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The Plan is a single player action game with a drama theme. It was developed by KrillbiteStudio and was released on February 14, 2014. It received neutral reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"The Plan" is a free, contemplative fly-through game by Krillbite Studio, where players control a fly pondering its existence. It has been compared to Journey, Passage, and Dear Esther for its thought-provoking and visually appealing experience. The game's minimal mechanics allow for interpretation and introspection, making it a worthy download.

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92%
Audience ScoreBased on 12,151 reviews
music1.1k positive mentions
stability14 negative mentions

  • The atmosphere of 'The Plan' is beautifully crafted, creating a contemplative and immersive experience with stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack.
  • The game evokes strong emotions and introspection, making it a memorable journey despite its simplicity and brief gameplay.
  • The character development and emotional depth resonate with players, often leading to profound feelings and reflections on existence.
  • The gameplay is extremely simplistic and brief, often criticized for lacking depth and challenge, with limited replay value.
  • Many players report significant bugs and glitches that disrupt the experience, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience.
  • The story and character development are viewed as overly simplistic by some, detracting from the overall impact of the game.
  • music
    1,716 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "The Plan" is widely praised for its emotional depth and beauty, primarily featuring Edvard Grieg's "Death of Aase," which enhances the game's contemplative atmosphere. Players note that the soundtrack significantly elevates the experience, creating a profound connection to the fly's journey and evoking feelings of introspection and melancholy. Overall, the music is considered the standout element of the game, making it a worthwhile experience despite its short duration and simplistic gameplay.

    • “The classical music in the background is a perfect touch — elegant, calming, and somehow profound for such a tiny creature’s journey.”
    • “The music builds and soars (it’s best played wearing headphones) as you fly up to the end, pondering what exactly ‘the plan’ is anyway.”
    • “The hauntingly beautiful music sets the perfect tone for this introspective adventure.”
    • “Also, the music and sound effects do not fit the theme of the overall game nor the events within it.”
    • “The music isn't even bad but the game doesn't make sense other than for getting achievements.”
    • “The only shortcoming of this game is that the amazing music starts way too late.”
  • story
    788 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a poignant and emotional journey centered around a fly's brief existence, exploring themes of life, struggle, and the search for meaning. While some players found the narrative to be deeply moving and impactful, others criticized it for being overly simplistic or lacking depth. Overall, the story's effectiveness varies among players, with many appreciating its ability to evoke strong feelings despite its short duration and minimalistic approach.

    • “I cried at the end, the most beautiful story I've ever seen in a video game, even better than RDR2.”
    • “A breathtaking story about a brave little warrior's dangerous journey.”
    • “This emotional resonance is achieved through a combination of atmospheric storytelling, evocative imagery, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.”
    • “The story is confusing and poorly written, with shallow characters and dialogue that makes no sense.”
    • “Ultimately though, it's a pointless use of 5 minutes or so... no challenge, no story, no mystery or adventure.”
    • “It has no real story or goal at first glance; there isn't a clear win condition, there aren't really rules or obstacles or challenges in any sense.”
  • graphics
    742 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "The Plan" have received a mixed but predominantly positive reception, with many players praising the beautiful, minimalist art style and atmospheric visuals that create an immersive experience. While some critiques mention outdated textures and a lack of variety, the overall consensus highlights the stunning artwork and how it complements the game's serene soundtrack, making it a visually captivating experience despite its short duration.

    • “The visuals are beautiful, with minimalistic but highly expressive environments that really draw you in.”
    • “The graphics are beautifully rendered, with vibrant colors and intricate details that bring the tree to life.”
    • “The graphics and sound are in a fine balance of perfection with each other.”
    • “The graphics are painfully outdated, with blurry textures, stiff animations, and environments that look empty and lifeless.”
    • “The visuals reminded me of Limbo, and the music is beautiful!”
    • “The only downside was the graphics didn't have any options to change them or anything like that, but the game is very easy to run and could probably be run on a 90's computer considering the OS.”
  • emotional
    627 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game has garnered a wide range of responses, with many players expressing profound feelings of sadness and attachment, often leading to tears by the end. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions through its minimalist storytelling, evocative music, and the unexpected depth of a fly's journey, making it a surprisingly impactful experience despite its brevity. While some players felt disconnected, the majority found it to be a heartwarming and introspective exploration of life and existence, leaving a lasting emotional impression.

