Tin Star
- February 21, 2014
- Hosted Games
- 11h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Apple StoreTin Star is a sci-fi noir adventure game where you play as a hard-boiled detective on a decaying space station. Question suspects, gather evidence, and solve puzzles to uncover a sinister plot while navigating a world of political intrigue and corruption. With multiple endings based on your choices, every decision matters in this immersive, atmospheric experience.
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Reviews
- Engaging and immersive story with meaningful choices that impact the narrative.
- Rich character development and a variety of paths to explore, enhancing replayability.
- Well-written with a strong Western theme, capturing the essence of the Old West.
- Some grammatical errors and typos detract from the overall experience.
- The ending feels rushed and leaves some plot points unresolved.
- Lacks graphics and sound, which may not appeal to all players.
- story144 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, creativity, and the significant impact of player choices, making each playthrough feel unique and personal. Set in a richly described wild west environment, it features complex characters and a long, engaging narrative that encourages replayability. While some users noted occasional editorial issues, the overall consensus is that the storytelling is immersive and well-crafted, appealing to fans of interactive narratives.
“Amazing game with a creative layout and a rich story!”
“The western setting is extremely convincingly described, the story is fantastic and really long, the characters are all very memorable and the paths you can take are different and exciting.”
“Fantastically written western story with a multitude of choices that helps make it truly feel like it's your own adventure.”
“My story was cut short many times despite playing to my character’s strengths, and as such, I did not have a good time, to the point that this is probably the first game like it that I just couldn’t bring myself to finish.”
“The choices do change the story, but it doesn't really feel like you made a giant change, like it should be.”
“You'd think the decision would impact the story by a lot, but all you get is a single paragraph, with extras down the line.”
- replayability19 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players highlighting the immersive story, diverse character options, and multiple choices that lead to different outcomes. Reviewers consistently mention the game's ability to provide fresh experiences upon each playthrough, making it a standout in terms of replay value. Many express a desire for sequels or expansions, indicating a strong engagement with the game's content.
“It's the gold standard in my book; it's infinitely replayable, feels truly immersive, and always has an option that'll fit your character.”
“There's a lot of replay value as well because there are lots of characters, choices, and things you can do differently each game to bring about a different outcome!”
“Overall: very high replay value, continual branches of choice, high FPS, and a very low price eclipse the game's faults.”
“There's a lot of replay value as well because there are lots of characters, choices, and things you can do differently in each game to bring about a different outcome!”
“I can't speak to replayability, as I've just completed my first playthrough, but from the number of options you are given in each chapter, I can tell you that I'm excited to check out the different ways the story can evolve.”
“Cheap, lasting entertainment, certainly replayable, and truly well done.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game features no graphics or sound, relying solely on text to convey its story, which some players find refreshing compared to graphically intense games. While the lack of visuals may deter those seeking traditional gameplay experiences, many appreciate the opportunity to engage their imagination and focus on the narrative. Overall, the graphics aspect is non-existent, but it encourages a unique storytelling experience.
“Don't expect graphics... like, any graphics at all, but if you can work your imagination and enjoy reading a pretty interesting story, you're gonna have some fun.”
“Recommended if you wanna use the most powerful graphics chip, imagination :)”
“This game prides itself on having no graphics or sound, only text, so one would imagine that the text would be very well written.”
“In an interactive novel such as this one, especially without graphics or sound, you have to hold the players' attention in some way.”
“There are no graphics, music, or sound effects of any kind.”
“The visuals consist of black text on an off-white background.”
- music12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game features no original music or sound effects, which allows players to enjoy their own background music without interruption, though many reviewers express a desire for a fitting soundtrack, particularly western ambient music, to enhance the experience. While the absence of audio can be seen as a drawback, it also provides a unique opportunity for players to personalize their gameplay atmosphere. Overall, the lack of music is noted as a missed opportunity, but it does not detract significantly from the game's appeal.
“Highly suggest throwing on some western ambient music in the background and the stage is basically set.”
“This adventure is best accompanied with old western music and another person who can do different voices.”
“If it had some nice western music included (luckily I found some myself), it would be perfect.”
“Text-based gameplay, of course, means no music, no graphics, and no distractions from the game.”
“I can't see many cons apart from the fact that it doesn't have music.”
“There are no graphics, music, or sound effects of any kind.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Gameplay is primarily text-based, offering a rich narrative experience with multiple choices and character evolution, but it suffers from mechanical and grammatical issues that can frustrate players. While the game provides a decent length of 5-9 hours, some mechanics, like unclear time limits and a cumbersome restart system, detract from the overall experience. Players who appreciate story-driven games may find value despite these drawbacks, but those sensitive to editorial quality might be disappointed.
“9 hours worth of gameplay in a single playthrough, well worth it at this modest price.”
“Text-based gameplay means no music, no graphics, and no distractions from the core of the game.”
“If you like other Choice of Games visual novels, then you know what it's about, with many options, paths, and a character that evolves through skills and moral choices, offering solid 5-8 hours of gameplay depending on your pace.”
“If you are frustrated by editorial issues (i.e., style and mechanics, punctuation, etc.), this game may not be for you.”
“20 minutes in -- I haven't gotten very far yet, but the punctuation and mechanics (or lack thereof) are really bugging me.”
“Some of the mechanics are a little weird; there are many times when you have a certain amount of time or 'turns' to use, but you are not told how many you have, so it can be a little frustrating.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find "Tin Star" to be a deeply emotional experience, with a well-crafted narrative that encourages reflection on the consequences of their choices. The game elicits a range of feelings, from laughter to tears, fostering a strong connection to the characters and the legacy left behind. Overall, it is praised for its engaging storytelling and smooth gameplay, making it a standout in interactive fiction.
“Tin Star is superbly written, emotionally engaging, and demands the player consider their actions accordingly due to the severe consequences of going 'rambo'.”
“I felt an emotional bond to the character, felt some stirrings in the legacy I left behind, and truly enjoyed every moment.”
“I love this interactive novel; I laughed, I cried, and I cared.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is highly praised for its intricate storytelling and romantic elements, effectively immersing players in a well-crafted Wild West setting. The writing style enhances the experience, showcasing the significant effort put into creating a vivid ambiance despite the lack of imagery. Overall, the game's atmosphere is a standout feature that captures the essence of frontier life.
“The atmosphere is amazingly well-done; I love how intricate the situations can get, and I particularly enjoy the romances.”
“The style of writing is lovely and really sets the scene perfectly. A great amount of time and effort has clearly been dedicated to creating atmosphere in the absence of imagery.”
“The style of writing is lovely and really sets the scene perfectly; a great amount of time and effort has clearly been dedicated to creating atmosphere in the absence of imagery.”
“The atmosphere of the Wild West is strong with this one.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-crafted and engaging, contributing to its overall quality with clever writing and unexpected consequences. However, some players feel that the enjoyment diminishes after encountering multiple dead ends, impacting the overall experience.
“It's long, well written, engaging, funny, and genuinely challenging.”
“Some consequences are unexpected, some are funny, some are fair.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the inventive challenges that the game presents, noting that it successfully avoids the repetitive grinding often found in RPGs.
