Info about Broken Reality:

Official game description:
Welcome to Broken Reality
-------------------------
It is the future, and supercorp **NATEM** is now responsible for offering most digital services. Your computer and the internet are all within **NATEM'**s control.  
Dive into a full-3D adventure with cutting-edge graphics! Solve puzzles, meet wonderful people, find hidden items and secrets!  
Leave all your worries behind.  
Welcome to Broken Reality!
Features
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*   Find passion in our exclusive Love Cruise, or gamble away in the casinos of GeoCity. Everything you need is one click away!  
*   Cut ads into pieces with your katana, find secrets with your camera, teleport with your bookmarker and much more with our varied set of tools!  
*   Meet a diverse cast of characters and help them along the way!  
*   Collect likes to upgrade your account and gain access to new levels!  
*   Arcade-style mini games and a variety of quirky quests!  
*   Rich audio environments and dynamic soundtracks that match your progression.  
*   Non violent action!

Release date: Nov 29, 2018

Categories: Puzzle Solving, Walking Simulator, Collectathon, First-Person Perspective, Metroidvania, Vaporwave Aesthetic, No Combat, Quest System

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: Tier 4: The Tourist - Technical and Navigation Barriers; summary: The filtered reviews primarily report technical and navigation barriers: the in-game exit menu softlocks, missing settings force alt-tab or taskbar workarounds, and players often need walkthroughs to find where to go. There is no evidence of farming or drop-rate concerns, inventory or crafting management, or explicit quest, build, or secret mechanic complaints. Under the strict scoring hierarchy, the evidence falls into Tier 4, The Tourist.
- Steam Deck: score 80; verdict: Broken; summary: The Steam Deck audit finds severe friction. Users report frequent crashes and abundant bugs, a Steam Deck desktop-mode freeze, missing or broken controller support, performance degradation, and no cloud saves. Controller support issues alone force workarounds, and crash reports push the experience into the Broken tier.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly indicate the game is enjoyable but too limited in story/content to justify its full asking price. One reviewer gives a direct fair-price anchor of $6-$8, while others say it is worth buying on sale or in a bundle, with sale prices around $2-$3 being considered good value. A single outlier says it could be worth $30 on discount, but this is not the consensus. The community fair base-game range is therefore best estimated around $5-$10, centered on the $6-$8 anchor.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 10.0h
  - Story completion: 8.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The 7-10 hour opening-to-credits report supports a story-completion estimate around 8 hours. Reports of nine hours while experiencing much content and over 10 hours for fully exploring six worlds support a full game-completion estimate around 10 hours. The one-hour chunks described by a player support a session length of about 1 hour. No numeric endgame duration is provided; speedrun and replay comments are qualitative, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Broken Reality often starts fun, but many players report that later pacing, puzzles, and hidden progression make it less enjoyable.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: The opening hours
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: No basic sprint or hop for faster backtracking; Overlong fetch quests after the first zone; Tedious puzzle elements and uninspired fetch quests; Late-game lack of directions and hints; Hidden progression path; Bugs and softlocks
  - Unlock drivers: Earning Likes as progression currency to unlock features and restricted network sections; Continued play, as one reviewer reports improvement the longer they play
  - Conditions: Willingness to embrace the game's unique style; Tolerance for unconventional pacing and abstract design; Enjoyment during the first half; Tolerance for glitches and exploits; Availability of directions or hints for late-game progression
- Player Archetypes:
  - Vaporwave Chill Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: To immerse themselves in vaporwave and early-internet aesthetics while exploring at a relaxed pace.
    - Playstyle: Slow, non-urgent walking-sim exploration; soaking in visuals, music, and weird environmental details.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Vaporwave fan
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Puzzle Adventure Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: To solve puzzles, interact with odd characters and objects, and explore a surreal adventure world.
    - Playstyle: Puzzle-solving, fetch quests, NPC interaction, item use, and light platforming.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Jazzpunk; 198X
  - Bug-Wary Completionist (sale)
    - Motivation: To complete the game and experience its world while managing persistent bugs and softlocks.
