Not For Broadcast

Developer : NotGames
Released:
Platforms :
Adventure
Indie
Simulation
Not For Broadcast Poster

" Innovative political adventure with immersive live broadcast gameplay but overwhelming stress "

Not For Broadcast Review

Not For Broadcast is a unique FMV game that places players in the role of a live broadcast editor managing camera feeds, censorship, commercials, and unexpected events. Its gameplay combines intense, real-time decision-making with a rich narrative experience, blending dark humor, political satire, and moral dilemmas. The game features professional acting and a well-crafted dystopian storyline, offering multiple endings and extensive replayability. Players appreciate the game's clever satire on media and politics, with some comparing its tone to British South Park or Monty Python. While the story is engaging and thought-provoking, the gameplay can be stressful and overwhelming for some, especially with the real-time multitasking and interstitial visual novel segments. The DLCs add further depth and wacky scenarios, enhancing the overall experience. Despite some criticisms about pacing and humor style, the game is widely praised for its originality, narrative, and production quality.

Highlights

Players particularly praise the innovative gameplay mechanics of live broadcast editing, which create a challenging and immersive experience. The game's professional acting and well-shot FMV sequences are frequently highlighted as standout features. The storyline is appreciated for its complex political themes and moral dilemmas, offering multiple endings and replay value. The dark humor and satire add a unique flavor, making the game both entertaining and thought-provoking. DLC content is also well received for expanding the narrative and gameplay variety.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game's steep difficulty and stressful multitasking, which can detract from enjoying the story. The interstitial visual novel segments between broadcasts are often described as tedious and disrupting the pacing. Some players find the humor juvenile or cringe-worthy, which may not appeal to everyone. The narrative can feel disjointed due to episodic storytelling and an overemphasis on multiple-choice sequences. A few technical issues like occasional freezing were noted, though not widespread.

Pros

  • Innovative and immersive live broadcast editing gameplay offers unique challenges and engagement.
  • Professional acting and high-quality FMV sequences enhance narrative immersion and authenticity.
  • Complex political themes and moral dilemmas provide depth and thought-provoking content.
  • Multiple endings and extensive replayability encourage exploration of different story paths.
  • Dark humor and satire add distinctive charm and entertainment value throughout the game.
  • DLC expansions add meaningful content and fresh gameplay scenarios without feeling exploitative.
  • The game’s atmosphere and tone evoke comparisons to British South Park and Monty Python.

Cons

  • Gameplay can be overwhelmingly stressful and difficult, especially for casual players.
  • Interstitial visual novel segments are lengthy and disrupt the overall pacing of the game.
  • Humor style is sometimes juvenile or cringe-inducing, limiting its appeal for some players.
  • Storytelling feels disjointed due to episodic structure and excessive multiple-choice sequences.
  • Some players find the political messaging heavy-handed or confusing in tone.
  • A few technical issues like occasional freezing, possibly hardware-related, were reported.
  • The complexity of managing multiple tasks simultaneously can detract from narrative enjoyment.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price

A new political Party has won a landslide in the General Election, and for some reason the editor at the news station you work at has done a runner. Now it’s up to you, the Janitor, to take over the editing booth in this tumultuous time - will you help the government, or stand in their way?

Release Date Jan 25th 2022
Publisher tinyBuild
Developer NotGames
Required Age 0+
Platforms
Innovative
Immersive
Replayable
Stressful
Inconsistent Humor

User Reviews

Overwhelmingly Positive (5,090)
96% Positive 4% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
82