We Become What We Behold [Fan-Made Port]

About

WE BECOME WHAT WE BEHOLD "" game about news cycles, vicious cycles, infinite cycles" We Become What We Behold is a 5 minute game that looks at how social media magnifies small differences into gross monstrosities. It is a non-partisan game about politics, examining the horror of the viral nature of divisiveness and tribalism. The player captures “news,” controlling what the circl…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

We Become What We Behold [Fan-Made Port] screenshot

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,588 reviews

story27 positive mentions

replayability5 negative mentions

The game delivers a powerful social commentary on how media influences society, making it a thought-provoking experience.
It's a short, free game that effectively captures the essence of modern media's impact on public perception.
The minimalist art style and simple mechanics enhance the game's message, making it accessible and engaging.

The game is very short, lasting only about 5 minutes, which limits replayability and exploration of its themes.
Players are forced into a linear narrative with no alternative endings, which can feel restrictive and unsatisfying.
Some players find the heavy-handed messaging and lack of positive outcomes to be off-putting and overly simplistic.

story
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
65%
6%
The game's story is characterized as short and linear, often leading to a single, predictable ending, which some players found limiting. However, many appreciated the underlying themes, such as media manipulation and societal influence, praising the storytelling for its depth despite the brevity. Overall, while the narrative may lack replayability and freedom, it delivers impactful messages within its concise format.
- “Amazing storytelling.”
- “A short but impactful story that betrays how our society reacts as a group and how today's media can influence us.”
- “This game tells a better story in 5 minutes than most games do in 15 hours.”
- “The story is very railroaded; you can only report on violence, and the good parts get completely ignored by the game with snarky comments about how the audience doesn't want it.”
- “Lost potential, impossibly short, no story, no replayability whatsoever. It's just a sad, sad little game, and I'm stretching what a game is; this is less of a game than those dentist office toys they'd give you after a visit.”
- “Not a game so much as a hand-holding point-and-click story with a single outcome.”
humor
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is widely praised for its humor, blending dark comedy with absurdity and relatable moments that elicit laughter. Players appreciate the quick, funny gameplay and the contrast between its cute design and violent outcomes, often highlighting the clever commentary on modern media. Overall, the humor is described as both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a memorable experience despite its short duration.
- “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.”
- “The game was fun to play, the contrast between the cute design and the gory outcome was very attractive and funny to me.”
gameplay
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
76%
6%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and innovative mechanics, effectively integrating social commentary into the experience. While it offers a unique and engaging narrative, many players express a desire for more content, such as multiple endings or varied playthroughs, as the current format feels short and limits replayability. Overall, it is praised for its thought-provoking nature and ease of play, making it accessible yet impactful.
- “The simplicity of the gameplay combined with its powerful social commentary makes it truly memorable.”
- “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.”
- “We Become What We Behold is a unique, abstract game that, while mechanically simple in terms of gameplay, satirically criticizes the likes of the modern-day media.”
- “The only downside gameplay-wise is that there are no multiple endings, so it's a very quick one-and-done experience, 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.”
- “The game could have been so much better if it gave you the choice of different playthroughs and allowed you to show different 'realities' with the news... like different gameplay routes!”
- “We become what we behold is a unique, abstract game that, while mechanically simple in terms of gameplay, satirically criticizes the likes of modern-day media.”
graphics
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
73%
8%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist, hand-drawn art style that effectively conveys complex ideas, earning praise for its aesthetic appeal. While some users find the visuals charming and impactful, others criticize them as simplistic and dated, suggesting that the overall experience relies more on the game's message than on graphical innovation. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some appreciating the cute and effective design, while others feel it lacks depth and originality.
- “The game's minimalist, hand-drawn art style is a triumph, conveying complex ideas with seemingly simple visuals.”
- “The pixel art graphics are simple but effective, and the game's minimalist soundtrack adds to the atmosphere.”
- “Nice and long story, beautiful graphics.”
- “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.”
