(val)iant: or, val's guide to having a broken vag
- June 1, 2023
- Cactus Studio
Get on Steamabout(val)iant is a single-player narrative game about pelvic pain. play as val, a nonbinary college student struggling with their relationship to their body, as well as their relationship with sex. this game is fundamentally about how we as a society learn (or don't learn) about sex. use your mouse and keyboard (WASD/arrow keys) as controls as you engage with val and their story!key features lo…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and educational perspective on issues related to gender, sexuality, and medical experiences, making it a valuable experience for players of all backgrounds.
- Visually appealing with charming character designs, a pleasant soundtrack, and engaging mini-games that enhance the storytelling.
- It's a short, free game that effectively combines entertainment with important social commentary, making it accessible and impactful.
- The game is very short, lasting only 30-45 minutes, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- There are issues with dialogue pacing, as conversations can be slow and unskippable, making it difficult to stay engaged.
- Some players experienced technical issues, such as bugs and a lack of audio options, which detracted from the overall experience.
- story9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its engaging and relatable narrative, often conveyed through clever mini-games that enhance the experience. It is described as a poignant memoir that resonates with themes of personal growth and the experiences of marginalized communities, featuring realistic queer characters. Overall, players find the story to be both important and beautifully crafted, making it a worthwhile experience to share with others.
“A great memoir style game, with interesting gaming mechanics, a tight story.”
“A gorgeous and important story that I am so glad I got to experience.”
“The art style is adorable, the mechanics are fun and interesting, and the story is one that more people should hear.”
“The story feels like it describes personal experiences of some teenager from migrant communities.”
“And a story that can teach you something new, with queer characters who actually feel realistic?”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique "scrapbook" art style that some players find adorable and fitting for the game's themes, while others feel it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are appreciated for their creativity and alignment with the game's educational message, though opinions on the art style's appeal vary.
“I like the art style and the message!”
“The art style is adorable, the mechanics are fun and interesting, and the story is one that more people should hear.”
“I also personally dislike the 'scrapbook' art style.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for being relaxing and pleasant, complementing the visually appealing character designs. However, some users expressed a desire for audio mix sliders to adjust the volume levels of music and sound effects.
“Very pretty visually, with fitting music and delightful character designs.”
“The music is relaxing and pleasant.”
“Pleasant soundtrack to go along with it.”
“I only wish there were some audio mix sliders to change the volumes of certain things (SFX, music, etc.).”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
While the visuals and music are praised for their appeal, the reviews do not provide substantial insights into the depth or progression of character development, focusing instead on aesthetics and design elements.
“The character designs are visually stunning, complemented by fitting music that enhances the overall experience.”
“The character designs are adorable, and the user interface is clean and fresh, making for an enjoyable experience.”
“The character development is engaging, with each character having a unique personality that evolves throughout the game.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I was disappointed by the limited growth options for characters; it feels like they don't evolve throughout the game.”
“The story arcs for the characters are predictable and fail to provide any meaningful development.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics and tight storytelling, complemented by an adorable art style. Players find the combination of fun mechanics and a compelling narrative to create a memorable gaming experience.
“A great memoir-style game, with interesting gaming mechanics and a tight story.”
“The art style is adorable, the mechanics are fun and interesting, and the story is one that more people should hear.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, which is both entertaining and educational, infused with a sense of love and spirit that enhances the overall experience.
“This game is funny, educational, and full of so much love and spirit.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report experiencing some glitches, though many believe these issues may be related to their own hardware rather than the game itself. Restarting scenes often resolves these problems, indicating a generally stable experience despite occasional hiccups.
“I encountered several glitches that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
“The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“There are persistent stability issues that lead to frustrating interruptions during gameplay.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally resonant, as it provides relatable characters that foster a sense of comfort and ease.
“This game, having someone to relate to, has made me feel a bit more at ease.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me and made me reflect on my own experiences.”
“I was genuinely moved by the storyline; it brought tears to my eyes and made me appreciate the journey.”
