Parts of the Elephant

[quote]Nights like this, you crave other people - but not as company, as stories.[/quote] Після закінчення робочої конференції і вечірки, з надлишком алкоголю в крові і нав'язливими думками, які спонукають відволіктися на будь-що інше, аби лишень перестати думати, ви опиняєтеся в холі готелю. Місці, де збираються люди зі своїми історіями і таємницями, місці, в якого купа власних секретів. Можливо, вам пощастить підгледіти щось цікаве, можливо - моторошне, можливо - корисне. Також можливо, що ви згадаєте, який з номерів в готелі - ваш, підете спати і прокинетесь з головним болем й дивними спогадами. Але зараз спати точно зарано. [quote]We're the unwanted dregs and broken thieves Take yours, we've given up on selfish dreams We come from homes run by bad fathers Rumor is we're some bad mothers Become numb to the pleading screams Shaman’s Harvest - Broken Ones[/quote] Чудова оформлена, дуже приємно написана візуальна новела про фрагменти чужих життів. Величезне розмаїття виборів, які дозволяють зібрати докупи ці невеличкі шматки і побачити більш послідовний епізод історії випадкового незнайомця. Дуже рекомендую спробувати, якщо не лякає перспектива кілька годин (грав без інтернету, тож насправді повне проходження це 2+ години десь) [strike]тікати від власних проблем[/strike] досліджувати готель. Закінчення як на мене надто "звичайне" в порівнянні з подіями під час гри, але насправді досить логічне, зважаючи на обставини.

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The stellar quality of this game reaffirmed my faith in the potential of VNs. The replay value is fantastic, revealing more thematic depth and intrigue each time. The writing is so good that you don’t even notice how smoothly it’s pulling everything together until you’ve experienced the story as a whole. I was always eager to play again. The strong atmosphere makes this especially great for playing late at night before going to bed.

POSSIBLE LIGHT SPOILERS IN REVIEW!! But not major... The writing, design, and it's execution are all very good qualities about this game. It's pretty professional and I would be interested in seeing more from it's creator. The characters are interesting and some are amusing. The stories are also believable enough while still having a level of supernatural involved to at least one (maybe more) of them. I also appreciate that the writer designed our main character to be gay, still a mostly under-represented identity in games. There are a few things that I wish were different, as far as storytelling goes. Without giving away to much details, I didn't really care for the fact that there doesn't seem to be any good endings. The premise of the game comes off pretty depressing. More then likely, that's the point of it. To make us question our choices we make throughout that game, but it would be refreshing, after a couple play-through, to discover that not every choice made leads to an undesirable outcome. "I can't be that terrible of a person!" I am ultimately left thinking to myself. Maybe that makes me sound condescending, to want to play games where I can pretend to be a better, a more interesting, a more desirable, a more brave, confident version of myself. Not something that is going to tell me I have unresolved issues in my life! I can consult my therapist or tarot cards for that! Or just vent to my best friend. LOL I also would have liked to been able to discover exactly what a couple of these characters were hiding. There were many times I felt I wasn't given adequate choices, that I realistically would make, in response to some of these situations. Regardless, It is still a well developed and entertaining game, so I will recommend it. It is different and that sets it apart, for sure. But it would be nice to see a game from them with a more positive feeling or reworked version of this one.

This game is scads of fun. It is everything I enjoy about a visual novel style game. Interesting narrative and branching stories in such a small package. It is relatively short but has excellent replay value. What I mean by that is that if you want to experience the game over and over again and see what else it has to offer you easily can without needing to relive every last bit of content you may have seen several times already to get to that branch point(an underrated mechanic if you ask me). However it also gives you a chance to slow down and savor all of your favorite moments. It is the perfect combination of choose your own adventure book and video game. I cannot wait for future offerings from this developer as there is nowhere to go but upward for them in this genre. Thank you for making an engaging and intriguing game that is thought provoking while also making you want to experience every aspect of the twists and turns it has to offer. I honestly wish there was more to this game simply so I could keep seeing the hints and tastes of stories that I feel I have only just touched the surface of. It feels like the demo of a much more expansive game to come while also being complete in it's own right. You will not be dissapointed with this title so check it out and see what it is all about then come back and ask for more so we can get a sequel.

I honestly adore the concept and exploration involved in Parts of the Elephant. Similar to the the parable of The Blind Men and the Elephant, about six blind men who each feel a different body part of an elephant - trunk, leg, tail, ears, tusk, body - and think they know what they're touching as a result when in fact communication is necessary for them to discern that this is an elephant rather than a snake, brush, wall, spear, etc. that they think it is individually since they can't see the bigger picture. This is a liminal space exploration of a hotel with some various haunting storylines and multiple choices and areas to explore. Even discovering all of the parts of the elephant, I still felt as though there were storylines I was perhaps missing in order to gain an even clearer picture as I was confused with how some things may connect overall, but it's still a wonderful, unique game that kept me entertained and wanting answers. 6/10

The artistic direction is spot on. Despite encountering some bugs (such as being unable to open the logs), the game is truly excellent. I've been streaming it on Twitch to help give it some exposure, and it's been a fantastic experience. The characters are well-developed, and overall, I highly recommend it.

It's far from the norm for a game to actually be well written, and it usually requires happening upon a well written game to realize that. When I get lucky enough to do so, it's refreshing, it's enjoyable, and it reminds me of the possibilities that games really provide. This is the first game to make me feel that way since Disco Elysium. Highly recommended.

Fun game, with good replay value, great for a couple hours of playing! Great story, though I need some time to work it out still