The Silent Age

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,678 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
The Silent Age Game Cover
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In The Silent Age, players assume the role of Joe, a maintenance worker in the 1970s who discovers a time-travel device. He uses it to explore the past and future, uncovering a conspiracy and attempting to save humanity. The game features point-and-click puzzle mechanics, with players solving problems by interacting with the environment and using items from their inventory. The story is presented in a minimalist, film noir-inspired style with a haunting soundtrack.

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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,678 reviews
story1,238 positive mentions
replayability15 negative mentions
  • The game features a catchy storyline that keeps players engaged throughout.
  • The puzzles are enjoyable and utilize the time travel mechanic in clever ways.
  • The art style and atmosphere are well-crafted, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The game is quite short, taking only about 3-4 hours to complete.
  • Some players found the puzzles to be too easy and lacking in challenge.
  • The ending may feel unsatisfying or predictable for some players.
  • story2,166 mentions

    The story of "The Silent Age" is a captivating blend of time travel and apocalyptic themes, featuring a janitor named Joe who embarks on a mission to save humanity. While the narrative is engaging and filled with unexpected twists, some players noted that it can feel predictable and linear at times, with missed opportunities for deeper character development. Overall, the game is praised for its intriguing plot and atmospheric storytelling, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven adventures.

    • “The story itself is good with a twist I wasn't expecting.”
    • “All in all, the silent age is a game with a brilliant story that is going to take you through an emotional journey full of twists and turns, amazing artwork that adds to the flavor and intrigue of each area and gives everything more depth and character.”
    • “The story is engaging, well-paced and never feels particularly boring.”
    • “The main reason for the negative review is, however, the wasted potential of the story.”
    • “If the makers had spent some time developing the world, adding characters, or introducing existing characters earlier for atmosphere, this game could have been really great. Instead, it felt like a drag in the last quarter.”
    • “The story is shown almost exclusively in large chunks of exposition, which makes it much more boring than it actually is.”
  • graphics553 mentions

    The graphics of "The Silent Age" are characterized by a unique, minimalist art style that effectively enhances the game's atmosphere and storytelling. While some players noted that the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they are praised for their charm and ability to evoke a retro feel, contributing to the overall immersive experience. The clean, vector-like graphics and attention to detail in the environments create a visually appealing backdrop for the engaging narrative and intuitive gameplay.

    • “The silent age is a short, charming game with beautiful artwork, an intriguing story, and intuitive puzzles.”
    • “The graphics are unique and fit the vibe of the game extremely well.”
    • “The art style is beautiful, original, and also helps set the tone for the 1970's feel of the story.”
    • “The game's simple graphics work against it here, since there's nothing to see or interact with that distracts you from your character moving slowly to his destination.”
    • “Someone could argue that this is an aesthetic choice, but it really just feels like a budget decision.”
    • “The graphics are very simple and... it makes your imagination work hard, so it feels a bit like reading a book in a sense that there is a lot going on in your head while you're playing.”
  • gameplay502 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Silent Age" is primarily a straightforward point-and-click adventure, featuring a unique time travel mechanic that adds depth to puzzle-solving. While the puzzles are generally simple and the gameplay can feel repetitive with significant backtracking, the integration of time travel enhances the experience, making it engaging despite its linearity. Overall, the game offers a short but enjoyable journey, with a focus on narrative rather than complex mechanics.

    • “The time travel mechanic was integrated with puzzles and the narrative well, and I enjoyed the story despite knowing how it 'ends' in the future; the journey itself was a lot of fun!”
    • “The time travel mechanic is pretty revolutionary and immersive, and it essentially enables you to solve puzzles by making changes in the present to obtain the fruits in the future or by grabbing something from the future that you can use in the present.”
    • “The gameplay is easy to get the hang of and the story is entertaining, but don't expect any amazing twist; the plot is mostly predictable.”
    • “The tale becomes slow for a while in the middle, and I would blame that on the game not dividing the chapters well enough, with some of the early ones boiling down to only gameplay mechanics and what feels like a drawn-out sequence instead of the game revealing any kind of information to you.”
    • “I get it, we’re meant to traverse via the time travel mechanic… but the little flash and fwoosh noise gets real old real fast, and needing to backtrack through the same scene multiple times as a necessity, not to mention the additional times solving the puzzles, is just too much.”
    • “The puzzles are far too obvious, the story lacks any real depth, and the time-travel mechanic is not particularly well-implemented.”
  • atmosphere290 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique, stylized visuals and immersive sound design, creating a captivating and often eerie experience. Many reviewers highlight the effective use of ambient music and environmental details that enhance the storytelling, contributing to a sense of mystery and emotional depth. While some note that the gameplay can be simplistic, the overall atmosphere is considered a standout feature that elevates the game, making it a memorable adventure.

