11-11 Memories Retold

Overall: 6.5/10
Story:
11-11: Memories Retold is a casual narrative adventure game that offers a deeply emotional story that weaves together personal tales set against the backdrop of World War I. The game follows two protagonists—Harry, a Canadian photographer, and Kurt, a German engineer—who, despite being on opposing sides, share a journey that highlights the tragic and humanizing aspects of war. One of the most striking aspects of the narrative is how it avoids glorifying conflict, instead focusing on the characters’ personal struggles, motivations, and relationships. Harry is initially drawn to the war in pursuit of adventure and a sense of purpose, but soon faces the harsh realities of what he witnesses and documents. Meanwhile, Kurt joins the war effort to find his missing son, driven by a father’s love rather than any sense of patriotism. As the story progresses, both characters face moral dilemmas that challenge their initial views on the war. The narrative’s structure, with its alternating perspectives, allows you to experience the complexities of the war from both sides, offering a nuanced portrayal of how everyday people are swept up in the greater forces of history. The watercolor-like art style enhances the dreamlike, reflective tone of the story, making each scene feel like a memory being... retold (I know, I'm hilarious) which is fitting for a game that emphasizes the lasting impacts of war on individuals.
What truly makes the story resonate is its focus on humanity, forgiveness, and the futility of conflict, themes that are further strengthened by the game's quiet, contemplative moments between the grander events of the war. The narrative avoids simple heroics and instead dives into the emotional toll of loss and the yearning for redemption, which aims to leave you with a lasting, melancholic reflection on the true cost of war.
However, despite how much I enjoyed the narrative, it is absolutely worth noting that for better or for worse, this is a rather short game, which brings the price into question. You can finish 11-11 in anywhere from 4.5-6 hours for one playthrough, and while there are multiple endings, you don't really have to replay the entire game to see them due to the chapter select feature . As cool as I think this game is, I really can't say it's worth the regular $30 simply due to its length alone.
Gameplay:
In regard to the previously mention "better or for worse," this was foreshadowing the gameplay. The gameplay is one of the most underwhelming aspects, falling short of what one might expect from a game with such a compelling narrative and art direction. The mechanics are simplistic, often revolving around basic exploration and object interaction, which leaves you feeling more like an observer than an active participant in the story. Puzzles are disappointingly straightforward, offering little in terms of challenge or intellectual engagement. This lack of difficulty results in gameplay that feels stagnant, as the actions rarely lead to a sense of accomplishment beyond advancing the plot.
In addition, the alternating perspectives between the two protagonists is an interesting narrative tool, but it fails to significantly impact the gameplay itself as both characters largely play the same way other than Harry's camera, which is a missed opportunity to differentiate their experiences mechanically. The slow pacing of the game, combined with repetitive tasks, contributes to a feeling of monotony, which can make the overall experience feel more like an interactive movie than a fully-fledged game. As a player who values a rich narrative, 11-11 still holds lots of appeal, but if you're seeking more engaging or dynamic gameplay, then this is absolutely not up your alley and will probably fall into the 'walking sim' genre due to its lack of depth and interactivity.
World:
The world and level design create an emotionally resonant, visually stunning experience that feels like walking through a living painting. The hand-painted/watercolor art style captures the harshness of war and the beauty of untouched landscapes, creating a powerful contrast between the desolate battlefronts and peaceful civilian areas. Each setting—whether the grim, narrow trenches or serene forests—feels carefully crafted to evoke both the brutality of war and moments of human tenderness. While the game’s linear paths can feel restrictive, each level design each is unique and open enough to encourage minor exploration and feel genuine without losing scope. Environments are rich with symbolism, mirroring the internal struggles of the characters and enhancing the narrative’s emotional depth. The attention to detail in objects like photographs and personal items adds a human layer to the design, making the world not just a backdrop but a key part of the storytelling.
Visuals:
The visuals of 11-11 are honestly hit or miss. Either you're going to love them or absolutely hate them, but there's no doubt it's one of the most defining and memorable features, taking a bold artistic approach with a painterly, impressionistic style that sets it apart from traditional war games. The graphics feel like a moving painting, with brushstroke textures and soft, fluid edges that give the world an almost ethereal quality. This style perfectly complements the emotional narrative, with warm, golden tones used for reflective, peaceful moments and cooler, darker colors for the grim realities of World War I. The environments, from desolate battlefields to serene countryside scenes, are meticulously crafted, with stunning attention to detail in lighting and shadow, adding depth and immersion. While the impressionistic style can sometimes obscure finer details during fast-paced scenes, it adds a universal, timeless feel to the characters and world which overall makes it not just a backdrop, but an integral part of the storytelling.
Music/Sound Design:
The music and sound design are among the most powerful aspects, creating an immersive and emotionally resonant experience. The orchestral score is hauntingly beautiful, using strings and piano to subtly underscore the game's themes of war, loss, and hope. The music never overpowers the narrative but instead complements it, swelling at key moments to heighten the emotional weight of the characters' struggles. The sound design is equally impressive, with ambient noises like distant gunfire, footsteps in the snow, and the hum of wartime environments creating a deeply authentic sense of place. This meticulous attention to detail immerses you deeply in the world, making both quiet, reflective scenes and tense, dramatic moments more impactful. Together, the music and sound design form a crucial part of the game's emotional narrative, enhancing your connection to the characters and their story, and leaving a lasting impression long after the game is over.
TL;DR:
11-11: Memories Retold offers a deeply emotional and visually stunning experience, with a story that focuses on the human side of World War I through its two protagonists—Harry and Kurt. The game's narrative excels at highlighting the personal cost of war, complemented by its unique watercolor art style, which makes each scene feel especially unique. However, while the narrative is engaging, the gameplay falls short, offering basic exploration and repetitive tasks that make it feel more like an interactive movie than a fully-fledged game. The visuals are bold and impressionistic, though this style might not appeal to everyone, and the hand-painted aesthetic can obscure details during fast-paced moments. The sound design and music are standout features, adding emotional depth to both quiet and intense scenes. All-in-all, given its short 4.5-6 hour length and slightly limited replay value, I recommend 11-11, but it is best experienced on sale rather than at full price.

