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CRITIK

Unravel

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Unravel
Item: Unravel
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2016

GenresFantasy, Adventure, Action, Platformer, Old-School Style, Side View Perspective, Puzzle and Logic, Single Player

AvailableFeb 9, 2016

PlatformXbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

DeveloperColdwood Interactive

Overview

Unravel is a game about Yarny, a tiny character born from a single thread. Yarny embarks on a big adventure into the nature, inspired by the beauty of Northern Scandinavia. Without any spoken words, the character will have to solve puzzles and use tools to overcome tough challenges. All this, in order to find memories of his lost family. Only Yarny can be the bond that ties everything together in the end.

Elsewhere

7.8

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

79%

Mixed (50-79)

20%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The story of Unravel has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Many reviewers praised the game for its emotional depth and poignant storytelling. Critics like GameSpot appreciated how the narrative focused on memories and past experiences, delivering a powerful message about letting go of memories and evoking childhood nostalgia. Gameplanet also highlighted the minimalist and abstract storytelling that touched upon themes like love, loss, and death, providing a contextual backdrop for Yarny's actions without overshadowing the gameplay. Additionally, critics such as Impulsegamer and PlayStation Universe commended the emotional connection created between the player and the game through Yarny's journey and the exploration of memories. On the other hand, some critics expressed concerns about the story of Unravel. The Jimquisition and AusGamers criticized the narrative for being mawkish, lacking substance, and feeling disconnected from the player. PC Gamer and Examiner found the story to be melancholic, mopey, and lacking impact, with elements of sadness and hardship that didn't resonate well with the audience. Furthermore, God is a Geek and CGMagazine pointed out that the narrative felt secondary due to a lack of clarity and explanation, leaving the story feeling obscure and lacking a strong emotional impact. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the story of Unravel leans towards the positive side, with many appreciating the emotional storytelling and thematic depth it offers. While some reviewers had reservations about the narrative feeling disconnected or lacking impact, the majority of critics found the game's exploration of memories, love, and loss to be engaging and emotionally resonant. The heartfelt and relatable nature of the story, as highlighted by Hardcore Gamer, COGconnected, and Arcade Sushi, contributes to creating a unique and captivating narrative experience that invites players to reflect on themes of family, relationships, and the passage of time.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Unravel's story receives mixed feedback from critics, with praise for its emotional depth and poignant storytelling focusing on memories and past experiences. Some critics laud the game's exploration of themes like love and loss, creating a strong emotional connection with the player. However, others criticize the narrative for being mawkish, lacking substance, and feeling disconnected. Overall, while some find the story melancholic and lacking impact, many appreciate its thematic depth and emotional resonance, offering a unique and captivating narrative experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

42%

Mixed (50-79)

54%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Unravel has received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its engaging puzzle-solving mechanics and clever level design. Critics like COGconnected and Twinfinite appreciate the smart physics-based platforming and varied puzzles that offer a fresh and challenging experience. PC Games also commends the engaging puzzle-solving mechanics and clever puzzles that provide around 6-8 hours of playtime. EGM highlights the delightful puzzles that utilize Yarny's yarn trail to solve environmental obstacles, adding to the overall positive sentiment towards the gameplay. On the negative side, several critics express frustration with the gameplay of Unravel. The Jimquisition criticizes the pedestrian and repetitive nature of the puzzles, noting that they lack creativity and fail to capitalize on Yarny's unique abilities. ZTGD and Game Revolution mention frustrating mechanics like backtracking, limited string supply, and unforgiving challenges that can lead to moments of frustration. Games(TM) and Polygon also point out issues with trial-and-error gameplay, unpredictable physics, and lack of clear solutions in some puzzles, contributing to the overall sentiment of mixed opinions on the gameplay experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of Unravel leans towards a divisive reception. While some critics appreciate the game's clever puzzle mechanics and engaging platforming elements, others find the gameplay to be lacking in innovation, challenge, and overall execution. Critics like GameSpot and Examiner highlight the basic and sometimes uninspired nature of the puzzles, while Shacknews and Game Informer mention the frustrating moments and lack of sustained innovation in the gameplay. The varied opinions from critics indicate that while Unravel has its strengths in terms of puzzle design and unique mechanics, it also falls short in delivering a consistently satisfying gameplay experience for all players.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Unravel's gameplay divides critics - some praise its engaging puzzles and clever mechanics, while others criticize its lack of creativity, frustrating mechanics, and trial-and-error gameplay. Mixed opinions highlight its strengths in puzzle design and unique mechanics, but also point out its shortcomings in innovation and overall execution.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

