a•part•ment

a•part•ment approaches a very sensitive moment that sooner or later, all of us face in your lives, that of a breakup. It’s a story-driven game that pulls you into the thoughts, memories and state of mind of Nick, the young man who’s devastated after his girlfriend dumps him.

a•part•ment uses a visual design that might seem not all that appropriate for this kind of a subject. Most people would expect it to be gloomy, dark, to convey all the tragic feelings that overwhelm the mind in a moment like this. However, despite the fact that a•part•ment uses a simple design with clean and clear graphics, it manages to create an excellent atmosphere in which to experience the story.

Nick’s feelings, state of mind, thoughts and everything else are recreated through gameplay subtlety. The game is played from a first-person perspective and as you explore the apartment you will be able to interact with objects that trigger memories and help piece together stories from their relationship. Mental and physical fatigue are delivered through wonderfully written text and slow, dizzying character movement. The pace at which the story unfolds is simply perfect.

From a narrative point of view, a•part•ment will strike the interest of those who enjoy reading a good book. The presentation is everything to this game and the team behind it did a great job by implementing several stories into the game, each one recreated and enclosed in a different look and style.

You will get to know and connect to other people’s stories that will offer a more profound meaning to Nick’s situation and everything together will certainly have you reflecting on moments from your life. If you’ve loved before, it’s nearly impossible to not feel what Nick is going through.

As a game, a•part•ment is excellently built, and the gameplay mechanics are well polished. Everything runs and works smooth, making the entire experience immersive. From a story point of view, a•part•ment hooks you immediately, and although what happens won’t make you happy, you just can’t detach yourself from it.

You can find more about the game on the a•part•ment Kickstarter page.