The game features breathtaking visuals and immersive environments, creating a calming and contemplative experience that enhances emotional storytelling.
The emotional depth of the narrative, combined with strong character development, allows for profound personal connections and impactful moments that resonate with players.
The absence of aggressive monetization tactics and in-game advertisements is appreciated, contributing to a fair and enjoyable free-to-play experience.
The gameplay is criticized for being repetitive and tedious, with many players finding the lack of traditional gameplay elements and excessive grinding frustrating.
Numerous bugs and glitches significantly hinder the gaming experience, leading to crashes and unresponsive controls that detract from immersion.
The unconventional narrative structure may not resonate with everyone, leaving some players feeling that the story lacks traditional engagement and depth.
story
1,110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
65%
5%
The game's story is a mix of personal exploration and environmental storytelling, allowing players to create their own narratives as they traverse a vast world filled with emotional depth and atmospheric elements. While some players appreciate the subtlety and depth of the story, others criticize its lack of traditional structure and engaging plot, leading to a divide in opinions on its effectiveness. Overall, the narrative is seen as both a profound commentary on society and a canvas for personal interpretation, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its unconventional approach.
“Whether it’s traversing serene mountain ranges, strolling through neon-lit cities, or wandering the hauntingly quiet deserts, the game provides an infinite canvas for personal storytelling.”
“The story is deep, with many likable characters and plot twists.”
“The emotional thrills and heart-wrenching story truly bring it together to make a breathtaking game.”
“That being said, the fun value may wear down for some people, as there's no story to speak of aside from the blurb you get on the game's store page.”
“In my opinion, though, anyone can come up with a story - because there isn't one, you can tell whatever story you want in your head.”
“There's no real story to it, it's just a few quests that make you walk a crazy distance, that's all there is to it, really.”
gameplay
690 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
60%
8%
The gameplay of this title is characterized by its focus on walking mechanics and exploration, often described as a "walking simulator" that emphasizes atmosphere over traditional gameplay elements like combat or puzzles. While some players appreciate the immersive experience and innovative mechanics, others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking depth, with many noting the presence of bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay elicits mixed reactions, appealing to those who enjoy introspective, narrative-driven experiences while leaving others wanting more variety and engagement.
“The gameplay is immaculate, with tons of variety.”
“Absolutely thrilling gameplay loop.”
“The gameplay is so intuitive and engaging that I had to force myself to close the game so that I didn't forget to eat and sleep.”
“Unfair achievements and boring gameplay without story!”
“The gameplay is slow and deliberate, emphasizing observation and reflection over action-packed sequences.”
“Walking, driving, running, flying, the gameplay is tedious and boring; the difficulty of the game stems from the outrageous amount of bugs plaguing every single moment of this game's existence.”
graphics
562 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
3%
The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many users praising their stunning realism and attention to detail, often comparing them favorably to high-profile titles like "Death Stranding" and "Red Dead Redemption 2." While some players noted minor graphical glitches and performance issues, the overall consensus highlights the visuals as a standout feature that significantly enhances the immersive experience. Many reviews rate the graphics between 9 to 11 out of 10, emphasizing their breathtaking quality and contribution to the game's appeal.
“The graphics are stunningly realistic, and the attention to detail is absolutely unparalleled.”
“Walking simulator is one of the greatest games I have ever played in my entire life, the way the game makes you truly feel like you are connected to the character is absolutely beautiful, never in my life have I seen a game with such immersive storytelling and gameplay, the graphics are almost photo realistic with absolutely 0 flaws; I genuinely thought I was watching an 8k video, it was so beautiful.”
“The breathtaking visuals, satisfying in-game controls, enormous map (the biggest I've seen on any open world game), and melodious soundtrack are just some of the factors that make this game as incredible as it is.”
“It's as if the character goes into a free-fall in slow-motion, and then suddenly all the graphics for the mountains go transparent and he's just falling and falling and falling with no way to stop until the game finally crashes on its own.”
“Act 2's graphics were messed up for me - blurry.”
