What Happened
- July 30, 2020
- What Happened
- 2h median play time
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
Windows
Reviews
- Absolutely gorgeous graphics that create a visually stunning experience.
- The game effectively conveys a unique and dark story about regret and sorrow through the lens of a grief-stricken teenager.
- The attention to detail in the environment and the artistic design showcases the creators' dedication to the project.
- The gameplay is heavily reliant on cutscenes, making it feel more like an interactive movie than a game, which can detract from player engagement.
- The story can be confusing and lacks clear direction, leading to frustration and a sense of aimlessness during gameplay.
- There are significant issues with audio consistency and control options, which can hinder the overall experience.
- story32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 13 % 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' passion and the story's execution, others found it confusing and poorly paced, leading to a lack of engagement. Additionally, the choice of a teenage protagonist to explore heavy themes like depression was seen as an odd decision by some reviewers, suggesting that a more mature perspective might have resonated better with players.
“Overall, I liked playing it and I felt how much the creators cared about the story.”
“The story is great and paints the picture.”
“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.”
“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 about; I feel the writer of the game is lost and doesn't know what he is going to write about.”
“For one, the story for me is unappealing and the interface made my eyes hurt.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily characterized as a walking simulator with minimal mechanics, mainly involving switching and moving lightbulbs. While some players find it acceptable within the genre, others criticize the lack of engaging activities, likening it to a "drug simulation" due to its limited interactivity. Overall, the gameplay experience is described as basic, with a focus on exploration and simple puzzles.
“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.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics are widely praised for their stunning and immersive quality, featuring breathtaking visuals that enhance the game's atmosphere and manipulate reality in intriguing ways. However, some players find the intense effects and disorienting camera angles reminiscent of Nintendo Switch horror games to be overwhelming, leading to discomfort during gameplay. Overall, the visuals are a standout aspect, contributing significantly to the game's unique experience.
“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 the unpredictability of Stiles being under the influence.”
“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.”
“Awesome game if you can get through getting punched, stabbed, and cursed 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.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users appreciate the game's approach to emotional themes, particularly its empathetic portrayal of characters who, despite achieving emotional maturity, struggle with deep depression. The narrative is praised for avoiding victimization of those contemplating suicide, instead presenting their experiences with sensitivity and depth.
“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.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere 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.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews do not provide any relevant information regarding the game's optimization, focusing instead on character performance. Therefore, no summary can be made about the optimization aspect.
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with users consistently rating it highly. The sound design complements the gameplay effectively, enhancing the overall experience.
