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Rain of Reflections, a cyberpunk adventure game inspired by films like Minority Report, Children of Men, and Blade Runner, initially promises a compelling narrative. However, the game ultimately fails to deliver on its potential. This review explores both the strengths and weaknesses of Rain of Reflections.

A Visually and Aurally Engaging Experience

Rain of Reflections shines in its visual presentation of a cyberpunk world. From sprawling complexes and factories to luxurious apartments and gritty harborside slums, the environments are detailed and meticulously crafted. While not entirely unique, the consistent art style creates a sense of excitement and discovery as players explore new locations.

alt: A screenshot from Rain of Reflections showing a character in a futuristic, neon-lit environment.

The game’s soundtrack further enhances the atmosphere, adding a layer of tension and intrigue to the exploration. The music effectively complements the cyberpunk setting, creating a sense of immersion that evokes a blend of Children of Men and Blade Runner.

alt: A screenshot from Rain of Reflections depicting a dimly lit, atmospheric alleyway.

A Lack of Narrative Impact

Rain of Reflections begins with a promising premise: humanity faces extinction due to widespread infertility until the birth of a single child reignites hope. While intriguing, the story fails to make a lasting impact throughout its two-hour playtime.

Despite being the first installment in a larger narrative, the game lacks the compelling drive to encourage further exploration. The characters are uninteresting and underdeveloped, while the plot points are predictable and lack weight. The narrative choices often feel superfluous and illogical, leading to nowhere and ultimately undermining the game’s adventure aspect.

Gameplay Shortcomings

Beyond the narrative, Rain of Reflections features puzzle-solving and combat. The combat mechanics resemble a less engaging and flawed version of XCOM. The enemy AI is weak, the level design is simplistic, and the player’s skillset is limited. The “momentum” mechanic, intended to enhance player abilities, is the only noteworthy aspect of the combat system. However, the absence of other crucial mechanics makes the overall experience bland.

alt: A screenshot from Rain of Reflections displaying the game's tactical combat view.

The puzzles, presented as “hacking” minigames, are disappointingly simple. These minigames involve rotating objects, locating sound sources, and guiding a ball to a target. Their lack of challenge renders them unsatisfying and devoid of any sense of accomplishment.

alt: A screenshot showcasing a puzzle element within Rain of Reflections.

Conclusion

Rain of Reflections presents a visually appealing cyberpunk world with a fitting soundtrack. However, the game falls short in its narrative execution, offering a predictable and unengaging story. The gameplay, including both combat and puzzles, lacks depth and challenge, ultimately hindering the overall experience. While the game shows potential in its setting and atmosphere, it fails to capitalize on its initial promise.

Game Information

• Developer: Lionbite Games
• Publisher: Lionbite Games
• Genre: Adventure, Strategy, Puzzle
• Release Date: October 4, 2019
• Platform: PC

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10
• CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 (3.1 GHz)/AMD FX-6300 (3.5 GHz)
• RAM: 8GB
• GPU: 2 GB, GeForce GTX 660/Radeon HD 7870
• Storage: 10GB

Tested System Configuration

• OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3750H
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1660ti
• Storage: Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB