The Red Strings Club

At first glance, sci-fi adventure The Red Strings Club is pure eighties cyberpunk: all neon, implants and improbably bulky eyewear. But take a seat inside this hallowed establishment and you’ll be regaled with a tale that is resoundingly human.

80%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

91% User Score Based on 5,896 reviews

Critic Score 69%Based on 28 reviews

Platforms

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About

In "The Red Strings Club," navigate a cyberpunk world where a corporation claims it can eliminate negative emotions from society. As a bartender and hacker, uncover the truth behind this program and its true intentions, questioning what happiness means and what limits should be set to achieve it. Utilize pottery, bartending, and phone impersonation to bring down the corporate conspiracy.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,924 reviews

story1.7k positive mentions

grinding124 negative mentions

Engaging and thought-provoking story that challenges players' moral beliefs and perspectives on humanity.
Beautiful pixel art and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
Unique gameplay mechanics that involve mixing drinks to influence characters' emotions and gather information.

The game is relatively short, taking only about 3-5 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
Some gameplay mechanics, like the pottery and phone calling segments, can feel tedious and frustrating at times.
The ending is fixed and does not change based on player choices, which may disappoint those looking for multiple outcomes.

story
3,548 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
The story of "The Red Strings Club" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, rich character development, and thought-provoking themes, particularly around morality and the implications of technology in a cyberpunk setting. Many players appreciate the unique storytelling mechanics, which intertwine gameplay with dialogue choices that impact the narrative, although some express disappointment over the game's brevity and the feeling that choices do not significantly alter the overall outcome. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy immersive, story-driven experiences, despite some critiques regarding pacing and the handling of certain themes.
- “This game offers stunning pixel art, a captivating story, and cool, well-developed characters.”
- “The story kept me interested and engaged, and the gameplay didn't get boring since new elements were added as the story progressed.”
- “The red strings club's method of conveying its story is unique in itself; if you add to it that it's an amazing story full of ethical dilemmas, sprinkle some pixelated graphics and a cyberpunk setting, you get this absolutely beautiful game.”
- “My issue is that this felt like only a fraction of the story.”
- “The ending came after about 3 hours (and I took my time). I am confused because this felt like a short story but with the plot of an entire action movie.”
- “The story builds and builds, and then shows you that not a single action you took the entire game mattered, and it hamfistedly tells the player that no action that anyone in the world has ever mattered, because everything was controlled by a particular entity the entire time.”
gameplay
1,410 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The gameplay in "The Red Strings Club" is characterized by its unique blend of simple mechanics, including bartending and pottery, which serve to enhance the narrative rather than dominate it. While many players appreciate the engaging story and philosophical themes, some find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, with mechanics that can feel clunky or tedious at times. Overall, the game is more focused on dialogue and decision-making, making it a compelling experience for those who prioritize storytelling over complex gameplay.
- “The gameplay, though simple, was enjoyable.”
- “That being said, the gameplay and narrative both combine to make a very great and unique cyberpunk experience.”
- “The gameplay is amazing and original.”
- “The mechanics feel so painfully rusty and outdated it's unreal.”
- “The gameplay is boring, the plot is drowned under the pretentious tired dialogue.”
- “The gameplay is minimal as is to be expected in these types of games but I found it to be a very fun process.”
music
1,363 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
31%
1%
The music in "The Red Strings Club" has been widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the game's cyberpunk aesthetic. Composed by fingerspit, the soundtrack features a blend of melancholic jazz and synthwave, which resonates deeply with players, often evoking strong emotional responses. Many reviewers noted that the music not only complements the narrative but also stands out as a highlight of the overall experience, making it a memorable aspect of the game.
- “The music is perfect, the soundtrack is perfect, the characters are perfect and it perfectly nails exactly what the game was meant to be - a look into empathy and a dystopian future.”
- “The soundtrack is beautiful and you can really zone out to it.”
- “The music surrounds you and really completes the whole atmosphere of the game while you play with people's emotions, and sort of play god in a sense.”
- “The soundtrack during gameplay on the club is monotonous; it would be nice if it varied depending on the client.”
- “To clarify, the music was fine by itself, but I found that it didn't match the setting or tone at all.”
- “The soundtrack to this game isn't the best, sometimes interrupting dialogue with a different tone than needed.”
graphics
728 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
2%
