The Deer

About

"The Deer" is an educational game taking players back to the Pleistocene epoch as an ancient deer. Explore this ice age to learn about larger mammals, the extinction of dinosaurs and megafauna like Megalodon, all through the vibrant illustrations of Giulia Airoldi. Unfortunately, no T-Rexes will be encountered as they had been extinct long before this era.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 900 reviews

graphics52 positive mentions

replayability5 negative mentions

Cute graphics and soothing music create a pleasant atmosphere.
Educational content about the Pleistocene epoch is interesting for young children.
Simple gameplay mechanics make it accessible for kids.

Extremely short gameplay, lasting only about 5-10 minutes.
Limited interactivity with only three very simple mini-games.
Poorly executed controls and lack of feedback when completing tasks.

graphics
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
4%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their cute and appealing art style, often described as beautiful and well-detailed, making it visually pleasing for players. Many reviewers highlight the graphics as a standout feature, comparing them favorably to other titles and noting their suitability for a younger audience. However, some critiques mention that while the visuals are charming, the overall gameplay experience is limited and may not meet the expectations of those seeking a more substantial game.
- “The artwork of the game is beautiful in its own way and a feast to the player's eye.”
- “The graphics are one of the best I've ever seen and I will totally recommend this game to everyone who wants to have a good time!”
- “The graphics are adorable, the music fits very well with the graphics, and it has a nice, picture-book feel to it.”
- “The graphics could have been used for illustrative purposes, but all the animals wear Santa hats, so I wouldn't count that as a reasonably realistic depiction.”
- “The graphics were cute and so was the music, but nothing exceptional.”
- “It is three puzzles, poor graphics, and some interesting facts.”
gameplay
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
73%
6%
The gameplay experience is largely criticized for being extremely short, often lasting only 5 to 10 minutes, with many players noting that it consists mainly of simple minigames and minimal interaction. While some reviews highlight engaging mechanics and educational content, the overall consensus is that the gameplay lacks depth and polish, making it unsuitable for older players and leaving many feeling disappointed. Additionally, technical issues and a lack of content further detract from the experience, leading to a perception of the game as more of an interactive information sheet than a fully developed game.
- “The combat itself is fantastic, featuring fast-paced action with blocking, parrying, and dodging, which makes the overall gameplay loop that much more enjoyable.”
- “Now I'm sure a lot of this seems daunting to you, but trust me when I say it makes for one of the most immersive, interactive, and engaging gameplay experiences you will ever have.”
- “The gameplay is great fun, filled with different kinds of mechanics that breathe fresh air into the overall experience.”
- “10 minutes of gameplay, I thought there was some bug, but no, that's really all there is...”
- “Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of gameplay.”
- “The only gameplay there is (pressing A & D to walk left & right) is clunky - it takes several presses to switch direction, and the deer will often continue walking in the previous direction for a while, even when the opposite button is used.”
music
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
47%
5%
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and providing a calming backdrop to the gameplay. Many players noted that the soundtrack is enjoyable enough to warrant purchasing the game solely for the music, despite some criticisms regarding the quality of additional downloadable content. Overall, the combination of pleasant visuals and a well-chosen soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal, particularly for younger audiences.
- “The music is also relaxing, and goes in sync with the nature of the game.”
- “The soundtrack is legitimately amazing.”
- “The graphics are adorable, the music fits very well with the graphics, and it has a nice, picture-book feel to it.”
- “There's also a soundtrack pack, but they are a bunch of MIDI tracks rendered to MP3, and I don't recognize any tune I heard in-game.”
- “Midi soundtrack given by DLC doesn't even barely relate with the pleasant in-game music... I'm speechless.”
- “Horrible art and the music is just annoying.”
story
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
47%
13%
The reviews highlight a diverse range of experiences with the game's story, from short interactive storybooks aimed at children to deeply emotional narratives that resonate with players. While some users appreciate the educational aspects and engaging storytelling, many criticize the brevity of the story, feeling it lacks depth and potential. Overall, the game's narrative quality varies significantly, with some praising it as heartwarming and impactful, while others find it lacking or overly simplistic.
- “It's undeniably the best game ever made; it has great game mechanics alongside the best storytelling in existence. I'm grateful for finding this game; it truly saved my life.”
- “The best game I have ever played, a detailed story accompanied by perfected game mechanics.”
- “Truly a heartwarming adventure filled with laughter, thrills, and tears. Telltale's best story so far; can't wait for the next season.”
- “No story whatsoever and the game seems to cut off immediately after a few minutes, no ending or conclusion.”
- “The story is only 3 minutes long (it took longer to get this Steam key).”
