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View From Below

94%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding
94% User Score Based on 66 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
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About

"View From Below" is a puzzle-based metroidvania game where you navigate procedurally generated levels as Jack, a child trapped in a nightmarish realm. By manipulating light and shadow, you'll solve puzzles, defeat strange creatures, and uncover the mysteries of this dark world. With permadeath and permanent upgrades, each playthrough offers a unique challenge.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
View From Below screenshot
View From Below screenshot

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 66 reviews
story18 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • The story is engaging and features well-developed characters, with a compelling hero's journey and multiple endings that encourage replayability.
  • The game combines various gameplay mechanics, including action/turn-based combat and mini-games, which keeps the experience fresh and engaging.
  • The atmosphere, art style, and music contribute to a rich and immersive experience, reminiscent of other indie gems like Undertale.
  • The combat system suffers from RNG mechanics and a low hit rate, making battles feel unrefined and sometimes frustrating.
  • The user interface is dated and lacks essential features like multiple save slots, which can hinder the gameplay experience.
  • There are significant similarities to Undertale that may detract from the game's originality, leading some players to view it as a derivative work.
  • story
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "A View from Below" is generally well-received, with players appreciating the character development and engaging narrative that blends dark themes with moments of humor. While some comparisons to "Undertale" highlight similarities, many reviewers feel that this game carves out its own identity with a more serious tone and a rich storyline. However, some side quests are deemed less impactful, and a few players noted that the game occasionally feels overly reliant on familiar tropes.

    • “A View from Below is a wonderful little Undertale-like RPG with an interesting story and characters.”
    • “Otherwise, you get a surprisingly dark yet hopeful story with some very well-developed characters that you'll love.”
    • “The game leans heavily onto its story and characters in order to hook the player.”
    • “There were so many instances where I thought 'this is literally just an asset/sound/story beat/character/game mechanic/level/dialogue from Undertale, but done worse' that I got genuinely upset, especially since the game is good when it's not just aping Undertale!”
    • “Too much story.”
    • “At first glance, it seems like an Undertale rip-off. While it does heavily borrow motifs from that game, I think this one has a lot more going for it in terms of gameplay, story, writing, and art.”
  • gameplay
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is a hybrid of action and turn-based mechanics, offering an engaging experience with a fair challenge, though it suffers from RNG elements and a dated UI. While some players find it reminiscent of "Undertale," they appreciate its unique combat system and mini-games, despite some frustrations with enemy attacks and the lengthy process of achieving all endings. Overall, the gameplay is enjoyable, particularly for fans of indie RPGs, and is complemented by a compelling story.

    • “The gameplay is extremely engaging and gives you a fair bit of challenge.”
    • “Gameplay out of combat feels much like Undertale, but since you're dealing with literal demons that do not like you, actual combat is much more straightforward JRPG fare, with a rather diverse set of minigames to avoid attacks.”
    • “The combat was smooth and excellent, very similar to Earthbound (with the luxury of Undertale's evade mechanic, and some mini games for magic).”
    • “This game is an action/turn-based hybrid, but the start of the game has a lot of RNG mechanics that make the battle system feel unrefined.”
    • “The UI feels very dated compared to basic RPG Maker games, since you cannot load your save file during a gameplay session.”
    • “I think my only complaints are that trying to get all the endings requires too much gameplay to get back to the decision points, some of the enemy attacks take too long, and screw that stupid falling cross dagger nonsense.”
  • emotional
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game elicits a wide range of emotions, with players praising its heartfelt storytelling and complex characters that resonate deeply. The balance of serious themes with moments of humor prevents emotional fatigue, while the impactful character development, especially towards the end, leaves a lasting impression. Many players reported feeling intense emotions, including tears, highlighting the game's ability to connect on a personal level.

    • “I cried while playing this game, so 10/10.”
    • “I loved its cast of characters who are so thoroughly human, emotional, and complex, and I appreciated the themes of light, hope, etc. against an ever-encroaching darkness.”
    • “Especially towards the mid to end game, the emphasis on character interaction and character development really drew me in and made me emotional.”
  • music
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its relaxing and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience and character interactions. While some tracks may feel repetitive during prolonged combat, the soundtrack is considered masterfully selected and avoids typical 8-bit sounds, contributing to a unique ambiance reminiscent of games like Undertale. Overall, the music complements the game's art style and narrative effectively.

    • “The music, the atmosphere of the locations you visit with the music, and of course the characters you meet and interact with are very interesting to get to know.”
    • “The music was again masterfully selected.”
    • “Graphics are really nice, music is solid and the combat is very unique and difficult from the get-go.”
    • “Music - frequently bopping, sometimes feels a little overplayed if you're in an area fighting too long.”
    • “And while it doesn't have the same music as Undertale (which in my opinion is what allowed the game to stick the landing in the first place), the main cast feels so much more real and subtle.”
    • “The graphics are all simple and 8-bit, but the music usually stays away from beeps and boops.”
  • graphics
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics are primarily simple and 8-bit, with some players expressing disappointment in the lack of variety in attack animations, particularly for key abilities. However, many appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and beautiful original pixel art, which enhances the overall experience of the game. The visuals are generally considered better than expected, complementing the solid music and unique combat mechanics.

    • “Graphics are vastly better than I expected.”
    • “Horror RPG with turn-based combat, richly interesting storyline about a boy trying to escape hell & beautiful original pixel graphics.”
    • “Graphics are really nice, music is solid and the combat is very unique and difficult from the get-go.”
    • “Unfortunately, all player attacks are simple slash graphics with different colors, which was a letdown.”
    • “Even Ash's ultimate attack, Arcane Beam, doesn't have a laser graphic despite several enemies having laser-type attacks.”
    • “The graphics are all simple and 8-bit, but the music usually stays away from beeps and boops.”
  • atmosphere
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its moody and immersive qualities, enhanced by captivating music and intriguing locations. Players find the interactions with characters particularly engaging, contributing to an overall experience that evokes strong emotional responses.

    • “This is a highly atmospheric, moody, and fun RPG.”
    • “The music, the atmosphere of the locations you visit with the music, and of course the characters you meet and interact with are very interesting to get to know.”
    • “The atmosphere sent chills down my spine!”
    • “- The atmosphere sent chills down my spine!”
    • “- The atmosphere sent chills down my spine!”
  • humor
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is strategically interspersed within a serious narrative, providing lighthearted moments to alleviate emotional intensity. While there are some goofy NPCs and funny situations, the overall tone is more serious compared to games like Undertale, which may lead to a slight disconnect between dialogue and character expressions.

    • “You always feel like you’re progressing, and the usually serious story is mixed in with little bits of silly humor placed strategically to make sure you don’t get emotional fatigue.”
    • “The story takes itself far more seriously than Undertale, and while there are some goofy and funny NPCs and moments, the game’s nowhere near as friendly or jokey overall.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the combat engaging but note that it becomes tedious rather than challenging in the latter half of the game, leading to a sense of grinding.

    • “The combat and puzzles are good, though I find the combat is more tedious than it is challenging a lot of the time in the last half of the game.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is a standout feature, particularly in the mid to late game, where the focus on character interactions deepens emotional engagement and enhances the overall narrative experience.

    • “Especially towards the mid to end game, the emphasis on character interaction and character development really drew me in and made me emotional.”

Buy View From Below

10h Median play time
10h Average play time
10-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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