This Bed We Made
- December 20, 2023
- Lowbirth Games
- 4h median play time
This Bed We Made is a great game without any major drawbacks that features an amazing story and a hopeful and important message. A must-buy for any fan of titles like Life is Strange.
"This Bed We Made" is a narrative-driven RPG set in the low fantasy world of Orience. Players assume the role of a mercenary captain, navigating complex relationships and making difficult moral choices in a story that explores themes of power, loyalty, and consequence. With a focus on branching dialogue and multiple endings, each playthrough offers unique experiences and replayability.
Reviews
- Engaging story with unexpected twists that keeps players guessing until the end.
- Beautifully crafted environments and graphics that immerse players in the 1950s setting.
- Unique gameplay mechanics that combine cleaning tasks with mystery-solving, allowing for player agency and decision-making.
- The game is relatively short, typically taking only 3-6 hours to complete, which some players feel does not justify the price.
- Limited character interactions and a small number of locations can make the game feel less expansive.
- Some players found the ending unsatisfying and felt that the story could have been more developed.
- story774 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "This Bed We Made" is a captivating blend of mystery and personal drama, set against the backdrop of the 1950s, exploring themes of love, identity, and societal constraints. While many players praised its engaging narrative and character development, some felt the story was too short and linear, leaving certain plot threads unresolved. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy story-driven experiences with multiple endings influenced by player choices.
“The story is rich, and touches on important subjects.”
“The atmosphere and the story are so well done it could be a movie.”
“The story was incredible and kept me on the edge of my seat.”
“But the story—especially the ending—felt unclear and somewhat unsatisfying, perhaps due to the specific ending I reached.”
“The problem with the story is just that it feels towards the end like a pure representation story rather than a murder mystery and it seems to put the actual stress of the murder mystery on a victim card stating how it must be the gay/lesbians that killed them.”
“The story is very thought out, but the gameplay can be likened to searching through a Bethesda level with a bunch of seemingly random things hidden around.”
- gameplay165 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "This Bed We Made" combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and unique mechanics like cleaning and snooping, creating an engaging experience that immerses players in a 1950s hotel setting. While many players appreciate the intriguing narrative and character interactions, some critique the simplicity and pacing of the gameplay, suggesting it could benefit from more depth and refinement. Overall, the game offers a satisfying blend of story and mechanics, though its short length and occasional lack of clarity in gameplay elements may leave some players wanting more.
“The gameplay was solid, blending elements of mystery and puzzle-solving that kept me intrigued.”
“The gameplay mechanics of snooping around rooms, uncovering clues, and piecing together the stories of the guests provide a fresh and intriguing experience.”
“The gameplay is smooth, the dialogue manages to sound like real people interacting and not just like a written script, the voice actors all do a great job, and while the mystery elements don't have any difficulty to them, it's made up for by the mystery revolving around an interesting story.”
“The gameplay being 90% reading makes for a really poor experience.”
“I was expecting more of a crime investigation mystery, but the truth is that the actual crime only happens at the very end of the gameplay and there isn't much to investigate about it (you'll be done in 15 minutes).”
“For me it felt unfinished with clunky animations and not that much gameplay overall.”
- graphics154 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful art style and attention to detail that effectively captures the 1950s aesthetic. While some players noted that the visuals are impressive for an indie title, they also pointed out issues such as stiff animations and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the game's graphics contribute positively to the immersive experience, despite not reaching AAA standards.
“Incredible graphics with amazing details, especially all the people.”
“The overall aesthetic is beautifully suited to the style of the game and the story, effectively representing the 1950s setting with realistic visuals, clever sound design, and atmospheric lighting.”
“The graphics are genuinely stunning, especially from an indie game studio.”
“The graphics look fine but the animation is stiff and wooden.”
“There are a lot of graphical bugs, for example, global illumination is noisy, and textures are loading late.”
“The only things I can say are a disservice to the game are the graphics which could use a cleanup and a few bugs I came across where rooms would be empty then everything would pop in at once.”
