We Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip
- September 14, 2023
- Total Mayhem Games
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games StoreWe Were Here Expeditions: The FriendShip is a communication-based puzzle game where you and a friend must work together to solve challenges and escape a deserted island. The state of your friendship is put to the test as you encounter puzzles on a mysterious boat ride in an abandoned amusement park. Your performance is graded, adding a competitive element to the game. This is the first installment in the We Were Here Expedition series.
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Cloud
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Fun and engaging co-op gameplay that emphasizes communication and teamwork.
- Challenging puzzles that provide a good mix of fun and frustration, making for memorable experiences.
- Reasonably priced for the amount of content, offering replayability through scoring systems.
- Significantly shorter than previous entries in the series, with only three main puzzles.
- Some puzzles rely heavily on luck or have frustrating mechanics, leading to a less satisfying experience.
- Bugs and connection issues can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- story42 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal and primarily serves as a backdrop to the puzzles, with some players appreciating the focus on gameplay over narrative complexity. While it features a side story that connects to the main series, many reviews note that it lacks the depth and nuance found in previous installments, with some players finishing the story in about an hour. Overall, the storyline is seen as a light addition that enhances the puzzle experience rather than a central element.
“Loved this arcade style side story to the series that connected well to the main story.”
“During this expedition, players are exposed to a storyline, but for the most part, the puzzles take center stage in this frigid wasteland.”
“While 'We Were Here: Expeditions: Friendship' doesn't focus heavily on narrative, it offers an intriguing backstory that unfolds as players progress through the castle.”
“Finished the story in an hour.”
“The storyline takes a backseat to the puzzles.”
“Yes, the other games had a whole story with puzzles that had some narrative nuance to it, and in this one, it was rather just three minigames but expecting a whole story for 4€?”
- gameplay34 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging co-op mechanics, particularly the innovative use of communication and puzzle-solving that enhances player interaction. While some players enjoyed the fun and challenging aspects, others noted the short duration of gameplay and occasional connection issues. Overall, the game is recognized for its stunning art and effective teaching of mechanics through experimentation.
“Great puzzles and great gameplay, could be more!”
“Stunning art, great gameplay and awesome theme!”
“Excellent use of communication as a central mechanic.”
“Then I got connection errors in gameplay.”
“About an hour of gameplay.”
“It's just gameplay.”
- replayability26 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mixed assessment of replayability. While many players appreciate the cooperative puzzles and the potential for multiple playthroughs, some note that the experience may feel short for its price, leading to limited replay value. However, the game's design does provide enough variety and challenges to encourage players to return, particularly in a cooperative setting.
“Much better than the others, loved the replayability!”
“The game's replay value is substantial due to the cooperative nature of play.”
“This gives it some extra replayability, and a separate skill floor and skill ceiling (something I can't recall seeing often in puzzle games).”
“Neat game, maybe a bit short for full price (as there's little replayability).”
“Although, I will say this game probably isn't the best for replayability.”
“Nice short 2-coop experience, also has some limited replayability.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their quality and atmospheric design, effectively creating an eerie and immersive environment. Reviewers note that both the graphics and sound effects are impressive for the game's price, contributing to a compelling overall experience.
“Graphics and sound effects are really good for the price of the game and have a nice atmosphere.”
“The puzzles are more graphical than, for example, the gameplay itself.”
“The game features atmospheric graphics that set the stage for an eerie, mysterious castle.”
“Atmospheric graphics and sound design.”
- humor18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players reporting a mix of laughter and frustration as they navigate challenging puzzles together. The comedic elements, particularly in the communication and cooperative gameplay, create a fun and engaging experience, making it a great choice for a short game night with friends. Despite its brevity, the game delivers plenty of hilarious moments that can lead to both joy and friendly rivalry.
“As I played, I was immersed in the puzzles, laughing because of the communication aspect and trying to work together.”
“I've heard that this game ends friendships, but we couldn't stop laughing from the repeated failures!”
“Stressful and hilarious but definitely worth a play.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its colorful and immersive graphics, complemented by effective sound design that enhances the eerie and mysterious setting of the castle. Reviewers note that the overall aesthetic creates a captivating experience, especially considering the game's price.
“The game features atmospheric graphics that set the stage for an eerie, mysterious castle.”
“Graphics and sound effects are really good for the price of the game and create a nice atmosphere.”
“Atmospheric graphics and sound design.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent crashes and numerous bugs that hinder gameplay, particularly in puzzle-solving. While some players find the experience enjoyable, the overall frustration with technical problems detracts from the fun.
“Crashes constantly, buggy, hints don't work, and overall the puzzles are frustrating and not fun.”
“The second puzzle was more luck than cooperation; it was also buggy and a bit of a short experience.”
“Game is super fun, but there are issues with buggy platforms that detract from the experience.”
- music6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music and sound design in the game are highly praised, with users noting that the eerie and ambient tracks effectively enhance the atmosphere and immersion. The overall sound complements the adventurous setting and contributes to the enjoyment of puzzles that encourage teamwork and communication.
“For the others, it was a fun adventure; the whole setting and area were great, with good music to set the tone for it. The puzzles overall were great and fun, requiring actual communication and teamwork.”
“The sound design is top-notch, with eerie and ambient music adding to the suspense and immersion.”
“The sound design is top-notch, with eerie and ambient music adding to the suspense and immersion.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game excessively time-consuming and tedious, often requiring a significant investment of time that feels overwhelming. Many have expressed frustration, leading some to abandon their efforts altogether.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“We even tried to get the golden tickets everywhere, but in the end, it was just tedious and we stopped.”
