Year Walk

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,791 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • graphics
Year Walk Game Cover
Swedish folktales: terrifying for children, great for video games.
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"Year Walk" is a single-player Horror Role Playing game with an intriguing story, great game mechanics, and sensational atmosphere, set in 19th century Sweden. Embark on a year walk, solving cryptic puzzles and learning about mysterious folklore creatures to foresee your future. This edition includes new locations, updated art, new puzzles, and an integrated encyclopedia. However, it is very grinding and not very replayable.

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  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Mobile Platform
  • Wii
  • Wii U
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,791 reviews
story365 positive mentions
replayability14 negative mentions
  • Beautiful art style and haunting atmosphere that immerses players in Swedish folklore.
  • Clever puzzles that challenge players without being overly frustrating, with a helpful hint system.
  • Engaging story that unfolds gradually, encouraging multiple playthroughs to uncover deeper meanings.
  • Very short gameplay, typically completed in 1-3 hours, which may leave some players wanting more.
  • Navigation can be confusing due to the unique movement mechanics, which may frustrate some players.
  • Some puzzles rely on auditory cues, which can be inaccessible for players with hearing impairments.
  • story837 mentions

    The story of "Year Walk" is deeply rooted in Swedish folklore, presenting a haunting and immersive narrative that unfolds through exploration and puzzle-solving. Players appreciate its rich lore and atmospheric storytelling, which often requires multiple playthroughs to fully grasp the intricate details and hidden layers. While some find the narrative somewhat cryptic or brief, the overall execution and emotional depth leave a lasting impression, making it a compelling experience for fans of story-driven games.

    • “The storytelling is deeply layered and the depiction of Swedish folklore is delivered in a stylish package.”
    • “The story is where this game shines for me.”
    • “Year walk features a delightful set of puzzles weaved seamlessly within a well-conceived and aesthetically pleasing dark world story.”
    • “The story was too sparse for me as well, and conveyed in such disjointed pieces I needed Wikipedia to actually explain it.”
    • “The plot isn't really there.”
    • “The story was lost in there and it would have been nice to see more of it uncovered as you played.”
  • atmosphere439 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Year Walk" is widely praised for its haunting beauty, effectively blending eerie visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and rich folklore elements to create a deeply immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of dread and intrigue without relying heavily on jump scares, making it a standout in atmospheric horror. Overall, the game's art style and sound design significantly enhance its unsettling yet enchanting atmosphere, leaving a lasting impression on players.

    • “The atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful and so is the artwork.”
    • “The dark, supernatural atmosphere is fully immersive, with haunting music and sound effects, a creepy unlockable journal, traditional Scandinavian monsters, and a few jump scares that add to the surreal horror.”
    • “Year walk is an immensely satisfying masterclass in atmosphere and subtlety, and this 'definitive' edition on Wii U is the new best way to have the experience.”
    • “The atmosphere was so eerie and unsettling.”
    • “The atmosphere overall was alright though, but I never once got a scared feeling from the game (even with my headphones and the dark).”
    • “The reigning atmosphere of the game is one of uncertainty, unease, and foreboding; it is a fitting tone for a foolhardy quest to break nature's laws and peer into the future.”
  • graphics423 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning and unique art style, often described as hauntingly beautiful and reminiscent of paper cutouts or children's storybooks. The visuals effectively complement the eerie atmosphere and folklore themes, creating an immersive experience that captivates players. While some reviews note minor glitches, the overall aesthetic and sound design contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in its genre.

    • “The art style is two-dimensional and gives a sort of paper vibe but is stunning and beautiful at that.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic, the soundtrack is great, I loved the story and the folklore aspect.”
    • “The art style is easy on the eyes and coupled with the horror elements results in hauntingly beautiful surrealist visuals.”
    • “The artwork has potential, but at the moment it is just boring and does nothing new or scary.”
    • “Aesthetically... fine, I guess, but I don't see what all the fuss is about.”
    • “There isn't much positive to say about this game, except for the visuals.”
  • music357 mentions

    The music in "Year Walk" is widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the game's eerie ambiance and complementing its unique art style. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotions, create tension, and immerse players in the game's folklore-inspired narrative. Overall, the music is described as beautiful, captivating, and integral to the overall experience, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal and the art is elegant with a side of creepy; a great game all round.”
    • “The music is wonderful and perfectly blends with the visuals to provide for a unique and compelling atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing, the music is very suiting and the art style is simple yet beautiful.”
    • “Genuinely my only critiques are a) I want more 2) there's no volume control and the music gets real loud in some spots and iii) if you are hard of hearing or tone deaf there is a section of the game you just would not be able to play.”
    • “However, most of the game is very quiet, with little to no music in many sections (though what music is there is quite well done), and only the eerily realistic sound of footsteps crunching in the thick snow will accompany you.”
    • “Aside from the art and atmospheric soundtrack, the game is rather bland.”
  • gameplay172 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as simple and straightforward, primarily involving point-and-click mechanics and puzzle-solving, though opinions vary on its effectiveness. While some players appreciate the intriguing story and atmospheric design, others find the mechanics unintuitive and frustrating, leading to a lack of immersion. Overall, the game offers a compact experience with a mix of enjoyable and challenging elements, but its short length and simplistic gameplay may not satisfy everyone.

