Return to the game's main page
All Member Ratings
| Average Rating:   Number of Reviews Written by IFDB Members: 44 |
A variety of genres rolled into a cohesive story. An influential IF game., August 16, 2015*Photopia is often cited as the best interactive fiction of all time. It has won numerous awards, inspired a shift to story-centered Interactive Fiction, and so on.
It really is a great game. Despite all the hype, sitting down and playing through it is fun. The meta-puzzle of trying to understand what's going on keeps you going through different scenes. The different scenes give you the impression that you're playing a hard puzzle game while actually simplifying things without you knowing.
The colors are a good part of the game; if your interpreter doesn't support or if you are unable to distinguish between colors, you should use your imagination.
Is this really the best IF of all time? I honestly would have to say that nothing is really better than it. I don't replay it because it makes me sad. I like to stick to puzzle games or big crazy worlds. But this game has substance and meaning.
- Sophie Grimaud (France), August 2, 2015
- leanbh, July 30, 2015
- Julia Myer (USA), July 10, 2015 (last edited on July 11, 2015)
Photopia review, July 4, 2015*An amazing and touching game. Once you realize what all of the seemingly disconnected events have in common with one another, it will be quite the shock. Most of the events are told in different perspectives, all tying together into one specific event, and you will recognize said event when it reveals itself. 5/5, would play again.
- thebloopatroopa, May 27, 2015 (last edited on May 28, 2015)
- wildj79 (Dallas, TX), May 17, 2015 (last edited on May 18, 2015)
- Asherred, February 26, 2015 (last edited on February 27, 2015)
- prevtenet (Texas), February 15, 2015
- hoopla, February 15, 2015
- besmaller (Portland, OR), January 28, 2015
Integrated graphical effects and strong emotional impact, January 19, 2015Photopia has been an influential game. The amount of interactivity is small, but the story drives the game along. As has been mentioned, the emotional impact should really be classed as manipulative, but it is effectively done. The author manages to put the player into the skin of a number of different roles and also to make the reader identify with characters at different stages of their lives.
The underlying "story within a story" is pitch-perfect. Probably because it appeals to the wish fulfillment natural to games (or gamers?). The outcome of the game ends up being telegraphed about half way through, but this leads to the emotional punch and drive of the narrative. From then on, it unfolds remorselessly.
The greatness of the game is its ability to remain in mind after one has played it and yet be fresh on replay.
An important game. Emotional reactions will differ, but I would categorize it as touching. (Spoiler - click to show)Few mazes are as satisfying as the one in Photopia. We all have wings...
Previous | << 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 >> | Next | Show All | Return to game's main page
