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.
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Reviews
- The game offers a unique and engaging experience that blends humor and introspection, making it relatable for those dealing with anxiety.
- Players have found the writing to be funny and heartfelt, with memorable moments that resonate emotionally.
- It's a short but entertaining game that can be enjoyed in a casual setting, making it great for streaming or playing with friends.
- The game is very short, leading to repeated content and a lack of depth that may leave some players wanting more.
- Some players feel it lacks traditional gameplay elements, describing it more as an interactive short story than a game.
- There are technical issues, such as needing to play in windowed mode, which can detract from the overall experience.
- humor40 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is described as strange, relatable, and often hilarious, with moments that evoke both laughter and emotional depth. Players appreciate its creative blend of nonsensical humor and poignant themes, making it particularly appealing to those who enjoy quirky, full-motion video experiences. While some find the humor memorable and enjoyable, others feel that the overall experience may not justify the effort for a few standout moments.
“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 often really funny, though a lot of it also hits pretty close to home (at least for me).”
- story8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story is presented as an interactive short narrative that emphasizes resilience 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 linear plot, aligning closely with the structure of a visual novel. Overall, players appreciate the blend of humor and meaningful storytelling.
“The second one continues the humor and general oddness, but with a far more satisfying story.”
“It is not really a game; it is an interactive short story.”
“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.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its low-budget creativity and self-aware humor, blending goofy fun with heartfelt themes, particularly around anxiety. While it maintains a comedic core, it also features wholesome undertones and moments that are both funny and subtly heartbreaking, appealing to players who appreciate unique passion projects over mainstream titles.
“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.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is designed to encourage exploration and experimentation, allowing players to experience various failures that enhance the overall loop and enjoyment. However, discussing specific elements without revealing spoilers proves challenging.
“It's hard to say much without spoiling the gameplay.”
“Obviously, along the way, you enjoy all the ways in which you can fail, but this is how the gameplay loop is justified.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is noted for its calming and soothing qualities, providing a relaxing experience that allows players to feel at ease.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally view grinding positively, particularly for game farming, as it allows for resource accumulation and character progression. This aspect is often seen as a rewarding experience for those who enjoy repetitive tasks to enhance their gameplay.
