The Man Came Around
- August 9, 2023
- PipetteInc
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"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.
Reviews
- 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.
- Gameplay can become repetitive with limited locations and looping choices.
- Some players found the dialogue and political themes to be poorly executed or cringe-inducing.
- story9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story in "The Man Came Around" is highly engaging, featuring a captivating narrative that evolves through player choices and character development. Players appreciate the tension and ambiance, as well as the strong character arcs that deepen their investment in the survival elements of the game. The combination of strategy, storytelling, and unique art style enhances the overall experience, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
“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 move forward in the story.”
“The intriguing story unfolds as you get to know the characters.”
“There is something about the ambiance, and having to make risky choices to know more and to go forward into the story.”
“Over time the connection with these last 2 characters grew stronger, and learning progressively about their backstory only improved that bond.”
“I'm probably only halfway, but the character arcs are interesting and I'm really invested in their survival and the overarching story.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by a striking black and white art style that enhances its tense and atmospheric gameplay. Users appreciate the unique visuals that complement the narrative's political themes and character stories, creating a compelling and immersive experience. The dark, rough graphics contribute to the overall mood, making it a standout in its genre.
“The visuals, the music, and each character's stories hold well together; I've never played something like this before.”
“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 encourages a learning attitude through its exploration and puzzle mechanics.”
“The dark rough graphics and dialogues give it a pretty unique atmosphere!”
“The unique art style contributes to the cold and tense atmosphere, 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.”
“Love the black & white art style.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its unique art style, dark graphics, and immersive music, which together create a tense and engaging experience. Reviewers note that the combination of exploration, puzzle mechanics, and narrative depth enhances the overall ambiance, drawing players into its intriguing world while maintaining a balance of tension and humor.
“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, and while the exploration and puzzle mechanics may seem unfair at first, every mistake can have brutal consequences for our group of survivors, which encourages a learning attitude.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to engage players fully.”
“Despite the potential for a rich environment, the atmosphere falls short, making it hard to immerse oneself in the game.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of basic resource management and survival mechanics, where players must navigate challenges using limited resources while facing random events that can drastically affect their progress. While some find the gameplay uninspired and repetitive, others appreciate the engaging narrative and moral choices that enhance replayability. The tense atmosphere, unique art style, and the need for strategic decision-making contribute to a compelling experience, despite occasional frustrations with exploration and puzzle elements.
“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 unique art style participates in the cold and tense atmosphere (with some humor sprinkled in!) and if the exploration and puzzle mechanics may seem unfair at first: every mistake can have brutal consequences for our group of survivors, it encourages a learning attitude.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and immerse players in the experience. Reviewers highlight the impressive combination of music with visuals and character stories, making it a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's appeal, especially for fans of strategy and captivating narratives.
“The visuals, the music, and each character's stories hold well together; I've never played something like this before.”
“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've mentioned already) and the illustrative drawings are absolutely amazing.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a significant emotional impact from the game, highlighting its ability to evoke strong feelings and resonate deeply with their experiences.
“The emotional blow was real.”
“Made me feel things.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is subtly integrated into its otherwise tense and cold atmosphere, providing a lighthearted contrast to the challenging exploration and puzzle mechanics. While the stakes are high and mistakes can lead to severe consequences, the humor encourages players to adopt a learning mindset.
“The unique art style contributes to the cold and tense atmosphere, with some humor sprinkled in!”
“The humor in the game adds a delightful contrast to the otherwise intense gameplay, making each moment memorable.”
“The witty dialogue and clever puns keep the experience light-hearted, even when the stakes are high.”