    • “The atmosphere is heavy and ominous, exactly as expected from a science fiction video game.”
    • “Fantastic, eerie, creatively atmospheric puzzle game.”
    • “The atmosphere the game creates is really cool as it provides it with small glimpses of whatever is off in the horizon and sound effects that gives off a really haunting feeling.”
    • “The sad, depressing feelings this game creates within its atmosphere weren't much of a help.”
    • “However, what this game does well is build a tense atmosphere.”
    • “It's unfortunate that there's only limited voice acting (mostly during cutscenes and a few random comments from Joe here and there) as I feel that comprehensive voice acting could have strengthened the atmosphere of the game even more, and fleshed out Joe's personality.”
  • music276 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising its atmospheric and immersive qualities that enhance the storytelling and gameplay experience. While some noted the minimalistic approach to the soundtrack, which can create a sense of emptiness, others appreciated how it effectively sets the mood, particularly in tense or eerie moments. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as beautiful, haunting, and well-suited to the game's themes, contributing significantly to its overall appeal.

    • “The music, ambience, and overall sound effects add so much; the voice acting is not too shabby, and the gameplay is simple: point and click.”
    • “The theme, art style, and music are fantastic and all really immersed me into the universe.”
    • “The soundtrack is great and unbelievable at creating a sense of suspense throughout the game.”
    • “Unusually for an adventure game, The Silent Age is almost completely without music.”
    • “The game does not have a lot of music, which is understandable, but the game tells you to use headphones, which I could not at all.”
    • “The music is a bit dull, but given the atmosphere and thrilling overtones of the game, I think it fits rather well.”
  • humor114 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its clever dialogue, witty character interactions, and a blend of lightheartedness amidst darker themes. Many reviews highlight the protagonist's amusing comments during item interactions, which add charm and levity to the gameplay. While some found the humor to be subtle or understated, it effectively enhances the overall experience without overwhelming the narrative.

    • “And let's not forget the perfect blend of silliness and humor - none of that over-the-top nonsense, just the right amount to keep you chuckling along.”
    • “The writing is good, pretty funny on occasions or at least enough wit to raise the corner of one's mouth.”
    • “The game is stylish, atmospheric and funny, and the soundtrack is amazing.”
    • “The playable character is as dumb and righteous as he is unfunny.”
    • “The story is simple and didn't engage me, relying on a janitor to save the world worked once in the comedic adventures of Roger Wilco but was dumb and unfunny in this case.”
    • “Only funny bugs.”
  • replayability53 mentions

    Overall, the game has minimal replayability, primarily limited to replaying chapters for missed achievements, as it features a linear story with no alternative endings. While some players enjoyed the experience and found it entertaining, many felt that the short playtime and lack of significant replay value made the game less justifiable at its full price. Most reviewers recommend waiting for a sale due to the limited content and replay options.

    • “The game is divided over 10 chapters, each one replayable in case you missed an achievement.”
    • “I finished the game in three hours but given how there are still more achievements to unlock, I would say that it does have some replayability.”
    • “Each chapter is replayable on its own, without affecting the rest of the game.”
    • “The story sounds cliche and mediocre, it starts that way too but it has such turns that turn it into a philosophical tale filled with political messages. It's short but really fun; it's not very replayable because there is only one ending and only one way to reach it, so that's something.”
    • “Overall a very solid and fun game which I can absolutely recommend, however, a little overpriced for its length as there is no real replay value, so wait until the price is reduced.”
    • “There isn't really much in terms of replayability here, and whilst I'm pretty sure that it would be a great title to come back and replay in a few years - it is up to you whether you can justify the price tag for 2.5 hours of gameplay.”
  • grinding21 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of tediousness and simplicity, with many players finding the gameplay repetitive and occasionally frustrating due to backtracking and straightforward puzzles. While some appreciate the casual nature of the game, others feel that the lack of challenge and engaging dialogue detracts from the overall experience, making it more suitable for short play sessions rather than extended gaming.

