Alive (2023)

[h1] PROS: [/h1] [list] [*] Gorgeous, natural-looking models. I especially liked that there is a goth/emo girl among the cast! [*] A surprisingly large number of endings, giving some incentive to replay the game. [*] The opening premise is interesting and does a good job of grabbing your attention. [*] Gallery feature. [*] Minigames can be skipped, which is a blessing considering their quality. [*] The animations look good, and the ability to change camera angles or interact slightly during scenes adds some immersion. [*] Nice soundtrack that fits the game's atmosphere well. [/list] [h1] CONS: [/h1] [list] [*] The minigames are poorly designed and feel more frustrating than fun. [*] No voice acting. While understandable given the game's age, it still makes some scenes feel less engaging. [*] Completionists will likely be annoyed that achieving 100% can require purchasing the official walkthrough, as some achievements are extremely difficult or obscure to obtain naturally. [*] The story starts with a promising premise but quickly loses momentum and becomes predictable and boring. [*] The phone mechanic feels underdeveloped and ends …

Alive, developed and published by Cskin Games, is a narrative-focused visual novel that builds its experience almost entirely around player choice and branching storytelling. Rather than relying on traditional gameplay systems, it leans into decision-making as its primary mechanic, offering a story that evolves based on how the player shapes the protagonist’s actions and relationships. It is a game that prioritizes personal interpretation and outcome variation, presenting itself less as a conventional game and more as an interactive narrative experience. The story explores themes of identity, relationships, and the idea of truly living rather than simply existing. As the narrative unfolds, players are placed in situations where their choices influence both immediate events and longer-term consequences. Characters react to decisions in ways that gradually alter the direction of the story, creating a sense that each path reflects a different version of the protagonist’s life. While the overarching framework remains consistent, the details shift depending on the player’s approach, encouraging exploration of multiple outcomes. Gameplay is intentionally minimal, with most of the exper…

a+++

This was pretty good but short.

Its not bad, but could bee bether. But a fun game with a good wibe to it.

Liked the story and the basic character arc. Just wish it was longer.