The Man Came Around

About

"The Man Came Around" is a survival game set in a world where a powerful nation, Occida, is in turmoil due to mass protests. As one of five citizens trying to escape the chaos by crossing the Northern Border, you'll face treacherous terrains, corrupt authorities, and scarce resources. Your choices will dictate the story's outcome, forcing you to make difficult decisions that may challenge your moral compass.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

story8 positive mentions

The game features a unique and atmospheric art style that enhances the immersive experience.
Engaging narrative with moral choices that encourage replayability and emotional investment in the characters.
Short but impactful gameplay that effectively combines survival mechanics with a thought-provoking story.

The game is quite short, which may lead some players to feel it lacks value at full price.
Basic resource management gameplay can become repetitive and uninspired over time.
Some players found the dialogue and themes to be poorly executed or overly simplistic.

story
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The story in "The Man Came Around" is highly praised for its engaging narrative and character development, with players noting that every action has significant consequences that maintain tension throughout. The combination of strategic choices, a captivating storyline, and a unique ambiance enhances the overall experience, making it a must-play for fans of survival games. As players progress, they become increasingly invested in the characters and their backstories, which deepens the emotional connection to the unfolding plot.
- “Every action has consequences; the story keeps the tension all the time.”
- “The intriguing story unfolds as you get to know the characters.”
- “I'm probably only halfway, but the character arcs are interesting, and I'm really invested in their survival and the overarching story.”
- “Every action has consequences, the story keeps the tension all the time.”
- “There is something about the ambiance, and having to make risky choices to know more and to go forward into the story.”
- “I'm probably only halfway, but the character arcs are interesting and I'm really invested in their survival and the overarching story.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The game's graphics are characterized by a striking black and white art style that enhances its cold, tense atmosphere, effectively complementing the narrative and gameplay. Players appreciate the unique visuals and how they contribute to the overall experience, creating a cohesive blend of art, music, and storytelling that draws them into the game's world. The dark, rough graphics and atmospheric design not only set the tone but also encourage a thoughtful approach to decision-making within the gameplay.
- “The visuals, the music, and each character's stories hold well together; I've never played something like that.”
- “Tense gameplay that really draws you in, complemented by a really atmospheric art style.”
- “The dark, rough graphics and dialogues give it a pretty unique atmosphere!”
- “The dark rough graphics and dialogues give it a pretty unique atmosphere!”
- “The unique art style participates in the cold and tense atmosphere, and if the exploration and puzzle mechanics may seem unfair at first, every mistake can have brutal consequences for our group of survivors.”
- “Love the black & white art style.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
17%
17%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique and immersive qualities, characterized by a tense gameplay experience, dark graphics, and a compelling art style that enhances the overall mood. Players appreciate how the design and music draw them in, creating a cold yet intriguing environment that balances tension with moments of humor. The narrative further enriches the atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “Tense gameplay that really draws you in, complemented by a really atmospheric art style.”
- “The unique art style contributes to the cold and tense atmosphere (with some humor sprinkled in!), and while the exploration and puzzle mechanics may seem unfair at first, every mistake can have brutal consequences for our group of survivors, encouraging a learning attitude.”
- “Intriguing yet very atmospheric, and the narrative sucks you in.”
- “The unique art style contributes to the cold and tense atmosphere, with some humor sprinkled in. While the exploration and puzzle mechanics may seem unfair at first, every mistake can have brutal consequences for our group of survivors, encouraging a learning attitude.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The gameplay in "The Man Came Around" is a mix of basic resource management and survival mechanics, where players must navigate challenges using limited resources while facing random events that can lead to dire consequences. While some find the gameplay uninspired and repetitive, others appreciate the engaging narrative, moral choices, and tense atmosphere that encourage replayability and a learning mindset. The unique art style enhances the overall experience, adding depth to the game's cold and tense environment.
- “Great gameplay with moral choices giving you the opportunity to play over again with a completely different output.”
- “"The Man Came Around" is a survival game that skillfully intertwines an engaging narrative with challenging gameplay.”
- “Tense gameplay that really draws you in, complemented by a really atmospheric art style.”
- “Extremely basic resource management gameplay: use matches to keep warm, consume food to maintain stamina, use flashbangs or cash bribes on guards, resolve random events to obtain these resources (and if you're unlucky, you're screwed), repeat ad nauseam.”
- “This uninspired gameplay is occasionally broken up with cringe-inducing dialogue where the corrupt cops chasing your characters will whine about how leftists are undermining capitalism and there won't be universal healthcare on their watch.”
- “The exploration and puzzle mechanics may seem unfair at first: every mistake can have brutal consequences for our group of survivors, which can be frustrating.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, drawing players into the experience alongside impressive visuals and character stories. Reviewers emphasize that the soundtrack is a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of games that blend strategy with captivating narratives.
- “The visuals, the music, and each character's stories hold well together; I've never played something like that.”
- “If you're a fan of games that combine strategy, a captivating storyline, and truly impressive music, then 'The Man Came Around' should absolutely be on your must-play list.”
- “The music (which I know I mentioned already) and the illustrative drawings are absolutely amazing.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently highlight the game's powerful emotional impact, noting that it evokes strong feelings and delivers a significant emotional punch.
- “The emotional blow was real.”
- “Made me feel things.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game incorporates humor into its otherwise cold and tense atmosphere, providing a lighthearted contrast to the challenging exploration and puzzle mechanics. This blend of humor helps to soften the impact of the brutal consequences players face for mistakes, fostering a more engaging learning experience.
- “The unique art style contributes to the cold and tense atmosphere, with some humor sprinkled in to lighten the mood.”
- “The humor in the game adds a refreshing contrast to the otherwise intense exploration and puzzle mechanics.”