The Big Con

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 531 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Big Con Game Cover
The Big Con is a welcome nod to one of the coolest decades of all time, featuring some great writing, beautiful visuals, and fun gameplay.
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In "The Big Con," players step into the shoes of Ali, a teenage con artist out to save her family's video store. With a variety of disguises and cons at your disposal, you'll need to outsmart employees and security guards to pull off heists in 1990s America. It's a lighthearted, story-driven adventure that combines humor and charm with a unique con artistry gameplay mechanic.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 531 reviews
story82 positive mentions
stability10 negative mentions
  • The game features a charming 90's aesthetic with vibrant art and a fun soundtrack that enhances the nostalgic experience.
  • The story is engaging and filled with humor, offering multiple ways to complete quests and interact with quirky characters.
  • The gameplay is simple yet satisfying, with enjoyable mechanics like pickpocketing and exploration that keep players entertained.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive, with limited mechanics and a reliance on a single pickpocketing mini-game throughout.
  • Some players experienced bugs and glitches that affected gameplay, including issues with NPC interactions and quest progression.
  • The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content and depth in the story.
  • story235 mentions

    The game's story is characterized as fun, charming, and engaging, often evoking a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the 1990s. Players appreciate the lighthearted narrative, well-developed characters, and humor, though some find the plot predictable and simplistic. Overall, it offers a satisfying experience that balances exploration and storytelling, making it enjoyable for those seeking a relaxed adventure.

    • “The storyline is captivating and the characters are cunning and witty; yet the jokes are too dry and cringy sometimes, but in a good way.”
    • “I love that they had an unexpected ending that isn't the typical 'and everyone died!', the game manages to take the story to an 'unplanned' place, and still have a satisfying ending.”
    • “Genuinely a very emotionally affecting coming-of-age story, but also a silly, fun adventure game with lots of charming characters and a surprisingly engaging gameplay loop.”
    • “But the plot aside, it's so boring to play.”
    • “With so little gameplay mechanics, the story needed to carry the weight which it clearly does not.”
    • “There are no story-altering choices which is kinda disappointing because the overall plot and characters were charming.”
  • gameplay140 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and charm, featuring a light stealth/puzzle mechanic primarily centered around pickpocketing, which many players found enjoyable despite its repetitive nature. While the game offers a fun narrative and engaging dialogue, some reviewers noted that it lacks depth and could benefit from additional gameplay mechanics or challenges. Overall, it provides a cozy experience that prioritizes story and humor over complex gameplay.

    • “A really fun story plus the satisfying gameplay make for an awesome experience.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, but the story made me want to explore every corner, talk to every person, and reveal every stage.”
    • “Genuinely a very emotionally affecting coming-of-age story, but also a silly, fun adventure game with lots of charming characters and a surprisingly engaging gameplay loop.”
    • “The gameplay loop is simple, and does start to feel repetitive towards the end.”
    • “I really wanted to like this game but there just wasn't much to the gameplay and the tone just felt inauthentic.”
    • “With so little gameplay mechanics, the story needed to carry the weight which it clearly does not.”
  • graphics134 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and unique art style, which effectively captures the nostalgic essence of 90s cartoons and aesthetics. Reviewers highlight the colorful visuals, charming character designs, and engaging backgrounds, noting that the art style significantly enhances the overall experience. While some mention that the gameplay may not be as compelling, the graphics remain a standout feature that resonates with players, evoking a sense of nostalgia and fun.

    • “The art style is incredible and breathes life into the entire world.”
    • “That bright, cartoony art style works perfectly for the big con’s nostalgic portrayal of the nineties, and combines with a touching story and witty dialogue to make the big con a very enjoyable adventure to play through.”
    • “The aesthetic is a major highlight of the game, as the game looks and feels very '90s cartoon', down to the geometric patterns in the out-of-bounds borders or the closeup conversations.”
    • “The visuals are pretty 50/50.”
    • “Really eh, the same pickpocketing mini-game gets pretty boring (and it's not really that hard in the first place). The game is almost entirely carried by its art style.”
    • “I won't berate the game by saying it is 'made for children' or anything, but the art style and the casual approach to gameplay definitely can bring in a younger audience, and that can be problematic in my opinion.”
  • music92 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its catchy themes and nostalgic 90s vibe, effectively complementing the art style and gameplay. While many reviewers highlight standout tracks, such as the main menu theme, some criticize the overall soundtrack for being repetitive and not fully evoking the desired nostalgia. Overall, the music is seen as a significant asset, enhancing the game's charm and fun atmosphere.

