User Score
4.4

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 125 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 125
  2. Negative: 67 out of 125

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  1. Apr 18, 2017
    0
    A "cyberpunk" "game" in which the player reads for three hours about how difficult life is for San Francisco socialites in a candy-colored robo-utopia where fursecution is the greatest threat to their comfortable lives.
  2. Jan 30, 2017
    0
    I bought it, I played it, I regretted it. Go flip hamburgers, MidBoss, and stop making "games."

    If you're thinking about dropping money on this, rethink that. Give some money to charity instead.
  3. Oct 8, 2015
    4
    When I picked up this game I thought it looked pretty good, and indeed the first half hour or so was enjoyable. Then there is a moment where the game decides to dress you down for making a very expected leap in logic, and even more unforgivable is the fact that even if you figure out why you shouldn't do said action, the game refuses to progress until you DO.

    The game only gets worse
    When I picked up this game I thought it looked pretty good, and indeed the first half hour or so was enjoyable. Then there is a moment where the game decides to dress you down for making a very expected leap in logic, and even more unforgivable is the fact that even if you figure out why you shouldn't do said action, the game refuses to progress until you DO.

    The game only gets worse from there. A potentially enjoyable experience is muddled with clumsy writing that all to often breaks immersion so the creators can lecture you, even though games that sell themselves on 'diversity' tend to not find much audience outside of people who already agree with them anyway. Way to preach to your choir.

    Most distressingly, while most Cyberpunk works leave the merits of augmentation and gene therapy up to the audience, ROM feels fit to decide for you, which goes against the entire point of the genre. I can't honestly recommend this game, it's not particularly pleasant.
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  4. Oct 23, 2015
    0
    It has some homage to old school DOS based graphic novels, thats one of only two redeeming qualities it has. Soundtrack is great, but the heavy handed need to assume what your audience feels and then berate them for giving them no choice is lame. The open model for LGBT players setting their own character up is pretty sweet.

    The story takes a back seat to the pedantry, and it very much
    It has some homage to old school DOS based graphic novels, thats one of only two redeeming qualities it has. Soundtrack is great, but the heavy handed need to assume what your audience feels and then berate them for giving them no choice is lame. The open model for LGBT players setting their own character up is pretty sweet.

    The story takes a back seat to the pedantry, and it very much suffers for it. I was actually interested in the game, but by the end, I found myself just hoping it would be over soon.

    Let me be clear. This is not a bad game. Its just not for everyone. This game has a very specific audience. It, however, pantomimed as a game for everyone. And thats a bit dishonest.

    Not at all worth the price tag.
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  5. May 16, 2017
    10
    2064, A cyberpunk dystopian future: The market radicals have won! Big companies have bought and privatized everything and digitization has taken over every aspect of life.
    You play as a low tier journalist, and an old friend of yours has gone missing, that's what his ROM (service robots that are simultaneously personal computers) tells you -- the first sapient, sentient rom, standing
    2064, A cyberpunk dystopian future: The market radicals have won! Big companies have bought and privatized everything and digitization has taken over every aspect of life.
    You play as a low tier journalist, and an old friend of yours has gone missing, that's what his ROM (service robots that are simultaneously personal computers) tells you -- the first sapient, sentient rom, standing right there in your livingroom -- so the 2 of you embark on an adventure to find out what happened.

