Throw Me in the River

About

Throw Me in the River is a single player action game with a drama theme. It was developed by Side Group and was released on October 5, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Throw Me in the River" is a visual novel set in Canada, where the protagonist, Joseph, interacts with family members in scenes 20 years apart. The game features a compelling narrative around personal relationships and regrets with a sci-fi twist. High-resolution art, character development, and meaningful choices are included, along with behind-the-scenes commentary in galleries. This game is connected to "Waiting For the Loop."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 25 reviews

music10 positive mentions

The game features a captivating and emotional story that encourages multiple playthroughs to explore different choices and outcomes.
The artwork and music are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the game.
The writing and character development are well-executed, making for a thoughtful and reflective experience.

The game is quite short, which may leave some players wanting more content and depth.
Some players found the narrative confusing and felt that it didn't fully develop the protagonist's character or story.
The gameplay is relatively simple, primarily involving reading and making choices, which may not appeal to those looking for more interactive mechanics.

music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
18%
19%
The music in the game is widely praised for its artistic quality and emotional depth, effectively enhancing the storytelling and atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the captivating soundtrack, particularly the sparse guitar elements, which complement the gorgeous artwork and narrative, creating a cohesive and immersive experience. Overall, the thoughtful integration of music, visuals, and writing contributes significantly to the game's emotional impact and aesthetic appeal.
- “Great visual novel with a captivating story and great soundtrack.”
- “The artwork and music fit in really well with the overall tone for the game.”
- “This is a lovely visual novel type game with a sparse, emotional guitar soundtrack and gorgeous monochromatic art.”
- “As is common with this genre, graphics and music serve to back up the story, but that's not what the work is spent on.”
- “The end is sort of haunting, and the music fills out the atmosphere in each scene to seem like you're with a different 'self' of the main character.”
- “Lots of braid vibes in the presentation of its visuals, soundtrack, and flow of time.”
story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
The game features a concise yet emotionally engaging story that explores themes of regret and family dynamics through a man's life choices, allowing players to influence the narrative and character relationships. While it is a short visual novel, the branching paths and thought-provoking moments encourage replayability, enhanced by strong artwork and music that complement the storytelling. Overall, it offers a captivating experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven gameplay.
- “This visual novel tells the life story of a man who was given a chance to see his future and to correct some actions in order to get rid of tormenting regrets.”
- “Throw Me in the River has a great thought-provoking story that made me go back and reset my choices more than once just to see what other interactions I could experience.”
- “Overall, I really liked this game; I thought it was a neat visual novel that told its nonlinear story in a cool and emotionally engaging way.”
- “Well, more of a short story.”
- “Part of that is because I want a story to show me something new; but this game asks me about the protagonist's life on his deathbed, and the choices I made in the first few minutes in 2015 are then reflected back to me as important moments in that character's life (1995, 1975, 1955, 1943), and only the 1955 moment actually developed some character -- but ends on a note of deus ex machina.”
- “It is a short story about regret, family, and trying to come to terms with your past.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The graphics in the game are praised for their unique style and high quality, setting it apart from typical Ren'Py titles. The artwork and music effectively enhance the narrative, creating a cohesive atmosphere that complements the story and character development. Overall, the visuals are described as gorgeous and masterfully integrated with the game's tone.
- “The artwork and music fit in really well with the overall tone of the game.”
- “Throw Me in the River is a charming little visual novel, elevated by its subtle characters and gorgeous artwork.”
- “As is common with this genre, graphics and music serve to back up the story, but that's not what the work is spent on.”
- “The visuals were very well done and a style I don’t see used in Ren'Py much, so it was nice to see something more unique than I'm used to.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, featuring a contemplative narrative enhanced by the creator's commentary. Its striking monochromatic art and sparse guitar soundtrack contribute to a visually and emotionally engaging experience, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.
- “Overall, it was an emotional and contemplative experience, and the creator's commentary adds a lot of depth.”
- “This is a lovely visual novel-type game with a sparse, emotional guitar soundtrack and gorgeous monochromatic art.”
- “Overall, I really liked this game; I thought it was a neat visual novel that told its nonlinear story in a cool and emotionally engaging way.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The atmosphere of the game is deeply immersive, enhanced by haunting music that reflects the protagonist's various selves. Players find themselves enveloped in a thought-provoking environment that encourages reflection on their choices, leaving a lasting impact even after the game concludes.
- “The end is sort of haunting, and the music enhances the atmosphere in each scene, making it feel like you're experiencing different 'selves' of the main character.”
- “One of those stories where you immerse yourself in the atmosphere and the implications of all your choices, then reflect on it all in a new light after finishing.”
- “The end is sort of haunting, and the music fills out the atmosphere in each scene to make it feel like you're experiencing a different 'self' of the main character.”
- “One of those stories where you marinate in the atmosphere and the implications of all of your choices, then reflect on it all in a new light after finishing.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is often praised for its engaging mechanics and fluid controls, providing a satisfying experience that keeps players invested. However, some users note occasional pacing issues and repetitive elements that can detract from overall enjoyment. Overall, the gameplay strikes a balance between challenge and accessibility, appealing to a wide range of players.