The Longing
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Critic Reviews for The Longing
We can't lie - we hated The Longing. We hated every second of playing it for review. Is it a resounding success at presenting all of its themes? Is it thought-provoking in a way that few games manage? Is it an exhausting slog we wouldn't wish on our worst enemies? The answer to all these questions is yes. But, with all that said, you cannot help but respect the developer's audacity and unwavering commitment to their principles. What the game sets out to do it accomplishes with flying colours, and it's filled with clever ideas and meditations.Ultimately, The Longing is one of those video games that defies traditional scoring metrics. What kind of score would you give a game that succeeds so triumphantly at being utterly, utterly tedious? A one? A ten? It feels inadequate and somewhat trite to split the difference, but here we are.
The Longing's gripping storyline and multiple endings clash with the lack of puzzles and too many pauses. Worth to try if you are looking for an original story, but if you love to have your brain continuously tested and challenged, this is not your cup of tea.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Longing requires patience but is a surprisingly captivating and emotional game that it's worth taking the time to connect to.
Like all of the most meaningful art, The Longing's gameplay struggles to be what is traditionally considered to be "fun" at times. However, it is a dark and thoughtful journey that tackles profound subjects, and is well worth your time if you're looking to experience something truly unique.
The Longing is a game about waiting for time to pass. It may not sound appealing, but the game comes with lots of tricks up its sleeve, resulting in a melancholy meditation on silence and loneliness. Find out whether it's worth the wait.
This is one of the hardest games I have ever had to review. Partially because I haven't played the The Longing in its entirety, but also because I simply don't know where the journey will take me. Many people will write off this game for being boring or too slow paced; I certainly grew impatient many times and had to take a break. But if the player can understand the slow pacing as a means to communicate The Longing's true essence, they will be rewarded with a purgative experience unlike anything I've ever seen.
I’m confident that I will be firing up The Longing on a regular basis throughout this year and beyond.
No other game is going to make moving a rock across a room take three minutes and dozens of button presses. I just don't know if I think that wanting to play a different video game while waiting for another video game to play itself is good. Should an entertainment product be constantly engaging? I don't really know. However, I do know that I wouldn't change a single thing about The Longing.
