Void Stranger
- April 1, 2023
- system_erasure
- 22h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreVoid Stranger is a challenging 2D puzzle game with sokoban-style gameplay, featuring devious traps and enemies. The game features 2D pixel art visuals and an appropriate soundtrack, with seemingly impossible puzzles and a mysterious story. Autosaving and tips for frustration prevention are included to aid players on their long journey.
Windows
Reviews
- Void Stranger is a unique puzzle game that combines sokoban mechanics with a deep and engaging story, filled with secrets and mysteries to uncover.
- The game features a fantastic soundtrack and charming pixel art, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- Players are rewarded for their curiosity and exploration, with many layers of gameplay and narrative that keep them engaged throughout.
- The game can be extremely punishing, with no undo button and a life system that forces players to replay puzzles multiple times, which can lead to frustration.
- Some players may find the story convoluted and the pacing slow, as it often requires significant investment to uncover the deeper narrative elements.
- The repetitive nature of solving the same puzzles over and over again can become tedious, especially for those who are not fans of sokoban-style gameplay.
- story848 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of *Void Stranger* is a complex and engaging narrative that unfolds gradually through gameplay, intertwining with challenging puzzles and rich lore. Players appreciate the depth and emotional resonance of the characters, though some find the delivery convoluted and the pacing uneven, requiring significant effort to fully grasp the plot. While many laud its unique storytelling approach and the rewarding nature of uncovering secrets, others express frustration with the repetitive gameplay needed to access the full narrative experience.
“Unlike many puzzle games, Void Stranger has a plot that contains many twists and mysteries that keep you going even when the puzzles become complicated.”
“The story is really engaging and unique, adding a nice touch to an amazing game.”
“Slowly, surely, you uncover more and more and it's paced in such a way that leaves you craving for that next story beat, that next secret that blows the game wide open.”
“Unfortunately, the story isn't worth pushing through the hoops this game has you jump through.”
“The story is a total nothing burger, visuals hurt to look at for extended periods, and most of the music really doesn't fit a puzzle-solving experience at all and gets very grating after a while.”
“The game hooks you by slowly giving you drips of story, but there's no payoff there - the story goes from pointless anime melodrama to shark jumping nonsense.”
- gameplay622 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Void Stranger" is characterized by its sokoban-style mechanics, where players solve grid-based puzzles by pushing and placing tiles, often requiring creativity and critical thinking to uncover hidden mechanics and secrets. While the game offers a rich narrative and a variety of challenges, many players find the repetitive nature of the puzzles and the lack of clear progression frustrating, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall enjoyment. Despite these criticisms, the game is praised for its depth, intricate design, and the rewarding experience of discovering new gameplay elements as players progress.
“The gameplay itself is pretty straightforward (until it's not), just move stuff around to get to the next level.”
“The mechanics are solid and the gameplay has many layers that you discover as you progress through the game; for this reason, it is important not to spoil yourself.”
“The freedom that the game gives you with its mechanics, combined with the way the player has to use their own creativity and ingenuity to really master the void, means that no two people will experience this game the same way.”
“However, this is precisely this game's undoing: its gameplay speaks the language of a roguelike (runs, permadeath etc), but in the context of a puzzle game it means that you have to play through the exactly same levels over, and over, and over again.”
“The gameplay is repetitive at best and infuriatingly cheap at worst.”
“You have no undo button, restarting levels costs you, you get punished for performing too well, you are punished for manually exiting the game, when you fail or trigger some arcane mechanic your progress gets wiped and you have to go through the same 100+ levels again... and the worst is that instead of interesting puzzles you mostly get annoying traps and tedious tile-shuffling.”
- music464 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Void Stranger" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its captivating and atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the overall experience of the game. While some noted that certain tracks can become repetitive, the quality and emotional depth of the music are highlighted as standout features, often described as "bangers" that stick in players' minds long after gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, contributing to the game's charm and immersive storytelling.
“The soundtrack is great too, which is fortunate because you may be hearing certain songs a lot as you work out puzzle solutions.”
“The music creates an atmosphere that frankly I'd never considered could be so rich and interesting in a puzzle game, at least not since Portal.”
“The soundtrack by eebrozgi deserves particular praise in nailing the atmosphere and driving home the game's most memorable moments - at least ten different spoilers come to mind here, so let me stop at saying that the first area's theme, Void Symphony, sets a high benchmark for that 'starting a new adventure' feeling that makes you just fall in love with video games all over again.”
“The story is a total nothing burger, visuals hurt to look at for extended periods, and most of the music really doesn't fit a puzzle-solving experience at all and gets very grating after a while.”
“Intentionally cryptic puzzle design with fairly unappealing pixel art and ear-grating music.”
“The music, while repetitive, is a major draw and the story itself is engaging.”
- graphics148 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Void Stranger" are characterized by a charming, retro Game Boy aesthetic, featuring minimalist pixel art that many players find nostalgic and appealing. While the visuals are praised for their creativity and detail, some critiques mention that certain sections can suffer from visual clarity issues. Overall, the combination of engaging graphics and an outstanding soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“An amazing soundtrack, a fantastic pixel art style, seemingly endless mysteries and a simple yet surprisingly creative gameplay makes this one an easy favorite.”
“The game features a Game Boy era aesthetic, with charming pixel art and a killer soundtrack.”