This is an all-round beautiful and artistically sophisticated game in the setting of World War I. 11-11: Memories Retold consists of a variety of well-composed, deeply emotional scenes, underpinned by gorgeous painterly graphics. The art style is the star of the show here. Just looking at a random screenshot taken from the game feels like entering a different world through a piece of art. You can stop at any given moment in the game and I guarantee that wherever you are, the scene will look like an oil painting. The usage of thick strokes, color and light is phenomenal and creates a very unique vibe that looks unlike any other game I've played.
11-11 is not only a beautiful game to look at but also knows how to grab the player with its writing. In the course of the game, you will perceive the events of World War I through the eyes of 2 people who are affected by the war in different ways. What I appreciated here was the fact that not only one specific view of the events of the war is given; it's not your typical "good vs. bad" depiction of this conflict that would betray a very shallow understanding of the socio-political situation that led to this disastrous tragedy. Instead, the horrors and the trauma that this war brought are conveyed through human perspectives on both sides of the frontline.
If you enjoy games like Ubisoft's Valiant Hearts and you want to learn more about the final stage of the first world war while immersing yourself in stunningly beautiful environments, you should give this game a try. Be warned that some of the events and characters depicted here are truly tragic and may break you emotionally more than once. Unfortunately, this is the nature of war. This makes the game all the more important though as 11-11: Memories Retold is a true lesson in humanity.

This game is a little harder to rate, because some things are extremely well made, while others are just boring and badly implemented. I was really looking forward to try out all the different ways and endings when I started, but was happy when the first run was over after 5-6 hours and I will not play it again.
What kept me playing was the story, which is good most of the time. I also liked the art style, music and voiceacting.
But there are a lot of things I didn't enjoyed. First of all, the story is in some parts really great as I said, but others parts feel, like pupils were forced to write a story about WW2. The characters and there choices/reactions are often really strange and not coherent. This wouldn't be such a big problem, if the gameplay was good.
But most of the time, you have to fulfill boring tasks were you walk from a to b in rather uninteresting and sometimes confusing enviorments and you will be animated to search for not really interesting bonus items and additional tasks, while you never know, if your next action will trigger the next level or will lead to a collectable or something else. In between you have to sneak, which is also pretty badly integrated and don't feel like it should be in the game.
Lastly, you should only play with a controller, because the MK control are extremly weird.
This review maybe sounds harsh, but this could just have been easily a much better, which is a shame.
For example a save function, would have made the game much more enjoyable, because I was interested in some of the choices outcomes, but there is absolutly no chance, that I drag myself again through all the uninteresting parts of the game.
Right now, it's on sale and the price of ~4€ is okay, if you're still interested, but the regular price of 24€ is way to high.
I will give it a thumbs up in the end, because I enjoyed some parts of the game and there is a good amount of content for the price, but one playthrough was enough for me.
6/10

With 11-11 Memories Retold, Aardman Studios pays tribute to the impact of the First World War. Through an art style that resembles an impressionist painting that comes to life and an incredibly atmospheric soundtrack, the game manages to take you on two adventures that will ultimately lead to one of seven different endings.
And ofcourse, great voice acting by both Elijah Wood and Sebastian Koch as Harry and Kurt.

