The Beard in the Mirror
- October 25, 2016
- Oh
Get on Steam
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PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features charming pixel art and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic adventure games.
- The storyline is engaging and original, with well-designed puzzles that strike a good balance in difficulty.
- It successfully captures the humor and spirit of classic point-and-click adventures, making it a fun experience for fans of the genre.
- Some players experienced issues with graphics and resolution, particularly with fullscreen mode.
- The story can be confusing at times, and certain puzzles may feel obscure or lead to dead ends.
- While the game is enjoyable, it may lack depth in world-building and character development, leaving some players wanting more.
- story33 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story follows Paul, a directionless young adult navigating life after college, and while it features an original premise with humorous elements, opinions on its execution vary. Some players appreciate the engaging characters and nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic adventure games, while others find the narrative trite and convoluted, with moments that lack believability. Overall, the story is seen as a charming yet flawed journey that resonates with some players, leaving them hopeful for future installments.
“It’s the story of Paul, an aimless twenty-something trying to find some direction in life after leaving home and graduating college.”
“A nice dash of humor keeps the tone of the game light, but ultimately the story was the driving force that kept me playing.”
“The charm in this game is that it feels like the story has a personal connection to the developer, and I think that comes across really well.”
“The story itself is probably the weakest link -- a suitable but convoluted and sometimes confusing magic-fueled romp through time and space.”
“The time-travelling aspect of the story went completely over my head...too confusing.”
“The whole game feels like King's Quest's cheesy third cousin; the dialogue especially gets quite cheesy.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lighthearted humor, reminiscent of classic fairy tales and adventure games like "The Princess Bride" and Sierra titles. Players appreciate the witty one-liners, engaging dialogue, and a mix of cheesy and clever humor that enhances the overall experience without overshadowing the story. The quirky characters and comedic elements contribute to a fun and enjoyable point-and-click adventure.
“Funny, cute, and fun little fairy tale adventure in the tone of Princess Bride or Stardust that never felt bloated for the sake of making it longer.”
“A nice dash of humor keeps the tone of the game light, but ultimately the story was the driving force that kept me playing.”
“A fun and well-designed adventure that is brimming with humor and captures the style and feel of classic Sierra adventure games but without being mind-numbingly hard.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Beard in the Mirror" evoke nostalgia with their simple pixel art style, reminiscent of early adventure games. While some players appreciate the retro aesthetic, others criticize the limited detail, poor color palette, and lack of animation, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, appealing to fans of classic pixel art but lacking in modern polish.
“The beard in the mirror is a throwback to the early years of adventure gaming, resplendent in its simple pixel graphics and dumb icon interface.”
“I don't mind the old-fashioned 16-bit pixelated graphics.”
“This was a nice retro-graphic point-and-click adventure.”
“The story was pretty trite and the graphics were jarring (a really bad color palette).”
“The beard in the mirror is a fantasy adventure game made by 2 people over a long time: it's a work of love but it's a work that was done on limited resources; the artwork could use some additional detail and shading, many things were not animated and many of the scenes were largely empty.”
“The graphic design is very basic and probably its biggest drawback.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as adequate, providing a pleasant backdrop that enhances the experience, though it lacks the appeal to be enjoyed outside of the game. While it contributes positively to the atmosphere, it is not particularly engaging or memorable.
“I decided to upvote this game after finishing it - it has a decent (but not very engaging) story with some charming moments, mostly good puzzles, and great music.”
“The music was adequate -- it doesn't have a soundtrack that I would listen to outside of the game itself.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with a score of 2/5, primarily due to its reliance on classic adventure mechanics like pixel hunting, which some players find frustrating. Additionally, users have requested improvements such as borderless fullscreen support in future titles.
“Gameplay: 2/5... (classic adventure pixel hunting)”
“Developers: please use a version of the AGS engine that allows for borderless fullscreen gameplay on future titles.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is appreciated for its nostalgic point-and-click adventure style, but it lacks significant replay value, making it a one-time experience for most players.
“All in all, a good old-school point-and-click adventure. I'm glad I played it, but there's not much replay value.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting its engaging storyline and well-designed puzzles that contribute to an immersive experience.
“Great quest with a very interesting storyline, excellent puzzles, and an immersive atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is incredibly captivating, drawing you into the world and making every moment feel alive.”
“The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, perfectly complementing the narrative and enhancing the overall experience.”
