THE AWKWARD STEVE DUOLOGY
- July 17, 2017
- a Rock! Studios
Get on SteamIn "The Awkward Steve Duology," navigate the quirky life of Steve in two separate adventures. The first game, "Now That's What I Call Awkward," follows Steve's struggle to manage his social anxiety and save the school dance. The second game, "A Rock and a Hard Place," presents Steve with moral dilemmas while managing his family and rock band. The entire experience is filled with humor and relatability.
Reviews
- The Awkward Steve Duology offers a unique blend of humor and heartfelt moments, effectively capturing the experience of social anxiety in a relatable way.
- The game's quirky FMV style and creative writing provide an engaging and entertaining experience, making players laugh and reflect on their own feelings.
- Players appreciate the short, yet impactful nature of the games, with many finding joy and comfort in the character of Steve and his awkward situations.
- Some players feel that the games are too short and repetitive, leading to a lack of depth and engagement over time.
- The simplistic nature of the gameplay may not appeal to those looking for more traditional gaming experiences or complex puzzles.
- While the humor resonates with some, others find the approach to anxiety too heavy-handed and lacking nuance, making it less enjoyable.
- humor20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of absurdity and relatability, often eliciting genuine laughter while also touching on deeper emotional themes. Players appreciate the mix of funny moments and poignant storytelling, with some noting that the humor can be both nonsensical and reflective of real-life anxieties. Overall, the game is seen as creatively funny, appealing particularly to those who enjoy quirky, introspective narratives.
“Very enjoyable, I was smiling and laughing the whole time in both games!”
“This made me laugh out loud several times, then sucker punched me right in the feelings.”
“It's funny, and also relatable.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game blends comedy with emotional depth, featuring wholesome mini-scenarios that evoke both laughter and heartfelt moments. It creatively addresses themes like severe anxiety in a lighthearted manner, making it a unique experience that resonates with players who appreciate quirky, low-budget passion projects. Overall, it strikes a balance between humor and subtle poignancy, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
“The first part was goofy and fun, while also touching on the issue of severe anxiety, but portrayed in a way that can make you laugh.”
“Funny, strange, and subtly heartbreaking.”
“It's low budget, creative, weird, self-aware, awkward, heartfelt, and if you've ever gone out of your way to find and support games (and developers) for no other reason than to thumb your nose at the AAA publishing houses and reward people who just want to build their own bizarre passion projects, then add this one to the list, especially if it's on sale.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story is presented as a fully linear narrative akin to a visual novel, emphasizing themes of perseverance and the unpredictability of life. While it retains a humorous and quirky tone reminiscent of the Henry Stickmin series, the sequel offers a more satisfying and engaging storyline, positioning the game as an interactive short story rather than a traditional game.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“While there's still some Henry Stickmin-esque 'see all the funny ways in which you can fail' aspect, this time the plot is actually fully linear and more in line with a visual novel.”
“It is not really a game; it is an interactive short story.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a loop that encourages players to embrace failure as a part of the experience, adding depth and enjoyment to the overall mechanics. However, specific details about the gameplay are difficult to discuss without revealing spoilers.
“The gameplay loop is justified by the various ways you can experience failure, making the journey enjoyable.”
“The gameplay loop is justified by the various ways you can fail, which can be frustrating.”
“It's hard to say much without spoiling the gameplay.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is noted for its calming and soothing qualities, providing a relaxing experience that can help players feel at ease.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players generally recommend the grinding aspect for effective game farming, suggesting that it enhances resource accumulation and progression.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I spent hours grinding for resources, but the rewards just don't feel worth the effort.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding in this game quickly becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
