The Yawhg
- February 27, 2014
- Emily Carroll
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"The Yawhg" is a horror role-playing game for 1-4 players, offering a unique, randomized story in each playthrough. Players shape the narrative of a town preparing for the arrival of the ominous Yawhg, as choices and actions determine the community's fate. With its immersive atmosphere, humor, and high replayability, "The Yawhg" combines sensational game mechanics, outstanding graphics, and a memorable soundtrack for a memorable co-op or single-player experience.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Beautiful art and music that enhance the storytelling experience.
- Engaging and humorous narrative with multiple outcomes based on player choices.
- Great for playing with friends, fostering laughter and shared experiences.
- Extremely short gameplay, typically lasting only 10-15 minutes per playthrough.
- Limited replayability as many events and outcomes can repeat quickly.
- No online multiplayer option, which restricts the experience to local play only.
- story451 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story in "The Yawhg" is a captivating blend of humor and melancholy, offering players a unique, choose-your-own-adventure experience that changes with each playthrough. While the game features beautiful art and music, many players note that the narrative can become repetitive after several sessions, despite its numerous branching paths and outcomes. Overall, it is highly recommended for fans of interactive storytelling, especially when played with friends, as it encourages collaborative narrative-building and emotional engagement.
“The yawhg is a local co-op game with a compelling story hook that leaves a lot to the imagination so that you and your friends can build a personal storyline whilst playing.”
“The story is captivating and the visual aspect is fresh and very well executed.”
“The yawhg is a perfect example of the synergy of right tools and right task, and it is worth the time of anyone who enjoys a good interactive story.”
“The story is just very strange; the idea is something to have fun with, and I do admit despite the same events happening, things always seem different.”
“The main problem with this game is that there are enough different story scenarios for the locations provided, so after a few playthroughs you have seen most of the options.”
“The story isn't that deep considering all you're doing is clicking an option and moving forward.”
- music316 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its emotional depth and fittingness to the narrative. While some players noted issues with volume control and repetitiveness, the soundtrack is generally described as haunting, charming, and integral to the storytelling experience. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a memorable experience for players.
“The music is beautiful, the art is heavenly, and the stories are entertaining.”
“The art, music, and overall gameplay is just so unique and fun!”
“The music is fantastic, and while there isn't a soundtrack available on Steam, I would strongly recommend going and buying it from their Bandcamp.”
“This game is pretty fun, but it really needs a volume setting because the music level literally hurts my ears!”
“Would love to review based on the concepts and gameplay, but the music is so loud I can't make it past the character screen.”
“Be warned that there are no settings and it has fairly loud music for some reason.”
- graphics149 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and whimsical art style, which complements the narrative and enhances the overall atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the artwork as a standout feature, often describing it as charming, haunting, and reminiscent of classic storytelling. The accompanying music is also noted for its ability to evoke emotion and further immerse players in the experience, making the visual and auditory elements a significant draw for the game.
“The artwork is very beautiful and creates the perfect atmosphere for this world.”
“The art style is beautiful and the soundtrack helps carry out the atmosphere well.”
“The graphics are beautiful, still one of the best ones you can find in any game.”
“It's mostly a text-based game with graphics to supplement it.”
“While I love the artwork and scenarios that occurred, I can't help but feel this really should have just been a series of webcomics rather than a video game.”
“And to add insult to injury on playthrough 2 I see many of the same so-called random events that I saw in playthrough 1, all over again, which makes me realize there's practically zero variety of possible events and almost no replayability because by playthrough 3 I had milked it for every permutation it was possibly worth and the whole experience was over in 30 minutes... the aesthetic is glorious, but the price is steep for what it is.”
- replayability149 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by its charming storytelling, multiple character roles, and varied outcomes based on player choices. While many players enjoy the game in group settings and appreciate the potential for different experiences, some note that the short playtime and repetitive events can limit long-term replay value. Despite these concerns, the game remains a popular choice for casual play and social gatherings.
“This game is full of charm, wit, and replayability.”
“The replayability comes from trying out the different roles and character endings.”
“There are endless combinations of outcomes making for tons of replayability.”
“The only complaint would have to be the lack of content for replay value.”
“Even though the game is fun, it's rather short and offers limited replayability, so I'd suggest you get this on a sale.”
“And to add insult to injury on playthrough 2 I see many of the same so-called random events that I saw in playthrough 1, all over again, which makes me realize there's practically zero variety of possible events and almost no replayability because by playthrough 3 I had milked it for every permutation it was possibly worth and the whole experience was over in 30 minutes.”
- gameplay141 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, making it suitable for casual players while still offering some depth for those who wish to explore various outcomes. However, many reviews highlight its minimalistic nature, with gameplay often described as repetitive and shallow, leading to a quick overall experience that may not justify its price for some players. Despite these criticisms, the engaging storytelling and charming art style contribute to a memorable experience, particularly in multiplayer settings.
