VideoHole: Episode I
- February 28, 2020
- JofiSoft
Nothing to see here except a perfectly ordinary video store. Video Hole is an ongoing, episodic adventure game series revolving around a series of strange completely normal events that transpire in your local, intergalactic video store. In episode one, it’s business as usual as you navigate your soul-crushing job while solving mysteries and meeting new characters. Of course, things are never qu…
Reviews
- The game features charming and colorful graphics, creating a delightful visual experience.
- It offers a unique blend of humor and deep themes, engaging players with its quirky story and memorable characters.
- The episodic format leaves players excited for future installments, with many expressing a strong desire for Episode 2.
- The gameplay experience is quite short, with some players feeling it lacks sufficient substance for its price.
- There are minor bugs and technical issues that can disrupt the experience, particularly towards the end of the game.
- Some players may find the bizarre nature of the game and its humor not to their taste, leading to mixed feelings about its overall appeal.
- story40 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story is described as a quirky, surreal adventure that blends humor with deeper themes such as aging, kindness, and personal fulfillment. While the episodic format leaves players wanting more, the narrative is engaging and emotionally resonant, featuring bizarre plot points like rescuing horses from a thought control factory. Overall, the writing is praised for its wit and thoughtfulness, making the brief experience feel impactful and leaving players eager for future installments.
“A short episodic experience but a very powerful story, I'm so hyped to play the next installment.”
“I'm drawn to the story, I relate to the characters, I want to know what happens and I can't wait until the next one.”
“But it is, indeed, a deeply gorgeous piece of storytelling.”
“The episodic formula will hopefully work for the developer, but the story kinda felt like a quirky bluff so far.”
“As soon as the plot begins to generate momentum, it's over, after what I would approximate as 45 minutes of actual gameplay.”
“The plot is quite silly, but there's also no small amount of heaviness in the script.”
- humor18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its humor, characterized by quirky writing, memorable characters, and a vibrant world that enhances the comedic experience. Players appreciate the blend of charm and deep themes, with many noting its appeal to fans of internet-core humor. Overall, it delivers a fun and entertaining adventure that keeps players engaged with its witty dialogue and exceptional soundtrack.
“Funny, quirky, intriguing, and gives its own little takes on life.”
“The game is overflowing with charm and humor.”
“The world is colorful, vibrant, and hilarious to explore; the characters are memorable, and the dialogue and soundtrack are both really exceptional.”
- music14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its gorgeous and vibrant quality, enhancing the overall experience alongside the colorful visuals and memorable characters. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as exceptional, contributing to the game's humor and deep social commentary, making it a standout feature that captivates players from the start. Overall, the combination of engaging music and clever writing creates an entertaining atmosphere that resonates throughout the gameplay.
“I had no idea what to expect here, but right away I was swept up in the music and visuals.”
“Awesome direction, awesome music.”
“Check it out for yourself and experience the colorful characters, unique dialogue, and beautiful soundtrack.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their colorful and cute aesthetic, with many reviewers highlighting the impressive visuals and smooth transitions. While some expected more variety, the overall presentation is considered strong, complementing the game's music and script effectively. Additionally, there are tips regarding graphics settings for optimal performance.
“The game is really cute, and I loved the colorful graphics.”
“I had no idea what to expect here, but right away I was swept up in the music and visuals.”
“Aesthetics, transitions, and presentation are on-point, with a fantastic script as well.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as cosy and simplistic, with a focus on witty writing and wild world-building. However, it is criticized for being brief, with players experiencing around 45 minutes of actual gameplay before the story concludes, making it feel more like a short film than a traditional game.
“Cosy gameplay, witty and thoughtful writing, wild story, crazy world building!”
“The story is weird and a bit unexpected, the gameplay is simplistic.”
“As soon as the plot begins to generate momentum, it's over, after what I would approximate as 45 minutes of actual gameplay.”
“Gameplay is around movie length.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, with characters that feel more like real individuals than typical NPCs, contributing to a heartwarming narrative about growing up. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from laughter to tears, thanks to the touching and insightful dialogue that enhances the overall bizarre yet engaging adventure.
“Then so much heart comes gushing in through your dialogues with characters that have so much realistic and emotional depth that it doesn't feel right to even call them 'NPCs' given the common usage of the phrase today.”
“Simultaneously a heartwarming story of growing up even in adulthood and a bizarre adventure game.”
“I laughed, I cried, and I cannot wait for more.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is generally enjoyable with charming characters, but players have reported significant bugs towards the end, particularly when interacting with the 'constable,' which can lead to freezing issues.
“It's a fun little romp with cute characters to talk to, although it's kind of buggy at the end of the game (just talk to the 'constable' and book it where you need to go... trust me on this, you don't want to be frozen).”