The Passenger

About

"The Passenger" is a narrative-driven adventure game where players uncover a mystery on a stranded train. Through exploration and interaction with the environment and passengers, players piece together the story of a vanished society. With multiple endings and a focus on player choice, each playthrough offers a unique experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 190 reviews

story52 positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

The writing is exceptional, with a compelling plot and well-developed characters that keep players engaged throughout the story.
The game offers a unique perspective on eldritch horror, allowing players to explore themes of humanity and relationships while navigating a horror-filled narrative.
The romance options are diverse and well-crafted, providing meaningful interactions that enhance the overall experience.

Many players felt that the game is too linear, with choices that often lead to predetermined outcomes, limiting the sense of agency.
Some reviewers noted that the pacing can be jarring, with time skips that disrupt the flow of the story and character development.
There is a lack of significant character progression, as players often feel powerless and unable to fully embrace their eldritch nature throughout most of the game.

story
192 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
4%
The game's story is praised for its engaging writing and well-developed characters, offering a unique take on eldritch horror with meaningful plot twists and a balance between narrative and player choice. While some players appreciate the immersive experience and emotional depth, others express disappointment over the linearity and predictability of the plot, feeling that it could have explored more ambitious themes. Overall, it is recommended for those who enjoy a book-like narrative with some interactive elements, though it may not satisfy players seeking extensive branching paths.
- “The story was fantastic, filled with everything you'd expect; a compelling story, well-written characters, horror, romance, friendship... I fell in love with it, all of it.”
- “Well-written amazing story with lovable characters, it was easy for me to immerse myself into this world and imagine it all especially with the queer options and all the emotions that are poured and so well described by the author; it's so good.”
- “The writing is great, the characters are fantastic, and the story was amazing.”
- “Like I said, this was a brilliant premise that should have kicked off possibilities for world domination through all kinds of insane paths, but you're made to trudge along a really lame, really boring, and really uninspired story.”
- “The story progresses very predictably as the cosmic horror chases you down, but your character doesn't grow in strength, ambition, agency, or anything.”
- “But instead of that, it's much less grandiose. You spend 99% of the story as a human being, romancing characters and trying not to get killed by this eldritch entity. I thought the story would get really interesting once the cult happens, but it seems like the author didn't really care for the cult at all because you basically only get one interaction with them and that's it.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and depth, with characters like 'roach' standing out as particularly funny and engaging. Reviewers note that the blend of humor with emotional and thrilling elements creates a captivating experience, making the narrative both entertaining and touching. Overall, the writing effectively balances humor with darker themes, resulting in a delightful and memorable mix.
- “By turns funny, exciting, terrifying, and touching, it was a roller-coaster.”
- “Gripping, emotional, dark... but also far more tender and humorous than you might think.”
- “The writing is great, there's drama, there's horror, and there's humor, and it all makes such a delightful mix!”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "The Passenger" is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke genuine tears through a blend of humor, excitement, and touching moments. The well-developed characters and engaging inner struggles contribute to a gripping narrative that balances dark themes with tenderness, making it a standout choice for those seeking an emotionally resonant choose-your-own-adventure experience.
- “The passenger has become one of my favorite CYOA stories and one of the few that have genuinely made me cry.”
- “Gripping, emotional, dark... but also far more tender and humorous than you might think.”
- “Intriguing plot, well-developed characters, well-developed main character, satisfying payoff, written in a defined voice that is equal parts funny and heart-wrenching at all the right moments - it's got everything.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a pervasive sense of unease and fear, effectively captured through solid writing. Reviewers appreciate the engaging and unconventional nature of the interactive fiction, highlighting its strong atmospheric elements.
- “There's a sense of unease and fear throughout the story, and I think the author managed to capture the atmosphere well.”
- “An engaging and unconventional piece of interactive fiction with solid writing and atmosphere.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The gameplay is heavily reliant on initial choices, which dictate the player's path but often lead to unsatisfying outcomes, as deviating from these choices results in dismissive feedback. Players find the characters unengaging and the branching paths to be mere side content, with a lack of meaningful interaction or consequences. The overall experience is marred by a confusing narrative and an anticlimactic ending, leaving players feeling frustrated and disconnected from the story.
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grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players find the grinding in the game tedious, particularly during lengthy hiking and lunch scenes that detract from the excitement of key moments, such as monster encounters, which lack clear context or guidance.
- “I have to wade through these tedious hiking and lunch scenes that I was forced into, but when something actually happens and I'm chased by a monster, I'm not even told what I'm seeing.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
- “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which makes the game feel more like a chore than an adventure.”