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Depression, often overlooked compared to physical ailments, is a serious mental health condition that tragically claims lives. TwoPM Studios tackles this sensitive topic in their game The Thin Silence, aiming to raise awareness and offer hope. This review explores whether the game achieves its ambitious goals.

A Poignant Exploration of Inner Turmoil

The Thin Silence‘s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of protagonist Ezra Westmark’s inner struggles. The game opens in a dark, desolate mine, where Ezra begins his journey. Following his emotional trek through challenging obstacles, players uncover Ezra’s past, revealing the events and experiences that led him to his current state.

Metaphors and flashbacks effectively convey the nuances of Ezra’s life and his world, fostering empathy within the player. Joy, sorrow, remorse, and self-doubt – these raw emotions are palpable, exposing the roots of Ezra’s depression and his path towards healing and emerging from the darkness.

The Thin Silence – Exploring the Mine

The melancholic soundtrack and minimalist pixel art style enhance the game’s introspective atmosphere. Philosophical documents scattered throughout the journey pose thought-provoking questions about human existence and civilization, adding depth to the experience.

The Thin Silence masterfully portrays the complex emotions of a person struggling with depression.

The Thin Silence offers a profound emotional experience. For those battling depression, it provides a sense of connection and hope, demonstrating that recovery is possible. For others, it offers a window into the realities of depression, promoting understanding and empathy.

The Thin Silence – Emotional Journey

Where’s the Entertainment?

While The Thin Silence excels at creating a somber and introspective atmosphere, its entertainment value falls short. As a puzzle-adventure game, it attempts to incorporate crafting mechanics, allowing players to combine items to unlock new paths and challenges. However, the puzzles themselves are simplistic and repetitive, lacking depth and ingenuity.

The puzzles feel disconnected from the game’s narrative and emotional core. They exist as a separate element, forced upon the player rather than integrated seamlessly into the experience. Focusing solely on the puzzles risks missing the poignant story and philosophical reflections that give the game its true value.

The Thin Silence – Puzzle Mechanics

The 4-5 hour playtime can feel tedious if not fully immersed in the narrative and emotional journey. Ezra’s agonizingly slow movement speed exacerbates this issue, making traversal a test of patience rather than an enjoyable aspect of gameplay.

The puzzle elements feel disjointed from the narrative, detracting from the overall experience.

While the slow pace may be intentional, aiming to reflect Ezra’s emotional state, it ultimately hinders the gameplay experience. Even the minigame of hacking passwords by connecting letters becomes more engaging than the main puzzle-solving aspect.

The Thin Silence – Environmental Exploration

Conclusion

The Thin Silence stems from noble intentions and a powerful concept. However, it fails to deliver a compelling gameplay experience and struggles to integrate its entertainment elements with its narrative goals. The game is best suited for those seeking a deeply emotional and introspective journey or those seeking solace and understanding in the face of depression. For others seeking traditional entertainment, The Thin Silence may not suffice.

• Developer: TWOPM STUDIOS

• Publisher: NKIDU GAME

• Genre: Adventure

• Release Date: April 27, 2018

• Platform: PC

• Minimum System Requirements:

  • OS: Windows 7
  • Processor: Intel Dual Core
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Integrated Graphic
  • DirectX: 9.0
  • Storage: 300 MB available space