Year Walk

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,398 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 first-person adventure game that explores the Swedish phenomena of year walking. It combines 2D and 3D elements to create a unique experience, blending reality with the supernatural. Players attempt to catch a glimpse of the future through this eerie and atmospheric journey.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Mobile Platform
  • Wii
  • Wii U
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,398 reviews
story262 positive mentions
replayability13 negative mentions
  • Beautiful artwork and haunting atmosphere that immerses players in a snowy forest setting.
  • Engaging story based on Swedish folklore, with intriguing puzzles that encourage exploration and note-taking.
  • Short but impactful experience, with a second playthrough revealing deeper narrative layers and a true ending.
  • Game mechanics can feel clunky and unintuitive, especially for players used to traditional point-and-click controls.
  • Some puzzles may be too obscure or frustrating, leading to reliance on hints or walkthroughs.
  • The game is very short, with a playtime of around 1-2 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • story649 mentions

    The story of "Year Walk" is deeply rooted in Swedish folklore, offering a haunting and immersive narrative that unfolds through exploration and puzzle-solving. Players appreciate the layered storytelling, which often requires multiple playthroughs to fully grasp the intricate lore and hidden details, particularly through journal entries and an in-game encyclopedia. While some find the narrative sparse or cryptic, many agree that the atmospheric art and music enhance the overall experience, making it a compelling journey into a dark and mysterious world.

    • “The storytelling is deeply layered and the depiction of Swedish (though I'd dare say some of it is Scandinavian) folklore is delivered in a stylish package.”
    • “Year Walk is a beautiful game with a great story and tricky puzzles.”
    • “The story is surprisingly deep and moving, which I did not expect.”
    • “The story was lost in there and it would have been nice to see more of it uncovered as you played.”
    • “The story is extremely predictable, what little of it there is, and retreads ground that's been stomped to death by other dime a dozen indie horror games.”
    • “The story is pretty simple and gets a bit more detailed and complex the closer you are to completing it.”
  • atmosphere377 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting beauty, combining stunning visuals and an evocative soundtrack that immerses players in a world steeped in Scandinavian folklore. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a sense of unease and intrigue, with some expressing that the atmosphere is its strongest aspect, even if the gameplay can feel simplistic or occasionally marred by jump scares. Overall, the game is celebrated as a captivating atmospheric experience that effectively balances eerie storytelling with engaging puzzles.

    • “The atmosphere is amazing!”
    • “Year Walk is a gorgeous, atmospheric game based around folklore from Sweden.”
    • “The atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful and so is the artwork.”
    • “I expected jumpscares, an atmosphere that would put genuine fear in my bones as I walked through that snowy forest.”
    • “The atmosphere was so eerie and unsettling.”
    • “The atmosphere, while being a bit creepy, is nothing that's going to scare away a lot of people.”
  • graphics347 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning and unique art style, which combines elements of two-dimensional, paper-like visuals with a haunting atmosphere that effectively conveys the themes of Swedish folklore. Reviewers noted the beautiful integration of visuals and sound design, creating an immersive experience that enhances the storytelling and overall mood of the game. While some mentioned minor glitches, the overall aesthetic and artistic direction were highlighted as standout features that contribute significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “Astonishing art style and amazing atmosphere!”
    • “The art style is simple but genius, ranging from beautiful to downright terrifying.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic, the soundtrack is great, I loved the story and the folklore aspect.”
    • “The graphics are quite simple; but the simple graphics fit the simple game.”
    • “The artwork has potential, but at the moment it is just boring and does nothing new or scary.”
    • “If all you're looking for is a short game with some creepy visuals, then by all means, play year walk.”
  • music273 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the eerie and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to complement the visuals and storytelling, creating a captivating blend of beauty and tension that resonates long after gameplay. Overall, the combination of beautiful art and a compelling soundtrack is seen as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's unique atmosphere and emotional impact.