“The gameplay is friendly for casual players while also offering depth for folks who want to explore specific routes or outcomes.”
“It is clear proof that even with simple mechanics you can build a great game experience.”
“The gameplay is incredibly simple, just having you choose where to go on a map, and what activity to do there.”
“Gameplay is very simple, character can go to a location which will raise two attributes with a choice of raising them slightly less and gaining wealth with an event happening either raising or lowering attributes depending on your choice.”
“The gameplay is minimal, you choose two to four characters (best suited for multiplayer, maybe) and choose where they will spend their single week of six.”
“The yawhg is a multiplayer visual novel that lacks both the gameplay mechanics for a deep multiplayer experience and the emotionally charged story of a good visual novel.”
- humor104 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a delightful blend of dark, quirky, and poignant moments, often eliciting laughter through unexpected outcomes and clever writing. Players appreciate the game's ability to balance comedic elements with somber themes, making it engaging and replayable, especially when played with friends. Overall, the humor is characterized as both charming and thought-provoking, enhancing the storytelling experience.
“A little bit of humor, a little bit of eldritch horror, a lot of heart, and a sprinkle of existential dread make for a very delicious game.”
“The writing is great, the choices are interesting, the humor is spot on, and overall it's just very fun to look at.”
“The game is as dark as it is funny.”
- atmosphere31 mentions
- 74 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful artwork, engaging soundtrack, and the seamless integration of story elements, creating a cozy yet eerie experience. Players appreciate the nostalgic and immersive qualities, with many noting that the music enhances the overall mood and tension. Despite some mixed feelings about the gameplay, the atmospheric design is consistently highlighted as a standout feature that enriches the storytelling experience.
“It has such a lovely atmosphere, delightful stories, and a fun sense of dread.”
“The artwork is very beautiful and creates the perfect atmosphere for this world.”
“The music and art help cement the atmosphere both before and after the titular yawhg arrives.”
“The atmosphere makes it worth it alone.”
“The music and art help cement the atmosphere both before and after the titular Yawhg arrives.”
“The atmosphere it creates makes watching the story unfold as you play very enjoyable.”
- emotional28 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from heartwarming joy to deep sadness. The captivating storytelling, enchanting music, and charming art contribute to a touching experience that often leaves players contemplative and moved. Despite its short playtime and limited replayability, the game’s emotional depth and impactful choices resonate strongly, making it a memorable experience for many.
“I highly recommend this game, it's so cute and can be very emotional; the gameplay and stories are very captivating.”
“Emotionally captivating, devastating, beautiful.”
“A beautiful and amazing game that is just so touching and emotional due to the overall unique style and design of the game and the feeling the game creates that this is a must-play game for adventure and story-loving game fans.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in this game can quickly become tedious and repetitive, with players feeling bored after short play sessions. While some appreciate the unique RPG experience, those seeking extensive exploration and traditional grinding mechanics may find it lacking. Overall, the grinding aspect is polarizing, appealing to some while frustrating others.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“But after 10 minutes, it became tedious.”
“We kept grinding for another 20 minutes, becoming more and more bored at the repetitive pattern, lightly joking to each other, trying to keep ourselves invested in this.”
“Just remember that this is not a typical gaming experience, and gamers who prefer more standard grinding/number crunching/tactics-style games might want to give this a pass.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is criticized for lacking settings and basic performance enhancements, leading to a frustrating experience despite the fun core gameplay. Players feel unsatisfied with the minimal feedback and payoff after completing the game, leaving them questioning their overall experience. Additionally, character roles in rebuilding the town are tied to stats and previous actions, which adds complexity but does not compensate for the optimization shortcomings.
“How the developer made this game without settings, basic optimization, and the idea and core of the game is fun, but everything around it is garbage.”
“Once you finish the game, it offers you little payoff or feedback about your performance, leaving you asking yourself what just happened.”
“Each player character now has to take a role in rebuilding the town, and their performance in the chosen role is dependent on their stats and other pre-Yawhg actions.”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is perceived as lacking depth, with players feeling that the decisions made throughout the story do not lead to significant growth or meaningful outcomes for the characters. While the character designs and art are praised, many reviewers express disappointment in the limited replayability and the insufficient events following "the yawhg" that would enhance character progression.
“You basically try to make decisions on what to do with your life to prepare for the looming disaster, but unpredictable events occur along the way that can help you a lot or hinder your character development.”
“I expected more events after 'the yawhg' to justify the supposed character development.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report stability issues, particularly with screen glitches that appear to be specific to the game, as other newer titles on Steam run without problems.
“My screen just glitches out now, and it seems like a problem with the game since newer Steam games work just fine.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experience constant lag and stuttering, which ruins the overall experience.”