    • “Story is extremely rich, gameplay is fluid and beautiful, the soundtrack is eerily haunting, and the puzzles are wonderfully balanced.”
    • “The gameplay and story are tight, compact, simple, and always enjoyable to experience.”
    • “Year Walk offers concise gameplay supported by intriguing backstory.”
    • “This one had some redeeming qualities in its sound design and visuals, but the poor gameplay spoiled the experience for me.”
    • “Mechanically such a struggle that I gave up after an hour or so; I have no idea what can be clicked or dragged or interacted with in some other way.”
    • “It's very short (1.5 hours on average), the puzzles are meh, it's sometimes unclear how the game mechanics work, the sidescrolling format and simplified interaction mechanics never let you forget that this is in fact a game, so it's hard to get immersed in the experience, and the whole thing feels like some interactive presentation about Swedish folklore.”
  • replayability44 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits limited replayability, with many players noting that once the story is completed, there is little incentive to replay it, aside from sharing the experience with friends. While some players found value in exploring different endings or secrets, the consensus is that the game's charm lies primarily in the initial playthrough, making subsequent runs less engaging. Despite its short length, the game is appreciated for its unique story and artistic elements, but players should not expect extensive replay value.

    • “Most of the replay value for me lies in making my friends play it, which is like reliving it for the first time again in a strange way.”
    • “It isn't a particularly long game, but for what it lacks in playtime, it makes up for in secrets; its replay value is extremely high, as replaying is in fact essential to seeing the whole story play out.”
    • “Designed for maximum replayability, this game draws you in with its mysterious plotline and the depth of its story.”
    • “Year Walk is a very short experience with little to no replayability, but a beautiful soundtrack, compelling art direction, and a very unique story.”
    • “It also has zero replayability as its only appeal is the unfolding of the story.”
    • “Sadly, it's really only replayable once or twice to get the whole plot figured out (because there is a twist at the end), and it's not hard to get all the achievements in those one or two playthroughs either.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has been widely praised, with many players finding it to be a poignant and heart-wrenching experience that resonates deeply. While some felt a lack of investment in the character initially, others reported that subsequent playthroughs revealed a strikingly engaging narrative that left them feeling touched and emotionally affected. Overall, the game is described as a beautiful blend of sadness and warmth, effectively capturing the emotional texture intended by the developers.

    • “It's not a murder story, but a heart-breaking love letter.”
    • “The story is very poignant and emotionally striking.”
    • “It's beautiful and sad and scary, and I got way more emotionally invested than I expected to.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is characterized by frustrating and tedious mechanics that often feel counter-intuitive, particularly when using a mouse for puzzles that would be simpler on a touchscreen. Many players find the puzzles lack rewarding elements, leading to a reliance on walkthroughs, while the movement system, though initially interesting, becomes monotonous over time. Overall, the experience is marred by convoluted controls and excessive backtracking, making it less enjoyable for those not fond of puzzle games.

    • “Very frustrating and tedious experience... I guess I'm not into puzzle games, or maybe the game mechanics are too convoluted and the overall design is a failure!”
    • “It just felt horrible to control. Every puzzle that needed more than simple clicking was extremely tedious, to the point where I had to look for a walkthrough for a puzzle that had a very simple solution, because what would have been intuitive on a touchscreen was tricky and counter-intuitive with a mouse.”
    • “Almost no puzzle felt rewarding due to bad controls and tedious backtracking and note-taking.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of absurdity and dark comedy, with players finding themselves amused by ridiculous scenarios, such as navigating by the light of dead fetuses. While the puzzles and art are appreciated, the humor sometimes detracts from the intended atmosphere, leading to moments that are more funny than frightening. Overall, the game successfully incorporates humor alongside its other elements, making for a unique experience.

    • “It was a lot of fun trying to figure out exactly what was going on, and I had a good time with (most) of the puzzles, but sometimes the things happening were so ridiculous (finding your way to a ladder by the light of 4 dead fetuses?) that it stopped being scary and started being funny instead, which wasn't really what I was looking for.”
    • “I played 3 hours and went through it 3-4 times for some funny achievements.”
    • “The art is beautiful and the puzzles are funny and scary at the same time.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Many users appreciate the game's plot, character designs, and overall aesthetics but express a desire for deeper story and character development to enhance their experience.

    • “I really enjoyed the plot, character designs, and ambiance of this game, and the overall aesthetics.”
    • “I think I would have enjoyed it more if there had been more story and character development.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game features appealing graphics, but users have reported occasional glitches that detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game remains enjoyable.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
2-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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