#WarGames

  • March 14, 2018
48%
Game Brain Score Based on 71 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • emotional
#WarGames Game Cover
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"#WarGames" is a thrilling single-player simulation game by Sam Barlow that allows you to shape the story as you play as Kelly, a hacktivist and her friends. The game's story is told through webcams, smartphones, and video feeds, providing a unique and personalized experience for each player. With the use of interactive video technology, your choices and interactions affect the development of Kelly's character. The game is produced by m ss ng p eces and Eko.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Web Browser
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

48%
Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews
story22 positive mentions
character development2 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique interactive storytelling format that allows players to influence the narrative by choosing which video feeds to focus on.
  • The acting is generally solid, and the story, while sometimes shallow, has interesting elements and potential for further development.
  • The game is inexpensive and offers a decent value for those looking for an engaging experience, akin to watching a short series.
  • The game is largely unplayable, with many users reporting that all episodes are locked and the game fails to function properly.
  • The interactivity is minimal and often feels pointless, as players have little control over the story's direction, leading to a lack of engagement.
  • The developers appear to have abandoned the game, with no updates or fixes provided, leaving players frustrated and feeling cheated.
  • story87 mentions

    The story in #wargames, while engaging and featuring decent acting, is often criticized for being clichéd and lacking the depth and interactivity of its predecessor, her story. Players can influence character interactions and plot details by choosing which video feeds to focus on, but many reviewers feel that the overall narrative remains largely predetermined and unclear in how choices affect outcomes. Despite its innovative presentation, the story's execution leaves some players feeling disconnected and unsatisfied, with a desire for more impactful storytelling and clearer branching paths.

    • “Amazing plot and gameplay takes some getting used to but so cool to explore the different branches of the story.”
    • “The story itself is interesting, but it's the characters and atmosphere that draw you in.”
    • “The overarching plot is extremely well done, as are the personal narratives season 1 explores.”
    • “It's hackneyed, cliche, and just not up to what 'Her Story' was.”
    • “I was sure that I would love this based on the 'Her Story' pedigree, but the writing is hackneyed, the acting is frequently stilted, and the systems are completely opaque.”
    • “The story is all over the place; there should have been time placed on backstory.”
  • gameplay11 mentions

    The gameplay has been widely criticized for its lack of depth and meaningful interaction, with many users describing it as little more than a passive experience of watching videos with minimal choices that barely impact the story. While the concept of choosing your own path is seen as innovative, its execution falls short, leaving players feeling disconnected and unengaged. Overall, the gameplay is deemed disappointing, failing to deliver on its ambitious premise.

    • “A fresh new game mechanic of choosing your own way.”
    • “+ the gameplay concept is amazing.”
    • “- although the gameplay concept was really cool, its execution was disappointing.”
    • “No gameplay whatsoever, just changing cameras, which I don't see the point of, since they're all on display on the screen at the same time anyway.”
    • “Extremely disappointed, the game has no gameplay and is limited to watching streaming videos with pseudo-interaction (with choices based on which video you are watching), which barely impacts the story.”
    • “The gameplay is barely there and it's impossible to tell how you are affecting anything at all.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Reviews highlight a mixed emotional impact, with some players feeling disengaged due to low production values, while others praise the immersive storytelling of titles like #wargames, which evoke strong emotional connections akin to being part of a compelling narrative.

    • “#wargames is an amazing interactive story that made me feel like I was at the center of a Mr. Robot episode.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely focused on the main character, Kelly, while other characters lack depth and evolution, leading to a perception of them as mere tokens rather than fully realized individuals. This deficiency undermines the overall value of the game's diversity.

    • “Aside from the main character (Kelly), there isn't much character development or evolution.”
    • “However, the poor character development destroys the value of that diversity, reducing every character to the worst possible sum: tokens.”
  • music1 mentions

    The music aspect of the game is positively highlighted, particularly due to the involvement of musician Yoni Bloch, who is noted for his contributions to the project. His background as a musician adds an intriguing layer to the game's overall sound experience.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    Reviewers highlight that while the story is engaging, it is the characters and the overall atmosphere that truly captivate players, enhancing their immersion in the game.

    • “The story itself is interesting, but it's the characters and atmosphere that draw you in.”
  • graphics1 mentions

    Les critiques soulignent que, bien que le jeu soit censé se concentrer sur l'histoire, les graphismes ne parviennent pas à compenser un scénario banal et peu engageant, ce qui a conduit certains joueurs à abandonner l'expérience.

    • “The game is supposed to be just a story (like Telltale games or visual novels do so well), but it fails at that, as the plot is bland and not interesting at all. I stopped at the end of episode 2 because the story was so uninteresting compared to what the trailer suggested.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Users suggest accessing the content for free on the website, which includes ads between episodes, indicating a monetization strategy that relies on ad-supported viewing rather than direct payments.

    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy basic features.”
    • “It's frustrating that the game locks essential content behind a paywall, making it hard to progress without spending.”
    • “I can't believe how many ads there are; it ruins the experience and makes it feel more like a cash grab than a game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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