The Beginner's Guide
" Emotionally impactful indie adventure with unique metatextual storytelling but limited gameplay variety "
The Beginner's Guide Review
The Beginner's Guide is a deeply introspective and emotionally charged narrative-driven game that explores themes of creativity, friendship, and the complexities of artistic expression. Many players appreciate its unique storytelling approach, which unfolds through a narrator guiding the player through a series of abstract game environments created by a mysterious friend named Coda. The game is short, typically taking around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, but leaves a lasting impression through its layered narrative and emotional depth.
Players often highlight the game's ability to provoke thought about the nature of art, the struggle for personal expression versus external validation, and the impact of mental health on creativity. Despite its minimalistic gameplay and simple graphics, the game is praised for its powerful message and immersive experience. However, some players found the narration overly directive and wished for more player freedom in interpretation. Overall, it is regarded as a meaningful, if sometimes challenging, artistic experience worth engaging with thoughtfully.
Highlights
The Beginner's Guide is lauded for its emotionally impactful storyline and philosophical depth. The narrative's metatextual style and the narrator's voice create a compelling immersion.
Players value the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, including moments of sadness and reflection. The minimalist, abstract graphics serve the story well, emphasizing atmosphere over visuals. The game's short duration is seen as a strength, delivering a concise yet profound experience.
Its connection to The Stanley Parable and the exploration of the creative process resonate strongly with fans of narrative-driven games.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the game's brevity, with some feeling it is too short for the price. The narrator's guiding commentary can feel patronizing or overly controlling, limiting player interpretation.
A few players found the story's presentation confusing or unsettling due to its ambiguous nature and the ethical implications of sharing Coda's work without permission. Technical issues were rarely mentioned but some players reported difficulties running the game on newer systems.
Overall, some expected a deeper or more interactive experience and felt the game only scratched the surface of its themes.
Pros
- • Emotionally impactful narrative that provokes deep reflection on creativity and friendship.
- • Unique metatextual storytelling blending narration and gameplay seamlessly.
- • Short, concise experience that respects players' time while delivering meaning.
- • Minimalist graphics that effectively support the atmospheric tone.
- • Strong connection to The Stanley Parable fans with a fresh narrative approach.
- • Explores complex themes like mental health and artistic expression thoughtfully.
- • Narrator’s voice adds personality and emotional depth to the journey.
Cons
- • Narration can feel overly directive, limiting player freedom to interpret.
- • Relatively short length may not justify the full price for some players.
- • Ambiguity and ethical themes may confuse or unsettle certain audiences.
- • Lack of gameplay variety can make the experience feel like a guided tour.
- • Some players report difficulty running the game on modern systems.
- • The story’s emotional weight may be too heavy or uncomfortable for some.
- • Minimal interaction might disappoint those expecting traditional gameplay.
Rating Criteria
The Beginner's Guide is a narrative video game from Davey Wreden, the creator of The Stanley Parable. It lasts about an hour and a half and has no traditional mechanics, no goals or objectives. Instead, it tells the story of a person struggling to deal with something they do not understand.