Trackless
- September 11, 2017
- 12East
- 6h median play time
"Trackless is a single-player Science Fiction Simulation game that combines 2D graphics in a 3D world, with good music and a playtime of approximately 6 hours. As a seeker, you'll explore diverse locations, solve puzzles, and uncover clues about a mysterious monolith, The Object, by interacting with characters and objects using text input. Your in-game phone assists you with special abilities, and a higher score awaits if you enter the best action verb."
Reviews
- Trackless features a unique art style and atmospheric music that create an engaging and immersive experience.
- The gameplay combines exploration with clever verb-based puzzles, rewarding players for creativity and vocabulary use.
- The game is well-paced, offering multiple endings and collectibles, making it a satisfying short adventure that respects players' time.
- The text-input mechanic can lead to frustrating moments of guesswork, especially for non-native English speakers.
- Voice acting quality is inconsistent, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Some puzzles may feel overly simplistic or tedious, leading to moments where gameplay can become frustrating.
- gameplay18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Trackless is characterized by its unique mechanics, blending exploration, interaction, and puzzle-solving reminiscent of classic text adventures. While the game offers a satisfying six-hour experience with multiple endings and a rewarding exploration system, some players found certain gameplay elements frustrating and suggested that more interaction options could enhance fluidity. Overall, the aesthetic and innovative verb selection mechanic contribute to a distinct adventure, despite some underutilized features.
“Gameplay design is unique, and the art direction does a great job for what seemed to be a relatively low budget.”
“So many mechanics are unconventional, but they are intuitive somehow.”
“Exploration is rewarded, which, together with several bonuses, adds to the replayability factor — as does the main mechanic.”
“I enjoyed the game's aesthetic (including its choice of music and art style), but certain parts of the gameplay didn't really click with me and ended up frustrating me at times.”
“It was a nice adventure, but I feel like they could have added more options for each interaction to make the gameplay more fluid.”
“The gameplay in Trackless consists mostly of wandering around, interacting with objects and people, and solving minor puzzles.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique lo-fi art style that blends 2D sprites with 3D environments, creating a charming and otherworldly aesthetic. While some players found the visuals to be clever and stylish, others felt they were underwhelming compared to their initial impressions. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's mysterious atmosphere and immersive experience, despite some gameplay frustrations.
“It is so creepy and mysterious, and the color palette and visuals are truly gorgeous.”
“Easily the best part of Trackless, besides it being short and sweet, is that it has an art style typically reserved for some visual novels, further distinguished in its environments and vehicles.”
“The wonkiness of the graphics (2D flat sprites in a 3D world) would seem like a downfall in any other game, but here it adds to the otherworldly mysteriousness of it all.”
“The wonkiness of the graphics (2D flat sprites in a 3D world) would seem like a downfall of any other game, but here it adds to the otherworldly mysteriousness of it all.”
“The graphics aren't the most awe-inspiring, but they do look very cool.”
“For the most part, it all looks like it fits together, which even in some visual novels isn't necessarily the case, wherein you have 2D characters alongside 3D models textured in a different kind of art style.”
- music13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality and seamless integration with the overall aesthetic, particularly highlighting the work of the band Makeup and Vanity Set, which enhances the mystical vibe. While some players found the soundtrack enjoyable and fitting, a few expressed disappointment with certain gameplay elements, suggesting that the music alone may not elevate the experience for everyone. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's dream-like atmosphere.
“The art and music and attitude combine into something I'm helplessly fond of.”
“Combine that with an excellent musical score by Makeup and Vanity Set and you've got a dream-like atmosphere like no other.”
“The music goes very well with the overall mystical vibe.”
“Licensing music to a game and then cracking down on YouTubers who try to play said game is not cool.”
“I enjoyed the game's aesthetic (including its choice of music and art style), but certain parts of the gameplay didn't really click with me and ended up frustrating me at times.”
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The story is described as original and surreal, effectively paced and complemented by a relaxing atmosphere, though some find it basic and veering into conspiracy themes. While the narrative features intriguing environments and exploration opportunities, it can feel underwhelming, particularly with its conclusion involving a convoluted amusement park. Overall, the story is seen as fun and quirky, enhanced by excellent music.
“The graphics remind me of the good old days, and the story, characters, set pieces, and especially the ambiance are quite original, surreal, and relaxing.”
“It knows the story it wants to tell and tells it at just the right pace and length.”
“Compelling story, excellent music.”
“Honestly, the story in Trackless is pretty basic on its surface, and the story variants tend to veer away from the product page description in favor of pursuing a more conspiracy-oriented narrative.”
“The object was kind of a letdown, and the story, while fun and quirky, ended up with this seeming world cult and the object they worship being nothing more than a trip to a convoluted amusement park.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its dream-like quality, enhanced by walkable 3D environments, engaging word puzzles, and an excellent musical score. Reviewers note that the unique and immersive sound design significantly contributes to the overall experience, leaving them eager for more exploration in potential sequels.
“I adore the combination of walkable 3D environments, word puzzles, and atmospheric music.”
“The atmosphere was unusual, and I'd like to explore more of this world if there were a sequel.”
“When it comes to sound, it was excellent, and the OST essentially added to the atmosphere.”
“Combine that with an excellent musical score by Makeup and Vanity Set, and you've got a dream-like atmosphere like no other.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers a charming sci-fi world with a slick aesthetic and soundtrack, providing a satisfying length and moderate replayability. Exploration and various bonuses enhance the replay value, making it an engaging experience worth revisiting.
“It's a strange sci-fi world with some charming characters, slick aesthetics, and a great soundtrack. It's not terribly expensive and has just the right length with some replayability; what's not to love about it?”
“Exploration is rewarded, which, together with several bonuses, adds to the replayability factor — as does the main mechanic.”
“It's a strange sci-fi world with some charming characters, slick aesthetic, and soundtrack. However, the replayability is limited, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Trackless enhances the grinding experience by offering a broader selection of words for each interaction, allowing players to progress quickly with basic choices or take their time for greater rewards through originality and precision. This approach makes the word search less tedious and more engaging for different playstyles.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found myself stuck in a loop of grinding for hours without any real sense of progress.”
“The amount of grinding required to level up is frustrating and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”