The Master

About

The Master is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Concrete Games and was released on January 27, 2018. It received neutral reviews from players.

"The Master" is a unique first-person game that tasks you with climbing an endless staircase to reach the top. With a minimalist design, the game features hidden secrets and online features where players can place and view others' panels. A warning is issued for those who may find the game boring, but a finished playthrough can help in rating and understanding "The Master" better.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

58%

Audience ScoreBased on 55 reviews

atmosphere3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The Master offers a unique and meditative climbing experience, encouraging players to reflect on their journey rather than focusing on traditional gameplay mechanics.
The game features a community aspect where players can leave messages for others, adding a layer of interactivity and humor to the experience.
Visually, the game has a stylized art direction that complements its tranquil tone, with varied environments that enhance the overall atmosphere.

The game's brevity and lack of substantial content leave many players feeling that it is not worth the time or money spent, often completing it in under 10 minutes.
The minimalist design and low-quality graphics, combined with a distracting film grain effect, may not appeal to players accustomed to more polished visuals.
Many players find the experience repetitive and lacking in depth, with the primary objective being simply to climb a staircase without any engaging narrative or gameplay elements.

graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The graphics of the game are generally described as simplistic and low-quality, with a grainy effect that detracts from the overall visual experience. While some players appreciate the unique aesthetics of certain environments and secret areas, many find the visuals unappealing and reminiscent of outdated design. Overall, the graphics may not satisfy those seeking a more graphically intensive experience.
- “Along the way, they encounter various environments, each with its own aesthetic and atmosphere.”
- “But if you care to stray off the path, there are several secret areas with more nice visuals.”
- “I probably would enjoy the aesthetic if it wasn't for that film grain effect.”
- “However, the simplicity of the visuals may not appeal to players accustomed to more graphically intensive games.”
- “It's a walking simulator with very low quality graphics and a weird grainy effect on top.”
- “Graphics are minimalistic (if not ugly and the grain effect only makes things worse) and the same goes for the game's soundtrack which consists of the occasional Chinese gong effects only.”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
The gameplay is characterized by its minimalist design, focusing on a straightforward climbing mechanic without complex narratives or interactive elements, which may appeal to some players seeking a relaxing experience while leaving others wanting more depth. While the game emphasizes exploration and community interaction, it has received mixed reviews due to its brevity and occasional technical issues, such as crashes. Overall, it offers a unique experience that diverges from traditional gameplay expectations.
- “The gameplay is straightforward: players begin at the base of a towering staircase and must climb to the top.”
- “The game's emphasis on exploration, community interaction, and atmospheric design makes it a noteworthy example of how games can be used to convey experiences beyond conventional storytelling and gameplay.”
- “The game's minimalist design focuses on the act of climbing, with little to no narrative or complex mechanics to distract from the core experience.”
- “This design choice may appeal to players seeking a relaxing experience but could be perceived as lacking substance by those who prefer more interactive gameplay elements.”
- “This brevity, combined with the lack of traditional gameplay elements, has led to mixed reviews.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
28%
29%
The game's atmosphere is highlighted by its diverse environments and strong audio design, enhancing the overall experience of exploration and community interaction. While some players appreciate the unique and immersive qualities, others feel it lacks depth and effort, suggesting a mixed reception regarding its atmospheric execution. Overall, the atmosphere is noted as a significant aspect, with some games delivering a remarkable experience while others fall short.
- “Along the way, they encounter various environments, each with its own aesthetic and atmosphere.”
- “The audio design further complements the game's atmosphere.”
- “The game's emphasis on exploration, community interaction, and atmospheric design makes it a noteworthy example of how games can be used to convey experiences beyond conventional storytelling and gameplay.”
- “I guess it has some atmosphere, but all in all, it just felt like the bare minimum effort scraped together to earn money on Steam.”
- “The master is a curious game that offers an astonishing and singular atmosphere.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The game's music features a soothing, ambient soundtrack that enhances immersion, with subtle sound effects that shift from silence to roaring winds and echoing gongs as players ascend. While the minimalistic approach fosters a calming atmosphere, some players feel the soundtrack lacks variety, relying heavily on occasional gong effects and environmental sounds rather than a more developed musical score. Overall, the music contributes to an introspective mood, though opinions vary on its effectiveness.
- “A soothing, ambient soundtrack accompanies the player's ascent, with subtle sound effects that enhance the sense of immersion.”
- “The absence of dialogue or traditional sound cues allows the music and environmental sounds to take center stage, fostering a calming and introspective mood.”
- “As you walk up the stairs, the noises you hear change, from quite silent to roaring winds to echoing music until you reach the top where the music stops echoing and becomes closer as you open a door and talk to 'the master'.”
- “Game's soundtrack consists of the occasional Chinese gong effects only.”
- “Graphics are minimalistic (if not ugly and the grain effect only makes things worse) and the same goes for the game's soundtrack which consists of the occasional Chinese gong effects only.”
- “No major soundtrack to accompany your solitary journey up a massive set of stairs except for the wind and echoing gongs.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's story is polarizing; while some players appreciate its focus on exploration and community interaction as a means of conveying deeper experiences, others criticize it for lacking a traditional narrative and having poor graphics. However, a few users find value in the moral lessons presented, even in the absence of a conventional story.
- “The game's emphasis on exploration, community interaction, and atmospheric design makes it a noteworthy example of how games can be used to convey experiences beyond conventional storytelling and gameplay.”
- “For $0.99, the moral of this seemingly storyless journey is probably one of the best ones I've seen.”
- “Really boring, bad graphics and no story.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the humor added by signs left by others, enhancing interactivity within the game. However, some users feel that the humor is lacking or not worth the investment, indicating a mixed reception overall.
- “The signs left by players add an extra layer of humor and interactivity.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting that it inspires heartfelt responses and encourages a sense of hope and perseverance. This emotional connection fosters a supportive community among players.
- “I chose to respond with something heartfelt and encouraging, in hopes that someone else would see it and be inspired to keep going.”