Beautiful Desolation
BEAUTIFUL DESOLATION is a 2D isometric adventure game set in the distant future. Explore a post-apocalyptic landscape, solve puzzles, meet new friends and make powerful enemies, mediate conflicts and fight for your life as you unravel the secrets of the world around you. FEATURING A story-driven adventure set in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future. A unique tribal punk aesthetic and 2D isometric rendered environments. Puzzles and classic adventure gameplay. Bizarre creatures, animals and vibrant characters await. Mark, a man out of time, searches for his lost brother Don, in a far-flung futuristic era ruled by highly advanced technologies which are both revered and reviled. Your surroundings hold echoes of a desolate past, and glimpses of a dark future that has yet to be written by your actions. Be prepared to face many tough choices that will shape this land long after you complete your journey. The score is masterfully crafted by composer Mick Gordon, known for his work on Wolfenstein®, DOOM®, Prey®, Killer Instinct® and Need for Speed®. The inhabitants of this world will help and hinder you, as you make new discoveries and navigate the spectacular African-inspired landscape. Negotiate your passage with local leaders, healers and warriors, or find yourself embroiled in a battle against nanite swarms, enormous scorpions and rocket-equipped robots.
Game Discussion
Steam User 19
Great artwork. I enjoyed collecting the hand-made drawings from each location.
There is a lot of content in this point-and-click adventure game, though I referenced a walkthough guide many times to advance through the story.
Discovered the secret of the pemrose on an ubuntu linux desktop computer.
Steam User 7
A game that left me with mixed feelings. I adore the art style, post apocalyptic sci-fi setting, story, various factions, captivating NPC's, voice acting and dialogues. However the gameplay is severely lacking and I had to drag myself to the end of the game.
I'll describe to you an example of the gameplay loop. You'll be in a town, talk to an NPC for a brief moment, get a quest, call transport, go to overworld, move to teleporter, teleport to next zone, travel to location, pick up item, call transport, go to overworld, move to teleporter, teleport to previous zone, travel to town, talk to NPC for a moment, complete quest, rinse and repeat.
That brief moment of talking to an NPC is where the game shines, with outstanding characters, voice acting and dialogues, but the time spent on that doesn't compare to the time wasted on traveling back and forth. With a walkthrough you can go straight to the point, but without that it would be even worse. In addition to that the world is mostly empty so you'll be running around exploring vast areas only to pick up one story or collectable item or talk to a lone NPC here or there.
Obviously it is a point & click game, and I appreciate the gameplay around that, but overall it leaves a lot to be desired. It has (optional) turn-based combat in one specific area, and a karma system, so I kept thinking why they didn't have more going on to engage with (think Undertale). Either condense the world (no needless traveling) or fill up the world with things to do.
All in all I'm giving this game a positive review, but it comes with caveats.
Steam User 6
This game deserves more attention.
It's quite an experience. Even though it's mostly bringing items to various characters and locations, said characters and locations, their aesthetics, together with the soundtrack and the world building, make the experience worth it. I didn't feel these "fetch quests" as something tedious, I could only look forward to the next line of dialogue and the next scenery to contemplate. The duration of the game is just right, without overstaying its welcome.
It's a great (or should I say "lekker") game, and a wonderful work of art.
Steam User 5
It has been 3 years since the game was released.
I have found a game-breaking bug.
Checked forums, internet - my bug was unique, never happened before.
I stated to myself, "f*ck".
Then I decided that maybe I will write it on the discussions forum, just so people don't replicate my bug and get themselves f*cked like I did.
Got a response on the thread on the same day from Developer Nic asking me to send them the game save.
On a Sunday afternoon, I got a reply to my email within 3h... with a fixed save to continue the journey.
If that's not AAA support right there, I have no idea what is.
THAT is true dedication and support! Big companies don't care about things like that and they should take notes, as I am going to throw my money at The Brotherhood to buy the games at full price.
As for the game itself? It is pleasant, not too complicated like some point and click games, I like the plot and the actual option to be nice/nasty to people. Really made my day during some conversations!
Graphics are more like Fallout 1, though sometimes you feel the isometric view is playing tricks (like a little squid plant crawling up a wall which ended below it), but not too bad too.
I enjoyed it and if I gave it 6.5/10, I would call it an honest review.
But for just the support... I will give it 10/10.
Thanks Nic for being awesome!
Steam User 4
It seems to me like most of these reviewers don't grasp the concept of a point & click adventure game.
This is an absolutely excellent game. It's so good with multiple branching story lines that i played through it a second time.
I work full time and have kids, i never replay games these days.
Steam User 4
Unsure why it says 0.5 hours played, finished this gem twice.
You either love it or hate it.
If you have good patience and love this style of games, go for it, only costs 6-7 bucks on sale.
If you have no patience, do not buy it, It is rather complex.
Steam User 4
Played it through in one sitting. Its weird and interesting. I played through Stasis as well before, and like this much more.