Unusual Findings

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 134 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Unusual Findings Game Cover
A great idea that got bogged down by bad execution in multiple areas.
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In "Unusual Findings," a nostalgic 80s-themed game, Vinny, Nick, and Tony stumble upon an alien spaceship crash near their town while trying to descramble a pay-per-view adult channel. As specific town members start getting murdered, the trio must explore various locations, gather clues, and interact with peculiar characters to unravel the mysterious extraterrestrial events. Join them in this thrilling adventure filled with humor, suspense, and 80s pop culture references.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 134 reviews
story34 positive mentions
character development3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic trip to the 80s with charming pixel art, a great soundtrack, and numerous pop culture references that resonate with fans of the era.
  • The story is engaging and features well-developed characters, with humor and unexpected twists that keep players entertained throughout.
  • Multiple endings and choices in dialogue provide replay value, allowing players to experience different puzzles and outcomes based on their decisions.
  • Many puzzles are unintuitive and can lead to frustration, often requiring trial and error or reliance on guides to progress.
  • The dialogue can be slow and cumbersome, with some interactions feeling tedious and lacking clarity on what actions are necessary to advance.
  • Technical issues such as poor inventory management and unclear navigation can detract from the overall experience, making it difficult to enjoy the game fully.
  • story61 mentions

    The game's story is a nostalgic homage to the 1980s, filled with humor and engaging characters, though some players felt it lacked depth and memorable character development. While the narrative offers multiple endings and clever puzzles, it occasionally suffers from pacing issues and a reliance on familiar tropes. Overall, it is appreciated for its charm and retro aesthetic, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre, despite some criticisms regarding its execution and originality.

    • “The story is lovingly written, exciting, well told, and allows for some variations and alternatives that lead to three different endings.”
    • “Great story, amazing humor, nice characters, beautiful voice acting, astounding pixel art... worth every penny.”
    • “Unusual Findings is a charming and often hilarious sci-fi tale set during the 80s which oozes with a great retro graphical style, good voice acting, and a fun story about teenage boys being, well, teenage boys - while also attempting to thwart an alien war.”
    • “The story was weak, the characters didn't have any memorable personalities, and the dialogue was so boring that I ended up eventually skipping it.”
    • “There was no story or character development much, the ending was abrupt, and the good alien basically said 'long story' so we didn't learn anything from the alien invasion.”
    • “I feel like the story would've had more potential that hasn't been used.”
  • music50 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic homage to the 1980s, featuring a catchy synthwave soundtrack that evokes fond memories of the era's films and games. While many players appreciate the well-composed tracks and licensed 80s hits, some note that the limited selection can become repetitive, and there are occasional issues with volume levels. Overall, the soundtrack significantly enhances the game's retro aesthetic and immersive experience.

    • “The best part of the game is the music, which is a nice synthwave nod to our memories of the 1980s.”
    • “Story, soundtrack, easter eggs, references and characters - everything is a thrilling and immersive celebration of 80s pop culture.”
    • “Yes, this game has a strong 80's aesthetic, visually and musically (it's trendy).”
    • “The sound menu is a big mess; the music slider is so bad that you have to set it.”
    • “On the negative side, however, the music is sometimes too loud and in some scenes too intrusive, destroying the suspense.”
    • “I thought it was kind of odd using 1984's 'Spin Me Right Round' by Dead or Alive, especially since the song is quite clearly erotic in nature, and this game is centered around kids. There are so many more fitting songs, like Tears for Fears' 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World', The Cars' 'Moving in Stereo', Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'', or New Order's 'Blue Monday'.”
  • graphics33 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, effectively capturing the nostalgic essence of the 1980s with references to classic adventure titles. Reviewers highlight the well-executed animations and detailed backgrounds, although some note minor inconsistencies with Unity artifacts. Overall, the retro aesthetic and vibrant visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the genre.

    • “The spirit of adventure, mysticism, conspiracy theories, funny dialogues of geek friends, and very cozy pixel graphics are what this short game offers me.”
    • “The game captures the zeitgeist of the 1980s in its creative and art directions: the graphics reminded me of those from Lucasfilm Games’ early adventure titles; character designs and plot elements had hints of 'Back to the Future', 'The Goonies', and 'E.T.'”
    • “Where this game shines most is in its retro style graphics, and its nostalgic setting.”
    • “The graphics are ok-ish for the supposed era, but limited.”
    • “Only weird things are that the developer used some Unity artifacts (like sparks) that are conflicting with the art style.”
    • “Of course, it is also clear that this quality of graphic presentation of adventure games was technically common and technically possible only in the 90s.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it charming and nostalgic, particularly appreciating the witty dialogue and 80s pop culture references. However, others feel that the humor often falls flat, overshadowed by uninspiring writing and puzzles. Overall, while many enjoy the comedic elements and character interactions, there are critiques regarding the consistency and depth of the humor throughout the game.

