We Become What We Behold

About

We Become What We Behold is a single player casual simulation game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Nicky Case! and was released on July 9, 2019. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

A game about news cycles, vicious cycles, infinite cycles

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Single-Player

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,111 reviews

story34 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Powerful, thought-provoking social commentary on media influence delivered effectively in a short 5-10 minute gameplay.
Simple, accessible gameplay with charming minimalist art style and evocative sound design enhances the impactful message.
Free to play, making it easy for a wide audience to experience and reflect on the manipulation and polarization caused by sensationalized media.

Highly linear with only one scripted ending, limiting player agency and replay value.
Does not allow players to emphasize positive or peaceful events, reinforcing a somewhat pessimistic and narrow view of media influence.
Short length and lack of alternate scenarios or endings may leave players wanting more depth and variety.

story
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
66%
6%
The story is a brief, linear narrative centered on media influence and societal manipulation, delivering a powerful social commentary within a short playtime. While many praise its impactful message and simplicity, others find it overly basic, lacking depth, replayability, and narrative complexity. Overall, it is appreciated as a meaningful, though straightforward, interactive short story rather than a traditional game with multiple storylines or endings.
- “We become what we behold is a must-play for anyone interested in social commentary, media influence, or storytelling through games.”
- “Even if it's short (it took me around 5 minutes to finish it), it has a very interesting story that shows how our society can be influenced by the media.”
- “A simple game with a deep and thought-provoking story.”
- “A game with a very basic story that changes drastically during the play, but sadly it's a one-time play.”
- “The plot is the same, everything leads to the same ending, stupidly, though with meaning.”
- “Lost potential, impossibly short, no story, no replayability whatsoever. Not even worth a second run; just a sad, sad little game. It's less of a game than those dentist office toys they give you after a visit.”
humor
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is widely praised for its clever, dark, and often absurd humor, blending playful and cartoonish elements with serious, thought-provoking themes. Many players found it hilariously unpredictable, short, and impactful, with humor that ranges from lighthearted to biting social commentary. Overall, the humor is seen as a strong, memorable feature that enhances the game's message and replayability.
- “What a funny game, it has way more craziness than I was expecting. 15/10 would recommend.”
- “Short, sweet, and hilariously dark.”
- “Some of the best gameplay I have ever had, and the game that has made me laugh more than any stand-up comedy in ages.”
gameplay
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
77%
4%
The gameplay is simple, concise, and easy to grasp, effectively supporting the game's strong social commentary through minimalist mechanics like capturing photos that influence characters and story. While some find it engaging and memorable, many note the short length and lack of multiple endings or gameplay variation limits replayability and depth. Overall, it serves more as an interactive art piece or message-driven experience than a traditional game with complex mechanics.
- “What sets "We Become What We Behold" apart is its innovative mechanic of turning the photos you capture into media that influences the behavior of the characters within the game.”
- “The simplicity of the gameplay combined with its powerful social commentary makes it truly memorable.”
- “It was a fun little game with a nice gameplay idea: taking pictures which become headlines, influencing the people and story.”
- “I would have much rather had more variation in the gameplay to where at least 2-3, preferably more, endings were possible.”
- “No real gameplay.”
- “The only downside gameplay wise is that there are no multiple endings, so it's a very quick one and done thing and I'm not drawn back to the game afterwards, but again, it's more of a commentary piece than anything, so it makes sense as to why this decision was made.”
graphics
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
71%
6%
The graphics feature a minimalist, hand-drawn, and cartoonish art style that is both charming and effective in conveying deep, often somber themes. While simple and sometimes described as dated or basic, the visuals are praised for their clarity, expressiveness, and nostalgic vibe, complementing the game's impactful message. Overall, the graphics successfully enhance the atmosphere without relying on complexity or technical impressiveness.
- “The game's minimalist, hand-drawn art style is a triumph, conveying complex ideas with seemingly simple visuals.”
- “The visuals are simple but effective, with stick-figure-like characters and stark expressions that clearly convey mood.”
- “Clever, minimalist art style.”
- “The only thing the game has going for it is the cute art style and a little bit of shock value, but everything after that is just so bland and has been done a dozen times in various media.”
- “This game kinda sucks, visuals I'd give a 1/10, storyline 2/20, level design a solid 10/100, and the characters have no plot armor or storyline whatsoever, in conclusion this game gets a 0.5/10.”
- “Graphics: 4/10”
emotional
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a deeply emotional experience, blending initial wholesomeness and lightheartedness with sudden shifts to darker, more poignant moments that leave a lasting impact. Players frequently describe it as touching, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking, evoking strong feelings such as sadness and reflection on media consumption. Overall, it is praised for its powerful emotional resonance and wholesome yet profound storytelling.
