized to take advantage of advanced hardware.”
- “Unfortunately, saves are intermittent and the game crashed on me once, so I have to knock it for performance.”
- “Horribly optimized.”
humor
14 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by witty dialogue, charming characters, and a blend of genuine hilarity with emotional depth. Players appreciate the funny moments and unique interactions, though some feel the overall story could benefit from a longer format to explore these elements further. The combination of absurdity and realism in the writing contributes to a rich comedic experience that resonates with players.
- “Their dialogue felt real, funny, unique, and heartbreaking when it needed to be.”
- “Tacoma cements Fullbright’s status as some of the very best storytellers in the game industry with an engaging story and characters that you will be laughing with, weeping with, and rooting for.”
- “Realistic characters with realistic lines, filled with plenty of awkward and funny moments and charming interpersonal relationships.”
grinding
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
77 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, with many describing it as "grindy" and requiring significant time investment. While some appreciate the narrative and design that mitigates the grind, others feel that the gameplay can become repetitive and unengaging, detracting from the overall experience.
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but it adds to the overall experience.”
- “The game is a bit grindy, which can be rewarding if you enjoy leveling up.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding, but the satisfaction of progress makes it worth it.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I find the gameplay a little tedious.”
- “Overall, Tacoma became quite tedious and the core mystery was not captivating enough to make me continue through to the end.”
stability
9 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with users reporting various bugs, including freezing and crashing during transitions between areas. While some players experienced smooth gameplay despite these issues, others expressed frustration with the glitches and the readability of in-game text. Overall, while the developers appear willing to assist with troubleshooting, the presence of bugs has impacted the experience for many players.
- “The main arc isn't really surprising, and most of all, much of the content you can read is sometimes written way too small, or unreadable for the most part because instead of providing short but complete sentences, writers decided to put glitches everywhere.”
- “There are some posts in the forum with troubleshooting tips, and it also seems that the developers are willing to help to solve any issues, but I am not interested anymore in trying these alternatives and put my computer at risk.”
- “The game had some glitches - there are a bunch of reports of freezing and crashing during transfers between game areas.”