The Dot
- November 14, 2023
- Viktor Dunets
Get on Steam"The Dot" is a collection of unconventional mini-games that takes players through a series of bizarre and humorous experiences. The game features a catastrophically thicc pigeon, numerous folders, and gameplay that extends beyond the game window. With its unique and unexpected elements, "The Dot" encourages players to embrace the unexpected and enjoy the ride.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and engaging meta-narrative that encourages players to reflect on their own life choices.
- Many players found the humor and emotional depth of the game to be enjoyable, with some moments eliciting genuine laughter.
- The unconventional gameplay, which involves navigating through folders and files, provides a fresh experience for those who appreciate niche, fourth-wall-breaking games.
- The game is criticized for its slow pacing and tedious navigation, leading to frustration and a sense of wasted time.
- Many players felt that the game lacks substantial content and depth, comparing it unfavorably to other meta games like The Beginner's Guide and OneShot.
- The promotional material was misleading, leading to disappointment as players expected a different type of gameplay than what was delivered.
- story11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's story unfolds through a series of text notes and files that detail the protagonist Viktor's estrangement from Egan, but many players find it overly stretched and lacking in engagement. While some appreciate the emotional depth and relatability of the narrative, others criticize it for being tedious and repetitive, ultimately feeling that the storytelling does not justify the game's price or gameplay experience. Overall, the narrative is seen as a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the exploration of Viktor's journey while others find it uninteresting and poorly executed.
“Over the course of diving into an ever-deepening chain of directories, Viktor paints a story through text notes of the circumstances that led Viktor to drift apart from Egan.”
“Came for the pigeons, stayed for the amazing story and emotions.”
“The story and emotional aspect of the game is very nice and is personally somewhat relatable.”
“This story, which can be boiled down to a quick paragraph without losing any nuance that I am aware of, is stretched out and interspersed among a seemingly endless delve pit of folders.”
“Wad, it's not worth 15 dollars; if anything, it's worth 1 or 2. Do not buy this game if you are looking for actual gameplay, and even story-wise it's not that interesting. I got bored halfway through hoping something cool would happen, but no, it's just the same gameplay loop and it gets boring and repetitive.”
“See many dead projects and notes of a game developer, and piece together a story that won't make sense the first time through.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for being funny and engaging, with a solid balance of comedic elements and emotional depth. Many players found the writing and narration to be excellent, often leading to unexpected moments of laughter. However, some felt that the execution could be improved for a broader audience.
“Sure it's not the most revolutionary thing in the world, but it's cozy and funny, and that's really all I ask for.”
“A great balance of humor and emotional messages along with a sprinkle of confusion that keeps you going; the writing and narration were executed excellently.”
“The humor is really good and caught me off guard, where I burst out laughing tons of times.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for being repetitive and lacking depth, with users expressing disappointment in its limited engagement and overall lack of interesting mechanics. While there is some potential in the art and assets, the gameplay fails to deliver a compelling experience, leading to boredom and a sense that it is not worth the price.
“Wad, it's not worth 15 dollars; if anything, it's worth 1 or 2. Do not buy this game if you are looking for actual gameplay. Even story-wise, it's not that interesting, and I got bored halfway through hoping something cool would happen, but no, it's just the same gameplay loop, and it gets boring and repetitive.”
“Now, I unfortunately have not played a lick of TBG (I will definitely get around to it at some point), but from the very limited gameplay I encountered years ago, I can tell you with confidence that this game is not TBG, and Viktor Dunets is most definitely not Davey Wreden.”
“There is some very cool potential here, mostly in assets/art and a little bit of gameplay.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively balances humor and emotional depth, featuring excellent writing and narration that resonate with players. Its inviting and wholesome narrative, combined with relatable themes, enhances the overall emotional experience.
“A great balance of humor and emotional messages along with a sprinkle of confusion that keeps you going; the writing and narration were executed excellently.”
“Inviting, wholesome, and emotional.”
“The story and emotional aspect of the game are very nice and personally somewhat relatable.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users appreciating the humor and entertainment value, while others feel that the execution could be improved to be more accessible and better aligned with the game's advertising.
“The monetization system feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
“I found the in-game purchases to be frustratingly necessary to progress, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
“It's disappointing that the game prioritizes profit over player enjoyment, with constant prompts to spend money.”
