
An interactive novel about identity, roleplay, and dreams.
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All-time low is the lowest price we've recorded for this game since we started tracking it.
Languages: English
Engagement
Reviews
Themes across 40 recent reviews and how positive each mention is. A keyword signal, not full sentiment analysis.
Reviews
This is one of the best games I have ever played, and just like Celeste, I could rant about it all day, and gush over every single little detail there is. The game is only $5. and lasts 3.5-4 hours. A few things that should be noted (spoiler free), are that this game is all about reading, and how it works is you must type for the character you play as to say something; they won't say what you are typing, they have a prewritten response, and you must type the same amount of keys as that response for the character to say their response. If you don't want to type, then you can just hold down any key for your character to say their prewritten response. Another notable thing is that this story is extremely complex, and you'll most likely have to replay certain chapters or the entire story a few times to understand it. So, if you were hoping for ESC to be this fun visual novel that you could sit down and read without really having to think too much, then you're completely wrong. Another important thing is, that sound and music is one of, if not the largest ways it communicates with you, so, please please please please have headphones or earbuds on when playing ESC (at least for the first time). Also, if you're like me, you don't like visual novels, however, if you like complicated stories, that deal with existentialism, that often calls back to previous, maybe even little things said in the past, then you'll most likely love ESC. Finally, I would highly recommend that the first playthrough of ESC happens in one, 3-4 hour session, as it is way more enjoyable to play it that way, rather then playing it a chapter or two at a time, with large windows of time where critical information may slip from your mind when not playing ESC. With all of that said, this is an absolutely incredible game, hats off to Lena Raine, and Radical Dreamland for cooking up an absolute masterpiece. Oh, and one final note: one witness is no witness.
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Modeled estimate over time, reconstructed from Steam's monthly review histogram.
Hours played at review time, across 40 reviews with recorded playtime.
positive critical· bar length = how often the theme comes up
One of the best, mind you, confusing, games I have ever played. The number of I-think-I-get-it moments to 10 seconds later being thrown another curve ball is uncountable, but I'm all here for it.
É um livro interativo. É um livro MUITO bom.
cute short story 10/10 would navigate again
Well-realized characters, an unsettlingly atmospheric soundtrack, and a compelling (if sometimes confusing) science-fiction narrative. If I were smarter, I'd probably like it even more. Lots of reading and lots of typing, so exercise caution if you hate either of those activities. But for the patient and open-minded, you're in for a treat. (Kevin falls asleep)
so beautiful!
Came for the interesting text-based format Stayed for the: Insane nostalgia gut-punches from being in RP servers a few years back Sick soundtrack Multiple-perspective story Existential crisis Trans rep All things said, amazing work, Lena + crew, now i need to go give my bf a massive hug
I'm not sure what to say here. I suppose i'm a bit late to the party, but, i think that doesn't really matter. What follows is probably the closest to a proper review that i can give of this game. This is a good story. I can't say much about the contents, outside of the vaguest overtures, because i don't want to spoil it. I am also heavily biased in regards to this story. For a number of reasons, mostly related to aesthetic preferences & personal life experiences. This is a story that, as the description says, is about Identity, Roleplay, and Dreams. In addition, i would mention that there is a kind of... undertone about Escapism, which I imagine you could grasp by the game name, but, who knows? Anyways. I'd recommend it; The music is great, the presentation is distinct in what it wants to be, and the story's pretty good too.
I enjoy cyberpunk-ish science fiction and piecing together mysteries, especially through the analysis of character personalities and actions. If you do too, then I think you will really enjoy this story. It was a rollercoaster of a story for me, and there were times when I was looking more inside myself than at the screen. I would consider this more like an interactive text-based movie than a novel game with no diverging paths. As others have mentioned, there is very little to control in the game; however, even that little bit was used to great effect in support of the story. I should also point out, even though there is very little to control, if you like piecing together mysteries, then you'll likely be making more decisions per minute in your mind about where things are heading than you would about what to do next in an open world game. Everything in the plot adheres to its own rules and events splendidly; so you're free to openly speculate in earnest without encountering any inconsistencies. I just finished playing through it once, and I am already itching to play it again to get an even better grasp of everything happening. I could leave you with my conclusions about the story so far, but no conclusion will ever be as convincing as your own.
Common Lena W! (My brain is too fried by what I just witnessed to put out a more coherent review, but the game's good, play it)
Momentum
Pace estimated from the game's recent review growth (our daily snapshots) at its own sales-per-review ratio — a momentum signal, not booked sales.
Audience
Estimated from the language of this game's reviews — a proxy for where players are, not official Steam demographics.
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