The graphics of "The Red Strings Club" have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful pixel art style, which effectively captures the game's cyberpunk aesthetic and enhances the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the vibrant colors, detailed environments, and the overall atmospheric design that complements the narrative, making it a visually engaging experience. While some critiques mention the simplicity of the graphics, many agree that the art style is both nostalgic and well-executed, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and immersive quality.
- “The red strings club has it all: gorgeous pixel graphics, a fantastic score, beautiful writing, a mini-game that connected well with the story, a ton of technopunk transhumanist philosophy, difficult decisions that actually felt like they mattered.”
- “The pixel graphic art style is incredibly good with a lot of beautiful scenery and with a good use of color and little touches that makes it feel alive and atmospheric.”
- “The visuals on point, the sound design brilliant, the atmosphere outta this world, and finally the story I can't even think of ways to compliment the story more than what I can already say, but as a wise Todd Howard once said 'it just works.'”
- “I'm not a big fan of pixel graphics, but this game is really one of a kind.”
- “Graphics: 6/10, pixel art is nothing new.”
- “The game has very few scenes, so it's a shame that what is there isn't rendered in a more detailed art style.”
atmosphere
447 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
27%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its authentic cyberpunk aesthetic, enhanced by stunning pixel art, a captivating soundtrack, and immersive sound design. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke deep emotional responses and philosophical reflections through its rich narrative and engaging character interactions. Overall, the combination of visuals, music, and storytelling creates a compelling and atmospheric experience that draws players into its dystopian world.
- “The somber piano melodies and the sound of rain that thread through the game's atmosphere create a sense of melancholy that is both haunting and alluring.”
- “The atmosphere, the story, the music, the feeling of pressure and mystery everything just hit all the right chords with this game.”
- “A beautifully atmospheric game with well fleshed out, engaging characters.”
- “The cyberpunk atmosphere feels way too oppressive here.”
- “Although the atmosphere of the game is elegant and charming, the length of the game is simply too short to allow the audience to really get into it.”
- “The story is interesting, the music, pixel art, the whole atmosphere - so promising, but the only driver to finish this game is to know how it ends, not to enjoy the gameplay.”
emotional
346 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players reporting profound connections to the characters and story, often leading to tears by the end. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to provoke deep philosophical questions and explore themes of love, loss, and morality, all enhanced by its stunning art and music. While some felt the emotional impact varied, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a powerful and moving experience that resonates long after playing.
- “This game features an emotional story that gets more relevant by the day.”
- “The thought-provoking, deeply touching, unique narrative will make you question your own morals.”
- “I finished this game in around 4 hours, and somehow I became so emotionally invested in such a short period of time, that the ending brought me to tears.”
replayability
278 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
72%
3%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it offers numerous choices and potential story branches, the overall impact on the ending is limited, often leading to a single conclusion. Despite its short playtime of around 2-4 hours, many reviewers appreciate the depth of choices and the desire to explore different paths, suggesting that it can be worth multiple playthroughs, especially for completionists. However, some players feel that the lack of significant variation in outcomes diminishes the incentive to replay.
- “Interesting and memorable main characters, a story with twists and turns that offers a degree of replayability due to the actually meaningful choices you have to make, thus requiring multiple playthroughs to uncover the entire plot, a beautiful soundtrack and lovingly crafted pixel visuals.”
- “The game may be short, but has a good replay value, and is worth picking up at full price.”
- “You could replay this game numerous times picking different choices, creating different storylines, which makes it replayable if you want to go back and redo it again.”
- “There's an insane amount of depth to the choices you make, but they all have the same ending, so there's not much in the way of replay value overall.”
- “The second is that the plot is not replayable in a meaningful way by my count; this is very likely to be a one-time experience.”
- “I finished the game in almost 4 hours and missed some achievements (because some are very easily missable if you don't know what you're looking for); and since there's not really multiple endings (just different branches of storyline that don't feel like they affect the ending as much as they should) - for me it has no real replay value.”
grinding
130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
4%
95%
The reviews highlight a significant issue with grinding in the game, as many players found the mini-games and certain gameplay mechanics to be tedious and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience. While some mini-games were initially enjoyable, they quickly became frustrating and felt like unnecessary padding, especially in the game's latter stages. Overall, the gameplay's tediousness often overshadowed the engaging narrative and character development, leading to a less satisfying experience for many players.
- “It would be nice to skip the tedious stuff (drinks/molding) after completing it once.”