11-11: Memories Retold is one of those rare games that stays with you long after the credits roll. A deeply emotional narrative adventure set during World War I, it tells the intertwined stories of Harry, a young Canadian photographer, and Kurt, a German technician searching for his lost son. Unlike most war games, 11-11 doesn’t focus on combat or strategy but instead explores the human side of war—loss, hope, and the unexpected connections that form in the most harrowing of circumstances.
What immediately sets this game apart is its breathtaking, hand-painted art style. Every scene looks like a living impressionist painting, full of swirling brushstrokes and soft edges. While I can see how it might not be for everyone—especially those who prefer sharper, more detailed visuals—I found it to be a perfect match for the game’s dreamlike, reflective tone. The watercolor aesthetic makes everything feel distant, like a fading memory, which only enhances the game’s emotional weight.
The storytelling is where 11-11 truly shines. The game’s dual perspectives offer a nuanced look at the war from both sides, with strong voice performances from Elijah Wood (Harry) and Sebastian Koch (Kurt) adding depth to their respective characters. The writing is subtle but powerful, letting small moments carry immense emotional impact. Instead of glorifying war, the game makes you feel the weight of it—the uncertainty, the sorrow, and the brief glimpses of humanity amidst the chaos.
But the part that truly made me love 11-11? The cat. Yes, you can actually play as a cat stuck underground, navigating through the trenches, slipping between soldiers, and experiencing the war from a completely different perspective. It’s such a unique addition, and while it could have just been a gimmick, it ends up being a surprisingly poignant element of the story. The cat doesn’t understand the war; it’s just trying to survive, which in a way mirrors the struggle of the main characters. Playing as this little feline, weaving through danger, adds a layer of emotional depth I wasn’t expecting.
Overall, 11-11: Memories Retold is a masterful experience—one that is more about emotion than action, more about memory than history. It’s a game that doesn’t just tell a story but makes you feel it. Whether you’re drawn in by the narrative, the stunning art, or—like me—the chance to play as a cat, this is a game worth experiencing. Just be prepared for an emotional journey you won’t forget.
⭐️ 9/10 ⭐️

A quite unique game, 7/10.
Gameplay: There is not much action in the game, even though it revolves around the first world war. I was first quite surprised by this, but as you'll come to see, it wouldn't fit into the game's narrative to start killing as if you were playing DOOM.
Story: Now, this is the core part of this game, having a great plot. In the game runs on two threads, both represent a participant of WW1. The game showcases two great characters and their developement during the years and the human side of war is exceptionally highlighted. The story in this case is strong enough to carry the game on its back.
Visually: I guess this is the most controverisal part of the game. It's obviously a hit or miss, personally I loved the artstyle, seemed as if paintings came alive to tell me about their context.
Achievement hunting: There are a lot of missable achievements and you will need multiple endings, but each chapter can be easily replayed, thus collectibles and endings are fast enough to get. Except for the ""emotional distress"", there is nothing skill-demanding in the achievements.

Story
11-11 Memories Retold makes us dive in the heart of the Great War, while our two protagonists that everything dissociates are are propelled into one of the most defining moments of the twentieth century.
What strikes first in the story of 11-11 it is the banality of the event that drives our two characters to immerse themselves in the horror of the trenches : one wants to find his son, the other wants to impress the girl he loves. Through this banality, the full horror of war is revealed: families shattered and sacrified youth.
The script, though somewhat clumsy, is still effective and touching. It reminds us that even in the midst of horror we must retain our humanity. And that's what our protagonists will do when they meet in a trench during the battle of the Somme. Two enemies, separated by language, will have to survive together.
Their fates would inevitably converge in the course of the war, right up to its conclusion on 11 November.
Although I regret the clumsy narrative, a rushed ending and alternative endings with little difference or interest, the story of 11-11 is a pleasant one, with endearing characters full of humanity.
Gameplay
11-11 is a walking simulator, the game offers nothing more than walking phases punctuated by all kinds of interactions. While the realisation of this kind of gameplay may seem ‘simple’, the execution is nonetheless passable. The game suffers from a real problem of heaviness: movement and interaction are slow and clumsy, and really prevented me from fully appreciating the narrative.

On the plus side, Harry's camera, which allows us to take snapshots, adds a nice touch, justified by both the narrative and the art style.
Artstyle
As you will have noticed from the first moments of the game, 11-11 is inspired by Impressionism, a 19th-century artistic movement. And it's beautiful, but it doesn't really work.
Firstly, it takes several minutes to get used to this sort of ‘blur’ that will follow you through the ten or so hours it takes to complete the adventure.
Secondly, this same blur can sometimes work against the gameplay by making interactive elements difficult to find (particularly collectibles).
Even so, once you get the hang of it, 11-11 offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in video games.
Conclusion
Is 11-11 a good game?
No, not necessarily.
Is it bad?
Not either.
The awkward gameplay I mentioned earlier almost made me give up several times. But I kept at it, determined to complete 100% and advance the completion of my library.
I don't regret the time I spent on 11-11, I was able to see some magnificent landscapes, the battle of the Somme in particular. I followed the story of the two characters which, even if it ends in slightly stereotypical ways, is nonetheless touching.
It's hard to play 11-11 without comparing it in some way to Valiants Hearts : Memories of the Grat War. It may be a spiritual sequel, but it's still a less enjoyable experience than its predecessor.
To sum up, 11-11 is a passable experience with its highs, its lows and its moments of irritation. While I'm not sorry I didn't abandon it, I am glad I finished it.
I still recommend it, but if the opportunity to give it an ‘Average’ rating was available on Steam, that would be the rating I'd give it.
11/20