95%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the graphics and visual design of Unravel, highlighting its stunning beauty and attention to detail. Game Revolution commended the charming and detailed visual design, creating a sense of wonder with environments filled with wood, dirt, grass, and yarn. Similarly, GameSpot noted the strikingly rich detail in the photorealistic abandoned worlds, showcasing impeccable attention to detail. IGN also lauded the highly realistic and richly detailed environments, creating the illusion of exploring the world through a magnifying glass. The visuals were described as gorgeous, stunning, beautiful, and jaw-droppingly beautiful by various critics such as Gaming Age, Gameplanet, and GamingTrend, emphasizing the game's visual appeal. However, amidst the overwhelming praise, some critics did point out certain drawbacks in the graphics and visual design of Unravel. The Jimquisition criticized the visual feedback, stating that interactive objects sometimes blend into the background, making progress difficult and the design obfuscating. God is a Geek echoed similar sentiments, mentioning that the foreground and background often blend together, causing confusion and making key elements hard to distinguish. These criticisms suggest that while the game excels in aesthetics, there are instances where the visual design may hinder gameplay experience by not providing clear feedback or distinction between interactive elements. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the graphics and visual design of Unravel. The game is praised for its stunning beauty, attention to detail, and immersive environments inspired by northern Sweden. Critics like PC Gamer and InsideGamer.nl highlighted the game's beautiful and realistic environments, creating visually stunning and immersive worlds for players to explore. Despite some minor issues with visual feedback and blending elements, the majority of reviewers found Unravel's graphics to be exceptional, with many considering it one of the best-looking titles on consoles. The game's ability to capture the charm and elegance of Scandinavian nature, coupled with its detailed environments and unique visual style, contributed to an overall positive reception from critics, making Unravel a visually captivating and memorable experience for players.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics raved about Unravel's graphics, praising its stunning beauty and attention to detail. However, some noted drawbacks like blending interactive objects with the background. Overall, the majority of reviewers found Unravel's visuals exceptional, with many considering it one of the best-looking titles on consoles, capturing the charm of Scandinavian nature.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

93%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The majority of the critics who reviewed Unravel praised the game's Sound Design and Music, highlighting various positive aspects. CGMagazine appreciated how the music matched the melancholic tone of the game perfectly, adding to its overall charm. Digitally Downloaded noted that the soundtrack set a deep and resonant emotion, enhancing the vulnerability and sentimentality of the main character, Yarny. Gameplanet mentioned that the beautiful melodies in the soundtrack drove the game onwards, painting an emotional atmosphere alongside the visuals. Additionally, GameSpot and The Jimquisition both praised the impactful role of the music in enhancing the emotional journey and audiovisual impressiveness of the game. On the other hand, a few critics had some negative feedback regarding the Sound Design and Music of Unravel. PC Gamer criticized the music for being mopey and not always enhancing the gameplay experience, while ZTGD found the music to consist of short loops, which they found disappointing. These criticisms point towards a lack of consistency in the music's ability to engage players throughout the gameplay experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive towards the Sound Design and Music of Unravel. The orchestrated music, lovely violin accompaniment, and folk-inspired melodies were widely praised for enhancing the emotional depth, mood, and storytelling of the game. Critics like Examiner and Gameplanet highlighted how the immersive sounds and music contributed positively to the overall experience, while LevelUp emphasized the crucial role the music played in setting the emotional tone of the game. Despite a few criticisms, the majority of reviewers found the Sound Design and Music of Unravel to be a significant strength, adding depth and emotional resonance to the gameplay.

