Welcome to Elk

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 133 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • emotional
Welcome to Elk Game Cover
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.
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"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.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 133 reviews
story29 positive mentions
stability1 negative mentions
  • Welcome to Elk features a unique storytelling approach, blending real-life narratives with engaging gameplay, creating a deeply emotional experience.
  • The art style and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making the game visually and audibly captivating.
  • 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, often resembling a walking simulator with minimal interactive elements.
  • Some players found the game to be short, with a playtime of only a few hours, leaving them wanting more content and character development.
  • There are reports of bugs and technical issues that can disrupt the experience, which may deter some players from fully enjoying the game.
  • story83 mentions

    The story in "Welcome to Elk" is a unique blend of dark and gentle narratives, centered around the character Frigg and her interactions with the locals, as well as her nightly dreams that reveal standalone tales often involving death. Players appreciate the emotional depth and artistic storytelling, which is enhanced by beautiful illustrations and music, though some find the lack of a central plot and the abruptness of certain narratives to be disorienting. Overall, the game is celebrated for its innovative approach to storytelling, making it a compelling experience for those who enjoy character-driven narratives.

    • “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 a wonderful, quirky game with captivating storytelling.”
    • “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 - the stories told include picking up a way to [spoiler]kill a dying rabbit; react seeing a wounded man at a car accident, etc.[/spoiler] They don't give answers, just leave players in wonder.”
    • “Generally a walking simulator with links to various story snippets, not that the journey nor stories themselves were poor (they are great in fact) but there is so much more potential here that was not explored.”
  • music30 mentions

    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, enhancing the overall experience with its soothing and evocative qualities. Many describe the combination of music and visuals as masterful, contributing to a rich and immersive narrative that resonates deeply with players.

    • “Well written story, lovable characters, beautiful artwork and great soundtrack.”
    • “A sweet-yet-sombre game with heartwarming artwork and soothing soundtrack.”
    • “Emotional storytelling, impactful music, and a powerful narrative to keep you engaged through the story.”
    • “While the meta storytelling convention can wear a bit thin at times, it's a rich story-driven game filled with viscerally striking moments, beautiful illustrative art direction, quirky characters, and charming music.”
    • “I was expecting 'Welcome to Elk' to be a fun indie game based on the cute art and friendly soundtrack.”
    • “And finally, the music.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Welcome to Elk" is profoundly impactful, with players highlighting its touching storytelling, real-life video inclusions, and heartfelt narratives that evoke a range of feelings from joy to sadness. Many reviewers noted that the game’s ability to blend humor with poignant themes creates a unique emotional rollercoaster, often leading to unexpected tears. Overall, it is praised for its charming presentation and the deep connections it fosters through relatable and raw stories.

    • “The inclusion of real videos of people telling these stories throughout the game was really touching and kept the game grounded, and the ending made me smile.”
    • “Welcome to Elk is the kind of experience I'm looking for in games: funny, engaging, heartbreaking, and impactful.”
    • “I cried as it ended, not because I was sad, but because the journey was so impactful.”
  • graphics18 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and distinctive art style, which combines quirky animations and a warm, comic-like aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the effective balance between the visuals and the game's emotional storytelling, noting how the art complements both light-hearted and darker themes. The soundtrack is also celebrated, enhancing the overall experience and contributing to the game's rich narrative depth.

    • “I loved the cute art style and the quirky animation.”
    • “A sweet-yet-sombre game with heartwarming artwork and soothing soundtrack.”
    • “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 a pretty game but triple toppings balance the style and substance very well, which sometimes is a very difficult balance to strike.”
    • “The visuals are distinctive and the mini games are interesting.”
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay in "Welcome to Elk" is characterized as a calm and low-key experience, primarily focused on exploration and storytelling rather than traditional gaming mechanics. Players engage in walking around the island, interacting with NPCs, and participating in light minigames, which contribute to its narrative-driven approach. While some find the gameplay too simplistic and short, it is praised for its polished presentation and the depth of its storytelling.

    • “Primary gameplay is walking around your new home on the island of Elk, talking to NPCs, and engaging in small minigames.”
    • “Compelling characters, intriguing stories all tied together with a lovingly hand-animated world with interesting gameplay mechanics.”
    • “It's basically a walking simulator, although it's got a sprinkling of minigames, so don't expect any gameplay per se.”
    • “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.”
    • “Regarding its gameplay, it is actually a relaxing interactive movie, sprinkled with super fun mini games.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of light-hearted and dark elements, with players appreciating its cleverness and emotional depth. The quirky characters and their amusing animations contribute to a whimsical atmosphere, while the storytelling incorporates both funny and horrifying real-life anecdotes, creating a unique and impactful experience. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with poignant themes, leaving a lasting impression on players.

    • “Plus their saying 'out of beer, out of here' is so funny.”
    • “I bought this game mainly for the characters' cute appearance and funny way of walking, and looking for some stories.”
    • “What I adore — the art style, the music, the mini games, and the way the dev made them walk (like puppets!) I also love the pace, and the switch between dark twists and light humor every now and then.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with many users reporting frequent bugs that detract from the overall experience.

    • “Would be a good game if it wasn't so buggy.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    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.”
    • “The atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, drawing you into a world filled with mystery and intrigue.”
    • “Every corner of the game is infused with a palpable tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
    • “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is flat and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
    • “The darkly humorous atmosphere of tragic tales is overshadowed by a lack of depth and engagement.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game, particularly the 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.”
    • “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay engaged; it often feels like I'm just going through the motions.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players appreciate the engaging narrative and character development, which motivates them to complete the game, but many feel that there is limited replayability once the story is finished.

    • “The game offers a wealth of choices that make each playthrough feel unique, encouraging me to dive back in and explore different outcomes.”
    • “With multiple story paths and character interactions, I find myself wanting to replay the game just to experience everything it has to offer.”
    • “The variety of gameplay styles and challenges keeps me coming back for more, as there's always something new to discover.”
    • “As mentioned, I'll finish the game because I want to hear all the stories and learn more about the elk, but after I'm done, I can't imagine there's a lot of replayability.”
    • “Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
    • “The lack of varied outcomes makes it hard to justify replaying the game after the first run.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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