Unrest Reviews
A compelling story with many outcomes, but the game itself is a little too rough around the edges.
Unrest is an unconventional but erratic adventure game that inspires empathy even as it undercuts its own message.
Unrest is a choice-driven RPG with little combat to speak of that touches on relevant social issues. It's not unlike Always Sometimes Monsters, though it ironically takes cues from western-style RPGs where that game took them from eastern ones.
I wish it were more literary or theatrical in its presentation and style, but perhaps that would distract from the aspects that I admire. A fair few people have reacted to the brevity and lack of resolution by suggesting that the game is unfinished but that doesn't seem to be the case at all. It may be a little rough but Unrest is deliberate in its approach to the idea of playing roles and even though I don't entirely approve, I will defend to the death (or mild shouting) Pyrodactyl's attempt to introduce new elements to the conversation.
Unrest doesn't offer much more than playing as characters, having conversations and dictating where their lives are going. It might offer a diversion for a while if you're a fan of character-driven RPGs, but it's unlikely to entice newcomers to the genre.
Pyrodactyl's sophisticated, story-driven RPG about a fictional Ancient Indian city in the midst of upheaval will likely leave you feeling a bit bummed out
With cunning conversation and clever dialogue as the focus, Unrest delivers a solid performance as an adventure game that breaks the norms.
The Game has excellent writing, but fails to live up to its full potential. Lack of serious long term consequences and a disappointing ending hold back the game from greatness.
Unrest is a short narrative full of ethical dilemmas, presented through the eyes of an unusually diverse cast of RPG characters. Those choices have an isolated impact, but don't expect them to alter the story to a radical degree.
I love it. Unrest is another indie that exposes the lie of AAA that says games need some physical skill element to be worthwhile. It gives us many layers to ponder with its narrative, wrapped in a package that feels culturally relevant even as it's firmly rooted in a past and culture that is not my own. That, my friends, is something worth experiencing.
Unrest is a solid RPG which at times shows flashes of brilliance and innovation, and would be a decent purchase for fans of this kind of experimental morality game. Those not already fans of the genre, however, may find this lack of polish prevents their conversion. Whilst Unrest is enjoyable, too often do its flaws get in the way of gameplay, frustrating enjoyment and creating a sense that this fascinating little indie RPG never really lives up to its potential.
Unrest is a short, smart work. Most roleplaying games are about those in power, but Unrest is also about those who aren't.
Unrest offers a gripping story about hope, failure, action and inaction, fear and security, which feels more like an interactive visual novel than an actual game. And a well-written one, at that. Sort of like A Game of Thrones without endlessly waiting for the dragons to come, the game delivers its quick shot of gripping narrative, challenges you to make a couple of life and death decisions, then leaves you boiling in the karmic print of your choices.
Unrest is a game both fascinating and frustrating in equal measure. Its foundations as a communication-focussed, character-driven RPG with a unique setting and multiple perspectives on a situation of civil unrest are incredibly interesting, but ultimately the game can't quite bring it all together and the end result is something of a rushed piece with unrealised potential. Refreshing, certainly, but sadly flawed.