Genesis Noir

Visually Stunning. Emotionally gripping. Bold and Beautiful. Heartbreaking and thoughtful. I think if you're the type of person to be drawn in by the art style, and enjoy point and clicks and puzzles, you'll enjoy where this game takes you.

Played and finished it on Game Pass. Music: 5/5 If you like jazz. I do, so it's great. Visuals: 4/5 This is of course subjective, and easy to see if you like it before buying. For me it's interesting and unique enough to put it clearly above average, but still not my favorite, so 4/5. Gameplay: 1/5 What gameplay? You don't feel like you "play" the game. It's an interactive story, very low on interaction. "Story": 2/5 This is very very very subjective. Can't truly describe the story, so I'll try to explain why it didn't work on me without saying anything about it. The game reminded me of a class on literature I had back in high school, where the teacher would ask "what are the themes? what is the author trying to convey? how can this be interpreted?". I hated that class with a passion, so the game didn't work for me. Overall: 3/5 Given what I know now I wouldn't have played the game. About halfway through I really wanted it to end. It was a 2/5 at most then. As the end was in sight it felt a bit better, it flowed in a more pleasant way.

The Big Bang and the genre of noir are two ideas that don’t typically go together. Yet, the developers at Feral Cat Den think they do, and the result is ‘Genesis Noir’. In this game, Feral Cat Den presents a noir tale about the creation of the universe, the evolution on Earth, and the future of humanity. 1950s aesthetics, a hard-drinking, obsessive protagonist caught in turmoil because of a femme fatale, predominant use of high-contrast black, white and glowing yellow, and a jazz soundtrack come together to form an adventure game that’s unlike anything that we’ve seen to date. To me, ‘Genesis Noir’ is not just a game – it is art. Even without the puzzles (e.g., 2D and 3D jigsaw puzzles, musical Simon Says), ‘Genesis Noir’ is imaginative, insightful and thought-provoking. Story events are metaphorical and abstract in equal measure, and visual and narrative elements show influence from Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’. This game is for players who are ready to study and appreciate symbolic visual and literary language. While the puzzles allow players to be more invested in the protagonist’s journey, they sometimes drag the already slow pace of the game down further. At times, what players need to do to proceed is not clear, and requires some trial and error. The last bit of the game, after a few seemingly appropriate places for an ending, feels protracted. If it weren’t for the stunning art design, I would have lost interest. I also enjoyed the use of jazz, a musical genre that has its grammar, but also room for improvisation. It’s a perfect metaphor for the Big Bang and the ensuing events. There’s order in the science, but unpredictability in the development and evolution of life. The parts where jazz is at the forefront are easily my favourite. ‘Genesis Noir’ as a game will not appeal to everyone, but it’s a unique, stunning work of art. Its creative interpretation, stylized presentation, and clever use of jazz are enough for me to recommend this game.

There's much information in the shop page description than there is in the "game" itself. Pointless.

Rarely do games leave me both emotionally moved and intellectually curious. The combination of a pulp noir story with an overview of contemporary cosmology works far better than I would have imagined. This one that will stay with me for quite some time. The gameplay mechanics are simple point-and-click for the most part. The puzzles are engaging and captivating, without being overly difficult. And when stuck, the soundtrack helps keep the mood calm. (The silky jazz soundtrack is superb, fitting the aesthetic of the animation and tone of the story.) For the most part the story is linear and there's limited ability to roam about a given environment. But that's the intent here - to tell an interactive story that keeps the player/audience focused and engaged. Due to the themes and content, this game is geared toward mature players. There isn't a great deal of action, this is more about exploration, and internalizing the story. All in all, exceedingly well done.