Universe for Sale
- November 16, 2023
- Akupara Games
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Universe For Sale" is a single-player Point and Click game featuring fantastic hand-drawn animation and a relaxing original soundtrack. Immerse yourself in an intriguing mystery set in a unique, inventive world on a space station in Jupiter's clouds, where you can craft your own universe in a ceramic cup. Try the free prologue and get a taste of this imaginative game.
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Reviews
- The game features stunning artwork and a beautifully crafted world that immerses players in a rich narrative experience.
- The storytelling is engaging and well-executed, with interesting worldbuilding and a unique blend of sci-fi elements.
- Players appreciate the cozy atmosphere and the emotional depth of the story, making it a memorable experience.
- The game lacks a manual save feature, which can be frustrating for players who want to play in shorter sessions.
- Some players encountered bugs that affected gameplay, requiring restarts to progress.
- The gameplay is minimal and may not satisfy those looking for more interactive or choice-driven experiences.
- story45 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story is widely praised for its engaging narrative and unique world-building, complemented by stunning artwork that enhances the overall experience. While it is primarily a story-driven game with minimal gameplay elements, some critiques mention that the dialogue and plot quality do not always match the artistic presentation. Overall, players appreciate the intriguing and immersive storytelling, making it a recommended choice for fans of narrative-rich games.
“The story is well told, the worldbuilding is vast and interesting; overall, it's a really good experience.”
“Its one-of-a-kind world-building and masterful storytelling makes for one of the most intriguing and compelling narratives I've experienced.”
“The story itself is rather intricate, yet very simple in the end, and that's wonderful.”
“It's very much a story-first type game, so if you're looking for a choices-matter ordeal, you're not going to find that here.”
“In terms of critiques, I would say the dialogue and story don't match the same quality as the art, and I wish you could save the game more frequently and view and visit individual chapters.”
“Despite events unfolding in a rather erratic manner, where time and space are of utmost importance, narration sets an introspective pace, and there’s an ever-present laid-back energy that permeates everything and reflects story-centric, very-light-on-the-puzzles gameplay.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork and unique art style, which evoke a captivating atmosphere and immerse players in a fantastical world. Reviewers highlight the hand-drawn visuals, charming character designs, and the effective integration of sound and music, all of which enhance the storytelling experience. Overall, the visuals are described as a key element that elevates the gameplay, making it feel like an engaging animated adventure.
“The game is very successful in creating atmosphere, thanks to the sound design and visuals, and it really pulls you in as a result.”
“I was stunned by the aesthetic impact of an entirely hand-drawn adventure.”
“The art style and the music are pure perfection as well, and honestly, who needs voiceovers in tiny indie games?”
“Art style is children's book-ish in its color and rough charm.”
“Most of the game will be 'walking and talking' kinda deal, but because of the visuals it will feel more like moving a colorful cartoon forward, as you’ll be participating in it as much as 'reading it'.”
“Not just on gameplay mechanics, but also on the visuals, by the way.”
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a simple point-and-click format, enhanced by light puzzles and mini-games that complement the visual novel elements without overwhelming them. While the mechanics are minimal, the engaging story, beautiful art style, and thoughtful design create a dynamic experience that keeps players invested. However, some users have reported bugs that can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
“The gameplay elements are minimal, but I was happy to be swept along in the welcoming story.”
“Gameplay is mostly of the simple point-and-click variety, with a sprinkling of mini-games (the universe-building one being the most interesting and most frequently encountered).”
“You get to traverse side-scrolling screens, and while point-and-click parts will be just a basic change of cursor from 'looking at something' to 'talking to someone', doing that along with a rapidly changing environment significantly spices up the gameplay, so there’s never that static feeling of being locked in place and needing to read large paragraphs.”
“The gameplay is very light, but for me, it's just enough to spice up the visual novel elements without getting in the way.”
“Despite events unfolding in a rather erratic manner, the narration sets an introspective pace, and there's an ever-present laid-back energy that reflects the story-centric, very light-on-the-puzzles gameplay.”
“There does seem to be a bug when you exit and re-enter the mechanics shop, as when I did so, the game would not let me interact with anything.”
- music12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and haunting minimalism, enhancing the immersive experience of the stunning visuals and engaging storyline. Many players find the soundtrack, particularly the cello pieces, captivating enough to listen to on repeat, as it effectively sets the tone and atmosphere of the game. Overall, the combination of art and music is considered a perfect match, contributing significantly to the game's unique and atmospheric world.
“Music was beautiful, haunting, and minimalist; I found myself just sitting and listening to the piece that plays at the main menu, from start to finish, as it kept growing and adding layer after layer.”
“If you love the cello, you will adore this game's soundtrack.”
“The music is setting the tone for what kind of game this is; the ambient sound is also nicely done, and the bolded words for emphasis are all great touches.”
“The art, music, and sounds set an initially stormy, cozy, and mysterious mood, and it does a great job of really making it feel like you're living in/part of the game, in a deeply sci-fi world.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game excels in creating an immersive atmosphere through its impressive sound design and visuals, effectively drawing players in. Even those who typically avoid narrative games find themselves captivated by its mystical and relaxing ambiance.
“The game is very successful in creating atmosphere, thanks to the sound design and visuals, and it really pulls you in as a result.”
“I don't usually play narrative games, but the mystical, intriguing, and at the same time relaxing atmosphere keeps me in front of the screen.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a philosophical undertone, enhanced by the presence of a polite cultist as one of the main heroes. This lightheartedness, combined with high-quality animations, contributes to a narrative that encourages introspection without being overly emotional.
“There’s a sort of philosophical tinge with a bit of humor to everything, and the fact that one of the two main heroes is an unfailingly polite cultist helps.”
“Animations are of superior quality, and that note of humor that weaves in and out of the narrative – it’s present here too, which lends even more of the lightness to the story, making it more suited for an unhurried introspection, without tugging on the heartstrings.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a touching and bittersweet narrative that resonates deeply with players, evoking a mix of warmth and melancholy. It is described as a wholesome experience, akin to the complexity of a cup of bitter tea, suggesting a unique blend of uplifting and somber themes.
“A touching, bittersweet narrative adventure.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game experiences occasional bugs, but overall, players find it enjoyable and appreciate the engaging story and universe-building elements.
“The game is a bit buggy at times, which can be frustrating.”
“I encountered several crashes that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
“There are frequent glitches that make it hard to enjoy the game fully.”