    Good writing (not as good as many classic Sci-Fi novels mind you, but really good!), good pacing, world building, a lot of interesting contemporary youth culture, transferred into a Sci Fi future.
    The game is around 10h long, I did enjoy it throughout but it's mostly interactive fiction.
    Don't buy if you expect a ton of gameplay, it's very basic old school Adventure gameplay (and graphics also!) with some narrative branches and several endings, but really not that much interactivity alltogether.
    Loved it still for what it was, good job!
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  6. Apr 18, 2017
    0
    Thank god there is a refund policy these days.
    Unimaginative and basically just a jumble of some bits from some games but without polish. I mean, it's not like you would be making this game to break new ground - it's a cash grab.
  7. Apr 19, 2017
    0
    Got this game, thought I might try it out, it was a mistake.
    Next to nil gameplay, uninspired story, truly a failure of a game.
    Certainly not worth the price tag.
  8. Apr 18, 2017
    1
    A derivative point and click game with terrible characters and shows great evidence that the creators of this game have spent a touch too much time on Tumblr and got one of the more deranged people to write for it. I can't recommend this game to anyone that wants to save their sanity. I'm going to go back to replay Shadowgate instead to remind myself of what a good game is supposed to be.
  9. Apr 19, 2017
    0
    I usually review gum for a living, but today I decided to review a game. Major regrets, it was an awful experience. Dear lord almighty was it awful. I've played some games in my day, used to love playing games. But now after playing this game, I don't think I ever want to play another game again. Would not recommend 0/10.
  10. Apr 19, 2017
    0
    All of the game developers are white males, except for one white woman. But you expect people to rejoice when you criticize other people's political views? This is a stunt in order to get money.
  11. Apr 21, 2017
    10
    In my opinion, this game is really good! It features wonderful characters, a nice cast of voice actors, a compelling story, a setting that's just plain fun, and some delightful moments of humor. It's a wonderful send-up of old-style point-and-click adventure games that includes some nice aspects of LGBTQ representation. Overall, the game had me enjoying its humor, captivated by its plot,In my opinion, this game is really good! It features wonderful characters, a nice cast of voice actors, a compelling story, a setting that's just plain fun, and some delightful moments of humor. It's a wonderful send-up of old-style point-and-click adventure games that includes some nice aspects of LGBTQ representation. Overall, the game had me enjoying its humor, captivated by its plot, and delighted with its characters. Expand
  12. Apr 19, 2017
    0
    Just an atrocious game overall, not sure why anyone would ever play this. I got tricked into trying out, needless to say: friendship OVER! Complete waste of time.
  13. Apr 20, 2017
    10
    The world of Neo-San Francisco was an emotional journey that I would honestly hope to find in another game. A world of LGBT+ pro characters seen as an amazing cast of unforgettable people was what I hoped for and, thankfully, got. The premise is interesting, the game manages to keep the player on their toes with the current events of the futuristic city the story takes place in. IThe world of Neo-San Francisco was an emotional journey that I would honestly hope to find in another game. A world of LGBT+ pro characters seen as an amazing cast of unforgettable people was what I hoped for and, thankfully, got. The premise is interesting, the game manages to keep the player on their toes with the current events of the futuristic city the story takes place in. I especially enjoyed characters that could be found with daily issues, such as disorders, judgement, and parental problems, seen as such strong and positive individuals. Overall a wonderfully constructed game with beautifully accepting and understanding creators. Expand
  14. Oct 6, 2015
    9
    Such a great game to have in my collection. It's a good point and click adventure game that got me hooked minutes in. Don't waste your time looking at reviews to see if you'll like it, at a great price, it's wise to just buy it and enjoy
  15. Apr 18, 2017
    10
    The moment I launched this game, I was enchanted by the design choices of both the graphics and sound; immediately thrown back to the mid 90s, when adventure games were at their prime.

    The music is just fantastic; the sound design is charming, and you'll fall in love with the characters. It's very open and welcoming to all people regardless of race, gender identity or sexual
    The moment I launched this game, I was enchanted by the design choices of both the graphics and sound; immediately thrown back to the mid 90s, when adventure games were at their prime.

    The music is just fantastic; the sound design is charming, and you'll fall in love with the characters. It's very open and welcoming to all people regardless of race, gender identity or sexual orientation-- (which plays a large part in why there are so many negative user reviews here).

    The story is interesting and really grabs you from the get-go. There were a number of times that I was legitimately shocked by some of the directions it takes you, and the ending is hair-raising and extremely satisfying.

    I cherish this game, and could not recommend it highly enough.
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  16. Oct 6, 2015
    9
    Diverse, unique, inclusive, and an over all enjoyable game. A buddy of mine mentioned this back when it was being kickstarted, so I figured it was worth a look. Takes me back to the cyber-punk theme of Snatcher.
  17. Apr 19, 2017
    10
    Very endearing old-school adventure game/graphic novel. As an added bonus, Nazis really don't want you to buy this game so be sure to ignore all their trolling below.
  18. Oct 12, 2015
    9
    This simple point-and-click adventure hides a beautiful and deep story, in a world brimming with personality and heart. The mechanics are simple, the characters incredibly lovable, with even the most minor of NPCs memorable.

    The writing is top-notch, and the puzzles difficult enough that you are challenged to solve them. The ending (one of them), leaves you thinking like you've just
    This simple point-and-click adventure hides a beautiful and deep story, in a world brimming with personality and heart. The mechanics are simple, the characters incredibly lovable, with even the most minor of NPCs memorable.

    The writing is top-notch, and the puzzles difficult enough that you are challenged to solve them. The ending (one of them), leaves you thinking like you've just finished an Arthur C. Clarke novel. And if you've found sci-fi to be a little too patriarchal for you, never fear: there's not a straight guy in this game.
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  19. Jan 30, 2016
    9
    This game is a thoroughly modern, colourful take on the cyberpunk genre based on current cultural issues, technology and politics. Copyright laws threaten the basic human rights of genetic hybrids, people face institutionalized discrimination based on factors largely out of their control and the economy is so awful that corporations have stepped in take over utilities and policing theThis game is a thoroughly modern, colourful take on the cyberpunk genre based on current cultural issues, technology and politics. Copyright laws threaten the basic human rights of genetic hybrids, people face institutionalized discrimination based on factors largely out of their control and the economy is so awful that corporations have stepped in take over utilities and policing the populace. At the same time there are loads of well written characters, excellent dialogue, humor and conversation based puzzles. If any of that sounds appealing than this is a definite must play.