- “A very thought-provoking narrative that is, in my opinion, tied down by the frustrating needlessness of tedious mini-games, which may have been necessary padding as my playthrough took only 4 hours (probably 30-45 minutes were spent doing these mini-games).”
- “However, the minigames are tedious and agonizingly slow, and massively disrupt the flow of an otherwise very short game.”
- “The only purpose the plot ended up serving in this game was stringing together a handful of very tedious minigames that are admittedly fun the first couple of times but quickly outstay their welcome.”
humor
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as clever, darkly funny, and thought-provoking, often intertwining with serious themes and moral dilemmas. Players appreciate the mix of lighthearted moments and deeper reflections, with many noting the game's ability to evoke laughter while addressing relevant societal issues. Overall, the humor is seen as a unique and impactful element that enhances the storytelling experience.
- “Seeing Akara flop and fold like a slinky down the stairs is still hilarious.”
- “I thought the prize for the tests being a pill you drop into your customer's drink so they forget and you can talk to them again was... darkly funny.”
- “It's clever, funny, and gets you to think about some really relevant issues that modern society faces (or should be facing).”
character development
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
23%
10%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise the depth and meaningful choices that enhance the narrative, others criticize the lack of depth in certain NPCs and the overall character arcs. Strong character design and well-written dialogue are highlighted, but there are complaints about shallow characters and insufficient development in the plot. Overall, the game excels in visual and auditory elements, yet struggles to deliver a consistently compelling character-driven experience.
- “Love the character development, good storytelling and amazing visuals.”
- “Interesting dialogue, fleshed out character development, amazing world building, amazing game.”
- “The story, the aesthetics, the music, the character development all together is just amazing.”
- “NPCs come across as very shallow or one-note characters with little involvement in the overall plot. My main example is the character Larissa Robillard, whose entire character development is essentially done through dialogue from other characters and never directly shown to the player.”
- “There are certainly great elements to this game (the visual and character designs), but for me, there were just too many faults to ignore.”
- “I would say that even if the game did engage in stereotypes, it at least provided strong character development within them.”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many users report it as mostly bug-free, several have encountered minor glitches and freezing issues, particularly during autosaving. Specific problems include difficulties with bottle interactions and hit detection, which can detract from the experience but do not render the game unplayable. A few players noted significant glitches during their playthroughs, indicating that stability could be improved.
- “It's basically bug free, although the game can be very nit-picky about completing objectives.”
- “One small nitpick I have: during the lathe gameplay, there are times when the game freezes while it's autosaving, and that can be frustrating.”
- “I encountered a few small glitches (bottom line of the speech bubbles going over the bubble, bottles not giving me liquid when tilted, hit detection in the shaping sequence acting weird), but none made the game unplayable.”
- “- I had two major glitches in my only playthrough, which is pretty not great for 3 hours of gameplay.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
50%
20%
The game is well-optimized for the Steam Deck, running smoothly and featuring effective mouse controls tailored for the device's trackpads. Overall, while the graphics and performance received a score of 7/10, there is a suggestion that the narrative could benefit from being less reliant on gameplay performance.
- “I played the entire game on Steam Deck and it runs really well on there. The mouse controls are optimized really well for the Steam Deck's trackpads and mouse inputs; I was really impressed by that.”
- “The game is set in a not-so-distant future, in which corporations have amassed huge power and the average citizen has implants installed in them to raise the performance of the brain or access the web.”
- “With the talent that these developers display for crafting stories, they could easily create a much more enjoyable experience by making the narrative choices/content more open, and not dependent on gameplay performance at all.”
- “The game is set in a not-so-distant future, in which corporations have amassed huge power and the average citizen has implants installed in them to raise performance of the brain or access the web.”
- “With the talent that these developers display for crafting stories, they could easily create a much more enjoyable experience by making the narrative choices/content more open, and not dependent on gameplay performance at all (more like The Walking Dead).”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for prioritizing advertising ethics over more complex and relevant issues, such as the ethicality of antidepressants, which are only briefly mentioned. This choice detracts from the potential for a deeper, thought-provoking narrative that could have addressed modern societal problems more effectively.
- “This idea could have easily been explored in other, modern-day relevant ways, creating a thought-provoking and compelling narrative. Yet, complex topics such as the ethicality of antidepressants are mentioned in throwaway dialogue, while the game inexplicably decides the ethics of advertising to be more important.”