Welcome to Elk

Welcome to Elk is an interesting biographical game about how stories help shape communities. It features some interesting mini-games and a good cast of characters, but the stories feel a little too personal and at times you feel like an intruder.

81%Game Brain Score

story, music

stability, atmosphere

98% User Score Based on 266 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $3.65

Buy NowGet on Steam$14.99

Buy NowGet on itch.io Store$14.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

"Welcome to Elk" is a narrative-driven adventure game set on a fictional island. The game combines elements of storytelling, exploration, and puzzle-solving as players uncover the secrets and stories of Elk's eccentric inhabitants. With a unique art style and a focus on character development, "Welcome to Elk" offers a memorable and immersive experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 272 reviews

story58 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

Welcome to Elk features a unique storytelling approach that combines real-life narratives with engaging mini-games, creating a deeply emotional experience.
The art style and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making the game visually and audibly appealing.
The game successfully balances humor and darker themes, allowing players to connect with the characters and their stories on a personal level.

The gameplay can feel simplistic and lacks depth, as it primarily revolves around walking and interacting with characters rather than traditional gaming mechanics.
Some players may find the stories too personal or heavy, leading to feelings of discomfort or intrusion into the characters' lives.
The game is relatively short, which may leave players wanting more in terms of content and character development.

story
169 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The story in "Welcome to Elk" is a unique and emotionally charged experience that intertwines dark themes with quirky, character-driven narratives. Players follow Frigg, a newcomer to the town of Elk, as she encounters various standalone stories each night, often involving death and existential reflections, delivered through a blend of animation and live-action. While the storytelling is praised for its depth and artistic approach, some players feel that the pacing and character development could be improved, leaving them wanting more from the narrative.
- “The story follows Frigg, the newest resident of Elk, and how she gets acquainted with the locals.”
- “Every night, Frigg has different dreams involving a boat, and wakes up to a new bottle on her dining table every morning, each containing a different story with death at its center.”
- “It's apparent from the very first scene in the game that this project was more than just a game to the development team; each story is told with weight and respect to the people who were putting it out there, and the developers handled it well.”
- “There's no main story but each day you hear a weird standalone story and have a related weirder dream in sleep.”
- “I can't say I like this game or not, it is one of a kind. I can't expect any story in the next day - stories told include picking up a way to kill a dying rabbit; react seeing a wounded man at a car accident etc. They don't give answers, just left players in wonder.”
- “I had it recommended to me on the strength of the story, played it completely blind, and this went approximately nowhere I expected.”
music
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
74%
21%
5%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and emotional impact, complementing the stunning artwork and engaging storytelling. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as evocative, charming, and well-composed, enhancing the overall experience of the game. Many appreciate how the music effectively supports the narrative, creating a rich and immersive atmosphere.
- “Well written story, lovable characters, beautiful artwork and great soundtrack.”
- “Charming, beautifully written and animated, with an intoxicating soundtrack.”
- “I was expecting Welcome to Elk to be a fun indie game based on the cute art and friendly soundtrack.”
- “And finally, the music.”
- “Emotional storytelling, impactful music, and a powerful narrative to keep you engaged through the story.”
emotional
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Welcome to Elk" is profoundly impactful, with players frequently expressing that the game's heartfelt storytelling, real-life video inclusions, and poignant narratives evoke strong emotional responses, often leading to tears. The blend of humor, charm, and raw, relatable themes creates a rich experience that resonates deeply, making it essential for players to approach it with emotional readiness. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to navigate the complexities of life and storytelling, leaving a lasting impression on its audience.
- “Welcome to Elk is the kind of experience I'm looking for in games: funny, engaging, heartbreaking, and impactful.”
- “An excellent game that needs all the visibility it can get from the general public for its poignant story and touching characters.”
- “I cried as it ended, not because I was sad, but because the journey was so impactful.”
graphics
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
30%
8%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which combines heartwarming visuals with quirky animations and a playful yet somber tone. Reviewers highlight the effective balance between the game's beautiful artwork and its emotionally resonant storytelling, often likening the visuals to a playable comic. The soundtrack complements the graphics well, enhancing the overall experience with a mix of cheerful and thought-provoking elements.
- “I loved the cute art style and the quirky animation.”
- “The art style and soundtrack are perfection, and the mini-games will make you feel like a little kid again.”
- “Loved the cheery art style contrasted with the unexpectedly dark and thought-provoking story.”
- “Definitely give it a try if you have interest in storytelling and/or small local history yourself, even if the art style doesn't seem like your cup of tea.”
- “In terms of design and visuals - I love me a pretty game but triple toppings balance the style and substance very well, which sometimes is a very difficult balance to strike.”
- “The art style is one I'm a fan of, and often the surreal sequences were musically and visually quite interesting.”
gameplay
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
70%
10%
The gameplay in "Welcome to Elk" is primarily a walking simulator with light interactive elements, focusing on storytelling and character interactions rather than traditional gaming mechanics. Players can expect a calm, low-key experience with polished visuals and engaging narratives, though the gameplay is short and lacks challenge, making it feel more like an interactive movie than a conventional game. While some find the gameplay bland due to genre limitations, others appreciate its artistic approach and the fun mini-games sprinkled throughout.
- “Gameplay is short but definitely worth your time.”
- “Compelling characters, intriguing stories all tied together with a lovingly hand-animated world with interesting gameplay mechanics.”
- “I love the up-close-and-personal gameplay, but it's also handled with such care, even in some of the dark moments.”
- “It's basically a walking simulator, although it's got a sprinkling of minigames, so don't expect any gameplay per se.”
- “Primary gameplay is walking around your new home on the island of Elk, talking to NPCs, and engaging in small minigames.”
- “I would look at Welcome to Elk less as a video game and more as a story, or a piece of art about storytelling, told through the medium of video game mechanics.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Welcome to Elk" is characterized by a clever blend of lighthearted and dark comedic elements, with players appreciating the quirky character designs and amusing dialogue, such as the memorable phrase "out of beer, out of here." Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a range of emotions, seamlessly transitioning between funny and tragic stories that reflect the complexities of real-life experiences in small communities. Overall, the humor is described as impactful and integral to the game's unique storytelling approach.
- “I was crying, laughing, and truly was happy to spend my free time in Elk.”
- “Welcome to Elk is the kind of experience I'm looking for in games: funny, engaging, heartbreaking, and impactful.”
- “It is so clever and interesting and dark and funny, and not like any game I've played before.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with multiple users reporting frequent bugs that detract from the overall experience.
- “Would be a good game if it wasn't so buggy.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a darkly humorous tone that intertwines tragic narratives, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “I have a feeling this one will stay with me for a while with its darkly humorous atmosphere of tragic tales.”
- “Have a feeling this one will stay with me for a while with its darkly humorous atmosphere of tragic tales.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect, particularly through mini-games, to be tedious and unnecessary, suggesting that the game would be more engaging without them.
- “The mini-games could have not existed and the game would have been equally as compelling or more so, simply because I find them extremely tedious and pointless.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players express that while the game offers engaging stories and character development that motivate them to complete it, there is a general consensus that it lacks significant replayability once the main narrative is finished.
- “As mentioned, I'll finish the game because I want to hear all the stories and learn more about Elk, but after I'm done, I can't imagine there's a lot of replayability.”