The Other Half (pay what you want)

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 69 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Other Half (pay what you want) Game Cover
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The Other Half is a dark fantasy action adventure where you unbury a tale of intimacy and violence in order to cleanse a demonic infestation from a once-beautiful land.  Story A Demon Hunter receives a letter from Daniel, a man begging for help against a demonic infestation from the mountain which he calls home. The Hunter, in a search for him through the cold and abandoned world, will discover …

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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 69 reviews
story18 positive mentions
character development3 negative mentions
  • The game features a compelling narrative that tackles sensitive topics like emotional abuse and sexual assault, encouraging players to reflect on complex moral issues.
  • The art style and sound design are praised for their beauty and effectiveness in enhancing the emotional impact of the story.
  • The combat mechanics, while simple, are engaging and well-integrated with the narrative, providing a unique gameplay experience that complements the story.
  • The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with some players finding the combat mechanics cumbersome and not particularly challenging.
  • The narrative's handling of sensitive topics has been divisive, with some players feeling it centers too much on the perpetrator's perspective, potentially undermining the victim's experience.
  • The game is very short, which some players feel limits its ability to fully explore its themes and character development.
  • story74 mentions

    The game's story is a dark-fantasy narrative that intertwines a surface-level fantasy with deeper themes of emotional abuse and personal redemption, effectively using metaphors and character development to convey its message. While the storytelling is praised for its emotional depth and clever presentation, some players feel it lacks sufficient length and character investment to fully explore its sensitive topics. Overall, the narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, though opinions vary on its execution and the balance between gameplay and storytelling.

    • “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.”
  • gameplay37 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as simple and responsive, with a focus on narrative integration through voice-overs and clever mechanics that reflect deeper themes. While some players find the combat basic and the overall gameplay mediocre, others appreciate the unique mechanics and the way gameplay and story intertwine. Overall, the game is recommended for those interested in its narrative rather than purely for gameplay enjoyment.

    • “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 and fighting mechanics with this top-down perspective took this PC gamer some getting used to, but even with a keyboard I managed just fine.”
    • “An excellent narrative experience that also has fun gameplay, and the gameplay and narrative experience link together well with the metaphors spanning the psychological experiences of the secondary characters.”
    • “A huge gameplay spoiler: avoid this if you have any interest in actually playing it.”
    • “The actual gameplay itself falls short.”
    • “The gameplay isn't anything special.”
  • graphics16 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style and effective visual effects, particularly as the game progresses. Many reviewers highlight the seamless integration of visuals with the narrative, creating an atmospheric experience that enhances gameplay. While some mention a divide in opinions regarding the 3D visuals, the overall consensus is that the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “It has a nice art style, interesting setting, and has some cool visual effects especially later in the game.”
    • “First off, this game is gorgeous, both graphics, movements, and soundtrack.”
    • “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.”
  • music13 mentions

    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.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The game explores sensitive themes of emotional abuse and the complexities of relationships, but its short length limits the depth of these issues. 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.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    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 a classy art style and effective soundtracks enhances the immersive quality, although some players feel that certain narrative elements may disrupt the overall ambiance.

    • “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 understand the metaphor in the end, but it still breaks the atmosphere.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is inconsistent, with some players finding the graphic phallic references amusing, while others feel the overall serious tone undermines the comedic elements. Although there are small, clever details that add a touch of humor and contribute to the story, the 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 development1 mentions

    Character development in the game has been criticized for lacking depth, leaving players feeling uninvested in the story and its characters.

    • “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 shallow.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized, with users noting that it fails to deliver a smooth experience, unlike other titles that rely on strong performances and direction to compensate for technical shortcomings.

  • replayability1 mentions

    Many users note that the game has minimal replayability due to its short length and lack of engaging content, with some also finding the combat mechanics to be clumsy.

    • “Other than that, it's short, has zero replayability, and the combat feels a bit clumsy to me.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy The Other Half (pay what you want)

Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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