    • “The soundtrack synergizes well with the tone and atmosphere of the game, and the art style is gorgeous!”
    • “The music is haunting, nothing is predictable, and the setting is mesmerizing.”
    • “The music and art unsettle as this very adult-themed tale unravels before you.”
    • “Genuinely my only critiques are a) I want more 2) there's no volume control and the music gets really 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.”
    • “Having the music cut out when you have to do something as simple as opening a map... that's bad.”
  • gameplay165 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is generally described as simple and minimalistic, often relying on point-and-click mechanics and basic puzzle-solving. While some players appreciate the cleverness of the puzzles and the atmospheric art and sound design, many criticize the gameplay for being confusing, lacking depth, and sometimes frustrating due to vague mechanics and unclear objectives. Overall, the game is seen as more of an artistic experience with a strong narrative rather than a compelling gameplay experience, often leaving players wanting more despite its short length.

    • “The gameplay is very simple, but the puzzles are clever (with just the right clues), and the atmosphere, artwork, and story are truly remarkable.”
    • “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.”
    • “Between all the jump scares I wasn't expecting and the obscure mechanics, this one was not for me.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely minimal, while the true soul of the game lies in its ambiance, art direction, and core concept.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty much non-existent besides doing puzzles and (surprise surprise) walking.”
  • replayability41 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits limited replayability, primarily due to its short duration and scripted nature. While some players appreciate the opportunity to uncover secrets or alternate endings, many agree that once the story is known, the experience diminishes significantly, making it more suitable for a one-time playthrough or sharing with friends. Despite these limitations, a few players find value in revisiting the game for its artistic elements and to explore missed achievements.

    • “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.”
    • “There is virtually no replayability, but I'm fine with that since the game was cheap and I enjoyed it when I played it.”
    • “I would say that $6 is a bit much for how short it is, not much replay value, probably a one and done for most people.”
    • “The story is rather short (if you know what you are doing, it only takes about a quarter of an hour), but it holds some replay value (as there is another ending option).”
  • grinding18 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often due to convoluted mechanics and poorly designed puzzles that require excessive backtracking and trial-and-error. While some appreciate the art style and thematic elements, many feel that the gameplay lacks rewarding challenges and can become a chore, especially for those who are not fans of puzzle games. The experience is marred by unresponsive controls and a lack of clear guidance, leading to a generally negative perception of the grinding involved.

    • “Even with a guide, I found traversing the world very tedious and frustrating.”
    • “Too bad it’s an utter chore to play even with its short run time; the puzzles are garbage and are either obtuse or tedious busywork.”
    • “I like the theme and feeling of the game quite a bit, but some of the puzzles are tedious instead of difficult.”
  • emotional17 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its poignant storytelling and atmospheric depth, effectively blending heart-wrenching themes with elements of horror and folklore. Many players found themselves deeply affected by the narrative, describing it as a beautiful yet sad experience that resonates long after playing. However, some critiques mention a lack of character investment and frustrating gameplay elements that detract from the overall emotional impact.

    • “It's not a murder story, but a heart-breaking love letter.”
    • “A well done story that transcends time and space in the matter, with an ending that will pull at your emotional strings.”
    • “It's beautiful and sad and scary, and I got way more emotionally invested than I expected to.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of absurdity and silliness, often blurring the lines between funny and scary, particularly in its puzzle design and scenarios. Players appreciate the comedic elements, such as quirky achievements and ridiculous situations, though some feel it detracts from the intended atmosphere. Overall, the humor resonates with a specific audience, contributing to the game's charm despite not appealing to everyone.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game features appealing graphics, but players have reported occasional bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The game offers some nice graphics; however, there are some ugly glitches here and there that detract from the experience.”
    • “Bugs and glitches are a constant issue that disrupts gameplay.”
  • character development2 mentions

    While the game's plot, character designs, and ambiance received praise, many users felt that the character development was lacking, suggesting that a deeper exploration of the characters and their stories would have enhanced the overall 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
3-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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