    - Playstyle: Cautious route-following, guide consultation, and workaround use to avoid game-breaking bugs.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Performance and Comfort-Sensitive Player (no buy)
    - Motivation: To see the surreal vaporwave world without lag, eye strain, or motion sickness.
    - Playstyle: Low settings, reduced resolution, cautious short sessions, or avoidance if discomfort is too strong.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Vaporwave aesthetic praised (weight 0.36): Players consistently highlight the game's strong vaporwave aesthetic, including visuals and music, as a major draw. Many describe it as a masterpiece for fans of the style.
- Captures early internet vibe (weight 0.25): The game successfully blends vaporwave aesthetics with references to late 2010s internet culture, creating a unique time capsule feel. This combination is noted as immersive and charming.
- Overall positive impressions (weight 0.23): Many reviewers give general praise, calling the game good, fun, and visually appealing. It is often described as interesting with a good vibe.
- Excellent and fitting music (weight 0.21): The music receives high praise for being excellent, evocative, and perfectly fitting the theme. Many players consider the soundtrack a standout feature.
- Engaging and fun puzzles (weight 0.19): The puzzles are frequently described as fun, varied, and goofy, adding to the overall enjoyment. Puzzle-solving is considered a joy and a key part of the experience.
- Visually pleasing and aesthetic (weight 0.17): Reviewers often comment on the game's pretty visuals and pleasing aesthetics, describing it as visually pleasant and cool. The art style is generally well-liked.
- Fantastic overall aesthetic (weight 0.17): The aesthetic is frequently described as absolutely fantastic and off the charts. Many players express strong love for the game's visual style.
- Good as a vaporwave game (weight 0.15): The game is recognized as a good vaporwave game, with some noting it's fun even without the theme. Its exploration of a retrofuturistic internet is appreciated.
- Gorgeous art style (weight 0.12): The art style is frequently praised as very good, gorgeous, and captivating. Players find the artwork visually appealing and well-executed.
- Considered a masterpiece (weight 0.12): Some players regard the game as a masterpiece and one of their all-time favorites. It is highly praised as one of the greatest games.
- Wonderful soundtrack (weight 0.12): The soundtrack is widely praised as wonderful, fitting, and well-curated. It complements the visuals and enhances the overall experience.
- Appreciated ending (weight 0.12): The ending is frequently mentioned as cool, amazing, and much appreciated. It leaves a positive impression on players.
- Interesting and enjoyable story (weight 0.12): The story is often described as nice, interesting, and shining quite a lot. Players enjoy the narrative and find it engaging.
- Nostalgic 90s internet aesthetic (weight 0.09): The game's aesthetic inspired by 90s internet and Windows 98 is particularly appealing to fans of that era. It evokes nostalgia and resonates with those familiar with the period.
- Stunning graphics (weight 0.09): The graphics are frequently called stunning and good, with some saying the game is worth playing for the visuals alone. The visual quality is a strong point.
- Beautiful environments (weight 0.09): The environments are often described as lovely, beautiful, and fun to explore. They add to the game's overall appeal and sense of immersion.
- Fun and enjoyable overall (weight 0.09): Many reviewers find the game very enjoyable and fun overall, with the style adding to the experience. It is considered a good time.

Common complaints:
- Mediocre and dull gameplay (weight 0.21): Multiple reviewers describe the gameplay as mediocre, unremarkable, and dull. The overall experience is considered just okay or not great.
- Mouse sensitivity issues (weight 0.21): The default mouse sensitivity is too high and cannot be changed, making the game unplayable for some. Players request a sensitivity slider.
- Technical roughness and jank (weight 0.2): The game is described as rough around the edges and technically unpolished. Occasional jank and buggy mechanics are mentioned.
- Confusing ending and narrative (weight 0.17): Players find the ending unexplained and the narrative confusing or obscure. The story is also described as perfunctory and uninteresting.