    • “The music is awesome, the story is fun to follow, and there are tons of interesting characters.”
    • “The story line and soundtrack are amazing, and the ending left me feeling very accomplished.”
    • “Honestly no soundtrack for a game has made me happier than this one!”
    • “To mention some of my criticisms, I think the music is a bit too samey and doesn't quite manage to evoke the feeling of nostalgia that it could have achieved.”
    • “Wish it was fully voice acted, as the music is pretty bad and I just end up turning down the volume because of the minimal voicework.”
    • “The art style is super cute and the music is a bit simple and repetitive but fits perfectly with the game.”
  • humor76 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm, wit, and memorable characters, often drawing on quirky, nostalgic elements reminiscent of the '90s. While some find the humor to be hit-or-miss, many reviewers highlight the well-written dialogue and hilarious interactions that contribute to an engaging and heartwarming experience. Overall, the game's comedic style, filled with puns and recurring jokes, adds significant enjoyment despite its simplistic gameplay and story.

    • “Story-rich game with amazing characters, a lot of well-written humor, and an amazing comic style.”
    • “This is a beautiful, sweet, funny little game that is well worth the few hours you'll spend with it.”
    • “Seriously though, it’s a marvellous adventure full of hilarious and heartwarming moments.”
  • emotional26 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its heartfelt storytelling, nostalgic themes, and a blend of humor and warmth. Players appreciate the memorable characters and the wholesome nature of the plot, which, despite its premise of theft, evokes feelings of joy and nostalgia reminiscent of simpler times. Overall, it is described as a charming and emotionally engaging adventure that successfully balances silliness with genuine emotional moments.

    • “There are some legitimately heartfelt moments, mixed with tinges of nostalgia and a longing for what we thought were simpler times as kids.”
    • “Genuinely a very emotionally affecting coming-of-age story, but also a silly, fun adventure game with lots of charming characters and a surprisingly engaging gameplay loop.”
    • “That bright, cartoony art style works perfectly for The Big Con’s nostalgic portrayal of the nineties, and combines with a touching story and witty dialogue to make The Big Con a very enjoyable adventure to play through.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game exhibits several minor glitches, including audio and animation issues, as well as some odd NPC behaviors, which can detract from the experience. While these bugs are generally considered manageable and easily overlooked, they have led some players to feel frustrated enough to seek refunds, indicating a need for further stability improvements. Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with both enjoyable elements and notable technical shortcomings.

    • “I refunded this game, not because it's a bad game, it's a good one, but it's just been really buggy. Most of it was spoiled for me, and after a while, it starts to feel like a feedback loop of the same process.”
    • “Some of the issues I had with this game were the reused character models, and I would have liked a montage of [spoiler]Ali returning the money[/spoiler]. Secondly, there are a few audio and animation character glitches.”
    • “There are some weird glitches here and there, such as NPCs going somewhere they're not supposed to and becoming big when talking to characters.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some features allow for skipping tedious minigames, the slow walking speed and large areas can make navigation feel cumbersome. However, the simplistic gameplay and humorous side missions help alleviate some of the tedium, making it less of a chore for many. Overall, the grinding can be tedious at times, but there are elements that provide relief.

    • “Pairing that with a slow walking speed and unnecessarily large areas to navigate makes playing this game a bit tedious.”
    • “And yeah, it was almost as tedious as they were in AC.”
    • “Also has some features and such to skip minigames, so that won't get tedious.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game offers moderate replayability due to its engaging story and fun characters, with players noting that different choices can enhance the experience. However, some users feel that the replay value is limited, suggesting that while there are options to explore, the overall incentive to replay may not be strong.

    • “Good story, fun characters, replayable without getting bored if you miss things on your first play.”
    • “- low replayability”
    • “I appreciate that there are some different options one can take, which adds some replay value.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization strategy primarily relies on advertising, particularly through platforms like YouTube, which has helped increase visibility for the game despite its underrated status. Players appreciate the game's quality, suggesting that effective advertising could enhance its reach and recognition.

    • “Much faster than the advertising.”
    • “This game is criminally underrated, and if it weren't for YouTube ads, I would never have found this gem of a game.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is consistently described as pleasant and enjoyable by users.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

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