To Hell With The Ugly
- May 30, 2023
- ARTE France
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam"To Hell With the Ugly" is an adventure game set in a 1950s LA film noir setting, where you play as Rock Bailey, a handsome young man who was kidnapped and drugged outside a jazz club. After waking up in a strange hospital, Rocky discovers that something personal has been stolen from him and sets out for revenge. The game was a finalist in the 2023 IGF awards for "Excellence in Visual Arts."
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features stunning art direction and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The gameplay includes a mix of puzzles, turn-based combat, and QTEs, providing a refreshing variety to the typical point-and-click format.
- The story, while short, offers an interesting and unique narrative that draws players in with its absurd humor and noir elements.
- The main character is often perceived as unlikable and shallow, which detracts from player investment in the story.
- The game's short runtime of around 3-4 hours leaves many players feeling unsatisfied and craving more content.
- The ending is considered disappointing and anti-climactic, failing to provide a satisfying conclusion to the narrative.
- story46 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique blend of noir and surreal elements inspired by a 1940s French detective novel, while others found it lacking in depth and satisfaction, particularly in its conclusion. The engaging characters and captivating art style are often highlighted, but some players felt the narrative was too short, unfocused, or abruptly finished, leaving them wanting more. Overall, while the story offers an interesting experience, it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a fully developed plot.
“I definitely will read the book after this; the story cleverly mixes noir, Doctor Moreau, and the 50s vibe. It is just captivating.”
“The plot feels straight out of a 1940s pulp crime novel, but Boris Vian's weirdness eventually shines through as things gradually become more surreal.”
“A brilliantly executed story with unique and beautiful art direction and a *chef's kiss* soundtrack!”
“The story was very stinky and made the rest feel like a wasted opportunity.”
“It just felt very disappointing to get all the cool setup and artistic stylings of the game and be let down by the blah story.”
“Just the story doesn't have a proper ending, certainly not a good one.”
- music23 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's music is widely praised for its exceptional quality, enhancing the noir aesthetic and overall atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, comparing it favorably to classic titles like Grim Fandango, and noting its ability to complement the game's stunning visuals and engaging story. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the immersive experience, making it a key element of the game's appeal.
“The game features amazing music and a noir aesthetic.”
“Not only was the art style amazing, but I also fell in love with the soundtrack; the unexpected and hilarious plot was just the cherry on top.”
“A brilliantly executed story with unique and beautiful art direction and a *chef's kiss* soundtrack!”
“Tl;dr art, music, va, gameplay, puzzles, all ok.”
“The ending is very weird and funny (in a bittersweet way), you get about four hours of play out of it for the price, but I honestly did have a lot of fun looking at the art and listening to the music.”
“Solid music.”
- graphics21 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are widely praised for their stunning art style, which combines dark and whimsical elements, creating a unique visual experience reminiscent of film noir. Players appreciate the fluid animations and captivating aesthetics, often highlighting the game's charm and character. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the gameplay and narrative.
“The game features amazing music and a noir aesthetic.”
“The art style and the visuals are superb.”
“Its captivating visuals and thought-provoking narrative makes it an experience that stands out from the crowd.”
“So, not much to offer besides visuals and I can't stand the main character.”
“The graphics and animations are done so well.”
“It's an experience like no other, showcasing an art style that effortlessly blends dark and whimsical elements.”
- gameplay19 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as simple and somewhat generic, with a mix of point-and-click mechanics, turn-based combat, and quick time events that add variety. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable and immersive, others feel it lacks depth and complexity, leading to a consensus that the game may not justify its price for the limited playtime. Overall, the visuals and soundtrack are praised, but the gameplay experience is seen as a mixed bag, with some players recommending waiting for a sale.
“The game also includes QTE events and turn-based combat, which add variety to the gameplay and offer a refreshing change from reading and solving puzzles.”
“Great style, gameplay is simple but works well with this type of game.”
“The gameplay gives a good rhythm and immersion to the story without getting in the way.”
“20$ for 2-3 hours of gameplay is a bit expensive, so for most people, it's better to buy it on sale. Even without a sale, most people won't be disappointed.”
“Gameplay-wise, the puzzles are fine, if not very complicated.”
“Mini-games seem to be just a way of prolonging the play hours, not an actual mechanic.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring an absurd story and hilarious dialogues that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the unexpected and funny plot twists, along with a unique art style and captivating soundtrack, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience despite its short playtime.
“Not only was the art style amazing, but I also fell in love with the soundtrack; the unexpected and hilarious plot was just the cherry on top.”
“The ending is very weird and funny (in a bittersweet way). You get about four hours of play out of it for the price, but I honestly did have a lot of fun looking at the art and listening to the music.”
“Stunning art & animation, absurd story, hilarious dialogues, hypnotizing music.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beautiful design, captivating music, and immersive storytelling, creating a rich and engaging experience. Reviewers highlight the art, animations, and dialogue as key elements that contribute to a nostalgic and soulful ambiance, making it a standout in its genre. Overall, the atmosphere is described as thick and sticky, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
“Overall, the game is beautifully designed, has great music and atmosphere, and some interesting puzzles.”
“Love the style, love the music, love the atmosphere and how the story dragged me in... but it goes by so quickly!”
“This is a great, atmospheric game, a wonderful throwback to the times when games had a soul in them.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express disappointment in the emotional impact of the game, noting that the story feels incomplete and abruptly concluded, which diminishes the overall emotional experience.
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a significant lack of character development, with users expressing disappointment that none of the characters undergo any growth or change throughout the game.
“There was no character development for anyone.”
“The characters felt flat and lacked any meaningful growth throughout the game.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of depth in the character arcs; they remained static and uninteresting.”
