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

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,206 reviews

story1,997 positive mentions

replayability38 negative mentions

Engaging storytelling with a unique AR mechanic that allows players to experience events from multiple perspectives.
Well-developed characters and relationships that create emotional investment in the story.
Beautiful graphics and immersive environment that enhance the overall experience.

Very short gameplay, typically completed in 2-4 hours, which may not justify the full price for some players.
Lack of traditional gameplay elements such as puzzles or choices, making it feel more like an interactive movie.
Some players found the story predictable and felt it could have been more complex or deeper.

story
4,818 mentions
41 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of *Tacoma* is a compelling and immersive narrative set in a near-future sci-fi environment, where players explore an abandoned space station and piece together the events that led to its crew's disappearance through augmented reality recordings. While the game is praised for its innovative storytelling mechanics and character development, some players feel the plot is somewhat predictable and the overall experience is short, typically lasting around 2-4 hours. Despite its brevity, the emotional depth and environmental storytelling resonate strongly with those who appreciate narrative-driven games.
- “Exploring the story and each conversation from different angles is really interesting.”
- “The characters are nice, the voice acting is good, and the presentation of the plot is unique in that it occurs through holographic recordings.”
- “The story is engaging, the environment is beautiful and well created, the voice acting is amazing, and everything works to bring a story to life.”
- “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
968 mentions
32 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Tacoma* is primarily characterized as a "walking simulator," focusing 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 gameplay depth and short playtime, which may not satisfy those seeking more action-oriented experiences.
- “I enjoyed the creative narrative gameplay.”
- “The central mechanic of replaying 3D scenes to follow different characters around and hear different conversations is well executed and satisfying.”
- “The gameplay is simple, but it's an order of magnitude above an interactive novel in engagement.”
- “Furthermore, I found the gameplay elements cumbersome and not particularly engaging.”
- “However, the lack of traditional gameplay elements or challenges might not resonate with players seeking more action-oriented experiences.”
- “Tacoma would get a 'neutral' recommendation but I'll lean slightly toward negative mostly based on the fact that it's a 3-hour game with very little gameplay to it.”
graphics
507 mentions
56 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics in Tacoma are widely praised for their stunning quality and immersive design, particularly in the context of a space station setting. Players appreciate the attention to detail, unique aesthetic, and the effective use of holographic recordings to enhance storytelling, with many noting that the visuals significantly contribute to the overall atmosphere of the game. While some users mention minor performance issues, the consensus is that the graphics are a strong point, elevating the experience and making it visually appealing.
- “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 and attention to detail are good.”
- “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.”
- “Really a shame because the graphics and the engine (as well as the setting and general premise) could have been so so much more.”
- “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.”
emotional
255 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Tacoma" is generally well-received, with players appreciating its heartfelt storytelling and character depth, though many note it lacks the profound emotional impact of its predecessor, "Gone Home." While the game offers touching moments and relatable characters, some players felt that its short playtime limited the emotional payoff, leaving them wanting more from the narrative resolution. Overall, "Tacoma" is recognized for its immersive world and emotional engagement, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven 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.”
- “I lost count of the number of times I cried, going through and meeting all the characters, and watching their emotions as time went by.”
atmosphere
240 mentions
73 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and detailed design, effectively capturing the eerie and lonely essence of a space station. Players appreciate the combination of stunning visuals, strong voice acting, and environmental storytelling that enhances the narrative experience. While some note the game's brevity, the overall ambiance and emotional depth resonate strongly, making it a compelling experience for fans of atmospheric storytelling.
- “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
150 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as sparse but effective, primarily consisting of diegetic sounds and ambient tracks that enhance the immersive experience of the setting. While some players found the limited soundtrack memorable and well-placed, others noted a lack of a significant musical score, with only a few standout moments, particularly during character interactions and the ending credits. Overall, the music contributes positively to the atmosphere, though it may not be as impactful as in other titles.
- “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.”
- “I don't seem to recall any music in the game other than random songs the crew members were listening to.”
- “There isn't that much music, mostly just ambiance as you float around Tacoma, which I think just sells the immersion.”
- “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
107 mentions
6 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many players noting that it can be completed in a short time frame (around 2-3 hours) and lacks incentives for multiple playthroughs. While some players mention the possibility of returning 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 the limited content and 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.”
- “The standard 'walking simulator' is mixed up by the addition of replayable 'AR data recordings', which showcase the lives of the crew.”
- “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
72 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 the unique representation of diverse identities, some criticize the brevity of the narrative, which limits the potential for deeper character exploration. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some finding the character development compelling and others feeling it falls short due to the game's short duration.
- “The amount of character development packed into a couple of hours is amazing.”
- “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.”
- “For a game where your character can't communicate with the other characters and you can't really see the other characters, this game had incredible character development and a captivating storyline.”
- “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
58 mentions
33 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is mixed; while many players report smooth performance on various hardware setups, some experience stuttering and crashes that detract from the experience. The game does not fully utilize advanced hardware capabilities, leading to a perception of poor optimization despite its engaging graphics and voice performances. Players with lower-end systems have managed to run the game well by adjusting settings, but intermittent performance issues remain a common concern.
- “Really interesting 3 hours, and really beautifully optimized.”
- “Pros: great story, great graphics, great optimization, good soundtrack, very original.”
- “Similarly, the graphics were excellent - running quite smoothly even on a two-year-old laptop with a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M that's no longer top notch (turning shadows to 'low' allowed the game to run smoothly even on a WQHD monitor with all other settings at max).”
- “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
28 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever and funny dialogue, featuring realistic characters that evoke both laughter and emotional depth. Players appreciate the blend of humor with engaging storytelling, highlighting moments of awkwardness and charm, while some hidden achievements add an extra layer of fun. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a memorable experience despite its relatively short playtime.
- “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.”
- “While the writing is lovely and at times genuinely hilarious, the story doesn't pack as much of an emotional punch as Gone Home, but perhaps it doesn't need to.”
grinding
26 mentions
12 % positive mentions
12 % neutral mentions
77 % negative mentions
Many users find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with some describing it as "a bit grindy" and suggesting that it can feel like a waste of time. While the gameplay mechanics are designed to facilitate exploration of the narrative, the overall experience can become monotonous, detracting from the enjoyment of the story. Despite this, some players appreciate the narrative depth, indicating that the grind may be worth it for those who enjoy immersive storytelling.
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but it's part of the experience.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding, but the rewards are worth it.”
- “The grinding aspect can feel a bit excessive at times.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This was a long, tedious experience and it felt like a waste of time, honestly.”
- “Overall, Tacoma became quite tedious and the core mystery was not captivating enough to make me continue through to the end.”
stability
19 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally described as inconsistent, with frequent bugs and glitches leading to freezing and crashing, particularly during transitions between areas. While some players managed to enjoy the experience despite these issues by adjusting settings, many expressed frustration with the game's performance and readability of content. Overall, the developers appear to be responsive to troubleshooting, but the stability concerns remain a significant drawback for many users.
- “The game had some glitches - there are a bunch of reports of freezing and crashing during transfers between game areas.”
- “When I need to leave the personal module and I have to go up, it always freezes and then crashes.”
- “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.”