Info about Ministry of Broadcast:

Official game description:
A country divided by The Wall. To cross it and reach your family, you must compete on - and win - a reality TV show broadcast by the Regime.  
**Ministry of Broadcast** is a narrative-driven single player cinematic platformer mixing Orwell’s _1984_ with modern reality TV. Rife with dark humor, sarcastic quips, and a general absurdity of the system.  
Seemingly built overnight, The Wall has divided both a country in two and a man from his family. To see them again, our ginger-haired protagonist has decided to become a contestant on “The Wall Show”, a Regime-organized TV show allowing competitors the opportunity to escape to freedom on the other side. However, as he progresses through the camp, our contestant soon realizes exactly how the Regime and the show operate. The promise of freedom is not exactly what it seems.  
Inspired by games such as _Prince of Persia (1989)_ and _Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus_, Ministry of Broadcast revives the spirit of classic cinematic platformers where players need nimble run-and-jump reflexes as well as a healthy aversion to falling from precarious heights. To reach freedom and family, you must lead the protagonist through each of the Arenas while under the ever-watchful mechanical eye of the Regime. The variety of hazardous, dilapidated environments hold an array of obstacles for you to manage—leg-shattering drops (scared of heights?), flaming barrels of garbage (extra-smelly, extra-flamey), inconveniently-placed spike pits (of course), hanging steel beams (so much rust)—but none of this is to speak of the fates of those you meet along the way.  
**FEATURES**
------------
*   Cinematic platformer: Run, jump, crash, and climb your way through each Arena as the narrative unfolds around you. Much of the story is unveiled via smoothly integrated animation sequences, within the environment, or from NPCs muttering bits of dialogue as you dive and dodge around them.  
*   Environmental HUD: Rather than having a screen cluttered with overlaid indicators, HP bars, and minimaps, any information the player will need is incorporated into the environment. Hints and clues are meshed into the game’s art, subtle and specific, players will need a keen eye if they want to survive each Arena without breaking their legs.  
*   Puzzle-solving: Use your wits, and at times a dash of ruthlessness, to advance through the Arenas. You’ll have to interact with the environment itself to solve most of the puzzles: use the protagonist’s momentum to move platforms, flip the occasional lever, and sometimes you might have to sacrifice an NPC or two to cross a particularly spiky pit.  
*   Story and Personality: Featuring lots of impish humor, Grade A sarcasm, and comic mischief, all balanced perfectly with the dark, heavy themes presented in this dystopian world.  
*   Animals: Besides traps, guards, cops and other enemies, try to outrun many animals of this world. Steve Irwin would be proud.  
*   Deaths: Survive more than 30 unique deaths.  
*   Secret locations: Discover all the secret locations and try to find your missing boots.

Release date: Jan 30, 2020

Categories: Puzzle Platformer, Cinematic Platformer, Dystopian Setting, Pixel Art Style, Dark Humor, Multiple Endings, Puzzle Solving

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 80; verdict: Broken - Frequent crashes and transition instability; summary: The provided reviews contain no Steam Deck-specific mentions of external launchers, small text, or battery drain, but they strongly document a stability problem. Users across multiple languages report frequent, sometimes random crashes, especially during scene transitions and rendering changes. Although one update reportedly reduced crashes and some users still enjoy the game, the dominant technical barrier is unreliable performance that would likely make Steam Deck play frustrating or broken without further fixes.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $8.00 - $12.00
  - Reasoning: The clearest price anchor is the $15 reviewer, who explicitly says $15 is a wait-for-sale price rather than a fair full-price purchase. Other positive comments support that the game has value, especially for its story, and one reviewer calls it worth the price, but these are balanced by complaints about poor controls, backtracking, short effective playtime, and unsatisfying endings. This mixed sentiment suggests the community fair base-game range sits below $15, around $8-$12.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 7.0h
  - Story completion: 7.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Multiple player reports converge on a main completion time around 7 hours: one reviewer states about 7 hours to complete, another says a little over 7 hours for one playthrough, and others give ranges of 7-10 hours or roughly 8 hours of gameplay. I use this as the story/game completion estimate because the game is a linear narrative platformer and no separate story-only or 100% completion time is quantified. There is no reliable numeric evidence for average session length or for a distinct endgame/post-story duration; the mention of extra time for collectables and achievements is not specific enough.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players often find early appeal in the story, humor, and presentation, but enjoyment tends to fade by the first hour, after episode 3, or by mid-to-late game as the game becomes repetitive, tedious, or infuriatingly hard. One reviewer found it improved after acclimating to the controls and a second playthrough.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Input delay between button press and character reaction; Poor movement and controls; Repetitive music that loops a short segment; Finicky, instant-death platforming; Bland dialogue and story; Tedious avoidance and precise-jump sequences
  - Unlock drivers: Getting used to the controls; Playing through a second time or achievement hunting
  - Conditions: Humor lasts only through the first hour; Enjoyment fades after episode 3; Joke wears thin by mid-to-late game; Story interest fades without significant development; Input delay affects precise jumps and avoidance; Control familiarity and a second playthrough improve enjoyment for some
- Player Archetypes:
  - Puzzle-First Platformer Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: Solving creative puzzles and exercising lateral thinking.
    - Playstyle: Puzzle-solving with platforming sections, trial-and-error, and experimentation.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: puzzle lovers
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Dark Narrative & Dystopia Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Experiencing a dark, thought-provoking dystopian narrative with black humor.
    - Playstyle: Story-driven, exploring themes, collecting lore and easter eggs.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: story fan
    - Reference games: Yuppie Psycho
  - Control-Sensitive Critic (no buy)
    - Motivation: Finding a responsive, well-controlling platformer; currently frustrated by the game's sluggish mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Precision platforming and action, but hindered by input lag.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Retro Cinematic Platformer Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia for classic cinematic platformers and the thrill of mastering a challenging, death-heavy game.
    - Playstyle: Patient, methodical trial-and-error, embracing frequent deaths as part of the learning curve.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: masocore death game lover; dystopia fetishist
    - Reference games: Prince of Persia


