Unavailed
- October 10, 2023
- CoffeeSnail
Get on Steam"Unavailed" is a game where you help Mia escape her NEET lifestyle and work towards a brighter future. Each day, choose activities with Hunger, Energy, and Time costs to boost Mia's Mood, Motivation, and Loneliness meters. Manage additional meters like Cleanliness, Room Cleanliness, and Overwhelmed to ensure Mia's success. Combat negative emotions represented by bubbles to complete activities and progress in the game.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features beautiful pixel art and well-written characters, particularly the protagonist Mia, which creates an emotional and relatable experience.
- It effectively portrays the struggles of depression and personal growth, resonating with players who have faced similar challenges.
- The option to disable the bubble mini-game adds accessibility, allowing players to focus on the narrative without the added stress of gameplay mechanics.
- The gameplay can feel repetitive and shallow, with mechanics that may frustrate players, particularly the bubble mini-game which some found tedious.
- Loading times between scenes are slow, which can disrupt the flow of the game and detract from the overall experience.
- Some players felt that the game lacks depth and variety, leading to a feeling of being stuck or forced into specific paths without much room for exploration.
- gameplay32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Gameplay is a mixed experience, combining idle clicker mechanics with resource and time management, which some players find engaging while others feel it detracts from the overall experience. The bubble-busting mini-game has received positive feedback for its adjustments, and players appreciate the thematic integration of gameplay elements, though some still struggle to stay fully engaged. Overall, the developer's responsiveness to feedback is noted as a positive aspect of the game's evolution.
“As to the alternative mechanics, the bubble-busting game was much more fun and doable than I thought.”
“Gameplay more or less consists of choosing what to do during each day and keeping her needs met (and clicking bubbles, if you want to).”
“It is even more astonishing how well the mechanics dialogue with the central theme of the game (I especially love how different types of bubbles work as analogues to different kinds of worries).”
“The idea of mixing an idle clicker mechanic with resource and time management mechanics is an odd one -- and I am not sure it works very well.”
“Although, the mechanics of the game do put me off the majority of the time.”
“I do like what the dev is trying to portray with the protagonist of the game from the player's point of view, but I just can't fully grasp my attention as the mechanic system doesn't fully justify the progression sometimes.”
- story24 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its relatable and heartfelt narrative, focusing on the character Mia's journey of self-discovery and overcoming anxiety and depression. Players appreciate the well-crafted world-building and emotional depth, although some find the gameplay mechanics repetitive. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a short, meaningful experience with strong character development and charming pixel art.
“Seeing her thoughts and actions slowly change as she begins to challenge those thoughts and herself has you rooting for her for the entire story.”
“I really like this game for its story of Mia and the amazing pixel artwork that showed many cute instances of Mia just shuffling around her room and other places while doing her thing.”
“I'd 100% recommend Unavailed to anyone who is looking for a quick story with a well-written main character, or anyone who wants an honest look at what life can be like for those trying to manage and overcome their anxiety and depression.”
“I personally liked the setting and the world-building of this game, but I find it very repetitive as it shows you need to be attentive; the meter and the emotions have to be up to par to continue towards the following day to progress the game and the story.”
“This is like my past story.”
“(seriously though, playtime of three to four hours feels just right with the way Mia's story is told. It's my wishful thinking hoping for more... maybe an epilogue chapter is in order?)”
- graphics13 mentions
- 77 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features charming pixel graphics and well-executed sprite artwork that evoke strong emotions, enhancing the player's connection to the protagonist, Mia. While the visuals are praised for their beauty and cuteness, some reviewers note that the game's depth is limited, focusing primarily on a single message. Overall, the graphics are a highlight, appealing particularly to casual players and fans of pixel art.
“I must also compliment the game on its sprite artwork, which is very well done and evokes a lot of emotion.”
“I was drawn to the unique premise, and the beautiful pixel art style of this game - you play as Mia, starting at the lowest low of her life living inside her tiny apartment.”
“Mia's daily routine, her inner dialogues, and the beautiful pixel locations/art styles that accompanied them.”
- music8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game features slight progression that adds a charming touch as players advance, though some find the background tracks to be dull. Overall, while the ambient soundtrack is appreciated by some, opinions vary, with some reviewers highlighting the music as a standout element alongside the art and writing.
“The art, the music, and the writing are all phenomenal.”
“Nice ambient soundtrack.”
“The music has slight progression to it as you progress through the game, which is cute.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively captures its surrounding mood and atmosphere, with meaningful dialogue that resonates deeply with players. Overall, the atmosphere enhances the emotional impact of the experience.
“It does a great job of capturing the mood and atmosphere of the surroundings.”
“The atmosphere and dialogue are so meaningful, and the message really hits home.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply impactful, particularly through the natural growth of the character Mia, which creates a motivational and heartfelt journey. The game is praised for its ability to resonate with a wide audience, combining personal storytelling with engaging challenges.
“Watching Mia grow over time in such a natural way makes this game such an emotional and motivational experience.”
“This is now a wonderful game, with appropriate reflex challenges, and a personal, heartfelt journey that can be enjoyed by a lot of people.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the bubble minigame to be tedious and annoying, leading some to disable it about a third of the way through the game, although the option to do so is appreciated.
“The bubble minigame is annoying and tedious, so I disabled it around 1/3 into the game (which thankfully is an option).”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players have noted significant improvements in replayability due to recent updates that have made mini-game speeds more manageable, enhancing overall enjoyment. The developers' responsiveness to feedback has also been praised, contributing to a more engaging experience.