    • “I cried at the end, the most beautiful story I've ever seen in a video game, even better than RDR2.”
    • “This game made me cry so much. It takes you on an emotional journey through the life of a humble fly.”
    • “The emotional impact of this game is profound; it evokes strong feelings despite its brevity.”
  • gameplay
    471 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "The Plan" is characterized by its extreme simplicity, often described as a brief experience lasting around 5-10 minutes where players primarily control a fly moving upwards while avoiding minimal obstacles. Many reviewers note that the game prioritizes artistic expression and emotional resonance over traditional gameplay mechanics, leading to mixed feelings about its engagement level; some find it profound and thought-provoking, while others criticize it for lacking depth and challenge. Overall, it serves more as an atmospheric narrative experience than a conventional game, appealing to those interested in artful storytelling rather than action or complex gameplay.

    • “An excellent example of teaching mechanics through gameplay and sound cues, no intrusive voiceovers, popups, or other text on screen--other developers should take note.”
    • “The simplicity of gameplay serves as a canvas for the mind to wander, allowing for moments of profound insight and reflection.”
    • “Each new environment presents its own unique set of challenges, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging from start to finish.”
    • “It's a predictable ending and quite a boring game as there's no real mechanic other than holding W.”
    • “The only real gameplay mechanic is to go up, with the additional choices to move left, right, or down.”
    • “There really is no interesting gameplay to speak of; an 'art' game which is more about the ingredients rather than the whole package.”
  • atmosphere
    325 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "The Plan" is widely praised for its beauty and depth, creating a contemplative and immersive experience through stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack. Players describe it as a short yet impactful journey that evokes feelings of tranquility, melancholy, and introspection, often likening it to a meditative exploration of existence. Despite its simplicity and brief gameplay, the game effectively captures a rich emotional landscape, making it a memorable atmospheric experience.

    • “The atmosphere is incredible.”
    • “The leaves, the wind, and the sounds of nature together with the music at the end create a pleasant atmosphere.”
    • “The plan is a beautiful, atmospheric game with a very mysterious ending.”
    • “The atmosphere was sad; dismal.”
    • “While this does have atmosphere, there's not much else to go by.”
    • “The plan makes you question your own existence; the atmosphere is mystical and leaves you with a sense of emptiness.”
  • humor
    221 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in this game is primarily derived from its unexpected and often darkly comedic ending, which leaves players laughing despite the game's simplicity and brevity. Many reviews highlight the contrast between the serene gameplay and the surprising twist at the conclusion, making it a memorable experience that elicits both laughter and reflection. Overall, while the game may lack depth, its humor resonates well with players, especially given its free nature and short playtime.

    • “A very zen game, with good music, and a shockingly funny ending that made me laugh out loud.”
    • “The ending was both sad and hilarious.”
    • “I showed it to my cousin and when it ended... well, let's just say we were both in tears laughing.”
    • “I'm not sure if this is all some sort of unfunny joke that I'm not 'in' on or if people genuinely think this is anything other than holding W for 5 minutes while some music plays.”
    • “The game is not funny.”
  • replayability
    68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability, with many users noting that the game has limited or almost no replay value due to its brevity and lack of variation. However, some players appreciate the experience enough to revisit it for its story or hidden elements, suggesting that while replayability is generally low, it can still offer value for certain players. Overall, the consensus leans towards a lack of significant replayability, with a few exceptions highlighting enjoyable aspects that may encourage a second playthrough.

