The Other Half

About

"The Other Half" is a dark fantasy action adventure game, where you play as a Demon Hunter exploring a ruined world to cleanse a demonic infestation. The game features methodical combat, a melancholic narrative of loss, and is fully voiced with an original soundtrack. With hand-animated 2D characters set in a 3D world, you will uncover a twisted tale of intimacy and violence in order to save the once-beautiful land.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 69 reviews

story18 positive mentions

character development3 negative mentions

The game features a compelling narrative that tackles sensitive topics with depth and nuance, encouraging players to reflect on complex moral issues.
The art style and music are beautifully crafted, enhancing the emotional impact of the story and creating an immersive atmosphere.
The unique combat mechanics, while simple, are engaging and effectively integrated with the narrative, making for a memorable gameplay experience.

The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, which may detract from the overall experience for players seeking more traditional action mechanics.
The short length of the game (around 2-4 hours) may leave some players wanting more in terms of story development and character exploration.
The handling of sensitive themes, particularly around sexual assault, may not resonate with all players and could be perceived as problematic or heavy-handed.

story
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
70%
5%
The game's story is a complex blend of dark themes and fantasy elements, exploring sensitive topics such as emotional abuse and personal redemption through metaphorical narratives. While the storytelling is praised for its depth and emotional impact, some players feel it lacks sufficient development and can be polarizing in its execution. Overall, the narrative is considered the game's strongest aspect, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its heavy subject matter and brief runtime.
- “The art and music are beautiful, the gameplay is simple but not boring, the difficulty is adjustable, and it's incredibly clever how the characters and their surroundings are all metaphors telling a deeper story.”
- “A fantasy story about you fighting monsters on the surface, but beneath that the game is really about something very different, something very much related to the modern world.”
- “The story touches a sensitive topic about emotional abuse, both onto others as well as oneself, but the game just isn't long enough to address anything significant about it.”
- “I saw what they tried to do, but it came off as 'I feel bad for assaulting someone, give me sympathy.' Honestly, a story that really didn't need to be told.”
- “But in the end, it's short, the play is dull, the story is poisonously didactic, and the 'content warning' gives away the schtick right off the bat.”
gameplay
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
59%
8%
The gameplay is generally described as simple and responsive, with some players finding it enjoyable while others consider it mediocre and drawn out. Many reviews highlight the clever integration of gameplay mechanics with the narrative, though some note that the combat can feel basic and awkward without a controller. Overall, the game is recommended for its story rather than its gameplay, which serves more as a vehicle for the narrative rather than a standout feature.
- “The art and music are beautiful, the gameplay is simple but not boring, the difficulty is adjustable, and it's incredibly clever how the characters and their surroundings are all metaphors telling a deeper story.”
- “The gameplay is fun and not complicated.”
- “An excellent narrative experience that also has fun gameplay and the gameplay and narrative experience link together well with (in my interpretation) the metaphors spanning the psychological experiences of the secondary characters, the way gameplay progresses and also in terms of the ways visuals are used to display those experiences.”
- “The actual gameplay itself falls short.”
- “Gameplay is mediocre but clearly not the center of it.”
- “It's very awkward to play without a controller and a lot of the transitions between story and gameplay take just long enough to take you out of the experience.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
13%
13%
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with many praising the art style and visual effects as "gorgeous" and "staggeringly beautiful," while others feel that the 3D visuals detract from the overall artistic integrity. The integration of visuals with gameplay and narrative is highlighted as a strong point, contributing to an engaging experience. Overall, the game is noted for its impressive aesthetics, though some critiques suggest that certain elements may not resonate with all players.
- “First off, this game is gorgeous, both graphics, movements, and soundtrack.”
- “The narrative is both harrowing and engaging, complimented by amazing sound design and effective visuals.”
- “Also, it's staggeringly beautiful, not just because of the graphics style, but because of the way everything flows together.”
- “Art is split, 'ruined' by 3D visuals.”
- “The graphically phallic references as you progress would be funny if the subject wasn't so dour and serious.”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
31%
8%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and emotional impact, seamlessly integrating with the narrative and enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its ability to evoke specific feelings at key moments without being overpowering. The combination of art style, music, and storytelling creates a cohesive and immersive atmosphere that resonates with players.
- “The most outstanding parts of this game would be its soundtrack, story, and voice acting, which is why I would recommend this game.”
- “First off, this game is gorgeous, both in graphics, movements, and soundtrack.”
- “What especially stood out to me was the beautiful and purposefully placed music that was able to invoke emotion precisely when the developer wanted to.”
- “Even the inventory system is metaphorical, and, as a work, the game is so heavily didactic that it is difficult to respond to, as the sentimental music, over-dramatic voice acting, and simple narrative tell you exactly what to feel and when.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game explores sensitive themes of emotional abuse and the complexities of relationships, but its short length limits the depth of these topics. While the narrative culminates in a poignant reflection on the consequences of emotional decisions, some players feel the emotional impact could have been enhanced with clearer content warnings. Overall, it is described as a beautiful yet sad story that resonates deeply, evoking strong emotional responses from players.
- “The final arc shows what the consequences of playing to one's emotions without the understanding of knowing two sides of the proverbial coin can do to a friendship; as well as the emotional toll on the psyche of a human being puts the game at a near stand-still as you, the player, will struggle to wonder if what you're doing is really the right thing.”
- “Beautiful, emotional, sad story.”
- “I cried.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its seamless transition from serene landscapes to unsettling encounters, creating a captivating and eerie experience. The combination of impressive soundtracks and art style enhances the overall ambiance, although some players feel that certain narrative elements may disrupt the immersive atmosphere.
- “Everything about it is atmospheric, and it transitions from peaceful, pretty scenery to chilling and disturbing encounters wonderfully.”
- “Soundtracks and art style are great, classy, and atmospheric, and the gameplay is smooth and closely integrated with the narrative.”
- “The atmosphere can be pretty creepy.”
- “I get the metaphor in the end, but it just breaks the atmosphere.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is inconsistent, with some players finding the graphic phallic references amusing, while others feel they clash with the game's serious tone. Although there are small, clever details that add a touch of humor and help connect the story, the overall execution lacks the finesse seen in other works that successfully blend humor with serious themes.
- “There are small details interspersed throughout the world that, while at first seem random, bring the story together while adding a touch of humor.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviews indicate that the character development in the game is lacking, with some players expressing a desire for improved writing to enhance their investment in the story.
- “I just wish the writing and character development were a little better to get me invested in the story.”
- “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack any real growth throughout the game.”
- “I found it hard to connect with the characters because their development was so predictable and uninspired.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization has been criticized, with users noting that it fails to deliver a smooth experience, unlike Haneke's "Funny Games," which succeeded through strong performances and direction.
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Many users note that the game has low replayability due to its short length and lack of engaging content, with some also criticizing the combat mechanics as clumsy.
- “Other than that, it's short, has zero replayability, and the combat feels a bit clumsy to me.”
- “Once you finish the game, there's really no incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless.”