Your Future Self
- October 31, 2018
- Contortionist Games
"Your Future Self" is a story-driven text adventure game where you're trapped in a time loop with your future self, who has committed a terrible crime. You must convince them of their wrongdoing to escape the loop, while dealing with a larger mystery and questioning who is telling the truth. The game features unique conversational mechanics, time loop gameplay, and a darkly realistic vision of a climate change-ravaged world. Be aware of flashing images warning for those with epilepsy.
Reviews
- Engaging and thought-provoking story with unexpected twists that keeps players hooked.
- Unique gameplay mechanics that blend dialogue choices with RPG-like stats, enhancing the narrative experience.
- Short but impactful, offering a memorable experience that feels like a blend of a visual novel and a psychological thriller.
- Repetitive gameplay due to looping mechanics can lead to frustration, as players may find themselves stuck in endless dialogue cycles.
- Limited choices and consequences, making the game feel more like a linear story than an interactive experience.
- Technical issues such as flashing lights and screen effects can detract from the overall experience, especially for players with sensitivities.
- story126 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with many players finding it engaging and immersive, particularly due to its unique time travel mechanics and intriguing twists. However, some critiques highlight issues with repetitive text, simplistic writing, and a lack of meaningful choices, leading to a somewhat predictable narrative. Overall, while the story captivates many, it may not resonate with everyone, especially those seeking deeper gameplay mechanics.
“The story kept me hooked until the end.”
“This game manages to not only draw you in with a well-written story, but also builds upon itself multiple times.”
“Very interesting story involving time loops and interrogating your future self.”
“Kinda predictable story with meh writing.”
“The game also has an issue with its story, which is to say it is lackluster.”
“The story's 3rd chapter and final chapter twists kind of came out of nowhere, and I didn't find either of them satisfying.”
- gameplay66 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily centered around a looping dialogue mechanic that allows players to progress through a narrative by selecting different conversational tones, but this can become repetitive and lacks meaningful choices. While the mechanics are easy to learn and serve the story, they often feel simplistic and unengaging, leading to a reliance on the narrative to carry the experience. Overall, the game is best approached as a visual novel with light gameplay elements, where the story shines despite the limitations of its mechanics.
“I had a lot of fun learning the mechanics and playing through the story.”
“The core mechanics are easy to learn and offer a degree of satisfaction as you improve your skills.”
“Great short game with an intriguing storyline and a really interesting game mechanic.”
“The main mechanic itself doesn't actually contribute anything to the story and the overall feeling.”
“There is no real choice through the entire game, and the core game mechanic is just choosing whatever 'tone' you haven't used recently, and failure to pick the correct tone results in wasted time.”
“After a while, the main mechanic of the game gets a bit gimmicky and repetitive.”
- music22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's music has received mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, particularly in key moments. While some found the music to be unmemorable, it generally complements the game's tone and atmosphere well, contributing positively to the adventure despite the lack of visual art and sound effects. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong point, with a retro style that aligns with the game's narrative themes.
“The game's soundtrack (in my opinion) does this greatly, making me feel pumped up when I feel like I'm getting at something, especially in certain parts which I won't spoil.”
“Credit where credit is due, this soundtrack really slaps hard.”
“There is no real art, little sound effects, and just as little music.”
“That being said, the music of this game is really detrimental for the overall atmosphere.”
“The music and visuals really help to maintain the focus of the whole adventure.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are described as minimal yet effective, with a retrofuturist aesthetic that complements the overall experience. While primarily text-based, the visuals and music enhance the atmosphere, contributing to the game's psychological depth and engaging narrative. Overall, the graphics are considered beautiful and well-executed, despite their limited presence.
“The music and visuals really help to maintain the focus of the whole adventure.”
“Despite being a text-based game, it's got fantastic music and visuals.”
“Superbly executed psychological game, beautiful graphics, interesting story.”
“Graphics are almost nonexistent but adequate, with text and screen effects setting the mood adequately.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is compelling, effectively instilling doubt about the characters' words, which enhances the overall experience. However, some users feel that the music detracts from this atmosphere, and there are concerns about the game's length relative to its price.
“Maybe it's too short for a $3.29 game, but its atmosphere (that makes you doubt the words of every character involved in the plot) is completely worth it - at least, for me.”
“The music of this game is really detrimental to the overall atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere makes you doubt the words of every character involved in the plot, which is a significant aspect of the experience.”
“The atmosphere is lacking and fails to engage the player.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be boring, repetitive, and tedious, with some noting that the game's self-awareness about its time loop only highlights its lack of value and enjoyment.
“I found this game boring, repetitive, and tedious.”
“I did not see the value in the time loop; in fact, the game itself even comments on how tedious the loop is to play through, which would be clever if it were not quite so true.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for lacking replayability, with users noting minimal choices and consequences that diminish the incentive to play again.
“There is no replay value and almost no choice or consequence.”
“The game lacks replay value and offers minimal choices and consequences.”
“Replayability is virtually nonexistent, with very few choices and consequences.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the recurring joke of "shutting the loop," which resonates with players and adds a comedic element to the experience.
“It's funny when they shut the loop.”