The Fidelio Incident

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 529 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
The Fidelio Incident Game Cover
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"The Fidelio Incident" is a narrative-driven stealth game where players control the characters Lorenzo and his daughter, Clara, who are on the run from their past. They must evade the guards and find clues to uncover the truth behind their fugitive status, while navigating through a mysterious mansion. The game features challenging stealth-based gameplay and a gripping story of deceit and redemption.

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Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 529 reviews
story248 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning graphics and a beautiful environment that immerses players in the icy landscape.
  • The story is engaging and emotional, with well-executed voice acting that enhances the narrative experience.
  • The game includes light puzzles that, while simple, add a layer of interaction to the walking simulator format.
  • The gameplay can feel tedious due to the constant need to find warmth, which disrupts exploration and immersion.
  • The story's twists and character motivations may feel predictable or underdeveloped to some players.
  • The game is relatively short, taking around 2-3 hours to complete, which may not justify the full price for some players.
  • story615 mentions

    The story of "The Fidelio Incident" is a poignant and emotional narrative centered around a couple's struggle for survival after a plane crash in a harsh, icy landscape, intertwined with themes of love, loss, and the historical context of the Irish troubles. Players uncover the backstory through scattered journal entries and voice acting, which many found engaging and well-executed, although some criticized the predictability and pacing of the plot. Overall, while the game is short and primarily a walking simulator, it is praised for its beautiful visuals and immersive storytelling, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “It's really nice to hear authentic Irish voices to prop up an overlooked and rarely-seen-in-games Irish rich story.”
    • “The story was deeper than expected, the scenery was interesting to traverse through, the voice acting was pretty good, and the conclusion was bittersweet yet satisfying.”
    • “The voice acting is incredible, the story is very intriguing, the graphics/art style left me in awe, and the soundtrack was so undeniably outstanding and set the tone perfectly!”
    • “The plot twist is built and spun into a disappointing reveal, leaving no real sense of accomplishment upon completion.”
    • “The story is nothing special, totally forgettable.”
    • “The story was well written for the low budget, voice actors were great but also the story turns out to be quite a tragedy.”
  • graphics213 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and atmospheric design, often described as breathtaking and photorealistic. Many players noted the impressive use of the Unreal Engine, which contributes to the game's immersive environments and emotional storytelling. However, some users experienced performance issues, including crashes and lag, which detracted from the overall experience despite the high-quality graphics.

    • “The visuals are breathtaking, so beautiful and melodramatic.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic, the music is haunting.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the voice acting is spectacular.”
    • “Next, the graphics are mediocre even though they used the Unreal Engine 4.”
    • “As some reviewers have mentioned, when you get in the game, the visuals are not as crystal clear as shown off in the screenshots on the storefront.”
    • “Even on the lowest resolution with the lowest graphics settings, on different laptops and game stations, I don't think it has ever worked even moderately for anyone.”
  • gameplay133 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Fidelio Incident" is primarily characterized as a walking simulator with minimal interaction, focusing on exploration and narrative rather than complex mechanics. Players engage in simple tasks such as walking, collecting journal entries, and managing a freezing mechanic, which some find frustrating and detracting from the experience. While the visuals and story are praised, many reviewers note that the gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it a short and straightforward experience, typically lasting around two hours.

    • “The gameplay was engaging enough to keep me interested, and the puzzle elements were simple.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and the story is engaging.”
    • “With good puzzles and interesting game mechanics, there's never really any parts that are drawn out.”
    • “The gameplay leaves a bit to be desired, being largely atmospheric walking and climbing through the desolate, violent Icelandic environment.”
    • “Unfortunately, there is little to no actual gameplay here, as one may expect, but I find that to be a problem.”
    • “The gameplay is walking and interacting with valves.”
  • music124 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and emotional depth, enhancing the overall experience with beautiful compositions that fit the narrative perfectly. Many reviewers highlighted the haunting quality of the soundtrack, often noting its ability to evoke strong feelings and complement the stunning visuals. While some found the soundtrack occasionally forgettable or lacking in variety, the majority praised it as a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's immersive atmosphere.

    • “The music fits and integrates itself flawlessly, conveying and emphasizing emotions, tones, and underlying themes.”
    • “The voice acting is amazing, as is the soundtrack.”
    • “The music was excellent and fit the game very well.”
    • “Soundtrack not good enough but sometimes there is a good track to hear, and there is a very simple puzzle to solve.”
    • “Sadly, I found the music/audio to be somewhat lacking, which is sad for a game that is marketing itself on being inspired by Beethoven's only opera.”
    • “The musical score is low-key and ultimately forgettable, but it's very atmospheric and fitting.”
  • atmosphere49 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining beautiful graphics, evocative music, and strong voice acting to create a haunting and melancholic experience. Players often feel a deep emotional connection to the environment, with many describing it as captivating and reflective of themes like isolation and tragedy. While some critiques mention gameplay simplicity and occasional detachment from the story, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its atmospheric design.