    • “The spirit of adventure, mysticism, conspiracy theories, funny dialogues of geek friends, and very cozy pixel graphics are what this short game offers me.”
    • “Awesome story, hilarious characters, crazy puzzles.”
    • “Unusual Findings is a charming and often hilarious sci-fi tale set during the 80s which oozes with a great retro graphical style, good voice acting, and a fun story about teenage boys being, well, teenage boys - while also attempting to thwart an alien war.”
    • “The style is on point, and the humor matches the vibe (namely, is unfunny), but the so-so writing and uninspiring puzzles overshadow the positives.”
    • “The interactions between the characters are boring and not funny, and the fact that you are a group of three friends doesn't add anything to the story.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple endings, optional puzzles, and varying dialogue choices that influence gameplay. Players can explore different storylines and solutions, enhancing the overall experience with each playthrough. However, some users noted that certain aspects may lack replay value, particularly for those focused solely on narrative rather than gameplay variety.

    • “This means there can be multiple solutions to the same problem, adding a bit of replayability.”
    • “There are alternate puzzles and 3 endings, so it offers some replayability.”
    • “All three playthroughs and endings offer good replay value and bonus scenes variety.”
    • “As expected, unusual findings does not have any replay value, but it will not disappoint those looking for a great story, complex puzzles and a not so 'in your face' humor.”
    • “I found out after completing that the dialogue choices affect what puzzles are in the following section, so there's replay value.”
    • “This game ticked all my nostalgia boxes and I loved how they implemented optional puzzles depending on some conversational moments, giving you some replayability.”
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily a classic point-and-click experience, which some players found enjoyable but lacking in depth compared to traditional titles in the genre. While the mechanics are described as elementary, they still provide a fresh vibe, though expectations for more complexity or a blend with other gameplay styles may lead to disappointment. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a mixed bag, with some appreciating its simplicity and others criticizing its execution.

    • “Graphics and gameplay are nice.”
    • “The game is quite elementary in terms of gameplay, but very effective and has fresh vibes in it.”
    • “As for the gameplay, I like it so far.”
    • “While I had an enjoyable enough time with this game, the biggest appeal of it is far from the gameplay.”
    • “The game advertises itself as having 'classic point and click mechanics', but classic point and click titles were never this sloppy.”
    • “Gameplay: ah, this is where my non-recommendation comes from.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its strong resemblance to the nostalgic feel of the 1980s, reminiscent of the popular series "Stranger Things." Reviewers highlight the effective use of themes, music, and voice acting, creating an immersive experience that captures the charm of old-school adventure games. Overall, the atmosphere is described as vibrant and engaging, filled with humor and a sense of love for the era.

    • “The developers did a great job on the themes and atmosphere, providing a genuine 80s feel.”
    • “This game oozes atmosphere and love!”
    • “The characters and atmosphere are awesome – 80s as I like it, and even all the dialogues have a voice-over.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is minimal, with an abrupt ending that leaves players without a deeper understanding of the story or characters, particularly regarding the alien invasion. While the game effectively captures the 1980s aesthetic through its graphics and design, it lacks substantial narrative depth.

    • “The game captures the zeitgeist of the 1980s in its creative and art directions: the graphics reminded me of those from Lucasfilm Games’ early adventure titles; character designs and plot elements had hints of Back to the Future, The Goonies, and E.T.”
    • “There was no story or character development much; the ending was abrupt, and the good alien basically said 'long story,' so we didn't learn anything from the alien invasion.”
    • “The character development felt shallow and unengaging, leaving me disconnected from the protagonists and their journeys.”
    • “I expected more depth in the characters, but they all seemed one-dimensional and lacked meaningful growth throughout the game.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a heartfelt ending message that resonates with some players, though it also sparks disagreement among others regarding its underlying sentiment.

  • grinding1 mentions

    Players note that the game involves significant grinding, making it more suitable for those who enjoy repetitive tasks and have ample time to invest.

    • “I recommend this game to people who have a lot of time to burn and love tedious tasks.”
    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and often becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
    • “I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which made the game feel more like a job than a fun pastime.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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Play time

20hMedian play time
20hAverage play time
20-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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