- atmosphere88 mentions
- 72 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and nostalgic qualities, particularly its effective recreation of the 1950s setting, which enhances the storytelling and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the cozy, detailed environments, engaging sound design, and the overall ambiance that draws them into the mystery. However, some critiques mention issues with character animations and pacing, which slightly detract from the otherwise captivating atmosphere.
“The atmosphere, the story, it's so well done it could be a movie.”
“The game's atmospheric setting is a standout feature, immersing players in the charm and secrecy of the 1950s era.”
“Well-written storyline with a captivating 1950s atmosphere, great music, and exceptional voice acting.”
“The only thing I would criticize is the animations as they are a bit stiff at times, but the voice acting more than makes up for that, and for such a small team it's very excusable, especially because the important things, the writing, the mood, the atmosphere, the dialogue, the characters, the story and the mystery are just perfect, so it's easy to excuse that.”
“It's not a bad game, it really isn't; the atmosphere and 50's aesthetics are delightful, the game mechanics are fun, and yes the plot is inclusive - but that's everything I can say, sadly.”
“It starts out strong in atmosphere, and then kind of ends on a whimper.”
- replayability57 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers multiple endings and decision paths that encourage multiple playthroughs, many players feel that the overall experience remains largely similar across runs. Some appreciate the potential for varied outcomes and achievements, but others find the short length and lack of options like dialogue skipping hinder the replay value. Overall, it has decent replayability, especially for those interested in exploring different choices and endings, but it may not be compelling enough for everyone to return for a second playthrough.
“A really nice murder mystery and nice multiple endings, making it a replayable game!”
“Yes, it's short, but with apparently nine possible endings and two very different allies to play alongside, there is a high replayability factor.”
“The multiple options and endings make for good replay value.”
“The full price is just too much for a single-sitting game with not much replay value.”
“There’s some replay value to see absolutely everything, but in my two full playthroughs and multiple file reloads, differences have been fairly modest.”
“It is however very short, and not quite replayable as for a second playthrough you have pre-established knowledge about the situations which ruins games like these.”
- music49 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience and complementing the storyline. While some players noted a lack of variety and presence during gameplay, many appreciated the subtle, moody soundtrack that aligns well with the 1950s setting and contributes to the game's nostalgic charm. Overall, the music is described as delightful and well-executed, adding depth to the game's ambiance.
“The soundtrack is simply mesmerizing, enhancing the atmosphere and immersing me even further into the experience.”
“The music is delightful and it does go according to what's going on with the story.”
“The dreamy and well-orchestrated soundtrack adds to the overall allure of this captivating story, which is set in the 1950s.”
“Alas, after one radio song, the game's radio dies in a snowstorm with all the hotel occupants conveniently snowed out of the building. So, I played music myself outside the game to help pass the time in my explorations.”
“There's little cutscenes where you can turn TVs and radios on, but they don't actually play any music, so your experience is mostly silent, which is not good.”
“While the art style and soundtrack add charm, the game's brevity leaves much to be desired, ending just as it begins to engage.”
- emotional34 mentions
- 94 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and societal oppression, resonating deeply with players. Many reviewers found the story to be both heartwarming and thought-provoking, often evoking strong feelings and even tears, particularly in relation to its portrayal of LGBTQ+ experiences. However, some critiques mention a slow pacing and abrupt endings that detract from the emotional build-up, while others appreciate the game's ability to create empathy through its intricate character connections.
“The emotional gravity of the themes hit you in the stomach, especially when you contemplate how they depict just how oppressive society has been and how this still lingers as a dark legacy felt even today.”
“The story is both heartfelt and thought-provoking, weaving themes of love, loss, and self-discovery into a tapestry of emotions.”
“As you delve deeper into the lives of the guests, you'll discover the intricacies of their connections, creating a sense of empathy and understanding that adds emotional weight to the overall experience.”
“Very slow and boring storyline.”
“I would give this one a miss - boring story and gameplay - essentially a walking simulator.”
- stability14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- -7 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance at 4K and 60fps, there are notable issues with bugs and glitches, particularly in menus and save/load functions. Some users experienced minor visual glitches and occasional game-breaking issues, but most found these to be manageable and not detracting from the overall enjoyment.