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:
- Praise for pixel art (weight 0.54): Reviewers frequently highlight the pixel art as a major strength, describing it as appealing, well-crafted, and atmospheric. Many appreciate the detailed environments and smooth animations.
- Engaging puzzle design (weight 0.4): The puzzles are often described as interesting, creative, and requiring thought. Many players find the puzzle design intuitive and well-balanced.
- Compelling story (weight 0.21): The narrative is praised as interesting, non-trivial, and worth experiencing. Some players find it engaging and enjoyable.
- Excellent music and sound (weight 0.15): The soundtrack and sound design are frequently praised as great and lovely. The music enhances the overall experience.
- Controls take adjustment (weight 0.14): The controls are initially challenging but become enjoyable once mastered. Players report that the game is fun after getting used to the control scheme.
- Adequate gameplay (weight 0.11): Some reviewers find the gameplay just okay or sufficient, without strong praise or criticism. It meets basic expectations.
- High-quality humor (weight 0.09): The humor is described as plentiful, hilarious, and of high quality. It adds to the game's appeal.
- Reality show premise (weight 0.09): The protagonist's participation in a dangerous reality show to win freedom is a central and engaging plot point. It drives the narrative.
- Fourth wall breaking (weight 0.08): The game frequently breaks the fourth wall, which some players find noteworthy. This meta element adds a unique twist to the experience.
- Pleasant character control (weight 0.08): Players find controlling the character pleasant and interesting. The gameplay feel is smooth and enjoyable.
- Charismatic crow companion (weight 0.08): The crow companion is highlighted for its impressive dialogue and charismatic presence. It adds depth to the game.

Common complaints:
- Clunky and Unresponsive Controls (weight 0.8): Many players report that the controls feel clunky, sluggish, and unresponsive, leading to frequent deaths and frustration. This issue is mentioned across numerous clusters, indicating a widespread problem with the game's control scheme.
- Poor Jump Mechanics (weight 0.31): The jump judgment is poor for a platformer, with missed jumps despite pressing the button at the platform edge. Platform jumping requires excessive precision, causing trouble for players.
- Bad Platforming Experience (weight 0.23): Multiple players state that the game is a bad platformer, with the feel combining with platforming to create a disaster. The platforming elements are often considered the worst part of the game.
- Tedious and Strict Puzzles (weight 0.15): Puzzles are described as tedious with strict timings that are not always pleasant. Some players feel the puzzles don't compensate for the platforming parts.
- Weak Story (weight 0.14): The story concept leads nowhere and is non-existent according to some, while others find it somewhat unfriendly or hard to understand and impenetrable. This indicates a poorly received narrative.
- Boring Gameplay (weight 0.14): Some players find the gameplay quite boring and overall not fun, contradicting the purpose of a game. This suggests a lack of engagement for certain audiences.
- Character Momentum Issues (weight 0.09): The character slides a bit when stopping after running, which becomes annoying in certain areas and often causes deaths on narrow platforms. The character also walks extremely slowly.
- Sharp Difficulty Increase (weight 0.08): The difficulty increases significantly towards the end of the game, which may frustrate players who are not prepared for the spike.