    • “☑️ infinitely replayable (or almost)”
    • “With hours of replayability and an affordable price tag, this game is sure to be game of the year.”
    • “It's an awesome 5-minute game that has unlimited replayability because of the 'hidden' message, unlockable firefly, and all the comments in the stars!”
    • “Limited replay value once you’ve seen it all.”
    • “It is a fun one-time game, but it seriously lacks any replay value.”
    • “As I mentioned above, the game is incredibly short, so there is very little to no replayability once you've seen the conclusion, since you know what happens.”
  • stability
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is highly variable among users; while some report a smooth experience with no bugs or glitches, others encounter frequent issues such as crashes, freezing, and characters getting stuck. Overall, the game seems to have a mix of experiences, with some players enjoying a stable gameplay while others struggle with significant bugs that disrupt immersion.

    • “Runs great with Linux Mint ;-)”
    • “I had no glitches while playing the game.”
    • “This is a weird game but simple. This is probably one of the only games I've ever played where there are no glitches or bugs (exception to the fly). Pretty fun and the music is very good. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a simple, peaceful short game.”
    • “Bugs and glitches appear everywhere, from characters getting stuck in walls to the game randomly freezing or crashing without warning.”
    • “If you came here for the Steam achievement, you may wind up spending more time troubleshooting why you're having trouble unlocking the achievement than you spend playing the game.”
    • “Extremely buggy.”
  • grinding
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often likening it to a chore rather than an enjoyable experience. Many express that the grinding requires an unrealistic time investment, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game. While some appreciate the game's concept and execution, the repetitive nature of grinding significantly impacts their willingness to recommend it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Fair bit of grinding.”
    • “It feels less like playing a game and more like doing a tedious chore.”
    • “I wish I could recommend this game but I just can't, sorry :( it's a lovely concept and beautifully executed, but just too tedious.”
    • “The long and tedious journey in hopes of triumph.”
  • character development
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to resonate with players, often evoking strong feelings and even tears. Reviewers highlight the immersive storytelling and the profound transformations characters undergo, contributing to a rich narrative experience that feels both impactful and artistic. However, some critiques mention a lack of character development in certain aspects, suggesting a mixed experience depending on the player's perspective.

    • “The character development is phenomenal, and it will make you feel.”
    • “The character development really hit hard with me, and the game had a really emotional ending.”
    • “The story line is very deep, with excellent character development and a slow story buildup to a climactic end.”
    • “Not saying that I left with a vastly different perspective on fly-life, nor were you ever larval, so there's no character development, but the experience gave you a perspective you might not have considered.”
    • “- no character development”
    • “This isn't a game; it's a work of art. The dialogue and character development of his family he can no longer support now he's dead is touching.”
  • optimization
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game is mixed, with some users reporting solid performance at 60 fps and great sound, while others experience significant issues such as low frame rates (20-24 fps) and poor shader optimization. Additionally, the aspect ratio is criticized for being stuck in a small 4:3 format, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Well optimized, 60 fps solid, great sound effects, greatest music.”
    • “Performance wise, everything is perfectly fine.”
    • “A person's performance in a game; a person's standard or method of play.”
    • “The flaws it has though are dodgy optimization (consistently getting 20-24 fps), awkward aspect ratio (it was stuck in tiny 4:3), and music that kinda got overbearing near the end.”
    • “On the point of the shader, this game is very poorly optimized as well.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally well-received, with users appreciating the absence of microtransactions and a matchmaking system that doesn't detract from the experience. However, some players express a desire for optional character skin DLCs and additional upgrades, suggesting that a limited form of monetization could enhance the game.

    • “There are no microtransactions, although it would be nice to have some character skin DLCs.”
    • “Need more upgrades and some microtransactions, but strongly recommended!”
    • “-no microtransactions :(”
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7h Median play time
1060h Average play time
2-300h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

The Plan is a action game with drama theme.

The Plan is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 1060 hours playing The Plan.

The Plan was released on February 14, 2014.

The Plan was developed by KrillbiteStudio.

The Plan has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its stability.

The Plan is a single player game.

Similar games include Mountain, Pineapple on pizza, Plug & Play, Carpe Diem, Before Your Eyes and others.