Continue?9876543210
" Thought-provoking action-adventure with a unique existential narrative but clunky controls "
Continue?9876543210 Review
Continue?9876543210 is a deeply metaphorical and surreal indie game that explores themes of mortality and existential dread through the lens of a video game character facing deletion. Players navigate a series of randomly generated levels, balancing the collection of 'Lightning' to clear exits and 'Prayer' to build shelters against the relentless Garbage Collector.
The gameplay is a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and varied minigame combat sequences, though many players find the mechanics repetitive, confusing, and sometimes frustrating due to poor controls and unclear instructions. The narrative is delivered through cryptic dialogue and evocative cutscenes, which are praised for their emotional depth but criticized for being unskippable and overly abstract. The game's atmosphere, music, and unique concept receive consistent acclaim, but the execution in gameplay design and user experience divides opinion. Overall, the game is a niche experience that resonates strongly with some players while alienating others.
Highlights
Players praise the game's unique and thought-provoking concept centered on death and digital oblivion, which offers a rare existential narrative in gaming.
The atmospheric soundtrack and haunting audio design complement the surreal and melancholic tone, enhancing immersion.
Visually, the game features stylistic and occasionally striking graphics, particularly in cutscenes and certain levels like the reflective sea chase.
The varied combat minigames, blending platforming and overhead action, add diversity to gameplay, while the metaphorical storytelling invites players to reflect deeply on life and mortality.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game's confusing and unintuitive mechanics, with insufficient guidance leading to player frustration.
Controls are often described as clunky and slippery, detracting from the gameplay experience.
Repetitive gameplay loops, including frequent unskippable cutscenes and recurring levels, contribute to boredom and fatigue.
The harsh time limits and punishing difficulty in combat and survival sections can feel unfair.
Technical issues such as poor Linux port support and occasional bugs further diminish enjoyment.
Some players feel the narrative is too abstract or vague, limiting emotional connection.
Pros
- • Unique existential narrative exploring mortality through a digital afterlife metaphor.
- • Haunting and well-composed atmospheric soundtrack enhances immersion.
- • Stylized graphics with standout moments like the reflective sea chase level.
- • Varied combat minigames add gameplay diversity and challenge.
- • Emotional and poetic dialogue that provokes deep reflection.
- • Randomized level progression increases replayability to some extent.
- • Automatic saving between levels aids progression despite difficulty.
Cons
- • Gameplay mechanics are confusing and lack clear instructions.
- • Clunky and imprecise controls hinder player enjoyment.
- • Repetitive gameplay loops and unskippable cutscenes cause boredom.
- • Harsh time limits and difficulty can feel unfair and frustrating.
- • Poor technical support on some platforms, including Linux.
- • Abstract narrative can be inaccessible or vague for many players.
- • Combat is simplistic and sometimes tedious.
Rating Criteria
You are a dead, failed video game character wandering through the recesses of the Random Access Memory, trying to find peace in the final moments of your existence before being deleted forever......but forget that. The real story is that Continue?
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