- “It's pretty short and kind of dated art style-wise, but it doesn't really matter as long as the game is interesting or fun, right?”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from deep sadness and reflection to wholesome joy and fulfillment. Players report powerful moments that provoke tears and introspection, particularly in poignant scenes, while others appreciate its lightheartedness and family-friendly nature. Overall, the game effectively balances darker themes with uplifting experiences, leaving a lasting emotional impact on its audience.
- “This game made me feel complete.”
- “The bit at the end with the couple by the gravestones made me cry a little bit.”
- “I have never played a game before that has made me cry or feel sad.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
44%
31%
The game's replayability is generally viewed as limited, with many reviewers noting its short duration of 5-10 minutes and lack of alternative endings or achievements. While some appreciate its impactful message and find value in a single playthrough, others feel it lacks sufficient content to warrant multiple runs. Overall, it seems best suited for a one-time experience rather than repeated play.
- “Nice concept, I would love to see a game with this concept but on a larger scale, and with replayability.”
- “A nice 3-minute game that is very replayable (because of its short play time) and it sends a good message.”
- “Sadly not replayable and only about 5 minutes long, but if viewed as an interactive art piece, it's quite profound.”
- “It's a good short game, although I would have liked some alternative endings for replay value.”
- “I'd recommend it for a one-time play as there is no replay value, no achievements, and everything you can do can be done in your first playthrough.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The music in the game is characterized by a minimalist and haunting soundtrack that effectively enhances the contemplative atmosphere, contributing to player immersion without overshadowing the core experience. Reviewers appreciate its subtlety, noting that it leaves a lasting impact and complements the game's visuals well. Overall, the soundtrack is well-received, with ratings around 7/10 and 4/5.
- “The minimalist art style and haunting soundtrack add to the experience, leaving a lasting impact.”
- “The minimalist soundtrack complements the game's contemplative atmosphere.”
- “Subtle and unobtrusive, the music enhances the player's immersion without overshadowing the game's core message.”
- “✅ no music 無配樂”
- “I relaxed for 5 ♥♥♥♥ing minutes to this music long enough to realize that I was going to be okay.”
- “*illuminati music intensifies*”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
Players consistently express that the grinding required in the game is excessively time-consuming, often suggesting that it feels like one would need a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with a performance rating of 7/10, indicating that it runs smoothly and seamlessly. Players who appreciate art and performance elements are likely to find it satisfying, though it may not be as compelling from a traditional gameplay perspective.
- “On a game standpoint, everything runs smoothly and seamlessly, and I was not disappointed.”
- “Performance: 7/10”
- “Buy if you like art and performance pieces.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is severely criticized, with users reporting frequent freezes and glitches, leading to a score of 0/10. Despite acknowledging these issues, the developers appear unwilling to address them or provide new content, resulting in a frustrating experience for players.
- “Bugs/glitches: 0/10”
- “Hades freezes over.”
- “We see this problem and we are made aware of it with this 'kitchy' game, but we will not change anything. We do not offer any new content, we see the problem and live with it, because the more we deal with troubleshooting, the more problems develop.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a minimalist soundtrack that enhances its contemplative mood, while simple yet effective pixel art graphics contribute to the overall aesthetic. Humorous sound effects, like squeaks and crickets, further enrich the environment, blending a cartoonish theme with a soothing ambiance that eases players into the game.
- “The minimalist soundtrack complements the game's contemplative atmosphere.”
- “The pixel art graphics are simple but effective, and the game's minimalist soundtrack adds to the atmosphere.”
- “The game includes humorous and atmospheric sound effects, such as squeaks and crickets chirping, which enhance the cartoonish theme and help ease players into the game environment.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The character development in the game is highly praised, with users highlighting it as exceptional and deserving of an A+ rating. This suggests that the characters are well-crafted, undergo significant growth, and resonate deeply with players.
- “The character development in this game is exceptional, allowing players to truly connect with each character's journey.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their growth feel organic and impactful.”
- “The depth of character development adds layers to the narrative, making every decision feel meaningful.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect is not directly addressed in the provided text, which instead describes a scene involving a bus and a dog. Therefore, no relevant information about monetization can be summarized from this content.