    Expanding on that, don't expect this game to raise issues allegorical to the ones we face now both politically and culturally and not take a stance on them. Gonzo journalism is referenced within the game and it is clearly intended to be the style of the story telling. You aren't some person floating through this world having philosophical ideas thrown around without context. The characters are affected by the world and they will tell you about it, they are marginalized, you will know how. This game is terribly honest and in many ways very grim despite its art style.

    Wonderful game, excellent music, fantastic writing. Literally the only reason I don't given this a perfect 10 is because of one or two unclear puzzles but even those only took a couple minutes to figure out and that was only because I insisted on taking indirect routes to solve problems rather than the direct way.
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  20. Jan 23, 2017
    10
    While dealing with some serious topics, ROM is a fairly light-hearted game. Interacting with characters actually felt like interaction even if some of the responses aren't so good. The dialogue itself was pretty good and actually felt tailored to each characters personality.

    Not for the politically triggered.
  21. Nov 29, 2015
    8
    Tier 2
    + Awesome character writing, a lot of unique and vivid voices that come to life with the animated portraits
    + Fairly intelligent sci-fi writing that takes a lot of its topic seriously, and shows an awareness of the more complex aspects of these ideas and their potential outcomes + Fairly good soundtrack and atmosphere, world feels alive (if not a bit too chipper/silly for the
    Tier 2
    + Awesome character writing, a lot of unique and vivid voices that come to life with the animated portraits
    + Fairly intelligent sci-fi writing that takes a lot of its topic seriously, and shows an awareness of the more complex aspects of these ideas and their potential outcomes
    + Fairly good soundtrack and atmosphere, world feels alive (if not a bit too chipper/silly for the topics at hand)
    ? Decent plot, if not a tad predictable; paced very well, but doesn't always go the extra mile in its storytelling
    ? Doesn't really push the genre forwards, has a lot of object interactions allowed that just lead to silly and pointless lines of prose -- seems like an unnecessary development time sink, and also ultimately is mostly meaningless for the player
    - Very bizarre and poorly constructed end sequence that not only can easily spoil a Steam achievement, but doesn't seem mechanically consistent (enemy's movement patterns are far too random), which really took the wind out of the sails in what should've been a satisfying climax
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  22. Apr 19, 2017
    10
    Legitimately one of the best games I've played in years. Great soundtrack, intriguing characters, and one of the handful of games that have actually managed to make me cry (admittedly that was because I got the bad ending, but the good ending's still pretty emotional)
  23. Apr 18, 2017
    10
    A must play for fans of "Snatcher", "Policenauts" and other visual novel styled adventure games.

    Also, every time you play it, an alt-right supremacist gets cucked by their spouse/sibling. It's a win/win.
  24. Apr 19, 2017
    10
    Delightful, smart, and retro as hell. There's a clear, deep love of cyberpunk and throwback adventure woven into this game/visual novel. It's also unabashedly queer, which explains the game's warped User Score: there's been a campaign to downvote the game by people who don't like its politics.

    I was genuinely surprised by how much I was drawn into the game and its unique protagonist, a
    Delightful, smart, and retro as hell. There's a clear, deep love of cyberpunk and throwback adventure woven into this game/visual novel. It's also unabashedly queer, which explains the game's warped User Score: there's been a campaign to downvote the game by people who don't like its politics.

    I was genuinely surprised by how much I was drawn into the game and its unique protagonist, a companion that accompanies you throughout the game. I think my only criticism is that a tonal whiplash can happen if you play through two particular branches of the plot in a certain order. It works fine in one direction, but not in the other. (NOTE: This review covers the game's original release; I haven't played the reworked version, yet.)

    I'd likely give the game an 8 or 9, but given the nasty review-bombing it's received, I think a 10 is a good counterbalance. The game isn't for everyone, but there's no context in which it deserves a score of 0. (This isn't to say negative reviews have no merit, but of the ones I've seen under "Most Helpful," it sounds like only SmashLampJaw actually played it.) It's definitely a flavor I haven't found elsewhere; something I didn't know I wanted until I found it.
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  25. Oct 5, 2017
    4
    cool story based game ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  26. Aug 22, 2020
    10
    I honestly really liked this game for a number of reasons!

    Firstly, it’s super refreshing to be able to identify myself, the player character, as non-binary with extreme ease, and to have the world I’m playing in not bat an eyelash about it. It’s not even a focus of the game, it’s just an inclusive function that adds a major layer of comfort and proper escapism for me. I don’t have to
    I honestly really liked this game for a number of reasons!