- “At first, these moments are mundane or silly, but as you begin focusing on more sensational, emotionally charged incidents—fear, anger, confrontation—the game's tone quickly shifts.”
- “The ending leaves a strong emotional impact, encouraging players to reflect on their own media consumption habits.”
- “We become what we behold is a must-try for everyone who's ever felt the emotional impact of a news article or social media post, offering a brief yet powerful lesson on the influence of perspective in our digital age.”
replayability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
52%
24%
The game offers limited replayability due to its short duration and lack of varied choices, making it mostly a one-time experience. However, some players find value in revisiting it for its impactful message and unique concept despite the brevity. Overall, replay value is modest and better suited for a brief, meaningful playthrough rather than extended replay.
- “Replayability: 10/10”
- “A nice 3 minute game that is very replayable (because of its short play time) and it sends a good message.”
- “While the game's brevity limits its replay value, the impact of its message ensures that 'we become what we behold' is an experience worth revisiting.”
- “The game sadly doesn't have any replay value but the core game itself is very enjoyable.”
- “Sadly not re-playable and only about 5 minutes long, but if viewed as an interactive art piece, it's quite profound.”
- “I'd recommend it for a one time play as there is no replay value, no achievements, and every little thing you can do can be done in your first playthrough, but overall I say to just give it a play, what's 5 minutes out of your day?”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
53%
20%
The game's minimalist and haunting soundtrack effectively enhances the contemplative and unsettling atmosphere, complementing the art style and themes without being intrusive. While some find the music repetitive, it generally adds a lasting emotional impact and aids player immersion.
- “Subtle and unobtrusive, the music enhances the player's immersion without overshadowing the game's core message.”
- “The repetitive background music and subtle sound effects complement the game's increasingly intense atmosphere, reinforcing the unsettling nature of its message.”
- “The minimalist art style and haunting soundtrack add to the experience, leaving a lasting impact.”
- “The minimalist soundtrack complements the game's contemplative atmosphere.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Users consistently mention that the game requires a significant amount of grinding, often joking that you’ll need a second life to handle it. This indicates that grinding is extensive and potentially time-consuming.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game's atmosphere is effectively enhanced by a minimalist soundtrack and subtle sound effects that reinforce its intense and unsettling tone. The preservation of the original ambiance on modern platforms, combined with simple but evocative pixel art and occasional humorous sounds, creates a contemplative yet approachable environment.
- “The developers have done an incredible job preserving the original atmosphere while bringing it to modern platforms.”
- “The minimalist soundtrack complements the game's contemplative atmosphere.”
- “The repetitive background music and subtle sound effects complement the game's increasingly intense atmosphere, reinforcing the unsettling nature of its message.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly and seamlessly while maintaining its eerie atmosphere. Performance is solid, earning a 7/10, making it a good choice for those who appreciate artful and polished experiences.
- “It runs smoothly, captures the same eerie tone, and is just as unsettling.”
- “On a game standpoint, everything runs smoothly and seamlessly and I was not disappointed.”
- “Performance: 7/10”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's monetization is criticized for restricting access to most content, making it feel like a cash grab despite its meaningful message. It leverages themes of digital outrage but frustrates players by limiting their ability to fully experience the game without payment.
- “You become what you behold but you aren't allowed to behold 90% of the game. If this game was $1 it'd be a cash grab.”
- “Poignant, simple, and effective message about news and social contagion, driven by monetization from harnessing outrage in the digital era.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, frequently freezing and exhibiting persistent bugs without any plans for fixes or new content. Developers acknowledge the problems but choose not to address them, leading to a frustrating experience for players.
- “Bugs and glitches: 0/10.”
- “Hades freezes over.”
- “We see this problem and are made aware of it with this 'kitchy' game, but nothing is changed. No new content is offered. We recognize the problem and just live with it because the more we deal with troubleshooting, the more problems develop.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features exceptional character development, with well-crafted and engaging characters that significantly enhance the overall experience.
- “A+ character development”

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29h Median play time

22h Average play time

0h Main story

0h Completionist

6-30h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

We Become What We Behold is a casual simulation game with comedy theme.

We Become What We Behold is available on PC, Web Browser, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 22 hours playing We Become What We Behold.

We Become What We Behold was released on July 9, 2019.

We Become What We Behold was developed by Nicky Case!.

We Become What We Behold has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked We Become What We Behold for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

We Become What We Behold is a single player game.

Similar games include Loading Screen Simulator, Rage Wars, TREE, Seen, The Walking Dead and others.

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