Velvet 89

About

"Velvet 89" is a hidden-object game set in a country in revolt, where players investigate a peaceful protest attacked by police. With a historical setting inspired by real events, the game features handcrafted visuals and combines real historical footage. Players uncover the stories of those who dared to speak up, in a journey through four cities and five protests.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 90 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

music2 negative mentions

The game is a beautiful and educational experience that effectively conveys the historical significance of the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia.
It's a free and engaging hidden object game that allows players to learn about important historical events while enjoying simple gameplay.
The inclusion of real-life video footage and testimonials enhances the immersive experience, making it a valuable tool for understanding the struggles during the communist regime.

The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, making it feel more like a simple 'Where's Waldo' clone rather than a fully developed game.
Some players found the character designs too similar, making it challenging to distinguish between them, which can lead to frustration during gameplay.
While the game is informative, it may not provide enough depth for those seeking a more comprehensive understanding of the Velvet Revolution.

gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics focused on searching for specific individuals in a crowd, akin to a "Where's Waldo" experience. While the graphics are praised for their style, the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the minor role it plays in conveying the story have drawn mixed reactions from players. Overall, it serves as a vehicle for an engaging narrative about a historical chapter, despite its gameplay limitations.
- “Simple gameplay, good story, and an introduction to important events.”
- “The gameplay involves searching for specific people in a crowd.”
- “The gameplay itself involves some pretty intense searching since every figure is just a slight variant of another.”
- “The gameplay is searching for specific people in a crowd.”
- “However, the gameplay itself involves some pretty intense searching since every figure is just a slight variant of another.”
- “Gameplay visuals are dull and repetitive.”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
14%
29%
The game offers a concise 40-minute narrative experience that effectively highlights the struggles of life under communist rule and the nuances of the Velvet Revolution. While the gameplay is minimal, it serves as a vehicle for delivering important historical stories, each with its own unique perspective. Overall, players appreciate the simplicity and depth of the storytelling.
- “From a story perspective, this is a very nice 40-minute experience that manages to convey in a simple way the struggles under communist rule, as well as the particularities of the Velvet Revolution.”
- “Simple gameplay, good story, and an introduction to important events.”
- “Minor amount of gameplay that is a vehicle for some important story.”
- “The gameplay feels like a minor component, serving merely as a vehicle for the important story.”
- “Each character has their own story, which we are allowed to read.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The graphics are generally praised for their quality and appealing style, with a simple interface that enhances the experience. However, some users find the gameplay visuals to be dull and repetitive, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “The graphics are very good and I love the style.”
- “The graphics are also very nice and the interface is nice and simple.”
- “The gameplay visuals are dull and repetitive.”
- “The graphics are not impressive and fail to enhance the overall experience.”
- “The graphics lack detail and creativity, making the game feel uninspired.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The music aspect of the game received mixed reviews; while some players appreciated the opportunity to access previously unavailable music, others found the lack of a proper soundtrack disappointing, suggesting that the constant crowd noise detracted from the experience.
- “It meant we could finally trade freely, watch movies, and listen to music that had been out of reach.”
- “~no music, just constant crowd noise (I suggest muting and putting something else on)”
- “~no music, just constant crowd noise (I suggest muting and putting something else on)”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The atmosphere of Velvet 89 is described as somber and impactful, effectively conveying the weight of historical moments where ordinary individuals displayed remarkable courage. Reviewers appreciate its informative and well-implemented design, which enhances the game's overall significance and emotional depth.
- “Informative, well implemented, atmospheric, and, above all, important - it is too easy to forget or overlook these momentous moments when ordinary people were brave and bold enough to risk everything to confront and change the prevailing system.”
- “Velvet 89 is a Where's Wally-style game, albeit with a much more somber atmosphere.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively captures a range of genuine emotions related to the protests, while also subtly addressing themes of external influence, such as those from Radio Free Europe. Overall, it presents a compelling narrative that resonates emotionally with players.
- “It has some minimal touching on Radio Free Europe and external influence, and otherwise shows a very well-done tale of the multitude of real emotions underpinning the protests.”