Wait! Life is Beautiful! Prologue

About

THE FULL STORY DEVELOPER MESSAGEI started developing Wait! Life is Beautiful! while I was going through one of the roughest periods of my life and perhaps I’m still here precisely because of this game. I never aim to bring you down, I just want to tell you a story about something that may affect everyone. That nearly happened to me, and may you never be that close to the edge. I don’t really hop…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Wait! Life is Beautiful! Prologue screenshot

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 210 reviews

story4 positive mentions

monetization7 negative mentions

The game effectively raises awareness about serious issues like depression and suicide, making players reflect on their own lives and the impact of their words.
The pixel art style and music create a beautiful and immersive atmosphere that enhances the emotional experience.
Players appreciate the unique concept and the challenge of trying to save characters, which leads to a thought-provoking gameplay experience.

The dialogue options can feel random and lack depth, making it difficult for players to connect with the characters or understand how to save them.
The game can be triggering for individuals with mental health issues, as it deals with sensitive topics in a way that some may find distressing.
Many players feel that the game is too simplistic and doesn't provide enough opportunities to save characters, leading to frustration and a sense of hopelessness.

story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling it lacks depth and originality, focusing primarily on societal themes rather than individual narratives. However, others appreciate its emotional weight, particularly regarding depression and suicide, highlighting the impactful storytelling and replayability as players explore different outcomes. Overall, while the game offers a poignant exploration of serious topics, its narrative may not resonate with everyone.
- “Sad story about people's depression.”
- “This game is beautiful in both art and storytelling.”
- “Its basically a story of suicide and you choose different dialogue.”
- “I play psychological games because I already know a lot about psychology and I like analyzing books and films. Recently, I've gotten really into games, but I feel like this one doesn't tell much of a story about anyone or anything except for society itself, which is cool, but I've had enough of it. Sorry.”
- “This game has no story.”
- “It's basically a story of suicide and you choose different dialogue.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic pixel art style that resonates well with fans of retro aesthetics, earning praise for its beauty and animation quality. However, some users note limitations in resolution and customization options, which detracts from the overall visual experience. While the visuals are generally well-received, they are sometimes described as simplistic or overshadowed by the game's narrative elements.
- “It was so beautiful; the art style and animation are 10/10.”
- “The music is lovely, and the visuals are stunning.”
- “Interesting little game with pretty nostalgic pixel graphics.”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “Resolution and controls are locked, and can't be changed or customized to improve the visuals or the control experience.”
- “This might as well be interactive fiction with some pixelated graphics thrown in.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be a deeply emotional experience, often feeling a mix of relief and heartbreak as they navigate its challenges. The combination of beautiful visuals, calming music, and intense narrative moments creates a bittersweet atmosphere that resonates strongly, making it both touching and heart-wrenching. Overall, it is described as an emotionally enriching journey that leaves a lasting impact.
- “Well that was beautiful and emotional.”
- “It feels such a relief each time you manage to save someone, and so heartbreaking each time you don't.”
- “It's a very emotionally enriching experience.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some users praising it as beautiful, calming, and emotionally impactful, often likening it to the works of Claude Debussy. Others, however, describe it as poor or merely filling noise, indicating a lack of consistency in quality. Overall, when appreciated, the music significantly enhances the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
- “The music is outstanding, and the visuals are stunning.”
- “The music is beautiful, seems very Claude Debussy inspired, and I find the pixel style very attractive; I think both help encapsulate the dialogue and message of the game.”
- “The music is very calming and nice; the conversations are swell to read as well and give you a certain type of feeling.”
- “The background music is extremely soft and soothing.”
- “The music and art added a lot to the setting, but where it really shines is in the experience.”
- “Just filling noises, no music.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of this game has been criticized for misleadingly presenting a demo as a full game, which detracts from genuine titles and misuses marketing space on Steam. This practice is seen as a harmful tactic by developers to avoid paying for proper visibility, ultimately leading to a negative experience for gamers. As a result, the game is not recommended due to its deceptive nature.
- “It's a common mistake when unfamiliar with Steam to launch demos/advertisements as full games on Steam instead of tagging them correctly as demos.”
- “While it might seem like an innocuous mistake, publishing demos and advertisements as if they are full games is misleading and in some ways harmful.”
- “Often developers may choose to incorrectly publish demo/advertisements as separate games as a cheap way to bypass paying Valve for marketing presence on the Steam front page, which may seem clever to them, but it's harmful behavior and it's not good for gamers.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The gameplay has received mixed feedback, with some praising the piano melodies that enhance the experience, while others find the core mechanics lacking and unengaging, particularly in terms of progression and reward. Overall, there is potential for improvement, especially given the game's strong message.
- “The piano melodies add a lot to the gameplay.”
- “Overall, a great game with a powerful message, but I would like to see some adjustments to the mechanics.”
- “I know it's still in demo, and I love the way the game looks, but the core gameplay is lacking a lot.”
- “Gameplay: 6”
- “Overall a great game with a powerful message, but I would like to see some adjustments to the mechanics.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Users generally find the game to be highly replayable, with many describing it as infinitely replayable or nearly so, indicating a strong incentive to return to the game for multiple playthroughs.
- “Infinitely replayable, with new experiences every time.”
- “The game offers so many choices that each playthrough feels unique.”
- “I keep coming back for more; there's always something new to discover.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The atmosphere is characterized by a unique blend of pixelated graphics that effectively convey a melancholic tone, creating a compelling and immersive experience for players.
- “The graphics are nice, with a pixelated style that perfectly balances a depressive atmosphere.”
- “The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, drawing you into its world with every detail.”
- “The sound design complements the visuals, creating an immersive experience that enhances the overall atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are nice, but they are pixelated, creating a balance with the overall depressive atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere feels lifeless and fails to engage the player, making the experience dull.”
- “Despite the interesting setting, the atmosphere lacks depth and fails to immerse the player.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users report a stable experience with no significant bugs or glitches encountered in the game, though some suggest that additional dialogue could enhance the gameplay.
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is perceived as awkward and misplaced, with players feeling that the attempts at uplifting messages come off as insincere or even absurd in serious contexts. This disconnect leads to a sense of irony, where the humor is derived from the inappropriate timing of the statements rather than genuine comedic intent.
- “I dunno about that one... if someone said that to me on a bridge, I'd be laughing so hard! 'Thanks, bro, my life is so crap I'm on the edge of a bridge ready to jump, and you start a conversation telling me not to jump because you think your life is beautiful.' Way to ruin my day, lol!”
- “The humor in this game is so unexpected! I found myself laughing out loud at the absurd situations and witty dialogue. It's like a breath of fresh air in a world full of serious games.”
- “I love how the game uses humor to tackle serious topics. It’s refreshing to see a game that can make you laugh while also making you think. The jokes are clever and perfectly timed!”