    • “If you're looking for something that's going to be a real challenge (or force you through hours of grinding), this isn't the game for you.”
    • “The story is okay, but a point-and-click adventure is a tedious way to tell a story nowadays.”
    • “It's a point-and-click puzzle-based game, and while fun at first, the gameplay does get somewhat tedious and a bit redundant.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the rich dialogue, haunting graphics, and engaging soundscapes that enhance the emotional journey, others feel the character development is lacking, resulting in a superficial experience. The story is praised for its twists and depth, yet criticized for relying on familiar tropes rather than offering originality. Overall, the game evokes a range of feelings, from loneliness to intrigue, but may leave some players wanting more emotional connection.

    • “All in all, The Silent Age is a game with a brilliant story that is going to take you through an emotional journey full of twists and turns, amazing artwork that adds to the flavor and intrigue of each area and gives everything more depth and character, sound that gives everything a very eerie and ominous vibe, and game mechanics that are deep, but also very intuitive and engaging.”
    • “The story and its emotional impact are enhanced and given primacy by the stark, simple, and haunting graphics.”
    • “Can't help but feel lonely, as in an echoing hell of nihility when playing this game; I don't know why I got that emotional.”
  • stability12 mentions

    Overall, user reviews on stability are mixed; while many players report a smooth experience with no glitches or bugs, some mention issues with bugs and unreliable features. The game performs well on various systems, but there are notable complaints about certain buggy elements that detract from the experience.

    • “Ran perfectly for me on a not-so-expensive laptop on the highest settings, no glitches or bugs in sight.”
    • “No glitches or bugs.”
    • “Puzzles were fairly easy, and as far as I can recall, there were no glitches.”
    • “My only complaint is that the game is buggy.”
    • “So something in there might be slightly buggy or unreliable.”
    • “While the game is not bad, I really cannot recommend a buggy game.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance without any stuttering or frame drops. The game runs flawlessly, even in its 2D format, and has not experienced any crashes.

    • “As for optimization, it never stuttered or had a frame-drop for me.”
    • “The game runs flawlessly and has no crashes.”
    • “Of particular disappointment, the voice acting of the protagonist was the weakest of the cast and really put a damper on my immersion - repeated faux stuttering was enough to cause a grimace or two.”
    • “The voice actors are very talented and I have nothing but praise for their performances, but I highly prefer turning it off.”
    • “As for optimization, it never stuttered or had a frame drop for me.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is minimal, primarily focusing on Joe's adaptation to the impending doom, with little in the way of significant growth or revelations. While the character design and art style are praised, the narrative emphasizes atmosphere and tone over deep character arcs, providing just enough context to enrich the game's universe. Overall, players appreciate the polished presentation and engaging puzzles, but should not expect extensive character evolution.

    • “10/10 characters/character development”
    • “Great point and click adventure, lovely art and character design.”
    • “Character development for Joe does occur, but it's very minimal, with him only getting used to the whole future doom factor.”
    • “Do not expect a lot of huge reveals or a ton of character development, but it frames the game's universe very well and provides all the flavor and tone needed.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is heavily criticized, as it is perceived as primarily serving as an advertisement for a cocktail drink company rather than providing a genuine gaming experience.

    • “This game feels more like a big advertisement for a cocktail drink company than an actual game.”
    • “The monetization strategy is so aggressive that it ruins the overall experience.”
    • “I can't enjoy the game because I'm constantly bombarded with prompts to spend money.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

Buy The Silent Age

Play time

4hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
3hMain story
4hCompletionist
3-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 48 analyzed playthroughs

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