The White Door
- January 9, 2020
- Rusty Lake
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"The White Door" is a psychological adventure game where you follow the story of Robert Hill, a patient in a peculiar psychiatric facility. The game combines point-and-click and rhythm-based gameplay elements, with players interacting with various objects and following a strict daily routine while trying to uncover Robert's memories and past. The game features a unique monochrome aesthetic, with a focus on story and atmosphere.
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Reviews
- The game features a beautiful and emotional story that resonates with players.
- The unique gameplay mechanics and split-screen style provide a fresh experience compared to previous Rusty Lake games.
- The game includes clever references and connections to other titles in the Rusty Lake series, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game is significantly shorter than other Rusty Lake titles, leaving some players feeling underwhelmed.
- Puzzles are generally easier and less challenging, which may disappoint fans looking for the usual complexity.
- Some players experienced bugs and issues with controls, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
- story396 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth, artistic presentation, and connections to the broader Rusty Lake universe, though many players note that it feels more like an interactive story than a traditional game. While the narrative is engaging and beautifully crafted, several reviews mention that the gameplay is shorter and less challenging than previous titles, leading to mixed feelings about its value. Overall, the storytelling is considered a highlight, with some players expressing a desire for more complex puzzles to accompany the narrative.
“This game is peaceful and tells a story that's emotional and full of symbolism but not heavy-handed, and there are very few games that do this, so I'm glad I played it.”
“The artistic choices here compared to the previous games are bold, unique, and unexpected, but as you progress, they make perfect sense, and the story plays out so well.”
“The storytelling is perfect and surreal at times, the pace is just right, and puzzles are entertaining and don't get in the way of the story.”
“I know there's a bonus basement level, but the main story is still way too short and ends extremely abruptly.”
“The story is vague and not complex.”
“The storyline was all over the place and the puzzles were ridiculous.”
- gameplay93 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique mechanics and narrative-driven experience, while others express disappointment over its simplicity and shorter duration compared to previous titles in the Rusty Lake series. The introduction of split-screen and new puzzle styles has been noted as a fresh take, but some fans miss the more challenging and engaging gameplay of earlier games. Overall, while the story and aesthetics are praised, the gameplay is often described as less challenging and somewhat repetitive.
“The gameplay flows, smooth and addictive as always, through puzzles and hints that won't have you throwing your phone through the window in frustration, but rather keep you pleasantly drifting in the onirical world you know so well by now.”
“A great atmospheric puzzle game with engaging gameplay and intriguing story.”
“Unique gameplay and challenging puzzles.”
“The gameplay is mostly just finding information or carrying out pointless interactions.”
“Nothing like previous games; don't expect too much - disappointed to say the least. I absolutely love the Rusty Lake games; I've played them all more than once, but the storyline and gameplay for this was just dull, dull, dull. I expected so much better!”
“I have to admit, however, I was disappointed by how easy the puzzles were and how little gameplay there was compared to the usual offerings.”
- graphics50 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique and captivating art style, which blends minimalist aesthetics with rich, atmospheric visuals. Many players appreciate the quirky and dark themes that align with the Rusty Lake series, while others note the clean and comforting design that enhances the overall experience. Despite some criticism regarding the simplicity and occasional graphical issues, the visuals are generally regarded as a standout feature that complements the engaging story and gameplay.
“With a linear storyline and iconic graphics, the white door ties in beautifully to other Rusty Lake games while still working as a stand-alone piece.”
“The graphics are quirky and the style of the game is quite dark and hypnotic.”
“I've played many games in the Rusty Lake realm and their level of detailed graphics and well-developed characters and slow-burning plots go beyond most point-and-click games I've seen.”
“The graphics are simplistic, but comforting at the same time.”
“Graphics are the usual minimalist style, and audio is okay but not innovative.”
“Some graphics issues but I hope to get them solved soon.”
- emotional28 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its emotional depth and storytelling, with many players finding it touching and poignant. The narrative evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears and a sense of nostalgia, while the symbolism and engaging puzzles enhance the emotional journey. Overall, it stands out as a heartfelt experience that resonates deeply with players.
