The Beginner's Guide

 PC
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 335 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 225 out of 335
  2. Mixed: 55 out of 335
  3. Negative: 55 out of 335

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  1. raorian
    Nov 28, 2015
    7
    This game is unique. I have never played something like it. which is something it should get points for. being unique however is not a synonym for greatness.

    This is an educational story, with a lesson many people in my generation need to learn. It could be a great educational tool. As a game I would give this game a 4. Since it is simply not fun. it lacks even the enjoyment of    This game is unique. I have never played something like it. which is something it should get points for. being unique however is not a synonym for greatness.

    This is an educational story, with a lesson many people in my generation need to learn. It could be a great educational tool.

    As a game I would give this game a 4. Since it is simply not fun. it lacks even the enjoyment of exploration the Stanley parable had. it is, 95% linear. It is possible though that the reason i didn't find much interest in the story is because the lesson it tries to teach is one i have already learned. this reason is also probably why so many reviews call this game pretentious.

    I very much recommend this game to fans of the Stanley parable, and people that feel they need external validation for being happy, and I hope the creator's next work will have more appeal for me.    … Expand
  2. MadJaples
    Oct 24, 2015
    5
    I was thrilled to be able to play this, having thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the narrative exploration game of Stanley's Parable.
    I was hoping for something of a similar ilk here, which to an extent it was - but it wasn't. Kinda like saying sorry, not sorry really.
    It was too lengthy for me. I didn't like the linearity of it and at times it was just far too long in the tooth. The    I was thrilled to be able to play this, having thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the narrative exploration game of Stanley's Parable.
    I was hoping for something of a similar ilk here, which to an extent it was - but it wasn't. Kinda like saying sorry, not sorry really.
    It was too lengthy for me. I didn't like the linearity of it and at times it was just far too long in the tooth.
    The voice acting was okay I guess, but it lacked the same standard of that used in the Parable, in that it seemed to be in need of more enthusiasm and I don't think a bit of humour being injected into it would have gone amiss either.
    Whilst it was a good idea, I don't think the execution went quite to plan with this one. Maybe it's just me - but I didn't really rate it - as you can tell.    … Expand
  3. sinefile
    Oct 4, 2015
    5
    Firstly, I'm passionate about art. I believe video games are the most powerful medium of expression through their audiovisuals, writing, and mechanics. Unfortunately I haven't had the experience of playing a game that fully capitalizes on all of these aspects to make a truly meaningful and moving piece. It may be out there and hopefully we tap into this medium more in the future. This gameFirstly, I'm passionate about art. I believe video games are the most powerful medium of expression through their audiovisuals, writing, and mechanics. Unfortunately I haven't had the experience of playing a game that fully capitalizes on all of these aspects to make a truly meaningful and moving piece. It may be out there and hopefully we tap into this medium more in the future. This game is like a blank painting that says "this is art" and then "this isn't art" and then "how dare you." If you are going to make art, make it. In an attempt to make itself seem more intellectual and meaningful this game intentionally misleads and confuses its audience. If confusion was part of the narrative it would be more acceptable, but this was a clear trick used to fluff up an other wise empty game with some bits of meaning. I love Jim sterling but there's a reason he literally says nothing about the game in his review. There's no substantive analysis of this game and once you see through that it's clear that everyone else is calling this art because it seems artsy to them. We can have a discussion about whether or not art needs to have a point or whether or not it can intentionally deceive you. However, to me this game was simply using these things a mask to look and feel meaningful rather than genuinely being it.… Expand
  4. fdxcd
    Oct 13, 2015
    5
    On one hand, that's that's the least useful hour of my life that I'll never get back. On the other hand, this sh... thing made me spent an entire hour on it. So, I'll give it a score in the middle.
  5. bancandrei
    May 27, 2020
    6
    It was an experience. Although not the most pleasant one, nor that memorable, and kind of niche and self reflexive. New ways to shape a narrative will always be welcome, but this is not even a good walking simulator
  6. SecondSon
    Oct 2, 2015
    5
    Just finished playing this... it's very personal. Without spoiling it, my biggest problem with this game is that it isn't free. I know, it's a strange complaint, but the developer clearly states the purpose of this game towards the end and with it in mind, making a profit off this game is very insincere.