    • “The game is so atmospheric that it hits you right in the feels; it's the best game to play when you are in misery. I caught myself thinking about being all alone on this island, not gonna lie.”
    • “Rounding out the presentation are strong voice acting and beautiful music, which fit well with the isolated, melancholy atmosphere.”
    • “What I find the best about this game is its visuals and atmosphere. You will feel the cold in your bones behind your screen; there is no place that feels safe on this island. You can't possibly stay in the open for a few seconds without a heat source, or else you die.”
    • “The light is too dim; the whole atmosphere is very depressed.”
    • “It fixes itself, but it's jarring in that it pulls you out of the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The soundtrack is decent, the length fitting, and the sheer vastness, hostility, and twisted beauty of the landscapes never fails to impress, but apart from a gripping atmosphere and hopelessness, there is little to remember once the credits roll.”
  • emotional43 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching narratives and complex characters, often evoking strong feelings of empathy and heartbreak among players. While some reviews criticize the story for being predictable or boring, many praise the beautiful visuals, compelling soundtracks, and the ability to create deep emotional connections, making it a memorable experience for those who engage with its themes. Overall, the game is recognized for its capacity to resonate emotionally, despite some mixed opinions on its execution.

    • “Walking through the Fidelio Incident introduced me to characters, showed me their experiences and how they felt in response, and watching them feel things made me feel things.”
    • “Now I don't want to spoil anything regarding the ending, so I'll leave that be; however, it is a touching love story, and during the game's duration, you are not sure how it will actually end.”
    • “The story was quite emotional and really socks you in the gut at the end; you feel both devastated but also a little proud of the main character's final accomplishment.”
    • “Bland and terribly boring story.”
    • “Really short game and a boring story.”
    • “Boring story.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, with many describing the gameplay as slow and filled with unnecessary puzzles that detract from the experience. While some appreciate the story and voice acting, the repetitive and dull mechanics overshadow these positives, leading to a frustrating experience for many.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding is a rewarding experience that keeps you engaged.”
    • “The grind may be tough, but the sense of achievement makes it worthwhile.”
    • “The gameplay in general feels tedious and dull, and did I mention boring?”
    • “By the time the game enters its visually impressive final half-hour, the protagonist's backstory is so evident that further revelations feel redundant and tedious.”
    • “But the gameplay is just another boring tedious Unreal Engine walkabout... yawn!”
  • optimization12 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as FPS drops and stuttering, while others report smooth gameplay at high settings. Despite the graphical quality being praised, many users noted that maintaining consistent performance, especially at higher resolutions, can be challenging. Overall, while some players achieved steady frame rates, others found the optimization lacking, indicating a need for improvements.

    • “It's also very well optimized: even though it looks incredible, and I had everything on ultra, it still didn't make my laptop heat up too much.”
    • “Graphically, the game is superb and surprisingly well optimized; I was able to run it at a steady 60 fps on the highest settings with a few drops to 50-55 fps towards the end (which is excusable due to so much happening on screen).”
    • “In terms of performance, it fares very well; everything was maxed out and I managed to get a steady 60 fps (v-sync on) on my second desktop (GTX 970 and i5 4570s).”
    • “This has to be the worst optimized game I've ever played (or tried to).”
    • “Performance wasn't well optimized, and I struggled to maintain 4K at 60fps, but the graphics are top-notch, especially for an indie game.”
    • “You have to modify a file and the performance drops significantly.”
  • stability11 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant glitches and technical issues, particularly towards the end. While some users experienced a buggy mess that affected their gameplay, others reported no problems at all, suggesting that stability may vary widely among players. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a notable concern for a substantial portion of the player base.

    • “Seems like it would be a fun game to play (I pictured it like Dear Esther) but too many glitches even after various re-installs, updates, etc.”
    • “It's still quite a buggy mess.”
    • “Game especially turns out to be a buggy/glitchy mess towards the end.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it lacking due to its short length and minimal content, others see potential in revisiting the game to collect missed items or journal pages. However, the general consensus leans towards limited replay value, with some players feeling that a single playthrough is sufficient.

    • “It is definitely replayable to try to get all the journal pages if you were not able to collect them all on your first try.”
    • “If I could give this a rating, I would give it 9 out of 10 stars. The only reason for it losing a star is the shortness of the game, and also the fact that I do not see it as a replayable game, but I might go back to collect all of the journal pages.”
    • “There is no replay value.”
    • “It’s a short game and will probably give you no more than a few hours of enjoyment with little replayability. If you’re going for the collectibles achievement, I’d suggest using a guide because one missed item will require another full playthrough – too harsh!”
    • “No replayability at all.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely derived from the distracting and often hilarious accents of the cast, which some players find amusing despite their lack of authenticity. The lead actor's Irish background contrasts sharply with the rest, adding to the comedic effect. Overall, the developers' intent to inject humor is evident, even if it stems from unintended sources.

    • “Apart from the actor playing the lead role who is actually from Ireland, the accents from the remaining cast are so appalling that it becomes completely distracting and actually hilarious at times.”
    • “You are so funny, devs.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized for failing to create emotional engagement, leading to claims that the game misrepresents itself as a thriller.

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

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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