“This game is peaceful and tells a story that's emotional and full of symbolism but not heavy-handed, and there are very few games that do this, so I'm glad I played it.”
“I actually got emotional toward the end of this game, as I found I could relate to the character, and seeing color return brought a smile to my face.”
“The story is heartbreaking and made me cry, honestly.”
- music28 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its hauntingly atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the storytelling experience. While some users noted technical issues, such as music cutting off when the screen is turned off, others highlighted the soundtrack as beautiful and immersive, contributing significantly to the game's overall mood. Overall, the music is described as enjoyable, fitting well with the visuals and gameplay, creating a captivating and emotional experience for players.
“As it is to be expected from a real-life game, the music, the graphics, and the characters are all fantastic; this is an unforgettable experience, and I'm glad that it exists.”
“I love the musical score so much.”
“Hauntingly atmospheric music.”
“The characters are dull, voices are dull, music is dull.”
“Noticed that if I turn my screen off, when I turn the screen back on to play, the music doesn't play unless I restart the app.”
“I hope they are already making another one; I had only one issue, when I was playing and turned off my screen the game continued in the background as I could hear the music.”
- atmosphere21 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its haunting, dreamlike quality, enhanced by compelling music and visuals that evoke strong emotions. While some players noted that the puzzles may not be as challenging as in previous titles, the overall ambiance and storytelling remain captivating and immersive. Many reviewers highlight the unique and macabre atmosphere as a standout feature, making the experience memorable and engaging.
“The puzzles and general gameplay aren't maybe as challenging as those of the main series but it absolutely retains the wonderfully macabre dreamlike atmosphere which is one of their main selling points.”
“As always with Rusty Lake, the atmosphere transcends a mere game and becomes an emotion.”
“Its a bit too short and the story is a bit disappointing but the atmosphere, the games, the humour are all spot on.”
“Well worth playing, same creepy atmosphere and shared characters.”
“I don't know if it's the music or the atmosphere or both, but at the end it literally brought me to tears.”
- stability12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly with controls and interactions. While a few players noted a seamless experience, many expressed frustration with frequent freezing and buggy mechanics, especially during specific tasks. The game's simplistic visual style may exacerbate the visibility of these issues, leading to a generally unstable experience for some users.
“I appreciate that the game runs smoothly without any major bugs or crashes.”
“The stability of the game has exceeded my expectations, allowing for an enjoyable experience.”
“It's refreshing to play a game that doesn't have constant glitches or performance issues.”
“The 'swiping things to right' part on the last day was really buggy; it took me a long time to swipe it off because it kept coming back to the center, and this game is the worst real-life game so far.”
“Game is too buggy.”
“This game freezes over and over.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, with many describing the puzzles as overly simplistic and lacking in challenge. The repetitive nature of the tasks and the lack of compelling content lead to a sense of boredom, making the experience feel more like busy work than an enjoyable gameplay journey.
“Most of the actions are just tedious directions instead of really compelling puzzles through the story.”
“This feels like it should be free because it didn't live up to the other premium titles; the puzzles were basic yet tedious.”
“A lot of the game is spent with tedious actions.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability across different games. While some titles, particularly those from the Rusty Lake series, are praised for their replay value and engaging storytelling, others, like The White Door, are criticized for being short and lacking in replayability, leaving players wanting more.
“Had a great pace, and I like how there are reminders of others in the series, which adds to its replayability value.”
“I'm a big fan of Annapurna Games' graphic novel app Florence, and this feels like a similar experience, only with a darker Rusty Lake story and more replayability.”
“I do like how they split the screen into two, and also how the Rusty Lake games always have replayable value.”
“Paying $4 for a less than 2 hour long game with little to no replay value is a bit disappointing.”
“Seemed to be over too quickly with limited replay value.”
“I do like how they split the screen into two, and also how the Rusty Lake games always have a replayable value.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization in this game differs from previous Rusty Lake titles, introducing a unique concept that enhances the overall story experience.
