The Source

About

"The Source" is a sci-fi visual novel following heroes Joe and Eva on their journey to Source City, experiencing action, love, and tragedy as they visit alternate Earth's historical locations. The game offers 17 chapters of original story, full English voice acting, original character art, and a steam achievements. Despite its engaging storyline, it's important to note that there are no choices or minigames to make in this game. Original soundtrack included. 'You can play with no hands' as described by the game.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

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

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 18 reviews

story16 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The story features an engaging narrative with unexpected twists and a thoughtful exploration of time travel and reality.
The game is fully voiced with decent voice acting, enhancing the immersive experience of the visual novel.
The art style is unique and refreshing, with hand-drawn character designs that stand out despite some issues with background presentation.

The pacing of the story is uneven, with the second half feeling rushed and lacking a satisfying conclusion.
Some voice lines are cut off abruptly, which can detract from the overall experience.
The blurred backgrounds prevent players from fully appreciating the detailed artwork, and the lack of a gallery feature is a missed opportunity.

story
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The story is a linear, immersive experience that unfolds through well-voiced narration, engaging characters, and unexpected plot twists, particularly in the latter half. While the first half may feel standard and slow-paced, it sets the stage for significant revelations that enhance the overall narrative. Despite the lack of player agency, the story's depth and pacing, along with its compelling themes, make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
- “The ending to the story will probably be unexpected to most readers, and respect to the writer for coming up with something that creates the possibility of reasoned explanation for everything that has gone on before.”
- “I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the story.”
- “The voice acting makes the story feel alive and immersive, and each voice fits well with his or her respective character.”
- “The player reads on as an outsider following the unfolding events of a couple of story characters, with no agency to alter the narrative.”
- “The story starts off slow and then picks up pace and rushes through the second part; while it takes an interesting flip to showcase the other side’s perspective, it is too rushed.”
- “As for the gameplay, no choices are presented, so you just play through the story from beginning to end.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with many players noting that it complements the narrative and enhances the overall experience. The soundtrack is described as haunting, beautiful, and fitting for the game's setting, while also being well-produced and enjoyable to listen to. Overall, the music, alongside the voice acting, contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The soundtrack is a delight to the ears and fits the setting of the game very well.”
- “A visual experience set to a haunting and beautiful soundtrack.”
- “From what I've played so far, the narrative is interesting and the soundtrack is a banger!”
- “I didn't give a huge amount of attention to the supporting music as the voicing took precedence (which tends to happen when it is present in full), but what I did notice sounded pretty good and in line with events taking place.”
- “The soundtrack was another delight to the ears and fit the setting of the game very well.”
- “I do not dislike this game because it has its moments, and the voice acting and music are very well done.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
43%
14%
The graphics in the game are generally well-received, with users appreciating the cohesive color palette and aesthetically pleasing art style. However, some backdrops are noted to have good detail that players feel is underappreciated due to their integration into the overall design. Overall, the visuals, combined with complete audio support, contribute to a satisfying experience for fans of the genre.
- “Considering that there is complete vocal support from start to finish, user-friendly controls, good graphics, and a story competent enough to remain engaging through to completion; my final verdict is that at the quoted full price, this story represents fair, if not exceptional, value; and is unlikely to leave fans of the genre feeling short-changed.”
- “In regards to the art, I found it aesthetically pleasing.”
- “I think that this is a good idea when the palette for both lead and support graphics is the same as it prevents color merging between them – but many of these backdrops appear to have some good detail in them and we are denied the chance to enjoy them fully in their own right.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The gameplay is linear and kinetic, offering no choices for players as they progress through the story from start to finish. Achievements are automatically unlocked upon completing each chapter, emphasizing a straightforward narrative experience.
- “Now that I've gone over the story and gameplay, I'll move onto my thoughts.”
- “As for the gameplay, no choices are presented, so you just play through the story from beginning to end.”
- “From a gameplay point, this novel is kinetic, so there are no choices to make.”
- “With regards to gameplay, all of the achievements unlocked for me as I finished up each chapter.”