What We Pretend To Be

About

What We Pretend To Be is a single player simulation game with a drama theme. It was developed by Home Fire Games and was released on December 29, 2020. It received negative reviews from players.

A small game about farming, community, and loss. Farm for the war effort - and listen to the long space people leave behind when they're gone.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

36%

Audience ScoreBased on 11 reviews

emotional2 positive mentions

story2 negative mentions

The game features a compelling narrative that evokes genuine emotions, particularly during character deaths.
It offers a casual and straightforward gameplay experience, making it accessible for players looking for a brief gaming session.
The concept of developing a village adds an enjoyable layer to the gameplay, allowing for a sense of progression.

The game is very short, with limited story depth and repetitive gameplay that can become boring quickly.
There are technical issues, such as glitching clouds, and a lack of essential features like volume control and graphics options.
Players feel a lack of emotional attachment to the characters and town, and the impact of gameplay decisions on the war is unclear.

story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's story is minimal and primarily revolves around the theme of loss, with a focus on the tragic outcomes of war. While some players found the narrative to be impactful despite its brevity, others noted that it lacks depth and complexity. Overall, the emotional weight of the story resonated with some, but its simplicity left others wanting more.
- “I liked the game; it is small and simple, but the story is good enough. I was sad when people died in the war, to be honest.”
- “Very short gameplay, not much story.”
- “No story other than 'everybody dies.'”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Gameplay duration typically spans from 10 to 30 minutes, with an average playtime of around 23 minutes reported by users on Steam. Players note the potential for longer sessions, suggesting that records for extended gameplay are achievable.
- “The duration of gameplay ranges from 10 to 30 minutes, with an average playtime of 23 minutes reported on Steam.”
- “The longest gameplay ever? I don't know, but records are there for the taking.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players criticize the grinding aspect of the game, highlighting tedious tasks like mindless wheat farming and the inability to make further improvements after a key character's death. Many feel that the game does not effectively integrate farming or resource management into its core mechanics.
- “Mindless wheat farming; once the builder dies, you can't make any more improvements to your town.”
- “This is not a game about farming or resource management.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the game aims to create an atmospheric and emotional experience reminiscent of "Stillness of the Wind," many players report a lack of emotional attachment to the characters and setting, resulting in minimal investment in the narrative's outcome.
- “It is trying to be an atmospheric, emotional game, more like the stillness of the wind.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by an attempt to evoke deep emotions and a sense of tranquility, reminiscent of the stillness found in nature.
- “It is trying to be an atmospheric, emotional game, much like the stillness of the wind.”
graphics
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users have criticized the game for lacking volume control and graphics options, which limits customization and overall experience. Additionally, the inability to exit the game normally has been noted as a significant drawback.
- “No volume control, no graphics options, and no way to exit the game without hard closing the game with Alt+F4!”