- No cloud saves (weight 0.16): Players note the absence of cloud save functionality, including Steam Cloud support and real-time saves. This is a common complaint.
- Slow movement speed (weight 0.13): The walking speed is extremely slow, making traversal a drag. This is exacerbated by large areas and required backtracking.
- Glitches and minor bugs (weight 0.13): Players encounter various glitches and minor bugs that can be annoying and sometimes require reloading.
- Broken and unplayable (weight 0.08): Some players find the game broken and unplayable, with extremely bad gameplay. They cannot recommend it.
- Falling out of map (weight 0.07): There are reports of falling out of the map, particularly in the last map, which breaks immersion.
- Invisible walls block progress (weight 0.07): An invisible wall blocks exit from a world, requiring a game restart. An invisible barrier also blocks a route back.
- Developer dishonesty (weight 0.07): Players accuse the developers of lying about future development for many years, eroding trust.
- English language requirement (weight 0.07): The game requires some English understanding to progress, which may hinder non-English speakers.

Gameplay feedback:
- Puzzle and exploration core (weight 0.66): The game is fundamentally built around solving puzzles and exploring environments. Many players describe it as a puzzle-based exploration experience where these two elements are central to progression.
- Adventure and walking simulator hybrid (weight 0.5): Players frequently categorize the game as an adventure game or walking simulator, often with a mix of both. It is described as a first-person adventure where you walk through environments at your own pace.
- Quest system drives progression (weight 0.31): The game features a quest system where players complete main and side quests given by NPCs to progress. Quests are often intertwined with puzzles and are considered a fun part of the experience.
- Likes as currency and progression (weight 0.31): Players earn 'likes' as a form of currency by completing various activities such as liking ads, picking up likes, and fulfilling NPC requests. These likes are used to increase rank, unlock new areas, and level up.
- Platforming sections present (weight 0.2): The game includes platforming elements, though they are generally simple and sometimes only appear in specific acts. Creative platforming is noted by some players.
- Multiple worlds and unlockables (weight 0.2): The game features multiple worlds or scenes that players can unlock as they progress. The online world setting and unlockable new areas encourage continued exploration.
- Photography mechanic for collecting likes (weight 0.16): The game includes a camera tool that allows players to take photos to collect likes. Players look for camera icons indicating where to snap pictures, integrating photography into the core loop.
- Collectathon elements (weight 0.16): Many players describe the game as a collectathon, where collecting items (such as likes) is a primary activity. It is often combined with walking simulator and exploration elements.
- First-person perspective (weight 0.13): The game is played from a first-person perspective, which is consistently mentioned by players. Some note the absence of movement enhancements like dash or sprint.
- Metroidvania-style exploration and backtracking (weight 0.13): Exploration has a Metroidvania flavor, with backtracking required for many tasks. Players often need to revisit areas to progress or find secrets.
- Tools include katana and grappling hook (weight 0.12): Players have access to various tools such as a katana, grappling hook, and credit card. The katana is used for slashing down malware, while the grappling hook aids in traversal.
- Rich lore and hidden secrets (weight 0.07): The game contains deep lore and many secrets hidden throughout the world. Players enjoy discovering these secrets as part of the exploration experience.
- No combat or violence (weight 0.07): The game does not feature combat or violence, focusing instead on exploration, puzzles, and interaction. This peaceful approach is noted by players.
- Interacting via liking things (weight 0.07): Players interact with the world primarily through a thumbs-up 'Liker' mechanic. Clicking like on objects and characters is a core interaction.
- Vaporwave aesthetic and early 3D environments (weight 0.07): The game features highly detailed environments that evoke early 3D games and vaporwave art. Exploring these digital vaporwave worlds is a key part of the experience.
- No jump or sprint mechanics (weight 0.07): The game lacks a jump mechanic and sprint option, which some players note as a limitation. This contributes to a more relaxed, walking-based pace.

