The Graveyard
- March 9, 2009
- Tale of Tales
- 11h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"The Graveyard" is an artistic, first-person exploration game where you play as an elderly woman visiting a graveyard. The game is meditative and contemplative, focusing on the reality and inevitability of mortality. With a serene atmosphere and a single, poignant choice to make, players are encouraged to reflect on life, death, and the passage of time.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
PC
Phone
Windows
Android
Linux
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- The game creates a unique atmosphere and emotional impact, making it a memorable experience for some players.
- It is appreciated as a piece of art, with potential for deep interpretations despite its limitations.
- The music and ambiance are relaxing and contribute positively to the overall experience.
- The gameplay is extremely short, taking only a few minutes to complete, which many players feel is not worth the price.
- There is a lack of interactivity and exploration, as players are forced to follow a linear path with no real choices.
- Players have reported technical issues, such as being unable to exit the game without force quitting if the character dies.
- music85 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its emotional depth and atmosphere, while others criticize it as bland or even terrible. Many comments highlight the song's heavy themes related to death, which some found intriguing, while others felt it detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the music seems to be a polarizing element, with opinions ranging from it being a standout feature to a disappointing aspect of the game.
“The end game soundtrack was amazing.”
“Once you get to the bench you hear some wonderful music.”
“Also don't forget to listen from time to time to this game's godlike soundtrack, you won't be disappointed at all.”
“But no, it's a tone-deaf German man singing, with terrible music.”
“A horrible song played and the old woman died.”
“I walked this old lady to a bench, the game started playing some horrible music at which point she proceeded to kick the bucket because the terrible music triggered a heart attack.”
- story35 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as an experimental blend of poetry and narrative, though opinions vary widely on its execution. While some players find it a compelling and artistic experience with stunning graphics and engaging gameplay, others criticize it for lacking depth and character development. Overall, it appeals to those who appreciate unique storytelling, but may not resonate with everyone.
“It's definitely not for everyone, but if you are patient and follow the game's interesting story and concept, you will find an indie gem of a game.”
“The story mode is amazing, pure art.”
“With 11 hours of gameplay without deviating from the story at all, stunning graphics and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat for the whole time, the graveyard is something that you simply can't miss out on.”
“This game has no side quests as you are unable to leave the main road.”
“The credits theme takes longer than the whole story.”
“I would appreciate if this story had something, at least a character you could speak to about people that have died. Don't ever buy this!”
- graphics24 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their artistic quality and attention to detail, with many reviewers noting the stunning environments and cinematic feel. While some suggest that improvements could be made, the visuals are often compared favorably to upcoming titles like "The Witcher 3," and are described as encapsulating deep themes, making the game feel more like a moving piece of artwork than a traditional video game. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the immersive experience, earning scores around 7 to 9 out of 10.
“The game has some really nice environments and the graphics are really well designed and laid out.”
“Not only do the graphics stand up even to this day, and come very close to being of similar beauty to the yet-to-be-released 'The Witcher 3', it's even phenomenal looking in the artistic sense.”
“With 11 hours of gameplay without deviating from the story at all, stunning graphics and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat for the whole time, 'The Graveyard' is something that you simply can't miss out on.”
“The developers want you to evaluate this like artwork, and if that is the case, one can view 'the graveyard' as encapsulating the frailty of humanity.”
“This is no game... but it's more like a moving form of artwork.”
“That way you'll get the sense of atmosphere and art style, and the pretentious not-worth-it song at the end, and you'll save $5.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay experience is highly polarizing, with some players finding it immersive and emotionally impactful despite its brevity, while others criticize it as dull and lacking depth. Many reviews highlight the game's short duration, with some noting a lack of traditional gameplay mechanics and a tendency to introduce new concepts too quickly, making it challenging. Overall, the gameplay is often overshadowed by the narrative and artistic elements, leading to mixed feelings about its execution.
“The gameplay, the story, all is amazing.”
“With 11 hours of gameplay without deviating from the story at all, stunning graphics and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat for the whole time, the graveyard is something that you simply can't miss out on.”
“I don't know what the developers were trying to say, if anything, and I found it a dull and tedious experience trying to wrench gameplay out of this.”
“Takes minutes to complete and not much in the way of gameplay.”
“Challenging, yes, but the game is made more challenging by introducing you to a concept, then hitting you with a new one before you've really gotten the hang of the current mechanics.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it incredibly heartwarming and impactful, particularly during poignant moments like the death of a character. However, others criticize it for lacking depth and atmosphere, viewing certain emotional appeals as manipulative rather than genuine. Overall, the game elicits strong emotional responses for some, while leaving others feeling disappointed.
“First time booting it up as an adult, at age 29, and finally triggered that event... it did have an emotional impact in a sort of meta sense.”
“Very intense, emotionally gripping game.”
“Even the moment when old gran-gran died on the bench has got to be one of the most intense emotional moments ever in computer games.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as both quick and melancholic, evoking strong feelings and a unique art style. However, some players criticize the accompanying music as heavy-handed and lacking emotional depth, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, while the atmosphere is praised by many, opinions are divided on its effectiveness and emotional resonance.
“For me, it's the atmosphere and the feelings I take from this game.”
“It is a very melancholic game with excellent atmosphere.”
“Very quick, but also very atmospheric.”
“Sprite Threes doesn't add anything to the atmosphere, and the whole message of the game feels extremely heavy-handed thanks to the song.”
“That way you'll get the sense of atmosphere and art style, but the pretentious, not-worth-it song at the end makes it feel like a waste of time and money.”
“The atmosphere and the feelings I take from this game are overshadowed by the lack of depth in its presentation.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, lacking depth and substance. Reviewers feel it resembles a superficial product rather than a genuine gaming experience, comparing it unfavorably to more substantial offerings in the industry.
“It seems like a cash grab and doesn’t have any deeper meaning unless you’re reaching.”
“This is not a game; it's a pretentious cash grab with an extremely sub-par product, if you could even call it that.”
“It's as if Tale of Tales is an advertising agency, creating 30-second commercials, amongst a sea of giants who make 2-3 hour feature films.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its smooth performance, with users reporting no significant issues during gameplay. However, the art style, while acceptable, is entirely in black and white, which may not appeal to everyone.
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is perceived as sarcastic and mocking, with some players feeling that the developers are ridiculing them for their investment in the game. This tone has led to a negative reception, as it comes off as dismissive rather than genuinely funny.
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be dull and tedious, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from overall enjoyment.
“I don't know what the developers were trying to say, if anything, and I found it a dull and tedious experience trying to wrench gameplay out of this.”
“The grinding feels endless and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“After hours of repetitive tasks, I felt more frustrated than accomplished; the grind just isn't rewarding.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, with many users highly recommending it for multiple playthroughs.
“Heaps of replayability, definitely recommend.”