“Void Stranger is a minimalist tile-based puzzle game with two-bit color and amazing pixel artwork whether emulating the cramped stylings of a Game Boy game or flexing with full-size art of character portraits or scenes.”
“Also, puzzles themselves are rather not good enough to carry the game, visual style is completely uninspiring (same simplistic graphics can be done so much more tastefully), and overall it is about as fun as randomly pressing your gamepad buttons with your PC turned off.”
“The story is a total nothing burger, visuals hurt to look at for extended periods, and most of the music really doesn't fit a puzzle-solving experience at all and gets very grating after a while.”
“Visual clarity can get really bad in some sections, which was surprising for a game with this art style.”
- grinding136 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious, repetitive, and often frustrating, requiring players to repeatedly solve the same puzzles and backtrack through levels to progress. While some players find the challenge rewarding and engaging, many express that the lack of quality-of-life features, such as an undo button, exacerbates the tedium, making the experience feel like a grind rather than an enjoyable puzzle-solving journey. Overall, the game's structure demands significant patience and determination, which may deter some players while captivating others who appreciate its depth and hidden secrets.
“It is unbelievably tedious, and the celebrated 'meta' of this game only serves to alleviate some, but crucially not all, of this tedium.”
“You have to enjoy doing hundreds of boring, tedious puzzles over and over again to get anything out of this game.”
“I ultimately left the game unfinished due to it requiring repeated, tedious effort on the player's part.”
- emotional76 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with players describing it as a deeply touching experience that evokes a range of feelings, from joy to frustration and helplessness. Many highlight the heartfelt storytelling, beautiful music, and intricate character development, which contribute to an emotional roller coaster that resonates long after gameplay. Despite some gameplay tedium, the emotional payoff and narrative depth make it a memorable and impactful journey for players.
“Void Stranger is one of the most unique games I've ever played, and is made with so much love and attention it has left me stunned and emotional multiple times.”
“Many parts of the game made me want to cry due to how beautiful they were, ranging from narratives about loss to scenes that break the fourth wall, bending the scenery as melancholic music plays that ties perfectly with the game's lore.”
“The story reinforces these themes, with some of the most heartfelt and wholesome dialogue moments I've seen in a modern game, with characters encouraging each other at points even when you wouldn't expect them to.”
- atmosphere48 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its phenomenal soundtrack, haunting visuals, and a sense of mystery that deeply engages players. Many reviewers highlight the effective use of pixel art and chiptune music, which create a rich and immersive experience reminiscent of classic titles. While the atmosphere is celebrated, some players caution that those primarily interested in the ambiance may find the puzzle gameplay less enjoyable.
“The vibes are immaculate, and I can't praise enough how much I liked its mysterious story, nice pixel art, lovely music, and haunting atmosphere. I quickly got completely engrossed with the game, so much that I used an Excel sheet to keep track and organize all my notes, observations, screenshots, and everything I wanted to try.”
“This game instilled a sense of wonder and mystery in me like very few titles managed to, not only because of the atmosphere and lore, which are both absolutely amazingly done, but because the gameplay itself was designed to make you wonder what could be possible.”
“Not only does it challenge you logically, but it also immerses you in its intriguing world with an outstandingly atmospheric soundtrack, eerie and flashy graphical effects, and a lingering mystery to leave you pondering at night.”
“If you are in it for the atmosphere (music, story, art) and you think you can "get through" the puzzles to get to the good stuff, then I cannot recommend this game because I tried and failed to do just that.”
“Only get this game if you are interested in both the atmosphere and the puzzles; emphasis on the puzzles.”
“But if you see those store page trailers and find the vibe and atmosphere of the world's visuals and music to be intriguing, then I beg you to at least give it a try.”
- humor38 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players noting its engaging storytelling, clever surprises, and laugh-out-loud moments. While some humor may be seen as objectifying or obnoxious, many find it endearing and integral to the experience, contributing to a light-hearted atmosphere that balances the game's more serious themes. Overall, the blend of quirky jokes and unexpected gags has made it a standout title for many, even earning accolades as a game of the year.
“Incredibly engaging storytelling, surprises, and jokes that I'm still laughing at.”
“Just a funny little puzzle game haha.”
“It's even got some fun humor along your descent to madness in places.”
- replayability14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, particularly through its dense meta-puzzles and hidden secrets that encourage exploration and experimentation. However, some players note that the inherent limitations of puzzle games can lead to diminished replay value over time, especially if forced to replay certain sections. Overall, it is praised for effectively integrating interactivity and narrative, making it a compelling experience worth revisiting.
“The game has immense replay value and I've had so much fun figuring out little secrets in the game over time.”
“The meta-puzzles of this game are dense and that leads to many enjoyable, replayable hours.”
“This is fun at first, especially as you figure out shortcuts and skips, but replayability only has so much mileage in a puzzle game.”
“Unlike action games, puzzle games have limited replay value, so forcing the player to replay puzzles against their will is just going to waste their time.”
“Clearly this game was made for replayability, and god does it do it right.”
- character development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highly praised, with reviewers noting that it effectively engages the player's imagination and curiosity throughout the game, enhancing the overall experience even after completion. The narrative is described as enjoyable, complementing the character growth alongside increasingly challenging puzzles.
“The story is nice and engaging, the puzzles start easy but get really challenging quickly. The character development is very good and it keeps tickling your imagination and curiosity, all the way until, or even after you finish it.”
