Goodnight Universe
" Emotional indie adventure with innovative webcam controls but pacing issues mid-story "
Goodnight Universe Review
Goodnight Universe is a heartfelt narrative-driven game that immerses players into the perspective of a baby with unique telekinetic powers. Developed by Nice Dream, the game showcases passion and care through its deeply emotional storyline, voice acting, and atmospheric sound design. Players experience a mix of joy, sadness, and reflection as they navigate the story, which explores themes of family, love, and human fragility.
The gameplay innovatively builds on the mechanics of the developer's previous title, Before Your Eyes, incorporating webcam-based controls like facial expressions and head movements, which add immersion and interactivity. Although the game is relatively short, around 3-5 hours, it offers meaningful choices and replayability. Some technical issues and pacing problems were noted, but they do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Goodnight Universe is widely recommended for fans of emotional storytelling and unique gameplay experiences.
Highlights
Players praise Goodnight Universe for its emotional and touching storyline that resonates deeply, often making them cry. The voice acting and sound design receive high acclaim for enhancing immersion and emotional impact. The innovative use of webcam controls such as facial tracking and head movements is highlighted as a unique and engaging gameplay mechanic. The game's art style and atmosphere are described as beautiful and distinctive, contributing to a memorable experience. Many reviewers recommend the game highly, especially for those who appreciate narrative-driven indie games.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include occasional pacing issues, especially in the middle sections where the story can feel slow or drag. Some players found the gameplay mechanics, like blinking or camera calibration, to be finicky or requiring frequent adjustment. Technical issues such as frame drops, minor bugs, and clipping were reported, though generally not game-breaking. A few reviewers wished for longer duration or more varied endings based on choices. Some felt the game did not fully meet the high expectations set by the developer's previous title, Before Your Eyes.
Pros
- • Emotional storyline that deeply resonates with players and evokes tears.
- • Exceptional voice acting and immersive sound design enhance the narrative.
- • Innovative webcam-based controls add unique interactivity and immersion.
- • Beautiful and distinctive art style creates a memorable atmosphere.
- • Meaningful player choices add depth and replayability to the story.
- • Smooth gameplay with intuitive mechanics for most players.
- • Well-crafted exploration of family, love, and human fragility themes.
Cons
- • Pacing issues cause the story to drag in some middle sections.
- • Webcam calibration and blink mechanics can feel finicky or janky.
- • Minor bugs, clipping, and optimization issues affect immersion.
- • Lack of multiple endings reduces impact of player choices.
- • Some players find the game shorter than expected for the price.
- • Not as emotionally intense or groundbreaking as the predecessor.
- • Certain gameplay sections involve prolonged reading which can bore.
Rating Criteria
From the creators of Before Your Eyes — You are Isaac, a 6-month-old baby, developing mysterious psychic powers. What you want most is to be loved and accepted by your family, but a secretive tech corporation wants you for their own.