    Firstly, it’s super refreshing to be able to identify myself, the player character, as non-binary with extreme ease, and to have the world I’m playing in not bat an eyelash about it. It’s not even a focus of the game, it’s just an inclusive function that adds a major layer of comfort and proper escapism for me. I don’t have to readjust pronouns in my head or feel uncomfortable being referred to in certain ways — and it avoids the awkwardness of not being referred to at all. It’s just a simple mechanic that adds so much personal weight for me.

    Secondly, the story is definitely intriguing. There are moments where I found myself confused, or perhaps floundering for context in the lore I didn’t understand yet. There are moments when I genuinely tripped up and said the wrong thing — something I didn’t understand the gravity of. Shockingly, I like this in some places. It’s an interesting parallel to the real world and how one’s ignorance can genuinely be harmful.
    That being said, it’s hard to have a complex morality system that truly reflects the real world in any sort of pre-programmed scenario. Nuanced takes aren’t as feasible in a limited choice scenario, so there aren’t as many shades of grey answers and outcomes as the real world can have. At times, this made the game feel sort of preachy, but the annoyance of those moments were easily counter balanced by the investment I had fostered for the characters and lore.

    And lastly, I wanna mention Turing! They were easily the most interesting character to me, and had such a cute design too! It was pleasant to hear them speak and give the player input on many actions or inspections. I’m not a fan of many point and click or visual novel games, but Turing and much of the other colorful cast members were such compelling and fun or interesting characters that I kept finding myself coming back for more!
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  27. Jun 22, 2018
    0
    First thing, the artstyle and character designs were good. For some reason gender ambiguous characters are great when a lot of love goes into them. Traditionally androgynous and gender ambiguous characters have been portrayed in many ways before by fans.

    The worst character by far was the trans-species cat-girl. There was really no character there, it was like an angsty teen, I thought
    First thing, the artstyle and character designs were good. For some reason gender ambiguous characters are great when a lot of love goes into them. Traditionally androgynous and gender ambiguous characters have been portrayed in many ways before by fans.

    The worst character by far was the trans-species cat-girl. There was really no character there, it was like an angsty teen, I thought it would be amusing to piss her off since it wasn't a dating sim. The parallels between whether trans-species should have the same rights as humans was interesting, but there is one obstacle in the process. We are talking about furries. They're annoying and try to shove furry porn in your face and if you protest they will say "what's the problem?" even if they have their own spaces. Nobody needs to indulge in your fetish. I can't help but feel tackling the transgender issue was thus not done well.

    The typical male is vastly underrepresented, but that is not the issue, most those characters are either annoying or boring and only exist for the sake of the plot. It demonstrates the importance of how we must make every character feel real and human. My saddest thought is how the two gay punks are not attractive, act like spoiled brats. But in retrospect, this is good as it brings to light the gays who consider themselves integral to the 'LGBT community'. These people lack moral boundaries and guidelines, they are simply driven by their own personal selfish desires, as if the world should contort to them on a whim - although this may also intertwine with the furry problem I touched upon earlier.

    In my opinion the game only positively represents the quirky characters (except the gays (except the bears)), while everyone who isn't is a lackluster stereotype. Perhaps this was done intentionally though as to bring to light our own individual biases.

    In short, this game sucks for the typical male and typical gay male. It tries to touch upon delicate subjects, but fails at more important hurdles, those being, first a believable world and second an immersive world. The latter here being mostly since the game feels too childish a lot of the time, and seems to fluctuate between serious and carefree, failing to deliver an immersive world.

    The game isn't particularly memorable, looking bad, which is a shame. The audio and graphics are very hit and miss, I felt some scenes and transitions were well of good quality. The story telling aspect is definitely the games greatest strength, but outside of this, it's largely political messages presented in a way which could of been done more subtlely. It's a game you want to enjoy but can't.
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  28. Jan 15, 2023
    9
    I love the humor of all the dialogs under the Talk option, and I can relate to the daily social topics this game talked about. The old-school pixel art has a comfortable color pattern, and the background story setting is easy to be accepted by the player.
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Dec 14, 2017
    82
    The city of Neo San Francisco in 2064 feels like a future directly connected to the world we live in today. As always, there are plenty of social issues, yet of course, there is also always hope.
  2. CD-Action
    Mar 30, 2016
    70
    A well-written cyberpunk graphic adventure that tackles some weighty subjects. [03/2016, p.62]
  3. Mar 15, 2016
    80
    Read Only Memories is a very well written and entertaining cyberpunk adventure that does a great job with seamless inclusion of LGBT characters. A text adventure that should be played by all fans of the genre.