Performance notes:
- Severe Performance Degradation Throughout (weight 0.24): Players report that performance is extremely bad and worsens as they progress, especially in the final world. Multiple users describe the game as a jittery mess by the last section, requiring minimized settings and lowered resolution to remain playable.
- Crashes and System Instability (weight 0.08): The game crashes, and one severe crash at the end of the Innernet world took down the entire OS, requiring a hard shutdown. This indicates critical stability issues that can affect the whole system.
- Menu and Camera Glitches (weight 0.07): Menus get stuck floating and the camera can be set askew, disorienting players. These UI and camera issues detract from the experience.
- Xbox Controller Support Unusable (weight 0.05): Although controller support exists, the Xbox controller is impossible to use, likely due to mapping or detection issues. This limits accessibility for players who prefer gamepads.
- Steam Deck Quit Freeze (weight 0.04): On Steam Deck, the quit to desktop function gets stuck on screen, preventing proper exit. This platform-specific bug frustrates users.
- Axis Plaza Out-of-Bounds Glitch (weight 0.04): In Axis Plaza, stepping into a subway train and quickly stepping out causes the player to fall out of bounds and teleport back. This specific glitch can disrupt exploration.
- GeoCity Cans Stuck in Walls (weight 0.04): In GeoCity, cans get stuck in walls, which may interfere with collection or puzzle-solving. This is a minor but noticeable environmental glitch.
- Can Launch Sequence Break (weight 0.04): A major glitch allows picking up a can while standing on it to launch the player high into the air, enabling sequence breaking. This exploit can bypass intended progression.

Recommendations:
- Great Experience Overall (weight 0.43): Many reviewers describe the game as a gem, a favorite, or a must-play experience. It leaves a strong positive impression on those who enjoy it.
- Worth Buying on Sale (weight 0.35): A common recommendation is to wait for a discount, as many feel the game is worth the price only when on sale. This appears frequently across clusters.
- Ideal for Vaporwave Fans (weight 0.32): Many reviewers highly recommend the game specifically for its vaporwave aesthetic, 90s internet vibes, and nostalgic atmosphere. It appeals strongly to enthusiasts of that style.
- Niche Game Not for Everyone (weight 0.25): Multiple reviews emphasize that the game is not for everyone and requires a specific taste for niche, weird, or surreal experiences. Those outside the target audience may not enjoy it.
- Surreal and Experimental Indie (weight 0.22): The game is recommended for fans of experimental indie titles, surreal humor, and unconventional storytelling. It stands out for its unique approach.
- Unique Aesthetic and Music (weight 0.2): The game's unique aesthetic and music are frequently praised, with some recommending it purely for those elements. It scratches a specific itch for vaporwave and retro styles.
- Appeals to Internet Culture Fans (weight 0.2): Those fascinated by internet culture, irony, and early online experiences often recommend the game. It resonates with people who spend a lot of time online.
- Mixed or Negative Reviews (weight 0.19): Some reviewers cannot recommend the game due to various reasons such as broken state, poor story, or not worth the price. These negative opinions exist alongside positive ones.
- Exploration and Puzzle Focus (weight 0.18): The game is recommended for players who enjoy exploration and puzzle-solving, with an emphasis on discovery and immersive environments. It appeals to fans of those genres.
- Visuals and Atmosphere Praised (weight 0.16): Reviewers often highlight the game's visuals, aesthetic, and atmosphere as standout features that make it worth experiencing. This is a key positive point.
- Worth Full Price for Some (weight 0.15): Some reviewers consider the game worth buying at full price, indicating strong value for certain players. This contrasts with the more common sale recommendation.
- Recommended for Casual Gamers (weight 0.12): The game is recommended for fans of casual, laid-back games and those with free time to explore. It offers a relaxing experience.
- Accessibility and Motion Sickness (weight 0.09): Warnings are given for players with 3D motion sickness or color epilepsy, suggesting caution. Some also recommend lowering graphics settings for weaker PCs.
- Language Barrier Tips (weight 0.07): For non-Chinese speakers, using translation tools like LunaTranslator or following walkthroughs is advised. This helps overcome language obstacles.
