The August Before

Players find satisfaction in the game's high replayability, rich lore discovery, and overall pleasant experience, often highlighted by its charming style, atmosphere, music, and beautiful visuals. The gameplay involving cleaning and piecing together narratives, along with its concise yet impactful nature and fixed bugs, contributes significantly to this positive feeling.

Frustration primarily stems from numerous game-breaking bugs and minor glitches, such as falling items, non-functional puzzles, or lost progress, which severely disrupt gameplay. Additionally, issues like severe 3D motion sickness, unclear objectives, a short storyline, and the absence of a proper save function contribute to player annoyance and dissatisfaction.

Empathy arises from the game's deeply touching and relatable narrative, often prompting players to feel a shared emotional experience or connect personally with its themes of moving on. The storytelling, particularly through objects and the exploration of sad but familiar situations, evokes strong emotional responses, sometimes leading to tears.

Disappointment is mainly caused by the game's brevity, with many players wishing for more content and expressing that the experience felt too short. Additionally, encountering bugs that prevent further progression contributes to this negative feeling, as players are unable to complete a game they wanted to continue playing.

Appreciation is directed towards the game's high artistic quality, including its lovely environmental storytelling, beautiful art style, and music, which collectively create a wholesome and cozy experience. Players also acknowledge and thank the developers for their work, the game's compelling themes, and its perceived value, often considering it a favorite indie title.