Gameplay feedback:
- Puzzle platformer genre (weight 0.62): The game is widely described as a platformer that heavily incorporates puzzle-solving and level design elements. These two core aspects are frequently merged in player feedback.
- Precise platform jumping (weight 0.31): Many reviewers highlight that platforming requires strict timing and precision, with jumps needing to be executed further ahead than visually indicated. This creates a challenging and often unforgiving experience.
- Dystopian 1984 inspiration (weight 0.3): The story is set in an Orwellian dystopia inspired by 1984, featuring a totalitarian government and a country divided by a wall. It combines these themes with a reality-show plot.
- Multiple endings system (weight 0.24): Players note that the game features several endings, including a true ending, with some achievable on the first playthrough. Multiple endings are also tied to collectibles.
- Prince of Persia style (weight 0.21): The movement and controls are frequently compared to classic Prince of Persia games. This includes the puzzle-platforming feel and specific control mechanics.
- Deadly reality show premise (weight 0.21): The protagonist participates in a dangerous reality show, often to reunite with family. This setup drives the narrative and gameplay.
- Pixel art retro style (weight 0.2): The game features a pixel art style with retro 2D graphics and detailed animations, often mixed with a 1984 theme.
- Talking crow companion (weight 0.17): A crow provides mocking commentary and appears when the player dies. It is part of a strange cast of characters.
- Checkpoint system feedback (weight 0.17): The game uses frequent checkpoints, but their placement receives mixed feedback: some find them well-placed while others consider them poorly placed.
- Five-day campaign structure (weight 0.15): The campaign is divided into five in-game days, each acting as a separate level with its own theme and selectable from a level select menu.
- Collectible boots system (weight 0.14): Players can collect boots as a collectible element, which may tie into gameplay or endings.
- Puzzle timing elements (weight 0.14): Some puzzles involve timing-based actions, such as jumping or setting traps at the right moment.
- Story with humor (weight 0.11): The game includes a narrative that incorporates humor, as noted by players.
- Moral dilemmas and betrayal (weight 0.09): Players must sometimes break moral boundaries, kill other characters, or betray others to progress, facing ethical choices.
- Wall pattern puzzle hints (weight 0.08): Puzzle hints are provided through patterns on walls instead of text, encouraging observation.
- Death as gameplay element (weight 0.08): Death is a core part of the gameplay, often accompanied by a mocking crow. It ties into the reality-show theme.
- Linear story with endings (weight 0.08): The story is mostly linear with little replay value, but still features multiple endings and a true ending.
- Dialogue text presentation (weight 0.08): Dialogue is delivered as straightforward text, often through text bubbles.

Performance notes:
- General frequent crash issues (weight 0.16): Multiple reports indicate the game crashes frequently, with about 10 freezes in 3 hours of play. Crash frequency appears proportional to the density of mechanisms in a room.
- Frequent crashes during scene transitions (weight 0.13): Players reported frequent crashes specifically during scene transitions, especially in DAY1, and crashes that occur when double-pressing retry or double-operating objects. These crashes may return the player to the last save point.
- Good optimization and low requirements (weight 0.12): The game is praised for very good optimization, running fast, using little battery, and having very low PC requirements. It is described as simple and should work on any computer.
- Slowdown after loading checkpoint (weight 0.05): A player noted slowdown that lasts for tens of seconds after loading a checkpoint. This can disrupt the gameplay flow and cause frustration.
- Crashes stopped after early chapters (weight 0.04): Some players experienced crashes only in the first two chapters, after which the game ran without further crashes. This suggests the issue may be limited to early game content.