- Check Screenshots and Trailers (weight 0.07): Potential buyers are advised to check screenshots and trailers to see if the game appeals to them, as what you see is what you get. This helps set expectations.
- Positive Despite Flaws (weight 0.07): Some reviewers give a positive recommendation despite acknowledging flaws, such as technical issues or uneven quality. They still find the experience worthwhile.
- Not Worth Full Price (weight 0.04): A few reviewers explicitly state the game is not worth full price, suggesting to wait for a sale. This aligns with the common sale recommendation.

Other player notes:
- Missing language support (weight 0.27): Many reviewers report that the game lacks Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese language options. Some note that official Japanese localization was planned but not delivered.
- Sequel exists or upcoming (weight 0.24): A sequel titled Broken Reality 2000 has been released or is on the way, with trailers suggesting improvements. Some mention it can be wishlisted.
- Average playtime (weight 0.24): Most players report a completion time of around 7-10 hours at a relaxed pace, with some finishing in 6 hours or less. Full exploration can take over 10 hours.
- Soundtrack described (weight 0.23): The soundtrack features relaxing electronic music and synth-heavy compositions, with contributions from various artists. It includes slowed-down pop and is available for purchase.
- No achievements despite promises (weight 0.19): Multiple players complain that achievements are absent, and some mention the developer promised to add them years ago but never did. This has led to frustration and broken trust.
- Has a subtle story (weight 0.19): The game contains a story that is somewhat hidden and open to interpretation, with themes about online worlds and reality.
- Guides and community support (weight 0.19): Players can find guides online, including Steam overlay guides, YouTube walkthroughs, and Bilibili videos. There is an active Discord community with developer interaction.
- Compared to Hypnospace Outlaw (weight 0.18): Reviewers frequently compare this game to Hypnospace Outlaw, often unfavorably, saying its visuals or narrative are not as well realized. Some describe it as a 3D exploration version of Hypnospace Outlaw.
- Compared to Jazzpunk (weight 0.18): The game is often compared to Jazzpunk, with many feeling it falls short in humor or execution. Some note it replaces Jazzpunk's silliness with nostalgia.
- Softlock bug in Geocity (weight 0.16): A softlock bug in Geocity has been present for years, preventing completion of a mixtape quest. Community guides provide a workaround, and the developers have acknowledged it.
- Low-poly retro graphics (weight 0.13): The game features low-poly graphics reminiscent of Nintendo 64 or PlayStation 3D games, with rough textures and a retro aesthetic.
- Nostalgia for 90s internet (weight 0.13): The game evokes nostalgia for the late 90s internet, with references that players in their 30s and 40s may recognize. It captures the 1995 aesthetic rather than the 80s.
- Outdated humor (weight 0.12): Several players feel the humor is outdated and very of its time, leaning into mid-2010s MLG style and weed culture references.
- Developer and publisher info (weight 0.11): The game was developed by Dynamic Media Triad and published by Digital Tribe, made by a small team likely from Mexico.
- Lacks accessibility options (weight 0.07): The game lacks accessibility features such as audio level adjustments, control customization, and graphics settings beyond presets.
- Positive review scores (weight 0.07): Some reviewers gave high ratings such as 9/10 or 9.5/10, indicating strong appreciation for the game.
- Limited replayability (weight 0.07): Several players note there is little to no replay value once levels are cleared or the story is experienced.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.17): Players report frequent game-breaking bugs, softlocks, and crashes that erase progress and force restarts. Slow movement, lack of accessibility options, obtuse puzzles, and technical issues in later areas such as Geocity and the final level compound the difficulty. Many are unable to finish due to unclear progression, missing hints, and broken mechanics.
- Disappointment (weight 0.1): The game's later worlds feel monotonous and visually less detailed, with a story that lacks closure and humor that misses. Promised features and achievements were never delivered, and the comedic tone expected from a Jazzpunk-like experience is not sustained. Many find the gameplay stale and the ending underwhelming.