- “Not really, there's no story for the game.”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
33%
42%
The reviews on replayability are highly polarized, with some players praising certain games for their outstanding replay value and engaging mechanics, while others criticize them for having little to no replayability, often citing simplicity and a lack of content. Many users noted that once completed, some games do not offer enough incentive to return, leading to a consensus that replayability varies significantly across different titles.
- “Very good game with a lot of replayability.”
- “Outstanding replay value.”
- “The story is great, graphics are nice, and you can play it for hours without getting bored, since the replay value is so good.”
- “No replay value whatsoever.”
- “No replayability (once you play it once, there is no reason to go back).”
- “The game has exactly zero replayability if you are older than five years.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
89%
33%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with many users finding it both entertaining and clever, contributing to an enjoyable experience. However, there are mixed opinions, as some players feel the humor may not resonate with everyone. Overall, the game is described as funny, with engaging mechanics that enhance its comedic elements.
- “Beautiful game, educational and funny on top of it.”
- “The mechanics are so perfect and funny.”
- “A short, but funny little game.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
- “I expected more laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
- “The attempts at humor are cringeworthy and miss the mark.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, with players expressing deep connections to the story and characters, often leading to tears during poignant moments. While many praise the game for its heartfelt narrative and emotional depth, some players felt less connected to the protagonist, which slightly detracted from their overall experience. Overall, it is described as an emotional rollercoaster that successfully combines laughter, thrills, and tears.
- “Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- “Oh my god, this is the best game ever! So emotional and so deep in story; I teared up when the poor llama died.”
- “An emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is generally regarded as pleasant, enhanced by classic guitar tunes that contribute to its overall charm. While some reviewers find it unremarkable, the art style and music work together to create a notably atmospheric experience.
- “The classic guitar tunes you hear in the background give the game a pleasant atmosphere.”
- “The music helps create a pleasant atmosphere; I can't deny that.”
- “You have a good art style and atmosphere here.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some users report no control issues or glitches, others experience bugs that contribute to a sense of incompleteness.
- “The game is a bit buggy and gives me a feeling of being incomplete.”
- “Still buggy.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The game is highly optimized, achieving around 90% GPU usage and approximately 1000 fps, resulting in a smooth experience on a wide range of computers, consistently running above 60 fps. This stands in stark contrast to the poor optimization seen in titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 3.
- “Really well optimized, 90% GPU usage with around 1000 fps.”
- “Runs smoothly.”
- “Can run on almost all computers, achieving over 60 fps unlike the Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 poor optimization.”
- “Really well optimized, 90% GPU usage with around 1000 FPS.”
- “Can run on almost all computers, over 60 FPS unlike the Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 terrible optimization.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is criticized for being ineffective, as players can view the entire gameplay for free through the promotional video on the store page, making the purchase feel unnecessary. Additionally, the game's short completion time of just four minutes further diminishes its value, leading to disappointment among buyers.
- “There's no point in purchasing the game. The gameplay advertisement video on the store page literally shows the whole game. Why buy something when you can see it unlimited times for free?”
- “The whole game took me only 4 minutes to complete, and you can watch the entire game for free on their Steam page via the advertisement gameplay video. I wouldn't recommend wasting $1 on this game, as you'll be highly disappointed like I was.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game unsatisfactory, as the short gameplay duration (around 5 minutes) limits opportunities for meaningful card farming. The simplistic design, while appealing to younger audiences, is undermined by complex text that may confuse both children and their parents, making the grinding experience feel unfulfilling.
- “Normally when cash farming cards, I will play until I unlock them, but you can't do that here because you can run through the whole thing in about 5 minutes, consisting of some text, some scenery, and 3 or 4 mini puzzles. Although a game this cute, short, and simplistic would be geared towards young children, I still can't recommend it as half of the text consists of information that would fly right over a child's head, using words that I'm sure some of their slower parents would have trouble pronouncing.”
- “Yes, the other time spent was in farming the cards!”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The character development in the game is highly praised, with players noting it as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.
- “The character development in this game is truly outstanding, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
- “The depth of character development adds layers to the narrative, making every decision feel impactful.”