“This game was terrible; the quality of the game is pretty bad, which is ironic because in the graphic setting the highest option was cinematic and it felt nothing close to that due to the worst texture of snow I've ever had to be forced to look at.”
music
346 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and atmospheric qualities, often described as stunning and perfectly complementing the game's environments. Many players find it to be the highlight of the experience, with some even considering it a masterpiece that enhances the overall ambiance and emotional impact of the gameplay. Despite some critiques about repetitiveness, the soundtrack is consistently rated highly, contributing significantly to the game's appeal as a chill and meditative experience.
“The music of this game really sets the ambiance, adding an even more relaxing and peaceful tone to the game's atmosphere.”
“And let's not forget about the music–the soundtrack is simply stunning, with melodies that will leave you feeling like you're on a mystical journey of self-discovery.”
“The soundtrack is gold.”
“Bad music, controls, gameplay, graphics are okay and environments are good, but it isn't even worth getting as a funny joke game.”
“The music got kind of repetitive though.”
“Overall I love this game and have been engaged from the beginning, the only thing I have a problem with is you can't listen to the music whenever you want which disappoints me, the only time you can listen to it is when it automatically turns on at major points in the story or delivery.”
humor
334 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky physics, glitchy mechanics, and intentional parody elements, which many players find genuinely hilarious. While some reviews note that the humor can wear thin over time, the game's absurd situations, such as ragdoll physics and unexpected bugs, contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Overall, players appreciate the comedic aspects, even if they acknowledge the game's shortcomings in other areas.
“Just walking through some beautifully designed environments is surprisingly relaxing, and the fact that your backpack can literally hold an infinite number of parcels leads to some extremely hilarious, physics-defying situations.”
“The snow mobile is hilariously fun, literally you crash that thing and you got flying haha, it's funny.”
“For a game that has no story, this game happens to hold a lot of potential and humor.”
“Meme game, all you do is walk, not funny, not gameplay either.”
“Great job at making a totally unfunny joke.”
“The bugs are not funny; at least in Goat Simulator they were a feature, here it's just annoying.”
stability
218 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users experience issues such as falling through the ground, unresponsive controls, and game-breaking errors, particularly after acquiring the jetpack. While some find the game enjoyable despite its flaws, the overwhelming consensus is that it is currently too unstable for a smooth gaming experience.
“I rate it, I like it and it is definitely not buggy.”
“I like this game, but it heats up my gaming laptop badly. Just a warning, but it is a really nice game; it runs great, my computer just can't handle it fully though.”
“So buggy it drops you into the floor and you can't play the game.”
“The game is buggy, it crashes and you fall through the ground and have to restart the whole level over again.”
“This game is a buggy mess and I love it.”
emotional
144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players reporting profound experiences that led them to tears, particularly during impactful story moments and character developments. The game's atmospheric storytelling and environmental design foster a deep personal connection, allowing players to engage with themes of love, loss, and identity in a way that resonates on multiple emotional levels. Overall, it is celebrated as a powerful artistic expression that offers a unique, meditative journey through its narrative.
“The emotional thrills and heart-wrenching story truly bring it together to make a breathtaking game.”
“The story in this game is easily the most emotionally powerful of any on the market.”
“There will be tears flowing from your face as you experience this life-changing, and emotionally-charged drama.”
grinding
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
42%
53%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it requires an excessive amount of effort to progress. While some find the core gameplay enjoyable, the repetitive tasks and bugs contribute to a frustrating experience, making it less appealing for those lacking patience. Overall, players suggest that the grind can feel overwhelming, especially as the game progresses.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Getting all of the achievements wasn't as tedious as I would have thought; at first, they're actually kind of fun to go through.”
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
“You know, this game actually has a really good design for its open worlds, and the core gameplay is not too bad, but man, without there being more to do and see in the vast expanse, it certainly becomes more tedious.”
