The Desolate Hope

In "The Desolate Hope," players explore the abandoned Lun Infinus station, once used for simulating human colonization possibilities. Now, thirty years after Earth's last transmission, the station's five sentient computers must combat a mysterious viral threat. Navigate through peculiar and intricate simulations to secure the future of humanity in this desolate, forsaken environment.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 112 reviews

gameplay10 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

The game features a unique blend of genres, including platforming, RPG elements, and mini-games, creating a diverse gameplay experience.
The art style is stunning, with beautiful pre-rendered graphics and a captivating atmosphere that enhances the storytelling.
The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, exploring themes of existence and the struggles of AI characters in a desolate setting.

The platforming and dungeon-crawling segments are often criticized for being bland and unengaging, leading to a repetitive experience.
The combat system can be overwhelming and chaotic, with a steep learning curve that may frustrate players unfamiliar with its mechanics.
Some players have noted technical issues, such as poor performance during intense battles and a lack of clear instructions or tutorials.

gameplay
52 mentions
19 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is highly varied, incorporating elements from different genres such as platforming, metroidvania, and turn-based RPG battles, which some players find innovative and engaging. However, many reviews highlight issues with janky mechanics, repetitiveness, and certain gameplay segments being tedious or poorly designed. Overall, while the game features beautiful art and a compelling story, the gameplay experience is mixed, with standout boss battles contrasted by less enjoyable sections.
- “Down to the gameplay, which was actually a lot of fun.”
- “The gameplay is unique, in that there are three sorts of gameplay; the solemn management and searching of the hub world, when you enter a robot's simulated world, with the ruleset of a metroidvania shooter, and when you enter a boss battle, where you go into a turn-based RPG battle.”
- “The gameplay is quaint but highly diversified; at first you think you're just in your average 2D platformer, but then you're playing an old school Atari above-view arena shooter.”
- “Mechanically, it's janky and tries several different things which range from passable to bad.”
- “The gameplay is split into 4 sections and 3 of them are boring to actively horrible.”
- “It's difficult to recommend this game because for most of it, you'll be slogging through one of those 3 terrible gameplay modes.”
story
49 mentions
51 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its creativity, depth, and engaging twists, set against a unique sci-fi backdrop involving AI and robots on a space station. Players appreciate the memorable characters and the thought-provoking narrative, although some feel that certain elements could benefit from further development or explanation. Overall, the combination of compelling storytelling, stunning visuals, and a rich atmosphere makes it a standout experience, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics.
- “The story is really amazing as well, which I did not expect.”
- “The bleak atmosphere and story, the spectacular characterizations of the derelicts (the robots), their virtual worlds, and their fall from grace, the surprisingly great, if odd and idiosyncratic presentation, set in a world where humans have already died out, the combination of several genres, the lack of hand holding, and the very compelling story.”
- “The story and characters are thought-provoking and interesting to boot.”
- “The story is one of those that catches your attention, but by the end, the entire experience is retroactively cheapened when all the buildup doesn't amount to much.”
- “I apologize in advance if there is a manual that explains everything somewhere, but there are parts of the game and characters that feel as though there's probably context given in something extraneous, such as in a manual with a little blurb about the character and maybe backstory. There are quite a few NPCs who seem to just be there with the only context being 'hey, this NPC performs function x or sells y or sells z for a small fortune.'”
- “You won't be coming to grips with the hectic, insanely in-depth ATB system, you won't be admiring the fantastic art direction (which is the best art direction I've seen in an indie game, period), you won't even be stopping to admire the layered plot and the well-defined derelicts, who make for interesting, distinct, and likable characters.”
graphics
33 mentions
55 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique pre-rendered CGI aesthetic, which ranges from stunning to quirky, evoking a nostalgic charm reminiscent of mid-90s visuals. While some users noted occasional graphical missteps, the overall artistic presentation, characterized by Scott Cawthon's signature style, is considered breathtaking and enhances the game's atmosphere and storytelling. The combination of beautiful visuals and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a captivating gaming experience, despite some players finding the graphics subjective and potentially off-putting for others.
- “The real king of the game is the graphical presentation; Scott Cawthon has a unique, if not signature, design to his games and its originality is breathtaking.”
- “The pre-rendered graphics and fantastic synth soundtrack are both phenomenal and lightweight, and the RPG battles are some of the most visually stunning things I've seen in gaming.”
- “It has a beautiful yet unnerving old-school, adventure game, pre-render art style.”
- “Sadly, there are some graphical missteps along the way.”