TL;DR

music and sound design

TLDR: Critics overwhelmingly praised Unravel's Sound Design and Music for enhancing the emotional depth and storytelling of the game, with accolades for its melancholic tones, deep emotions, and immersive sounds. Despite some negative feedback on consistency, the majority found the music to be a significant strength that added emotional resonance to the gameplay experience.

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

14%

Mixed (50-79)

71%

Negative (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of technical performance on the PS4, Examiner and GameSpew both noted positive experiences, with Examiner stating that the game runs smoothly without any issues and GameSpew highlighting smooth and responsive gameplay with no glitches mentioned. Additionally, GameOver.gr praised the technically impressive game crafted by Coldwood Interactive, showcasing solid mechanics on the PS4 platform. On the other hand, several critics on the PS4 platform pointed out technical issues. GameCritics mentioned objects not acting properly and interactive elements not standing out clearly from the background, leading to occasional frustration. GamingTrend highlighted occasional physics issues and a confusing attaching mechanic, while The Jimquisition criticized unpredictable physics and poor communication with the player, leading to frustrating experiences. NZGamer also noted difficulty spikes and physics engine quirks that may frustrate players, suggesting a lack of wider playtesting as a potential factor. Across different platforms, the overall consensus among critics is mixed regarding the technical performance of Unravel. While some critics like GameOver.gr and PC Games appreciated the solid mechanics and well-placed checkpoints to prevent frustrating backtracking, others such as GameSpot and The Jimquisition highlighted inconsistencies in physics and mechanics, leading to moments of frustration and inconsistency. We Got This Covered provided a balanced view, mentioning that while Unravel runs well with an impressively stable frame rate on the Xbox One, some glitches like foreground items disappearing were encountered, impacting the overall experience. The varying opinions from critics suggest that while Unravel showcases technical strengths on certain platforms, there are notable technical issues that affect the gameplay experience on others, ultimately leading to a mixed reception among reviewers.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics have mixed feelings about Unravel's technical performance. Some praise its smooth gameplay on PS4, while others point out frustrating issues like unpredictable physics and glitches. Across platforms, opinions vary, with some appreciating solid mechanics and others criticizing inconsistencies. Overall, Unravel's technical strengths shine on some platforms but fall short on others, resulting in a divided reception among reviewers.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

82%

Negative (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted the emotional depth, charming storytelling, and beautiful visuals of Unravel as factors that could potentially attract players for multiple playthroughs. The Guardian noted that while the game may not offer significant replay value, its emotional message and charming gameplay could still engage players. Additionally, M3 pointed out that the presence of additional secrets and hidden items in the game adds to its replayability, providing an incentive for players to explore further. On the negative side, many critics raised concerns about the limited replay value of Unravel. GameSpot and Examiner mentioned the lack of gameplay challenge and variation, which could make the puzzles feel repetitive over time. EGM and Gameplanet also noted the short length of the game, with EGM specifically mentioning the lack of compelling reasons to replay it beyond finding secrets and achievements. These factors contribute to a general consensus among critics that Unravel may not offer substantial replay value due to its straightforward puzzles and linear gameplay. Overall, while Unravel may not excel in terms of replayability, its emotional storytelling, beautiful visuals, and hidden collectibles provide some incentives for players to revisit the game. Critics like Digitally Downloaded appreciated the emotional depth and storytelling of Unravel, making it a special experience worth revisiting for those who appreciate its themes. However, the general sentiment among reviewers, as highlighted by Game Informer and Game Revolution, is that the game's limited gameplay challenge and short length may hinder its overall replay value. Ultimately, Unravel's appeal for replay seems to vary depending on individual preferences for narrative-driven experiences and exploration of hidden secrets.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Unravel for its emotional depth and charm, but raise concerns about its limited replay value due to lack of challenge and short length. While some appreciate its beautiful visuals and hidden collectibles, others find its puzzles repetitive and linear gameplay uninspiring. Overall, Unravel's replay appeal is mixed, with its emotional storytelling being a standout feature for some.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