Recommendations:
- High difficulty is a barrier (weight 0.31): Reviewers frequently warn that difficult platforming and time limits make the game inaccessible to casual or impatient players. Those seeking only story should be cautious.
- Not recommended by many reviewers (weight 0.3): A substantial number of reviewers explicitly do not recommend the game. Reasons vary but often mention clunky controls, questionable design, or low overall value.
- Recommended for story and world (weight 0.25): Several reviewers recommend the game for its narrative, dystopian themes, and retro pixel art. Players who value story over gameplay challenges may enjoy it.
- Clunky controls detract from experience (weight 0.22): Numerous reviewers cite poor or clunky controls as a significant negative. Some recommend waiting for a sale due to this issue alone.
- Wait for sale before buying (weight 0.21): Several reviewers advise against purchasing at full price and recommend waiting for a discount. This is often tied to concerns about controls or difficulty.
- Mixed or conditional recommendations (weight 0.17): Several reviewers give nuanced recommendations based on specific interests, such as enjoying abstract stories or dystopian settings. The game clicks for some but not others.
- High praise from some reviewers (weight 0.17): A few reviewers highly recommend the game without reservations. They consider it a must-play or a clear recommendation.
- Good value at low price (weight 0.15): Some reviewers feel the game is worth the price, especially when discounted. However, others warn that full price may not be justified.
- Recommended for puzzle platformer fans (weight 0.12): Multiple reviewers recommend the game specifically for players who enjoy puzzle-solving combined with platforming. Interest in the genre is a strong predictor of enjoyment.
- Appeals to patient and slow-paced players (weight 0.11): Reviewers indicate the game suits players who take their time and are patient. Fast gamers may not enjoy the pacing.
- Suitable for indie and retro enthusiasts (weight 0.11): The game is recommended for indie lovers and fans of 2D pixelated retro platformers. Its aesthetic and genre appeal to niche audiences.
- Good for light or relaxed play (weight 0.11): Some reviewers suggest the game is good for light enjoyment or when played casually. It can be a relaxed experience for the right player.
- Recommended for fans of similar games (weight 0.08): Reviewers recommend the game to those who liked The Final Station, The Red Strings Club, Another World, or Oddworld. Familiarity with similar titles is a good sign.
- Not for fast-paced gamers (weight 0.08): Reviewers warn that the game's slow pace and trial-and-error design will not suit fast gamers. Those who prefer quick action should avoid.
- Recommended for dark humor fans (weight 0.08): Reviewers note that the game's dark humor and sarcastic playstyle will appeal to specific players. Those who enjoy such tone are more likely to appreciate it.
- Good for streamers and groups (weight 0.07): Some reviewers suggest the game is suitable for streamers or playing with friends. Social or broadcast contexts may enhance enjoyment.
- Controller improves control experience (weight 0.04): One reviewer notes that using a controller instead of a keyboard may help. This suggests input method can mitigate some control issues.
- Try demo before purchasing (weight 0.04): One reviewer suggests testing an iOS demo to gauge the feel. This can help players decide if they can tolerate the controls.
- Souls-like difficulty appeals to some (weight 0.04): One reviewer recommends the game for players who enjoy difficult, souls-like games. Extreme difficulty can be a draw for a niche audience.
- Caution for emotionally immature players (weight 0.04): One reviewer advises that emotionally immature players may not appreciate the game's themes. The narrative may require a certain level of maturity.

