That Which Gave Chase
- June 23, 2023
- Aslak
- 1h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreIn "That Which Gave Chase," become a sled dog musher navigating treacherous Arctic terrain to reunite a scientist with his abandoned expedition. This experimental, narrative-driven thriller blends first-person dog sledding with adventure and light horror elements, challenging you to maintain balance and keep your sled from tipping. With a 45-60 minute playtime, this story-focused game features physics-based gameplay,branching dialogue, and a haunting soundtrack.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Incredible atmosphere that effectively creates a sense of dread and isolation in the arctic setting.
- Unique dog sledding mechanics add an engaging layer to the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.
- The narrative is intriguing and open to interpretation, allowing players to piece together the story in their own way.
- The story can be confusing and disjointed, leaving players feeling lost and unsatisfied with the plot's resolution.
- Gameplay is quite linear and may feel repetitive, with limited mechanics beyond sledding.
- The game is short, lasting about an hour, which may not justify the price for some players.
- story88 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by its intriguing yet often confusing narrative, which some players found engaging while others struggled to follow. Many reviews highlight the non-linear and cryptic presentation, leaving much open to interpretation, which can enhance the atmosphere but may also frustrate those seeking clarity. Overall, while the story offers a unique experience with elements of horror and psychological tension, its vagueness and lack of resolution have drawn mixed reactions from players.
“The narrative presentation is enigmatic, but the story is essentially straightforward.”
“Although the story was cryptic, I felt that I understood just enough of the lore to piece everything together.”
“I don't want to get too much into the plot to avoid spoilers, but I personally really enjoyed the story; there is good mystery and it kept adding new layers to the narrative, getting deeper and darker, while maintaining that sense of being lost and isolated.”
“The issue is there is 0 plot payoff; the story leads nowhere.”
“Like genuinely, what did I just play? I'm so confused, and the story (or lack thereof) is not explained at all.”
“It's a bit too slow, which is not bad, but it also feels rushed and shallow. The creator probably thought that the game being vague about its plot was a strength, but honestly, it is the biggest weakness of the plot.”
- atmosphere78 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, effectively utilizing a PS1 aesthetic to create a unique blend of whimsy and horror. Reviewers highlight the game's sound design and environmental details, which contribute to a tense and eerie experience, making it a standout in the atmospheric horror genre. Despite its short playtime, the game leaves a lasting impression through its compelling atmosphere and narrative tension.
“Coming in at about 60 minutes, the game packs a lot of atmosphere into a nice crunchy PS1 aesthetic, with a sparse but compelling mystery narrative.”
“The atmosphere is superb, so much dread and wonder and just an ominous feeling that never leaves your side.”
“Absolutely astounding atmosphere and beautiful writing makes this stand out in the crowd of indie developed retro aesthetic games of late.”
“I can't say I expected much from this game, considering its price tag and estimated playtime; however, I was left expecting a lot more from the atmosphere and dialogue provided throughout the game.”
“While the gameplay is near nonexistent, the atmosphere is top-notch, as you and the protagonist slowly succumb to the madness of the harsh emptiness, with only an insane man and your dogs by your side.”
“A disjointed narrative with a very unnerving atmosphere.”
- gameplay53 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by minimal mechanics, primarily revolving around dog sledding and simple interactions, which some players found engaging while others deemed it lackluster and repetitive. The sledding mechanics are praised for their uniqueness and immersion, contributing to the overall atmospheric experience, though the game leans heavily on narrative rather than complex gameplay. While the short playtime and linear objectives may deter some, the combination of visuals, sound design, and a mysterious story offers a compelling, albeit brief, experience.
“The gameplay and story narrative are really exciting!”
“The sledding mechanic works very well as you move across the unforgiving arctic environment and the superb sound design completely immerses you in the game world.”
“There were a few times when I was genuinely unsettled; this game may look like a walking sim, but it's a lot more. The mechanics of the sled and the events that occur as you delve further into the snow really work to keep you engaged.”
“There's almost no gameplay to it; I bought into this solely for the PS1 aesthetic, and it did not disappoint.”
“Very short, good if you're looking to get a one-and-done horror fix, but be warned that the gameplay is very linear while the plot - and especially the ending - is rather abstract and up to interpretation.”
“While the gameplay is near nonexistent, the atmosphere is top-notch, as you and the protagonist slowly succumb to the madness of the harsh emptiness, with only an insane man and your dogs by your side.”
- graphics35 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their effective use of a nostalgic PS1 aesthetic, which enhances the atmospheric horror experience and contributes to the game's immersive qualities. Reviewers appreciate the low-poly visuals for their unique charm and ability to evoke a sense of unease, although some note that the simplicity of the graphics may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the art style is considered a significant draw, complementing the game's sound design and narrative elements.
“The PS1 graphics add to the horror elements, and this game has plenty of them.”
“The visual style of the aged polygon graphics gives the game a very unique feel and helps with the immersion.”
“The PSX style graphics enhance the persistent feeling of looming dread, leaving you unsure of what you're even looking at.”
“The pacing dragged for me, however, especially when it became clear that the fiction wasn’t really going anywhere, and the low-poly, low-res graphics currently trendy amongst indies aren’t really to my taste.”
“The psx style graphics enhance the persistent feeling of looming dread, leaving you unsure of what you're even looking at.”
“All I'm saying is that if you're buying this game, it's probably because of the aesthetic, and in that sense, it's absolutely worth it, but I wouldn't particularly say the game stands out in many more ways though.”
- music16 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, ranging from somber to intense, and effectively building tension throughout the experience. Reviewers highlight the haunting quality of the soundtrack, which contributes significantly to the game's immersive and eerie ambiance. Overall, the sound design and music are considered standout elements that elevate the gameplay, making it a memorable experience.
“The music is also really great, from somber to intense it all adds to the experience.”
“The music is haunting and builds up so much tension; at one point, the music gave me chills, which is very uncommon for me.”
“Though a short experience, it's well worth the minuscule asking price for the atmosphere and amazing soundtrack alone.”
“The music is haunting and builds up so much tension; at one point, it gave me chills, which is very uncommon for me.”
“It felt like the game had a very subtle sense of music getting more sinister. I thought you handled the atmosphere really well with the effect choices, creating some enjoyable moments of tension.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly in navigating and managing dialogue while steering the dog sled. However, many feel that this sense of tedium ultimately contributes to the overall experience, as it enhances the game's atmosphere despite its mostly linear design.
“At first, I thought the game was a little tedious; it felt a bit too empty, and sometimes that can be a sign of a poorly designed experience. However, after I finished the game, it all came together. This sense of tedious navigation felt like part of the experience, even though it is mostly linear with a few small things along the way.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, with frequent game freezes occurring during gameplay.
“Eventually, everything freezes.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it unplayable.”
“I experience constant lag and instability during gameplay.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that the game offers limited replayability due to its linear structure and lack of a dense narrative, with some feeling that the price point of €5 is high for a playtime of around 90 minutes.
“My playthrough took longer than the 45-60 minutes suggested by the developer, but for a game that's essentially linear without a ton of replayability or dense narrative, €5 is still a little steep for 90 minutes of play.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be a deeply emotional experience, particularly resonating with those who have a connection to hiking and an understanding of nature's inherent dangers.
“The game was an emotional experience, and anyone who hikes mountains and understands the dangers of nature will appreciate this.”
“The story resonated deeply with me, evoking a range of emotions that I didn't expect from a video game.”
“I found myself genuinely moved by the characters' journeys, making me reflect on my own life and choices.”
