The Thin Silence

A basic platform-puzzle game which confuses as often as it frustrates.

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"The Thin Silence" is a narrative-driven adventure game following Ezra Westmark's journey out of self-imposed exile, exploring themes of depression, self-doubt, and trials. With a unique item-vs-environment interaction mechanic, players navigate 4-5 hours of challenging gameplay, interspersed with moments of quiet contemplation and stunning visuals. This game emphasizes endurance through difficult moments rather than success.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

40%

Audience ScoreBased on 12 reviews

music4 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The game features a pervasive and engaging atmosphere, complemented by a good soundtrack.
Puzzles are generally fun and well-designed, especially towards the end of the game.
The storytelling is well done and offers a unique exploration of dark themes related to the human psyche.

The character's movement is painfully slow, which detracts from the overall experience.
The controls are clunky and feel like a poorly executed console port, with no option to customize them.
The crafting system can be tedious and confusing, making it difficult to progress at times.

music
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its beautiful and calming qualities that complement the game's emotional depth. The ambient soundtrack effectively creates a melancholic mood, while also providing a relaxing backdrop for gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “Beautiful music too.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is very depressed, the ambient soundtrack fits that mood (it’s really good by the way).”
- “Nice platformer/puzzle game, with (for me) relaxing atmosphere and music.”
- “You can feel depressed and sad in movies with such slow-paced scenery, calm music, and a dark atmosphere, but not in a game like this.”
- “Nice platformer/puzzle game, with (for me) a relaxing atmosphere and music.”
story
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The storytelling is generally praised for being engaging, though some find it convoluted and difficult to fully understand. While the personal narrative and soundtrack are highlighted positively, there is a desire for future installments to simplify the story and focus more on puzzle adventure elements.
- “The storytelling is well done and engaging.”
- “The personal story is complemented by an awesome soundtrack.”
- “A bit hard to grasp some of the story.”
- “A sequel more focused on the puzzle adventure element would be welcomed with open arms; just ditch the convoluted storytelling aspect, please.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a pervasive sense of depression, enhanced by a slow-paced scenery and a fitting ambient soundtrack that effectively conveys a somber mood. Players note that while it evokes feelings of sadness, it does so in a compelling and immersive way.
- “The atmosphere in this game is very depressing; the ambient soundtrack fits that mood (it's really good, by the way).”
- “You can feel depressed and sad in movies with such slow-paced scenery, calm music, and a dark atmosphere, but not in a game like this.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is very depressing; the ambient soundtrack fits that mood (it’s really good, by the way).”
- “Pervasive depressing atmosphere.”
gameplay
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The gameplay focuses on advancing through the map by solving various logic and word puzzles, though some players feel that the character's emotional struggles could be better integrated into the gameplay mechanics.
- “The gameplay centers around progressing through the map by solving logic and word puzzles.”
- “I do wish the character's turmoil had more representation in the gameplay, such as when you want to read that note and the character refuses.”
- “I do wish the character's turmoil had more representation in the gameplay (e.g., like when you want to read that note and the character refuses).”
emotional
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the game evokes strong emotional responses, engaging players on both physical and emotional levels, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The game takes you on an emotional journey that stays with you long after you've finished playing.”
- “I felt a deep connection to the characters, and their struggles resonated with my own experiences.”
- “The story's emotional depth made me laugh, cry, and reflect on my own life choices.”
graphics
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The pixel graphics and backgrounds are well-executed and complement the game's overall aesthetic effectively.
- “The pixel graphics and backgrounds look good and work well for the game.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of inventory management and crafting to be tedious, often leading to frustration due to unclear item combinations and a lack of external resources for guidance. This can significantly impact the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “Inventory and crafting can be tedious; a few times I didn't realize what combinations of items I hadn't tried, and it nearly made me quit (exacerbated by the lack of GameFAQs being out yet).”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I spent hours grinding for resources, only to find out they were not worth the effort in the end.”