Introduction
Today we are going to review a visual novel, a game that is quite strange as there is not much gameplay at all, this game is all about the story as we are reviewing a visual novel called the 39 steps! What is this game about? Well not much to be honest, but it features a man named Richard who gets sucked in a plot that revolves around World War 1. Can you discover what is going on in this visual novel!?
What did I think before playing The 39 Steps?
I have no clue what I was actually thinking when I started this game, I had never heard of this book or visual novel before. It just came in a bundle, and I was like, let’s just see what this game is all about. I could use a visual novel review! All that I knew, is that this a visual novel, so I decided to check the Steam page for more information!
The Steam Page
https://store.steampowered.com/app/234940/The_39_Steps/
It is clear this is not some kind of adventure game, there are not much game mechanics to experience. Instead, you will be just, reading a book and seeing pictures. There are some mechanics where you need to rotate your mouse to open a door, there is not much more to this game. If you like old school thrillers, this might be something for you!
Rating
I rate The 39 Steps with a 6.3 before playing.
It did not seem like a very fun game, except if it is your genre, which is very niche.
Story
In late May 1914, when World War I is imminent in Europe, Richard Hannay returns home to London after having lived and worked in Rhodesia as a mining engineer. One night, his neighbor, an American who claims to be in fear for his life, asks if Hannay can let him in. The man appears to know of an anarchist plot to destabilize Europe, beginning with a plan to assassinate the Greek Premier, Constantine Karolides, during his forthcoming visit to London on the forthcoming 15 June.
Rating
I rate the story of The 39 Steps with a 7.9
This is what the whole game is about! If you are not here for the story, something is wrong!
Gameplay
Normally I try to have at least three paragraphs of decent information on the gameplay mechanics, since there are almost no gameplay mechanics in this game, I have to keep at one. All you do is in this game, is click, and turn your mouse eventually. Sometimes, there are items that you can investigate by, you guessed it, clicking your mouse on the interactive items. If you are looking for action, this is not the place where you should look, you will just be going through a very slow story.
Rating
I rate the gameplay of The 39 Steps with a 2,3.
Oh my god, the story is so slow!
Sound and Graphics
Graphics
The graphics of 39 Steps are very good to look at it, as it as if you are actually seeing the book unfold in front of you. The locations are unique, every chapter has something new to show you.
Sound
The soundtracks are not very noticeable, but the voice acting is top-notch!
Rating
I rate the sound and graphics of The 39 steps with an 8.8.
If there is something that is good with this game, then it is the visuals!
What did I think after playing The 39 Steps?
While I did finish this game, it is kind of boring. Not the story, I did like the story but the pacing is extremely slow. It could have been sped up two times and the story would still be the same. If you enjoy visual novels, then this is a game that you want to play, but if you dislike visual novels, and you want some action, then you won’t find it here. The most action that will happen in this game is opening the door!
Rating
I rate The 39 Steps with a 5.7 after playing.
While I did enjoy the story, despite it being slow, there is completely no action in this game.
What are my personal thoughts about The 39 Steps?
I can barely believe it myself, but I did platinum this game, it feels as if I wasted a part of my life with this, why did I do this? Oh god, it was horrible.
Rating
My personal rating of the 39 Steps is a 1.7.
I made it, I survived it!
Last Words
Pros
- A very immersive story
- A classic book brought to life with interactive mechanics
- Enjoy amazing voice acting
- The graphics are fun to look at!
Cons
- There are no actual gameplay mechanics or puzzles to solve
- You barely notice that there are soundtracks
- The pacing of the story is very slow
If I am going to play another visual novel, I do want some puzzles to play! Maybe a hidden object game!?
Final Rating
6.2
Let me know what you think of The 39 Steps in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed reading this review, I hope to see you in the next review!
If you liked reading this review, maybe you would like to share this review with your friends!
not so good from what I read :/
Ку! Пипл.
Lookk interesting. Thanks for the review.
Visual novels aren’t my cup of tea. Easy to get achievements are nice, but that’s all. Personally, when I read a book, I choose the classic one.
I rather listen to audio books!
Although visual novels are mostly not your kind of thing judging by this review, would you be willing to review other ones with little gameplay as long as the story and visuals are good? I have a soft spot for this niche genre myself, as I find visuals help me focus more on reading a story and getting immersed, and they can be kind of fun and relaxing in their own way. Although, some interactive elements are always a plus.
I am going to check out other visual novels eventually! Even if I do not like a genre, I still play them for reviews!
interesting game
Good game, nice review!!
I guess some riddles should have been added to make it more fun to play.
That would be a great idea!
And add some thriller tension or some quick action moments. Sven commented how it lacked more happening, which makes the visual novel feel bland.
I don’t play visual novels often.
Looks like a not bad game different from others
Good review!
Except for a few exceptions visual novels are pretty boring.
Yeah, it has to have some fun elements!
A more puzzle-detectivesque gameplay could have been better.
If the VN is all about the story, you shouldn’t add gameplay elements that worsens the immersion experience (I’m looking at you mouse gestures).
I agree with you!
I saw that title before but never saw a gameplay of game. I liked this type of game, specially detective 🕵️♀️