“The game runs great on the Steam Deck; it's a pretty chilled-out experience with a gripping story and enjoyable performances.”
“The stability of the game is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay without any noticeable glitches.”
“I haven't encountered any bugs, which makes for a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.”
“I will say, loading saves and making saves can get really glitchy and buggy.”
“It is incredibly laggy and buggy.”
“I encountered a couple of glitches when the game was released; it wasn't launching and kept giving me a black screen.”
- grinding13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 54 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the inability to skip dialogue and sequences, which makes replaying for different outcomes or achievements feel time-consuming. Many express frustration over missing key elements that require repetitive playthroughs, leading to a sense of monotony. While some mechanics are noted as satisfying, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a significant and often unenjoyable part of the experience.
“Time for grinding will be required.”
“You'll be grinding a lot.”
“But seriously, actual cleaning was not tedious, very fast, and a bit satisfying if you are wondering about that mechanic.”
“As far as I know - and I looked it up on the all-knowing internet - there's no option to skip dialogue and sequences, which makes a second playthrough just tedious and time-consuming.”
“The story isn't bad but getting through the motions is quite tedious.”
“In all seriousness, the only gripe is that some parts of the dialogue can't be fast-forwarded (I know certain parts can be fast-forwarded with the space bar, but not all parts), so when you do a second playthrough with new choices or try to get achievements, it gets kind of tedious.”
- optimization13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is commendable, with smooth performance and minimal bugs reported across platforms, including the Steam Deck. While some character models exhibit stiffness and occasional lip-sync issues, the strong voice acting and engaging performances effectively enhance the experience. Players found the gameplay enjoyable, with the technical aspects supporting a captivating narrative set in 1950s Montreal.
“On the tech side, smooth sailing, no bugs or performance issues.”
“Performance-wise, I had zero issues and gameplay-wise, I found it very enjoyable!”
“Also, well optimized for Steam Deck.”
“Had just some performance issues but nothing too bad.”
“On the tech side, smooth sailing no bugs or performance issues.”
“Performance wise I had zero issues and gameplay wise I found it very enjoyable!”
- character development9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the intriguing narrative and solid character arcs, others find it relatively weak and inconsistent, particularly noting that male character designs are less polished than those of female characters. Overall, the game's stunning visuals and voice acting enhance the experience, but some feel that the depth of character development does not fully match the quality of the art.
“The experience offers a highly intriguing narrative, complete with rich character development, red herrings, and suspense.”
“Fantastic visual mystery novel, with great character design and backgrounds.”
“The voice acting is top-notch, and the character development is incredibly solid.”
“Character development is relatively weak.”
“However, stunning graphics cannot carry a game that has a poor story and character development.”
“Some character designs are unpolished.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently engaging, blending wit and charm with moments of horror and flirtation. Players appreciate the natural and funny dialogues, which are complemented by excellent voice acting, creating a delightful and immersive experience. Overall, the humor adds a compelling layer to the narrative, making it both entertaining and memorable.
“Absolutely adore the humor in this one and loved unraveling the story in itself.”
“An incredibly lovely, funny, and smart game.”
“The dialogues are funny, yet sincere, topped with great voice acting.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is tied to its nostalgic content, with users expressing a desire for more period-specific music and vintage advertisements, which could enhance the experience. The promotional materials, particularly on platforms like TikTok, emphasize the game's themes of mystery and domesticity, suggesting a marketing strategy that leverages nostalgia and intrigue.
Critic Reviews
This Bed We Made Review
This Bed We Made is a great game without any major drawbacks that features an amazing story and a hopeful and important message. A must-buy for any fan of titles like Life is Strange.
90%This Bed We Made review
A short but sweet amateur detective game with a wonderful attention to detail.
82%This Bed We Made | UNITING PLAYER VOICES
This Bed We Made is a remarkable addition to the mystery game genre. It successfully combines neo-noir aesthetics, immersive storytelling, and interactivity, creating an experience that draws players into the shadows of the Clarington Hotel.
90%