The Space Between

About

The Space Between is a single player action game with horror and mystery themes. It was developed by Christoph Frey and was released on April 15, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

"The Space Between" is a narrative-driven adventure game that explores the complexities of human connection and relationships. Players follow the story of a reclusive man who, after a mysterious event, must navigate through a surreal world to find his way back to reality. Along the way, they'll encounter various characters and make choices that will impact the outcome of the game. The game features stunning hand-drawn visuals and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 62 reviews

story16 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and compelling narrative that explores deep philosophical themes, making it a thought-provoking experience.
The art style and sound design create a haunting atmosphere that enhances the overall experience, leaving a lasting impression on players.
It is praised as a work of art, with many reviewers appreciating its surreal and unsettling qualities, likening it to an interactive movie or poetry.

The slow-paced dialogue and text speed can be frustrating, often interrupting the flow of the game and making it feel longer than its actual duration.
Some players found the ending abrupt and unsatisfying, feeling that it lacked a clear resolution or overarching point.
The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator, which may not appeal to everyone, leading to mixed feelings about its entertainment value.

story
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
48%
8%
The game's story, while brief at around 50 minutes, is described as compelling and thought-provoking, exploring themes of love, grief, and human relationships. Many players appreciated its enigmatic nature and immersive storytelling, though some felt the pacing was rushed, particularly towards the end, leaving them wanting more depth and clarity. Overall, the narrative is seen as a strong point, enriched by multiple playthroughs, despite some critiques regarding dialogue and pacing.
- “A gut-wrenchingly bleak story about love and grief that's hard to put into words.”
- “I was mindblown and I absolutely hate games similar to this, but as the first few scenes played out, my jaw dropped. As the dread built up, the ending is truly psychologically horrifying if you allow yourself to be immersed, and it's very easy to get immersed as the storytelling is truly good.”
- “This game roughly lasts 50 minutes, but it needs no more to tell a great story about human relations, human creation, life and death, or at least, that is how I interpreted it.”
- “Puhh... where should I start? It was okay. I know the whole aspect was in the story, which was what the game carries, and the art style, of course. It had much potential and started very well, but the end was just abrupt. One moment you're immersed, and the next, it's over. It was so good; the game could have just gone a bit longer and maybe a bit more slowly. It's just very sad...”
- “But whatever merits the game and its story have are easily drowned out by the frustration caused by the slow text speed.”
- “It felt a little abrupt to me. Even though I don't expect an explanation for the story, I think it could have gone on for another 30 minutes if more thought was put into it.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic PS1-era aesthetic that effectively creates a strong atmosphere, enhancing the existential horror experience. Reviewers praise the art style for its unique blend of blocky retro visuals and brutalist environments, which contribute to an eerie and uncomfortable quality. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight, with many appreciating the thoughtful design that complements the game's themes, despite some critiques regarding the pacing of the narrative.
- “The art style alone builds a strong atmosphere, which is amplified by a chilling soundscape.”
- “The aesthetic also really works in the game's favor, the blocky retro style that makes details blur together complements the brutalist style of the environment.”
- “You can tell the maker of this game thinks about visuals, spaces, and what mood they convey.”
- “Puhh... where should I start? It was okay. I know the whole aspect was in the story, which is what the game carries, and the art style, of course, had much potential. It started very well, but the end was just from one moment to another. I shut the lights off, and then it was like, 'kill you, now look at two chairs.' It was so good; the game could have just gone a bit longer and maybe a bit more slowly. It's just very sad...”
- “While I enjoyed the story and the psychedelic visuals, the actual dialogue could use some polish. With a game like this, I think you could avoid saying too much, and it would still have the same effect.”
- “The aesthetic gives this a very uncomfortable and eerie quality.”
atmosphere
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its strong art style and chilling soundscape, creating a terrifying and immersive experience that feels much longer than its actual duration. Reviewers note that the unsettling environment and psychological tension effectively evoke feelings of isolation, making it more impactful than traditional horror media. While it features minimal interactivity, the atmosphere is central to the experience, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “The art style alone builds a strong atmosphere, which is amplified by a chilling soundscape.”
- “It's not a horror game aside from one little jump scare; it's more about the atmosphere and creating that isolation through an unsettling environment.”
- “The simple soundtrack complemented the atmosphere, and the unsettling locations made me very uncomfortable.”
- “This game is one hour long but it feels like five, terrifying ominous atmosphere.”
- “I am writing this review as I just finished the game about 10 minutes ago... my head is still ringing with the psychological mindf**k I just experienced. Like I said, this is basically a movie that you get to interact with sparingly at first until the atmosphere begins to smother you.”
- “It's not a horror game aside from one little jump scare, it's more about the atmosphere and creating that isolation through an unsettling environment.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
30%
10%
The music in the game is widely praised for enhancing the horror ambiance, with many reviewers noting its haunting quality and ability to complement the unsettling visuals. The soundtrack effectively contributes to the overall mood, particularly in the final act, creating a memorable and immersive experience.
- “The final act had some real mood going on and the music was quite nice.”
- “Most effective for me, though, are the stunning locations and haunting music.”
- “The simple soundtrack complemented the atmosphere, and the unsettling locations made me very uncomfortable.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is described as a mentally and emotionally engaging experience, blending elements of a walking simulator, visual novel, and video game poetry. While it offers a meaningful journey, some users feel that similar, more wholesome experiences are available for free or at a lower cost, suggesting that the game's price may not fully reflect its emotional impact.
- “A mentally and emotionally engaging walking simulator, visual novel, and video game poetry.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay has received low ratings, with users consistently scoring it 4 out of 10, indicating significant dissatisfaction with the overall experience.