What Happened
- July 30, 2020
- What Happened
- 2h median play time
What Happened is a wonderful tale of the consequences of dealing with drugs, relationships and much more at the same time, leading into a hell of emotions that may be shown in the wrong way and maybe too many times.
Get on Steam“What Happened puts you in the shoes of high-school student Stiles, a teenage boy suffering from acute anxiety and depression. You must guide him through the dark and twisted corridors of his own sub-conscious, with his fate depending entirely on your empathy with his tortured state of mind.” Psychological thriller in which you guide high school student Stiles on an uncompromising journey through…
PC
Reviews
- Absolutely gorgeous graphics that create a visually stunning experience.
- The game effectively conveys a dark and emotional story, exploring themes of regret and mental health.
- Unique premise and artistic design that immerses players in a drug-fueled psychological journey.
- Excessive cutscenes and a lack of engaging gameplay make it feel more like an interactive movie than a game.
- Confusing story structure and lack of clear direction lead to frustration and disorientation.
- Stiff voice acting and repetitive themes can detract from the overall experience.
- story16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story, centered on themes of regret and sorrow through the experiences of a grief-stricken teenager, has received mixed reviews. While some players appreciated the creators' dedication and the emotional depth of the narrative, others found it confusing, poorly executed, or unengaging, leading to a lack of interest in the overall experience. The choice of a teenage protagonist to explore heavy themes like depression was also seen as a questionable decision by some reviewers.
“Overall, I liked playing it and I felt how much the creators cared about the story.”
“Basically, the whole aim of the game is to tell a story of regret and sorrow and self-pity through the lens of a grief-stricken teenager going on a drug-fueled bender.”
“The story is great and paints the picture.”
“Not because of the subject matter, but because of the confusing story, annoying gameplay structure, and pacing of the game.”
“I beat the game and still don't know what the story is; I feel the writer of the game is lost and doesn't know what he is going to write about.”
“I thought it was an odd choice to focus on a lovesick teenager to tell a story about depression.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily characterized as a walking simulator with minimal mechanics, mainly involving switching and moving lightbulbs, which some players find lacking in depth. While it includes puzzles, the overall experience is described as simplistic, leading to mixed feelings about its engagement level.
“Gameplay: the gameplay is okay to play; it's a walking simulator game with puzzles.”
“Now that's not the biggest critique, as some walking simulators have even less gameplay.”
“I'm struggling to think back now, even though I've just completed it, as to what gameplay mechanics and activities I engaged with beyond switching on and off lightbulbs and moving lightbulbs around.”
“There is little gameplay here.”
“From a gameplay perspective, it's a walking simulator/psychological horror.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics are described as absolutely gorgeous, featuring breathtaking visuals that create a life-like school setting and manipulate reality in intriguing ways. However, some players find the intense effects and camera movements overwhelming, reminiscent of Nintendo Switch horror games, which can lead to discomfort. Overall, the game excels in its artistic presentation but may not be suitable for everyone due to its visual intensity.
“Absolutely gorgeous graphics.”
“Another gorgeous illustration of its visuals goes into the layers of fear manipulation of 'reality' where once you reach a dead end, you turn around and something's changed!”
“What it did exceptionally is in its breathtaking visuals of a life-like school setting and unpredictability of styles being under the influence.”
“Awesome game if you can get through getting punched, stabbed, and sworn at for 4 hours straight, with strobe light LSD visuals, and a character in the game contemplating suicide constantly.”
“The graphics remind me of Nintendo Switch horror games; sometimes they give me a headache because the camera goes upside down so much, along with excessive coloring and effects.”
“The graphics remind me of Nintendo Switch horror games; sometimes they give me a headache because the camera goes upside down so much, along with excessive coloring and effects.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users appreciate the game's portrayal of emotional maturity and the struggles of depression, highlighting its empathetic approach to sensitive topics like suicide without victimization. This nuanced representation fosters a deeper connection and understanding of the characters' experiences.
“I think I would have been more able to empathize with someone who has reached emotional maturity but is still cripplingly depressed and is having a hard time.”
“It came from a wholesome, noble place by not victimizing those who have considered suicide.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its originality and immersive quality, creating a memorable experience for players, though it may present challenges that require perseverance to fully appreciate.
“Overall, it's very well made with an original atmosphere and an experience you will never forget, if you can get through it first.”
“The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
“Despite some interesting concepts, the overall atmosphere is flat and fails to engage the player.”
“The game lacks a cohesive atmosphere, leaving me feeling disconnected from the world and its characters.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews do not provide specific insights into the game's optimization, focusing instead on character performance. Therefore, no conclusions about optimization can be drawn from the provided text.
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with users highlighting its quality and effectiveness in enhancing the overall experience. The sound design complements the gameplay well, contributing to an immersive atmosphere.
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a short while.”
“While the sound effects are decent, the overall music composition feels uninspired and forgettable.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
Critic Reviews
What Happened review – Playing brain games
More often than not, What Happened is a better sight-seeing trip than it is an exploration of anxiety and depression.
40%What Happened Review – A Tale of Drugs, Depression and Cannibalism
What Happened is a wonderful tale of the consequences of dealing with drugs, relationships and much more at the same time, leading into a hell of emotions that may be shown in the wrong way and maybe too many times.
70%What Happened Review
What Happened isn’t only the name of the game; it’s something you’ll find yourself asking over and over as you make your way through this nightmarish journey into a teenage boy’s subconscious.
70%