“The fact that the delivery distance is significantly larger than the last quest means that our tedious tasks feel longer and longer after each insufferable day, and eventually, that end goal will feel impossible to reach…”
“Walking, driving, running, flying, the gameplay is tedious and boring; the difficulty of the game stems from the outrageous amount of bugs plaguing every single moment of this game's existence.”
atmosphere
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
35%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, immersive environments, and evocative sound design, creating a calming and contemplative experience. While some players find the vibrant color palette occasionally overwhelming, the overall ambiance enhances the emotional depth and storytelling, particularly in the walking simulator genre. Despite the absence of traditional gameplay elements like combat or puzzles, many reviewers appreciate the game's ability to engage players through its atmospheric storytelling and exploration.
“From lush forests to desolate wastelands, every environment is rendered with breathtaking detail and attention to atmospheric effects.”
“The music of this game really sets the ambiance, adding an even more relaxing and peaceful tone to the game's atmosphere.”
“Edit: now after playing both act 2 and act 3, I can say that this is a clear contender for game of the century with the overall atmosphere that this game brings being absolutely incredible to the point where I was even reluctant to finish this game as I was having that much fun.”
“While vibrant colors can enhance the atmosphere, there are times when the overly vivid palette feels almost oppressive, particularly in brighter environments.”
“The Antarctic theme creates a desolate atmosphere, as humans are few and far between, thus exemplifying the end-of-the-world scenario.”
“It's almost accidental how well this game blends atmosphere with gameplay-- you have no choice but to bask in these open environments that, while getting boring after a while, show a sense of adventure, wondering what this game truly could become.”
optimization
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
38%
9%
The game's optimization receives mixed reviews, with some players noting good performance and easy frame rates, especially for a free title. However, others report significant GPU performance issues and glitches, particularly in the second act, indicating that while it has its strengths, it is not the most optimized game available. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some praising its optimization compared to other games, while others find it lacking.
“At least the animations are funny and it is optimized well given its scope.”
“+optimized better than any of the Doom games.”
“Optimized well (easy to get good fps)”
“Very poorly optimized”
“GPU performance spikes to 100%.”
“The second act has problems with optimization.”
replayability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
25%
17%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting a solid experience that encourages exploration and experimentation, while others find it lacking or limited to speedrunning attempts. Many reviews highlight a score of 7.5/10 for replay value, suggesting that while it may not offer extensive replay options, it still provides enough enjoyment for multiple playthroughs.
“All around a solid game with many hours of replayability.”
“It offers great replayability.”
“The missing save feature is great for added replayability.”
“Not really much replay value, but worth a shot just for how weird it is.”
“Replay value is a bit lacking.”
“While I completed Act I, and began on Act II, a game that should have no replay value does actually make me want to explore the limits of the world that has been built.”
monetization
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
13%
83%
The monetization model of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the absence of in-game advertisements and microtransactions, which enhances the overall experience. However, some users express concerns about misleading advertising related to external products, such as energy drinks and cosmetic enhancements, which detracts from immersion. Overall, the game is viewed as a fair free-to-play option without aggressive monetization tactics.
“There are absolutely no attempts to nickel and dime players with endless monetization via microtransactions.”
“Granted, there are regular energy drinks, but to play a strand type game without constant advertisement for a specific type of energy drink really ruins my immersion.”
“I understand the motivation for falsely advertising this game.”
“A number of advertisements regarding whitening cream are shown on the media channels.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews highlight exceptional character development, noting it as a key strength of the game, particularly in Act III, which features a deep and rich narrative filled with emotional twists and betrayals. Players appreciate the immersive gameplay and the way the story intertwines with character arcs, elevating the overall experience beyond a typical walking simulator. The combination of strong character design and storytelling contributes to a compelling and innovative gaming experience.
“Walking simulator is a perfect commentary on the current world; not only is there great character development, there's immersive gameplay, a fantastic story, a great sense of breaking the fourth wall, and a great parody of an actual good game.”
“Act III is easily the best; the story, character development, and immersive gameplay make it all worth the while. Walking simulator is not just a walking simulator - it is the walking simulator.”
“Amazing character development and heart-wrenching betrayals.”