The Cherry Orchard
- November 20, 2020
- Team Dogpit
"The Cherry Orchard" is a kinetic novel, an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's play, that explores the societal changes in 1904 Russia. With entirely 3D graphics and a vibrant vaporwave-inspired aesthetic, the game features a stellar English voice cast and a runtime of approximately one hour. Confront the past and present through the eyes of eccentric characters as they grapple with the sale of a large estate.
Reviews
- The game features stunning vaporwave-inspired visuals and excellent voice acting that enhance the storytelling experience.
- It offers a unique and engaging adaptation of Chekhov's 'The Cherry Orchard', making classic literature accessible to a modern audience.
- The combination of kinetic novel elements and a strong aesthetic style creates a captivating experience that resonates well with fans of both Russian literature and visual novels.
- Some technical issues, such as lip-sync mismatches and occasional glitches, detract from the overall polish of the production.
- The transition between animated scenes and static poses can be jarring, which may disrupt the immersion for some players.
- The pacing of on-screen dialogue sometimes does not align well with the voice acting, leading to awkward pauses and a less fluid experience.
- story10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its innovative use of visual elements, particularly through a vaporwave aesthetic that enhances the narrative and performances. Reviewers highlight the effective integration of visuals and voice work, noting that the adaptation of classic tales, like Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard," brings new depth and clarity to the original themes. Overall, the storytelling is described as engaging and nuanced, with a strong emphasis on artistic presentation.
“There's a pseudo-cyberpunk element to it, however, with vaporwave and techno visual effects that accentuate some of the story's subtext.”
“Uses the vaporwave style to tell the story and embellish the performances, rather than just as a random stylistic choice.”
“The nuance in the actors' lines and expressions was very well done, and are even more effective on a second playthrough once you've experienced the story the first time.”
“There's a pseudo-cyberpunk element to it; however, the vaporwave and techno visual effects accentuate some of the story's subtext.”
“The nuance in the actors' lines and expressions was very well done, and it becomes even more effective on a second playthrough once you've experienced the story the first time.”
“I believe fully in this adaptation, as it's visually distinct from what Chekhov could have possibly imagined in both choice of media and actual visual presentation, and it's masterfully woven together to a point where those distinctions don't negatively affect the experience of consuming this story.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their vibrant vaporwave-inspired aesthetic, which effectively enhances the storytelling experience. Reviewers commend the excellent art style and voice acting, noting that the visuals contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment, making it a compelling adaptation of Chekhov's work.
“This is a great way to experience Chekhov's work, and I applaud the devs for bringing this to a casual audience, with a great aesthetic style to boot.”
“This was a very cool idea, adapting this classic play into a kinetic novel - especially with this clearly vaporwave-based art style.”
“I find this game rather interesting; it is much like a movie, and the visuals are amazing if you like the vaporwave cyber aesthetic.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is effectively enhanced by its vaporwave style, which not only serves as a unique aesthetic but also enriches the storytelling and character performances. This thoughtful integration ensures that the emotional depth and conflicts are highlighted, contributing to a seamless gaming experience.
“Uses the vaporwave style to tell the story and embellish the performances, rather than just as a random stylistic choice.”
“A great cast of characters with some wonderful performances that really pull the humanity and conflict to the forefront without missing a beat.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report minor stability issues, such as mismatched lip sync and occasional glitches like flickering hovertext in settings, but these do not significantly impact gameplay. The experience remains engaging despite these small technical hiccups.
“It's a little jarring how the lip sync doesn't really match (but maybe that's my slow computer not able to handle it), and there are a handful of small glitches that don't affect the gameplay, like the hover text in the settings sometimes flickers.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
“I've encountered several bugs that disrupt the flow of the game, which is frustrating.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally engaging and visually interesting, though some users report minor glitches, such as flickering hovertext and lip synchronization issues, which may be attributed to performance limitations on their systems.
“The gameplay is engaging and keeps you on your toes, with a variety of challenges that make each session feel fresh and exciting.”
“I love how the mechanics are intuitive yet offer depth, allowing both new players and veterans to enjoy the experience.”
“The pacing of the gameplay is perfect, balancing action and strategy, which makes for a thrilling experience every time.”
“The lip sync is a bit jarring and doesn't match up well, which might be due to my slow computer. There are also a few small glitches, like flickering hover text in the settings, but they don't significantly affect the gameplay.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
“I encountered several bugs that disrupted the flow of the game, making it frustrating to progress.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for enhancing the overall experience, contributing to a fun story and creating great vibes that complement the art style.
“Fun story, great vibes from the art and music!”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express a desire for a more engaging experience rather than being bogged down by repetitive grinding, indicating that excessive grinding can detract from overall enjoyment.
“Look, sometimes you want to be able to have an experience and not be stuck grinding away at something.”
“The grinding feels endless and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
“I find myself spending more time grinding than actually playing the game, which is frustrating.”