Stuck in the Present

As much as I want to support Filipino games, the game is glitchy. I can't get past just the day after the tutorial First time, Rich and Faye both went into the train without me seeing the marbles. So now it got stuck where the train never stops and story never progresses. Why let the player inside the train if we're not supposed to?? Second time, i found the marbles. But despite the station saying the train is delayed, it arrived. And rich went right in. So now Faye is panicking and the game restarted Third time the kid went in the train and the door shut before faye could enter so now the story wont progress again. Replayed multiple times but same scenarios. Mostly Rich going into the train automatically. I was excited for this game but unfortunately it is unplayable for me.

I thought this game was beautiful and an intriguing story, but I can't really say it's a game. It's more of a visual novel, unfolding poetically. But there's not much to do in terms of strategy. I'd say it's about 40% running right or left, and 60% watching animations about the characters' stories. If you go into it with that expectation, like you're watching a movie, you may enjoy it more than I did. But I thought there would be puzzles and mysteries for me to solve. But you sort of just watch the game solve itself. Still very pretty and interesting.

nakakatuwa maglaro at support filipino stories!!! very heartbreaking yet bittersweet... cried at the end lol. thank you for this game!!

Amazing game that gives off both Until then and Life Is Strange vibes. I loved the narrative and how the game executed the story had me very much hooked the entire time as well as the game felt so alive and immersive with the voice acting and the visuals, the atmosphere really getting you perfectly as a psychological horror game and the banger music whenever it has a chance to play during the early times of the game and the final ones. Also followed the games' marketing on Tiktok also which is why it got me interested in the game in the first place and also a recommendation by a friend and it did not disappoint at all. Amazing work by the entire team that worked on this.

A Psychological Indie Title for the Ages With an endearing art style and a talented cast, "Stuck in the Present" takes players through a title with a unique art style and mysterious story. With a simple concept with complex turns, the twists and turns will make your head turn as you follow in the footsteps of protagonists Faye and Rich. Accompanying the narrative is an amazing blend of both English and Filipino music in this game's soundtrack across various genre while the score serves the uneasy "Silent Hill" vibes. A great roll out by the Dusk Wave Arts team!

The way the story unfolded as I got to learn more about these two characters was beautiful. Loved the artwork, the voice acting and the music was top notch. Highly recommended.

Stuck in the Present is a game that I can describe as a roller coaster ride in a good way. You start of smooth and relax, and as the game progress, like a roller coaster, it gets scarier and crazier. It is an unexpected journey that feels meaningful. It's not just a horror game, it's a game that tells a deep and complex story. Although like all games, it's not perfect and I will get to that in a moment. The good things: Story: Story is great. It tells a very meaningful and impactful tale of two adults trying to trying to survive in a foreign and overcoming their traumas. There is also a crazy plot twist that I do not want to spoil so I will leave it at that. Plot: You play as two OFW (Oversease Filipino Working) in a foreign country doing repetitive things everyday till stuff changes and dark stuff crawls out. It's kinda like Re Zero but without the time traveling. Gameplay: Gameplay is simple and easy to understand. And yes, it has controller support which is a big plus. Voice Acting: The game is fully voices and the acting is a straight up 10/10. I 100% think that the VA made the game better. Graphics: The graphics is good, there is a blend of 2D and 3D which I like. It's not ground breaking, since it is an indie game so I'm very forgiving with that. Art Style: I would say it is very creative. The 2D art is really good and especially the 2D back drop with the blend of 3D models makes it very fun to look at. Sound Design: i would say it's really good. The sound Design gives you a eerie vibe that makes gives shivers down your spine. Music: The music is something else. The songs sounds like it came from indie rock bands from the Philippines which gives a cozy yet nostalgic vibe. The bad things: Bugs: Yes there are bugs in the game that I am pretty sure that the devs didn't intended to happen. For example, on day 2 of the game, I was stuck in the station waiting for the train and it didn't arrive at all. I thought I was doing something wrong or miss a thing so I went around the station and to hidden places to see if it will trigger the train but it didnt't, it turns out it was a bug. Had to reload the save in order to progress. No full screen: Yes, one thing I don't like is that there is no option for full screen. I couldn't fully immersed myself cause I see a bunch of stuff on my PC which distracts me from the game. I always like to play my games on full screen or windows borderless and I hope the devs could fix that. Gameplay: I did praised the gameplay at first but there are things that I didn't like. There is a gameplay mechanic which is well unique where in when you control Faye and you get separated from the other main character Rich, it will trigger a panic attack which is a game over. It is a good mechanic but there are times it gets annoying. Like when you are investigating a thing then Rich the male protag boards the train, it trigger the panic attack mechanic and it's instant game over. Rich likes to automatically board the train without you after all 😂 I don't know if it's a bug or what not but it gets annoying when that happens cause i would have to breeze pass the dialogue to board the train with Rich. There also other times where in you board the train and Rich doesn't for some reason and it triggers the panic attack. I hope this gets fix where Rich waits for you and boards the train with you. Story: Too short. I felt like there is something more especially the ending but it kinda felt rush. Like speed running to the end. The story is good but it needs more stuff. For example, I know a lot about Faye the female mc but barely know anything about Rich other than his family background. I wish Rich is more flesh our like Faye was so I would actually care for him more. In the entire game, all I cared about was Faye. Conclusion: Over all the game is good but I would say the bugs can be annoying which I'm sure they would fix, I hope they implement full screen or window borderless, and a patch or DLC of some sort that flesh out the male protagonist Rich. My raiting for now is a 7/10. I will change it if the bugs have been resolved.

This game came as a surprise to me, a friend of mine attended me to it and i looked into it. my thoughts are simple: must play, the way they portray the game, narrate the story is done so wel IMO. 3D and art all done very well and captivates with the story. and the music just feels so right for what happens in the story, if you are on the fence please let me tell you just buy this game! also to the team! thank you for adding in the translations! that really made it so much better!

I loved the game. I really liked the psychological aspects of it. I related to both of the main characters on so many levels, being immigrant in a new country and having to deal with bureaucratic issues, and especially the anxiety of both, the social anxiety of Faye and the obsession for punctuality and routine of Rich. Not to mention the story that went into a completely unexpected direction. Finally, the voice acting was superb. I will definitely replay it in the future!

A solid game with some really interesting styles and themes being shown. Its a nice shorter game and Dusk Wave Arts did well with it in general. The voice actors did a wonderful job, the music is nice and the mix of language (with subtitles showing WHAT the words meant) also really helped with making the characters feel more fleshed out. I recommend it to anyone wanting a game with good pacing and if you aren't sure about it, try out the demo. Also you get to see drawings of rats and I think that's cool.