Other player notes:
- Comparisons to other games (weight 0.48): Players compare the game to titles like Another World, Flashback, Prince of Persia, and Oddworld. Some also mention Geometry Dash, The Truman Show, and Papers, Please.
- Inspired by Orwell's 1984 (weight 0.27): Many players note the game is heavily inspired by George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984. The story and world draw clear parallels to its themes of surveillance and totalitarianism.
- Multiple endings and replayability (weight 0.24): The game has four endings, including two canon endings and secret endings. A second playthrough offers additional endings, and searching for shoes adds replayability.
- Short completion time (weight 0.21): The game can be finished in roughly 6 to 7 hours, or around 8 hours with collectibles. A second playthrough may offer additional endings.
- Developed by Ministry of Broadcast (weight 0.21): The game is developed by Ministry of Broadcast Studios, a small Czech team, and published by Hitcents and PLAYISM. This appears to be their first work.
- Price value debated (weight 0.2): Some players feel the price is too high for the playtime, while others find it acceptable. The game was sold at a relatively low price with discounts.
- Story on anti-democratic broadcast (weight 0.15): The story involves appearing on an anti-democratic broadcast, set in a totalitarian regime's televised concentration camp. It features a TV-show twist and a reality TV show framing.
- Controller support included (weight 0.15): The game supports controller play and is prepared to be played with a controller. Some players find switching to keyboard helps with controls.
- Level select by days (weight 0.15): The game has a level select structured around days, with around five days in the timeline. The story spans five days of the Wall Show competition.
- Chinese localization praised (weight 0.12): The Chinese localization is described as excellent, down-to-earth, and well-reflecting the game's theme. Players appreciate the quality of the translation.
- Dark dystopian comedy themes (weight 0.12): The game is described as a dark dystopian comedy with themes of dystopia, reality show, and black humor. It features exaggerated totalitarianism and comic purges.
- Cinematic platformer style (weight 0.12): It has a cinematic platformer style, though not exactly like classic cinematic platformers in cutscenes and momentum. The game is well polished and feels like a finished product.
- Easy mode available (weight 0.12): An easy difficulty was added in an update, and the game also has an easy mode. This makes the game more accessible to players.
- Japanese localization available (weight 0.12): The game has Japanese language support and localization with natural dialogue, though some translations are occasionally inappropriate.
- Shoe collection element (weight 0.11): There is a shoe collection system where the player can collect up to 11 pairs. An achievement exists for finding your shoes.
- Spanish localization available (weight 0.05): The game is fully translated into Spanish, making it accessible to Spanish-speaking players.
- Keyboard affected by Chinese IME (weight 0.05): Keyboard play can be affected by Chinese IME default settings. This may cause issues for players using Chinese input methods.
- No separate audio sliders (weight 0.04): There are no separate music and sound sliders available in the settings. This limits audio customization for players.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.26): Frustration stems overwhelmingly from clunky, unresponsive, and sluggish controls that cause frequent deaths, especially in platforming and timed sections. Repeated restarts after failing due to poor checkpoints, unskippable cutscenes, and strict time limits further compound the irritation.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Disappointment arises from a promising story and setting undermined by poor controls, bland storytelling, and unsatisfying endings. Many felt the game was a letdown compared to its potential, with issues like bugs, wasted playtime, and a mismatch between deep themes and punishing gameplay.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Appreciation centers on the game's strong atmosphere, dystopian worldbuilding, meaningful story, and excellent music and pixel art. The checkpoint system, political themes, and overall depth also contributed to positive experiences.
- Annoyance (weight 0.06): Annoyance is caused by awkward controls, technical issues like crashes and window shrinking, and audio problems such as loud BGM. Minor design flaws like inability to take screenshots and annoying true ending conditions also irritate players.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment comes from engaging puzzle design, good pixel graphics and music, and fun platforming once controls are mastered. The game's humor, story, and unique genre blend also provide a pleasant experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Satisfaction is derived from a worthwhile story with interesting contrast, well-balanced difficulty, and intuitive puzzles. The presentation, dark humor, and NPC banter contribute to a fulfilling experience.
- Amusement (weight 0.03): Amusement is primarily driven by the game's black humor, funny death animations, and sarcastic remarks from the crow companion. The absurd reality show setting and mocking commentary consistently entertain players.
- Mild frustration (weight 0.02): Mild frustration results from sluggish controls causing misoperations, occasional poorly timed puzzles, and checkpoint issues in radiation areas. Stiff character movement and awkward controls requiring adaptation also contribute.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom stems from tedious puzzles with strict timings, overall boring gameplay, and repetitive music. Some players lost interest quickly due to these issues.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love is inspired by the game's art style, old-school Prince of Persia-style movement, and Orwellian atmosphere. The pixel art, animations, music, and sound are also highly praised.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from a poorly focused plot, unclear puzzle goals, and an undefined tone. Frequent crashes during scene transitions and a confusing control feel add to the disorientation.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Admiration is felt for the moving ending credits with hero statues, an excellent premise, narrative, and puzzle design. Beautiful pixel art and excellent camera language also evoke admiration.
- Dislike (weight 0.02): Dislike is caused by an unlikeable protagonist and unskippable murals on Day 3 that must be rewatched after each death. Some initially did not enjoy the game, contributing to negative feelings.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion is achieved through an intriguing story with fourth wall breaking, a dystopian atmosphere, and tension while running through the game. Strong narrative and plot development draw players in.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Excitement is generated by gorgeous visuals, responsive controls, and the thrill of speedrunning the last level. Stimulating chase scenes and heart-pounding parkour moments also create excitement.
- Exhaustion (weight 0.01): Exhaustion results from an emotionally draining journey through casual manslaughter and a tiring second half with difficult puzzles and time limits. The cumulative challenge leaves players feeling depleted.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement is driven by a narrative combining anti-utopia and reality TV themes, along with an allure of mysteriousness. These elements keep players invested in the experience.
- Stress (weight 0.01): Stress is caused by strict controls and time limits requiring precise execution, where control mistakes lead to frequent deaths. Poorly placed checkpoints that force repeated sections amplify the pressure.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is experienced when easy mode makes platforming manageable and switching to keyboard improves control. These adjustments alleviate the game's inherent challenges.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from expecting a mid and forgettable story but instead finding interesting topics. This positive deviation from low expectations creates a sense of unexpected discovery.}