Recent reviews by Minty

As a linguistics nerd, I really wanted to love this game. While it is indeed beautiful and fun for what it is, it has fundamental issues that make me unable to wholeheartedly recommend it.

The main problem is the core of the game: the languages. They are so simplistic that it feels like the game is insulting your intelligence. Languages 1 and 2 have no real defining features. Language 3 is the coolest with OSV word order, but since it’s translated literally, the player doesn’t deduce it themselves, so it’s a waste. Language 4 has a unique number system… but that’s all. Language 5 is by far the biggest disappointment as it’s pretty much automatically deciphered and there’s nothing special about it. There is a severe lack of interesting linguistic features for a game that’s supposed to be focused on languages.

There are other problems too. The journal is too rigid and doesn’t allow the player to actually figure things out themselves, and you can’t really take any notes of your own aside from guessing what a word is. The stealth/chase sections are kind of a weird addition and took me out of the game. Running around is sometimes tedious especially with the lack of a map. The lore is not really well explained (like what’s up with the monster? What is the motivation of the exile machine? It’s never explained).

Overall it’s just a letdown. While translation games are a very small niche and any addition is welcome, I hope for future games to be more substantial than this.

This game is solid. Hugely atmospheric, with phenomenal sound design and an interesting storyline. Base-building, resource gathering, and driving the ships around are all very fun too. A few spooky moments, a lot of awe-inspiring moments too. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes these styles of games.

A few nitpicky things: graphics are usually good but I noticed quite a lot of screen tearing, pop-ins, and some low quality textures especially on the Aurora. I also found the plot progression a bit jarring at times, as it holds your hand quite heavily and then gives you radio silence (literally!). End-game is a little tedious. Other than that, it’s fantastic.

It's a cute game with good art, and it was nice to get it for free. It has a major flaw though: if you want to progress, you have to sit around waiting for the right event to happen. And if it doesn't, well... too bad, there's no way to trigger monster or NPC appearances. As a result the game feels very empty because there's nothing to do other than wait. Most of the time I was just running around smashing rocks - oh look a spaceship! No hold on, it's just the damn chef again, who doesn't even have anything new to say to me.

Disappointing, because I want to like it, but it really just feels like squandered potential.

This game is beautiful, and the premise is unique. The voice acting is spectacular! The devs definitely put a lot of work into this game, and it (mostly) shows.

I do feel bad for giving it a "negative" review. I wish there was an option between yes and no, because I am torn about how to feel with this game. This game is really great in many ways, and I look forward to seeing more Campo Santo creations, no doubt. There is lots of potential! Unfortunately...

The reason why I have to give it a thumbs down... the plot, to me, is a huge letdown. There is so much suspense built up that I expected a much more intriguing and satisfying ending. Ideas like the missing teenage girls, D's overheard phone call near the start, being stalked, the whole thing being 'in your head' are just completely blown off, and instead you get lame, boring explanations and a lackluster ending. It almost feels like the writers didn't know what to do with all the tension they were able to create, and just gave up.

There are other problems with the story, such as certain plotholes, the illusion of choice, some weird unexplained parts that left me confused, the many aspects that could have been so much more, etc. etc. but I won't make you read an essay. For a game that is so driven by the plot, these are big problems that can't be overlooked.

Final point, which is probably the dealbreaker. This game is normally $20, but a single playthrough lasts anywhere from 3-6 hours (took me almost 4), and there is little replay value. It's kinda reminiscient of the Gone Home fiasco. For a lot of people, that kind of thing is unacceptable. I personally wouldn't mind paying that much, IF the plot was good enough. Too bad for this game, it really doesn't live up to what it could have been.

(If they made a DLC that included many of the skipped days, where you're just doing normal park ranger things, discovering the history, and talking to D, I would be much more satisfied! wink wink nudge nudge)