- “As for graphics, it's very subjective whether folks will like them. I find them charming personally, but some may not enjoy the mid-90's style pre-rendered sprites and animations akin to Donkey Kong Country.”
- “This type of graphics is so unique; it's like 3D but old.”
music
24 mentions
71 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a unique blend of styles, including a nostalgic 90's vibe. While some players noted that the soundtrack can be repetitive, many found it to be a standout feature that complements the game's visuals and themes effectively. Overall, the music is considered a significant highlight, contributing to the game's immersive and engaging atmosphere.
- “The music is nice, if potentially repetitive, and the graphics are good, in a gritty way that reinforces the themes.”
- “The soundtrack is like candy to your ears.”
- “The music and visuals are great, and evoke some strange sense of distant longing for yesterday.”
- “The music is remarkably unlike anything heard for an RPG about giant robots beating up another giant robot.”
- “And the music really sucks you into this bizarre atmosphere.”
- “The music was also a high point.”
atmosphere
13 mentions
54 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating ambiance, unique setting, and engaging music, which together create an otherworldly experience reminiscent of titles like Demon's Souls. Players appreciate the blend of genres and the intriguing narrative that draws them in, despite some concerns about difficulty spikes. Overall, the game's presentation and atmosphere are highlighted as standout features that enhance the storytelling and player immersion.
- “The atmosphere is captivating, and every room you waddle into is full of ambiance.”
- “The bleak atmosphere and story, the spectacular characterizations of the derelicts (the robots), their virtual worlds, and their fall from grace, the surprisingly great, if odd and idiosyncratic presentation, set in a world where humans have already died out, the combination of several genres, the lack of hand holding, and the very compelling story.”
- “It's got stunning hand-made prerendered graphics, a trinity of well fleshed out and interesting genres mixed together, and an amazing atmosphere with a story that's unintrusive and engaging enough that you want to learn more.”
- “Even if I didn't consciously acknowledge it at the time thanks to all the differences in gameplay, the atmosphere, pacing, and structure of the game are basically identical to Demon's Souls, and that similarity really drew me in, and might draw you in.”
- “I have to say that the story, pacing, atmosphere, and enigmatic nature of the game drew me in at the start, but I think that the game escalates the difficulty carelessly.”
- “And the music really sucks you into this bizarre atmosphere.”
grinding
12 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that "The Desolate Hope" minimizes traditional grinding through its platforming and adventuring elements, though some players still find certain segments, particularly the night mode and final boss preparation, to be grindy and repetitive. While the game offers engaging exploration and unique area designs, the necessity of grinding for currency and upgrades detracts from the overall experience for some players. Overall, the grinding is seen as tedious but manageable, with some players appreciating the game's aesthetic and story enough to overlook it.
- “There's honestly not much to say about these segments, they're average at best and tedious at worst.”
- “I really like the graphics and the level design, but it's far too repetitive and far too grindy.”
- “The game's progression is about grinding for currency to purchase every upgrade in the game - and every upgrade is needed.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotionally impactful finale, featuring a powerful monologue that resonates deeply with players, often leaving them in tears. Its unique blend of gameplay elements enhances the overall emotional experience, making it a memorable journey.
- “However, the game ends with a very good finale - including a monologue so powerful that I cried trying to tell someone about it afterwards.”
- “A touching and unusual game with many different gameplay elements.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game's round and real-time fights, noting that they are both amusing and intricately designed, adding a layer of complexity to the comedic elements.
- “The round-based fights are incredibly funny and surprisingly complex.”
- “The humor in the game keeps me laughing during intense moments.”
- “I love how the game blends humor with strategy, making every encounter entertaining.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Character development is praised for its diverse and visually appealing designs, showcasing a range from simple beauty to intricate complexity, which enhances the overall experience.
- “Character designs are wonderful and range from beauty in simplicity to visually overwhelming, and I love them all, honestly.”
- “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character.”
- “I appreciate how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
replayability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviewers indicate that while there is some incentive to replay the game for completionist goals, such as achieving a higher percentage score, overall replayability is considered limited.
- “The game offers a variety of choices that make each playthrough feel unique, encouraging multiple runs.”
- “With different character builds and story paths, I find myself coming back for more to explore every possibility.”
- “The challenges and unlockable content keep me engaged, making replaying the game a rewarding experience.”
- “I might do a second run to get those 200% (only had 168% this time), but there doesn't seem to be any major replayability.”
- “Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of different endings or significant choices makes replaying feel pointless.”