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Via Negativa

59%Game Brain Score
story, humor
gameplay, character development
88% User Score Based on 55 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
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About

"Via Negativa" is a small game exploring themes of depression, God, and emptiness, created for the "How Have You Been? Jam." It contains elements of body horror and is not intended to be enjoyable, but rather thought-provoking. Players reflect on the concept of nothingness as they navigate through a visual and emotional experience.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews
story4 positive mentions
  • The novel offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of faith, pain, and personal journeys, with a compelling protagonist in Father Dan.
  • Hornsby's writing is described as beautifully brilliant, combining humor and tragedy in a way that resonates emotionally with readers.
  • The story is engaging and original, with a captivating road trip narrative that invites readers to reflect on their own lives and beliefs.
  • Some readers found the character development lacking, with many characters needing more backstory and depth.
  • The humor and theological elements felt forced to some, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the narrative.
  • A few reviewers noted inconsistencies in the portrayal of Catholic liturgy, which affected their reading experience.
  • story
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story is praised for its originality and depth, featuring a dispirited priest on a road trip who rescues a coyote, which adds a unique touch to the narrative. While the humor and theological elements are noted as sometimes falling flat or feeling forced, the characters are described as fascinating, and the writing is considered skillful. Overall, it offers a blend of humor and human experience that keeps readers engaged.

    • “The Catholic elements—unlike so many novels in which Catholicism is portrayed—are both integral to the story and accurately rendered.”
    • “It's not often you read a story about a dispirited priest on a road trip, who rescues a coyote whilst reflecting on his life and future.”
    • “The story was wonderfully strange and yet everything was so real and so human.”
    • “I have mixed feelings about the climax of the story.”
    • “Every character needs more backstory, many of the jokes fall flat, and the theological bits feel forced, as if they were 'professorial' moments in a science fiction novel.”
    • “But overall, an original story with some depth.”
  • humor
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the narrative is described as a nuanced blend of wit and poignancy, effectively juxtaposing lighthearted moments with deeper themes of tragedy and regret. While some reviewers find the humor to be understated rather than "hilarious," others appreciate the clever and insightful writing that captures the complexities of the main character's journey. Overall, the humor is seen as an integral part of the story, enhancing its emotional depth without overshadowing the serious subject matter.

    • “Dazzling combination of funny and poignant; 100% its own thing!”
    • “Daniel Hornsby expertly combines humor and tragedy in this exploration of broken faith and living a life full of regrets.”
    • “The writing is as deep, insightful, and wise as it was also so sly, witty, and funny, and all without being pretentious or over the top.”
  • gameplay
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Saturday Evening Mass Catholics" is criticized for being monotonous and overly mechanical, leading to a perception that it lacks the vibrancy typically associated with Catholic practices, to the point where it could be likened to a different denomination altogether.

  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game effectively evokes deep emotional connections, allowing players to relate to characters, such as a retired priest, in unexpected and profound ways.

    • “It's not every day that I find myself relating on an emotional level to a retired priest, but somehow this novel pulled it off.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is perceived as formulaic and conventional, resembling the patterns found in many recent well-received novels. While the writing demonstrates technical proficiency, it lacks originality and depth, making the characters feel typical rather than unique.

    • “The character development is incredibly nuanced, making each character feel real and relatable as they evolve throughout the story.”
    • “I was genuinely impressed by how the characters grew and changed in response to the events around them, creating a rich and immersive experience.”
    • “The depth of character development adds layers to the narrative, allowing players to connect with the characters on a personal level.”
    • “The prose reads as if the writer has done everything right in their writing life—practiced the art of fiction, gone to the right schools, obtained the right editor, etc. The character development and story arc follow so many recent 'good' novels that I've read, making it feel very typical.”
    • “The characters lack depth and their development feels rushed, leaving me disconnected from their journeys.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, which made it hard to stay engaged with the story.”

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