The Wreck

A smart, compelling, and deeply warm examination of memory and identity, The Wreck gives players the tools to turn tragedy into catharsis.

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"The Wreck" is a first-person exploration game set in a sunken shipwreck. Players uncover the stories of the ship's passengers and crew by discovering hidden messages, objects, and diaries. With a focus on atmosphere and immersion, the game delves into themes of loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 50 reviews

story16 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The Wreck features a deeply emotional narrative that explores complex themes of grief, trauma, and family relationships, making it a unique storytelling experience.
The writing and voice acting are top-notch, effectively conveying the characters' emotions and making the story relatable and impactful.
The game's artistic direction and presentation create a beautiful atmosphere that enhances the storytelling, making it feel like an immersive cinematic experience.

The gameplay mechanics can be frustrating, with minimal interactivity and a reliance on repetitive sequences that may lead to boredom.
Some players may find the pacing uneven, particularly towards the end, which can detract from the overall experience.
The illusion of choice in the narrative can be misleading, as many decisions do not significantly impact the story, leading to a feeling of limited agency.

story
35 mentions
46 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth and unique narrative style, often likened to a cinematic experience that effectively explores heavy themes such as trauma and self-acceptance. While some players found the storytelling method tedious and lacking in impactful choices, many appreciated the well-crafted characters and the poignant delivery of the plot, which resonates deeply and leaves a lasting impression. Overall, it is considered a beautiful and worthwhile interactive storytelling experience that successfully combines gameplay with a powerful narrative.
- “The game treats these subjects seriously, and by the end of the story, I felt I understood why the characters did what they did.”
- “From a storytelling perspective, the game packs some incredible punches and will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between during its 5-hour runtime.”
- “This game was a great experience: a beautiful and complex story with very deep characters.”
- “Such an intensely boring way to tell a story.”
- “The reality is there are no choices as you will eventually hit a point in a conversation where the 'correct answer' doesn't exist until you 'fail', forcing you to essentially play out every avenue of the story.”
- “This game touches on heavy subjects; I don't mind that, but still the story does not feel like it is progressing.”
gameplay
12 mentions
42 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is often described as clunky and frustrating, with a main loop that can feel tiring, particularly for those seeking a more interactive experience. However, the game compensates for its mechanical shortcomings with a powerful narrative, strong voice acting, and a unique time loop mechanic that enhances the storytelling. While some players may find the lack of agency and the need for patience off-putting, others appreciate the emotional depth and artistic qualities that accompany the gameplay.
- “Even though we don't have that much agency regarding gameplay choices as a player, it was a delight to discover each scene, transition, and revelation about her past and present.”
- “A powerful narrative journey that utilizes a time loop mechanic for commentary on the cycles we find ourselves in and utilizes its gameplay to play perfectly alongside the story beats.”
- “[nuanced, warm character writing, smart memory gameplay mechanics, outstanding voice performances, striking art style]”
- “The gameplay is unnecessarily clunky for what is a purely narrative experience - you progress the story by finding text bubbles hidden in memory loops.”
- “I didn't miss it because the writing and the acting is top-notch, but if you're looking for something more gameplay-oriented, this is not for you.”
- “The wreck is an ambitious game with a twisting web of narrative that, despite a few frustrating gameplay moments, admittedly brought me close to tears by the end.”
emotional
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its profound emotional depth, with players highlighting its unique storytelling and art direction that create a deeply moving experience. Many reviewers describe it as an emotionally honest family drama that effectively conveys vulnerability and personal growth, making it a standout in the genre. Overall, it offers a compelling emotional journey that resonates with players.
- “This is a beautiful, honest, and touching game and is well worth your time.”
- “This is one of the most emotionally honest games that I have ever played.”
- “I was transported by the art direction and story and enjoyed the emotional roller coaster.”
graphics
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as beautiful and striking, with a simplistic animation style that complements the storytelling through monologues and flashbacks. While some players initially found the art style unconventional, many grew to appreciate its clever integration with the narrative, enhancing the overall emotional depth of the experience. Overall, the visuals, along with top-tier music and voice acting, contribute significantly to the game's immersive quality.
- “All that with beautiful graphics and an immersive sound design.”
- “The graphic style took a bit of getting used to for me, but soon enough I really came to appreciate the more simplistic animations. With it being tied to the framing device, I actually ended up finding it rather clever.”
- “The graphics, music, and voice acting are top-tier, but what strikes the most is how the story unfolds and reaches places of deep emotion where video games typically never go.”
- “[nuanced, warm character writing, smart memory gameplay mechanics, outstanding voice performances, striking art style]”
music
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, contributing significantly to the overall experience alongside top-tier graphics and voice acting. It enhances the emotional depth of the story, elevating moments that are often rare in video games.
- “The graphics, music, and voice acting are top-tier, but what strikes the most is how the story unfolds and reaches places of deep emotion where video games typically never go.”
- “The main gameplay loop felt tiring sometimes, but that's overshadowed by multiple qualities, including the music, art, and voice acting.”
- “The main gameplay loop felt tiring sometimes, but that's overshadowed by multiple qualities, including the music.”
- “The graphics, music, and voice acting are top-tier, but the music often feels repetitive and lacks variety.”
optimization
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is praised for its impressive artistry and outstanding voice performances, complemented by nuanced character writing and smart gameplay mechanics. Overall, it delivers a polished experience that enhances the overall enjoyment.
- “The artistry was fantastic, voice performance, and everything else in between were top of the stack.”
- “[Nuanced, warm character writing, smart memory gameplay mechanics, outstanding voice performances, striking art style].”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious and reminiscent of a French style, yet they appreciate the well-written elements that accompany it.
- “The grinding feels excessively repetitive and can become a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
- “I found the grinding to be frustratingly slow, making progress feel like a never-ending slog.”
- “While the game has potential, the grinding mechanics are overly tedious and detract from the overall experience.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is praised for its effective use of interactive storytelling, leveraging 3D scenes, tempo, and pacing to create an immersive experience. Despite some reservations, the overall ambiance contributes significantly to the game's narrative depth.
- “Even though I might have some reservations about some parts, the wreck shines as an example of interactive storytelling that uses the 3D scenes, tempo, and pacing available for digital stories in a neat and atmosphere-crafting way.”