- Love (weight 0.07): Players adore the vaporwave aesthetic, surreal environments, and nostalgic atmosphere that evoke early internet memories. The music, character designs, and exploration-focused gameplay create a unique and immersive experience. The game is often described as a favorite and a work of art.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): The vibrant first world, fun puzzles, and humorous worldbuilding make for an enjoyable exploration game. The vaporwave aesthetics, music, and quirky characters keep players engaged throughout. Many appreciate the balance of platforming, puzzles, and collectibles.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players value the game's meaningful themes, art style, and imaginative world-building that critiques internet culture. The well-written dialogue, variety of landscapes, and unique personality resonate deeply. The love put into the game shines through its details and music.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): The inability to adjust sensitivity, slow movement, and lack of fast travel create tedium. Menu exits often softlock the game, and collectible hunting requires excessive backtracking. Missing settings for FOV, audio, and mouse sensitivity add to the irritation.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): The game feels worth its price, offering engaging puzzles and a world that matches players' aesthetic preferences. Solving difficult areas through careful thinking and completing the game without hints provides a sense of accomplishment. The simple collecting gameplay combined with amazing visuals is highly rewarding.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): The game is praised as a visually stunning piece of art with a unique world and charming design. Its vaporwave aesthetic and early internet feeling are perfectly captured, making it a time capsule of the late 2010s. The strong themes and memorable BGM for each area are highlights.
- Surprise (weight 0.03): Players are surprised by the game's depth, addictive gameplay, and overarching plot with deep lore and secrets. The unexpected ending and creative puzzles defy initial expectations of a simple walking simulator. Many find themselves playing for hours longer than planned.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Language barriers and lack of localization leave the story unclear for some players. Confusing level design and increasingly difficult puzzles in the latter part contribute to getting stuck. The game's uncertain tone and muddled message add to the confusion.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): The game's bizarre world, humorous text, and ridiculous virtual approval collect-a-thon provide plenty of laughs. Bugs and glitches are sometimes seen as part of the vaporwave aesthetic, adding to the amusement. The overall drug-trip feel, especially the ending, is highly entertaining.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): The game evokes sentimental nostalgia for the early internet era through its vaporwave aesthetics and retro references. Beautiful archaic levels and dreamy millennium settings remind players of childhood computer experiences. The surreal interactive experience recreates the feeling of browsing an infinite digital theme park.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Exploring interesting environments, solving puzzles, and interacting with characters brings joy. The aesthetic, comedy, and abundance of memes and jokes contribute to a delightful experience. Some even credit the game with curing their depression.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Quests and platforming are often seen as uninteresting, with a miserably slow pace. Gameplay lacks mental engagement and feels like a hidden object game, making players sleepy. The puzzle gameplay becomes boring after a while.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Anticipation for the upcoming sequel and the overwhelming sense of omnipotence at the ending generate excitement. The game gets better and more fun as you progress, and discovering speedrun potential adds to the thrill. Players look forward to more from the developer.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Complex puzzles and collectathon gameplay with hidden elements keep players engaged throughout. The visuals and story instantly draw players in, causing neurons to fire. The game maintains a high level of engagement from start to finish.
- Relaxation (weight 0.01): The game's pretty visuals, chill late-night gameplay, and mellow style make it a relaxing experience. The music and overall atmosphere contribute to a calming effect. Players enjoy unwinding while exploring the world.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players are looking forward to the sequel Broken Reality 2000 and more content from the developer. Some are patiently waiting for potential Japanese localization. The upcoming release is highly anticipated.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Some players regret not reaching the final chapter on their first playthrough or refunding the game years ago. An impulse purchase that caused motion sickness is also a source of regret. These experiences left a sense of missed opportunity.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): The game's unusual elements like samurai swords, shrimp, and grapple mice, along with its vaporwave and Windows 98 aesthetic, generate enthusiasm. The surreal puzzle gameplay with bubble economy era internet elements appeals to players. This unique combination makes the game stand out.}