62%

Mixed (50-79)

37%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of the critics, it is evident that "Unravel" received praise for several aspects. Critics such as Metro GameCentral, Game Informer, and Digital Spy highlighted the game's stunning visuals, emotional storytelling, and charming protagonist. The game's art style, character design, and lighting were also commended by God is a Geek and Game Revolution. The heartfelt narrative and unique gameplay mechanics were particularly appreciated by GameSpew and Hardcore Gamer, emphasizing the emotional depth and personal connection the game offers to players. On the other hand, the critics also pointed out some negatives about "Unravel." The game was criticized for its frustrating puzzles and lack of clarity in gameplay by God is a Geek, Polygon, and Game Revolution. PC Gamer and Yahoo! mentioned issues with the somber story and repetitive puzzles, while IGN and Xbox Achievements highlighted the lack of complexity in gameplay and challenges. Some critics, such as The Jimquisition and ZTGD, found the game to be lacking in engaging game design and fun experiences, indicating a disconnect between the game's style and substance. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the overall verdict of "Unravel" is mixed. While some critics like Game Rant and COGconnected consider it a wonder to play and one of the greatest games of its year, others like The Jimquisition and ZTGD view it as disappointing and lacking in substance. The general sentiment leans towards appreciating the game's visual beauty, emotional storytelling, and unique gameplay mechanics, despite its flaws in puzzle design, gameplay mechanics, and replay value. The game's ability to evoke emotions and offer a heartfelt experience seems to resonate positively with most critics, making it a recommended choice for players seeking a more intimate and emotionally engaging gaming experience.

TL;DR

"Unravel" received praise for its stunning visuals, emotional storytelling, and unique gameplay mechanics by critics. However, some pointed out issues with frustrating puzzles and lack of clarity in gameplay. While opinions vary, most critics appreciate the game's beauty and emotional depth, making it a recommended choice for players looking for an intimate gaming experience.

CRITIK

Reviews

141 reviews found

100

Destructoid

PlayStation 4

Feb 8, 2016

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A rare and special game that imparts a story that touches strings deep in the heart, with delightful gameplay and stunning scenery.

100

GameSpew

PlayStation 4

Apr 7, 2016

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer couldn't think of any negative thing to say about the game and highly recommends it, especially for puzzle or platformer game enthusiasts.

Read full review

100

DarkStation

PlayStation 4

Feb 8, 2016

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Unravel is a complete no-brainer with great visuals, excellent mechanics, and a satisfyingly sweet, personal narrative background

100

Digitally Downloaded

PlayStation 4

Feb 18, 2016

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Unravel is described as a truly special and beautiful game that delves into human emotions and memories with a personal and artful approach. Despite potential disappointment in the puzzle difficulty, the game is praised for its unique narrative and emotional impact.

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ICXM

Xbox One

Feb 8, 2016

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Unravel is one of the best games played by the reviewer, with an amazing story, beautiful soundtrack, and stunning artwork. The fact that it was created by a small indie studio is appreciated. The game is recommended for everyone.

NZGamer

PlayStation 4

Feb 8, 2016

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Unravel is described as a special game that transcends target audiences, offering a captivating and heartwarming experience despite occasional frustrations with difficulty. The game's emotional storytelling, music, and world design make it a memorable journey.

Games.cz

Mar 7, 2016

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A delightful and graceful gaming experience that resonates emotionally, praised for pure enjoyment and craftsmanship

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Ragequit.gr

Feb 21, 2016

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Visually stunning and emotionally engaging experience that leaves a lasting impact on players, appealing to a wide audience.

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Game Rant

PlayStation 4

Feb 8, 2016

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Unravel is a propulsive journey that delights, entertains, and challenges the player, with a clear destination.

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PlayStation Universe

PlayStation 4

Feb 8, 2016

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Unravel is a special, warm, and inviting game that captivates players with its heartfelt storytelling and innovative gameplay mechanics, despite some minor flaws in certain sections.