Helpless

Helpless ist ein kleines kostenloses Adventurespiel über einen Jungen und seine Mutter in einer postapokalyptischen Welt, die Ersatzteile für ihr defektes Fahrzeug finden müssen. Mit rund 45 bis 60 Minuten Spielzeit ist es ein gutes, kurzes Adventure, das einiges an Potenzial hätte, leider aber auch viel davon liegen lässt. Das Hauptproblem ist dabei die Story. Die Grundidee ist richtig interessant und an und für sich gut. Leider gehen die Entwickler nur die halbe Strecke. Zwar erzählt das Spiel einen schönen Bogen innerhalb der spannenden Spielewelt, enthüllt aber viel zu wenig über diese Welt selbst. Was genau ist geschehen? Woher kommen die beiden? Wohin sind sie unterwegs? Was ist das eigentliche Problem der Mutter? Viel zu viel bleibt offen und das macht das Ganze trotz allem etwas unbefriedigend. Dazu kommt ein Gameplay, das insgesamt okay ist. Es ist nicht wirklich superinteressant, aber durchaus unterhaltsam. Die Steuerung ist soweit in Ordnung, dafür aber ist die fixe Kamera teilweise echt nervig und sorgt immer wieder für gewisse Frustrationen. Aber all das bleibt noch im akzeptablen Rahmen. Die Grafik ist eine sehr simpel gehaltene Low-Polygon-Optik, die aber trotzdem ansehnlich und passend ist. Auch der Soundtrack passt gut dazu und rundet das Spielerlebnis stimmig ab. Fazit: Helpless erzählt eine okay Geschichte in einem interessanten Setting, das aber viel zu wenig erklärt wird. Dadurch verliert es einen grossen Teil seines eigentlichen Reizes. Es ist definitiv kein Spiel, das man unbedingt gespielt haben muss, aber es bietet trotzdem nette Unterhaltung, die nicht komplette Zeitvergeudung ist. Darum von mir eine vorsichtige Empfehlung.

Must play!

I had no idea what to expect when going into this game, but oh my god... for such a short experience, it was fantastic. It's concise, simple, and beautiful. The vibe is very much a mix of Undying, the Last of Us, and Maze Runner (specifically the Scorch), but it is its own beautiful world that honestly feels kind of realistic to a certain degree. The character designs are minimalist but the style and animations give them character, and I was fully invested in them within the first few minutes of gameplay. The story doesn't spell things out for you and I love that about it. It is well-paced, clear but nuanced, and doesn't give you an explicit "ending" for the characters. A lot is implied as to how things will likely turn out (namely that the child will eventually have to take care of himself), but it doesn't push any certainties because anything could happen between the moment and the finish line. I went through the game really feeling like there was every possibility that even if the characters could get the car working, they may not reach their destination and are trudging forward regardless. There's an air of melancholy and (of course) helplessness that makes you think about how you would view the world if you weren't old enough to have remembered society before it fell apart, but there's also comfort and a child-like curiosity as you explore the map and find trinkets of a forgotten era. I'm rambling at this point but I seriously adored this game and am excited to see what other projects the developers have in store! Also, you can pet and play fetch with the dog. 100/10. Any game that lets you play with the animals is automatically a great game in my books, hands down.

The game was heartwarming and somehow peaceful. The only issues I encountered while playing were the animations being a little wobbly here and there.

fine story about family and similar vibes like fallout i think good story and yh

A short, post-apocalyptic experience through the lense of a young boy supporting his sick mother. Hard mode is genuinely challenging. One step in the wrong direction and there goes your perfect run. Will definitely return sometime to get the last two achievements.

The gruffness of The Last of Us with the aesthetics of Life is Strange. There were some minor bugs, but this was a sweet little adventure. I loved everything about it. The character interaction, the reminiscing of what once was, and a PUPPY!! The collectables were fun to look for, too. It may have been a glitch, but while we guide the protagonist up the ladder, he continuously does some preparation steps before fully climbing. Not sure if it was purposeful, but it felt very genuine. SPOILERS(?) At the end of the game, when you're searching the junkyard, you come across a doodle of a little family. On my first run, only the dad was scribbled over. On my second, both of the adults were scribbled out. This may have been another bug, but it felt intentional. Knowing that the protagonist's mother will eventually pass away from her chronic illness, he will be left to wander the world alone. Very melancholy, and I love it.