When you at a certain type of game like Yume Nikki and its derivatives or other older, experimental games they almost have an internet like structure with strange things being arbitrarily linked recalling the innately surreal structure of hyper links.
Its interesting then that a whole game about browsing the internet would be made and then not follow the structure at all. I was expecting this to be a more artsy, exploration game that was low on structured gameplay and story, but instead found an expertly structured puzzle game with a thought out story. For one the tutorial here is one of the best I've seen in a modern game with the first 4 cases each requiring the use of a different mechanic without out right telling what is required, while the rest of the game opens to such an extreme degree you could accentually trigger late game events way faster then you are supposed to. Many puzzles also have multiple solutions and logic paths depending on what tools and paths the player takes so it Nevers feels
While the in-depth puzzles were the most surprising thing about the game the world building mat be the most impressive. Certainly the game captures the look of classic geocities, but uses the past to also comment on the present. Many of the issues in Hypnospace like overzealous copyright, excessive corporate sponsorships, corporate meddling of communities, the health dangers of use, and the endless desire for human connection seem to sound more like the modern web rather then the late 90s. Even more impressive then the graphics os the music which, more then anything, is what sells the alternate reality of the game. There is a complex web of fictional genres and bands with full web of influence, and you actually get to listen to all these bands in game. There is a wide variety of genres represented here as the basis for the fictional genres and the music all sounds just off enough to feel like an alternate reality version of real world genres.
The story is also filled tons of minor stories with many having hidden resolutions or details which reframe how you think about certain characters. There is a sinister vibe to the whole ordeal which gets more pronounced as the game goes on and which actually gets solved in the main ending. Its a nice refresher to other indie games which use the hint of a darker, deeper story as lorebait/sequelbait/theroybait; its just nice to have this game function as a complete story for a normal playthrough. Then for completionists many subplots and hidden details are only fully revealed via 100% crawling through every page and paying close attention. It really strikes the perfect balance between a general playthrough and those who really want to engross themselves in the games world.
Its interesting then that a whole game about browsing the internet would be made and then not follow the structure at all. I was expecting this to be a more artsy, exploration game that was low on structured gameplay and story, but instead found an expertly structured puzzle game with a thought out story. For one the tutorial here is one of the best I've seen in a modern game with the first 4 cases each requiring the use of a different mechanic without out right telling what is required, while the rest of the game opens to such an extreme degree you could accentually trigger late game events way faster then you are supposed to. Many puzzles also have multiple solutions and logic paths depending on what tools and paths the player takes so it Nevers feels
While the in-depth puzzles were the most surprising thing about the game the world building mat be the most impressive. Certainly the game captures the look of classic geocities, but uses the past to also comment on the present. Many of the issues in Hypnospace like overzealous copyright, excessive corporate sponsorships, corporate meddling of communities, the health dangers of use, and the endless desire for human connection seem to sound more like the modern web rather then the late 90s. Even more impressive then the graphics os the music which, more then anything, is what sells the alternate reality of the game. There is a complex web of fictional genres and bands with full web of influence, and you actually get to listen to all these bands in game. There is a wide variety of genres represented here as the basis for the fictional genres and the music all sounds just off enough to feel like an alternate reality version of real world genres.
The story is also filled tons of minor stories with many having hidden resolutions or details which reframe how you think about certain characters. There is a sinister vibe to the whole ordeal which gets more pronounced as the game goes on and which actually gets solved in the main ending. Its a nice refresher to other indie games which use the hint of a darker, deeper story as lorebait/sequelbait/theroybait; its just nice to have this game function as a complete story for a normal playthrough. Then for completionists many subplots and hidden details are only fully revealed via 100% crawling through every page and paying close attention. It really strikes the perfect balance between a general playthrough and those who really want to engross themselves in the games world.