The Ring of Truth
- July 20, 2019
- Useless Machines
Get on Steam"The Ring of Truth" is a narrative-driven walking simulator, set in an abandoned factory where you uncover the truth about your father's past. By examining objects and listening to old recordings, you'll piece together his separate life and why he never contacted you. The main gameplay element involves ordering recordings chronologically to understand the full story. Features include a short story, collectibles, and an ordering puzzle, with a focus on exploration and discovery. Please note that the game does not include voice acting or advanced movement mechanics.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The atmosphere of the abandoned factory is well-crafted, providing an engaging environment for exploration.
- The soundtrack is calming and adds to the overall experience, enhancing the game's mood.
- The game offers a decent story that resonates with themes of family and loss, making it relatable for some players.
- The gameplay can become tedious due to the difficulty in finding hidden objects and recordings, leading to potential boredom.
- The story's twist is poorly executed, introducing plot holes that undermine the narrative's coherence.
- Technical issues such as slow movement, lack of a run option, and awkward jumping mechanics detract from the overall experience.
- story32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story is generally perceived as mediocre and somewhat bare-bones, with players noting that while it unfolds through the collection of recordings, it ultimately leads to a significant plot hole that undermines the narrative's purpose. Some players found the story relatable and touching, particularly in its exploration of familial themes, but many felt that the gameplay mechanics of searching for tapes became tedious. Overall, the writing is considered decent for a short game, but the execution leaves much to be desired, especially regarding the coherence of the plot.
“Honestly, coming from a broken home, the story actually rings true to my own childhood with the exception of my father having been a workaholic.”
“The story is sad for your character, but ultimately has a happy ending.”
“First of all, the story comes together really well and it is well written.”
“While the story unfolds 'decently' well as you find the recordings and piece it together, the story to me was a little bare-bones and the 'plot twist' at the end introduced a pretty big plot hole that kind of nullifies your entire reason for being there.”
“Unfortunately, the story just isn't interesting or relatable, and the end makes no sense in that there's absolutely no reason for you to be there in the first place because, as we learn, your father did not like you and would not have sent you a letter.”
“The story is mediocre but absolutely fine for such a short game; I didn't expect much more depth.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the atmospheric design of the abandoned train factory and find the visuals decent for an indie title, others criticize them as poor, highlighting issues like tiny text and slow character movement. Overall, the graphics contribute to an interesting exploration experience, but they may not meet everyone's expectations.
“For an indie game, I was quite pleased with the graphics. They did a pretty good job setting up the atmosphere of an abandoned remote train factory.”
“Decent graphics and an interesting enough place to explore.”
“The graphics and music are not bad as well.”
“The graphics are really poor, the font is tiny so you almost need a magnifying glass to read the text, the character speed is slow and there is no run option (if there was, the game would probably last about 20-30 minutes tops).”
- music8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game, composed by Alexander Hoff and Dylan Owen, is generally praised for its calming and lovely quality, enhancing the overall experience. However, some users noted a resemblance to the melody from the Daredevil show's intro, which they found amusing. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's atmosphere.
“The soundtrack, I have to say, is pretty nice and calming. Good work by Alexander Hoff and Dylan Owen.”
“As a plus, the music is lovely.”
“Otherwise, decent graphics, interesting enough place to explore, good music.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by amusing moments, such as the character's sudden loss of jumping ability, which players found entertaining. Additionally, the soundtrack's resemblance to the Daredevil show's intro music adds a layer of humor, showcasing a playful nod to pop culture.
“After that, the character magically loses the ability to jump (although it's not really needed), which is funny.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by slow movement and janky mechanics, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game provides transparency about its mechanics in the description, the lack of voice acting further diminishes immersion.
“Slow movement, janky gameplay, and no voice acting?”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the effective portrayal of an abandoned remote train factory, despite some criticisms regarding the visuals. Overall, the setting successfully contributes to the game's immersive experience.
“Other reviewers have made complaints about the visuals, but honestly, for an indie game, I was quite pleased with it. They did a pretty good job setting up the atmosphere of an abandoned remote train factory.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional storytelling, with players finding the narrative both interesting and touching, particularly as it unfolds and comes together at the end.
“The story is incredibly engaging, and the way it all comes together at the end is both interesting and touching.”
“The emotional depth of the narrative really resonates, making the experience memorable and impactful.”
“The game masterfully weaves an emotional tale that leaves a lasting impression on the player.”