    EDIT: Just realised that I seemed to have missed the point of the game. However,    Just finished playing this... it's very personal. Without spoiling it, my biggest problem with this game is that it isn't free. I know, it's a strange complaint, but the developer clearly states the purpose of this game towards the end and with it in mind, making a profit off this game is very insincere.

    EDIT: Just realised that I seemed to have missed the point of the game. However, regardless of whether the story is real or not, its exploitative (one way financially and the other emotionally) and thus I cannot recommend it. The developer of The Stanley Parable really dropped the ball on this one.    … Expand
  7. kezzyhko
    Jul 28, 2020
    6
    ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍
  8. BasilZero
    Aug 12, 2017
    7
    Game: The Beginner's Guide
    Genre: Adventure
    Publisher/Developer: Everything Unlimited Ltd. System: Steam (PC) Total Score: 70/100 Value Score: 7.0/10 • Story: 7/10 • Characters: 7/10 • GamePlay: 7/10 • Graphics: 7/10 • Sound: 10/10 • Music: 6/10 • Length: 5/10 • Replay Value: 5/10 • Player Value: 6/10 Pros +Great Narration and well told story +Design of the game was    Game: The Beginner's Guide
    Genre: Adventure
    Publisher/Developer: Everything Unlimited Ltd.
    System: Steam (PC)
    Total Score: 70/100
    Value Score: 7.0/10

    • Story: 7/10
    • Characters: 7/10
    • GamePlay: 7/10
    • Graphics: 7/10
    • Sound: 10/10
    • Music: 6/10
    • Length: 5/10
    • Replay Value: 5/10
    • Player Value: 6/10

    Pros
    +Great Narration and well told story
    +Design of the game was well made
    +Chapter Select lets you select chapters (once you started one) whenever you want for replay value

    Cons
    -Very short and simple
    -Its like your practically watching a movie or listening to audio, not much gameplay or choice
    -Visuals use early levels of source engine, not the best looking game    … Expand
  9. ChoicestGames
    Feb 27, 2020
    7
    The Beginner's Guide is about as far removed from The Stanley Parable as you can get with respect to its sombre tone and linear gameplay, however there are several ingenious games within games here and as a work of art that grants you several opportunities at introspection, it delivers.
  10. zeig
    Nov 28, 2015
    5
    If you haven't played The Stanley Parable, play that instead; it's the better game of this genre.

    If you have played it, The Beginner's Guide is what you would get if you made one of the branches in The Stanley Parable 90 minutes long. You're playing a story, and not a very interactive one. It's mildly intriguing for a bit, but the premise winds up wearing thin by the end.
  11. gloriouspotato
    Nov 11, 2015
    7
    The Beginner's Guide isn't fun in the conventional sense, though the game never intends to be. It plays out more like a personal dairy of sorts, detailing the thought processes of Davey Wreden and his realisation of the error of his ways. There are many interpretations you can take, and it's up to you whether you believe the narrator is being honest or not. The writing did not come acrossThe Beginner's Guide isn't fun in the conventional sense, though the game never intends to be. It plays out more like a personal dairy of sorts, detailing the thought processes of Davey Wreden and his realisation of the error of his ways. There are many interpretations you can take, and it's up to you whether you believe the narrator is being honest or not. The writing did not come across as pretentious, but I think some of its ideas could be conveyed with a little more subtlety and perhaps less melodrama. Visuals were not impressive from a technical standpoint, though sound design was excellent. On the whole, I was satisfied with the overall product. At about 1.5 hours, it's a game that should be finished in a single sitting.

    Overall rating - 7.0/10    … Expand
  12. AnimeKing
    Dec 11, 2015
    5
    It's ok but not worth any money should be free.

    Graphics, it runs on source so expect graphics equal to about half-life or counter strike Sound, all you here is the narrator and he gets annoying after the 3rd stage. Gamplay, well it's a **** walking simulator think of the stanley parable but now you dont have any choices. Overall, it's ok the point is, it's difficult to think    It's ok but not worth any money should be free.

    Graphics, it runs on source so expect graphics equal to about half-life or counter strike

    Sound, all you here is the narrator and he gets annoying after the 3rd stage.

    Gamplay, well it's a **** walking simulator think of the stanley parable but now you dont have any choices.

    Overall, it's ok the point is, it's difficult to think of ideas for games and stick with it due to boredom and that people have there own ideas other then that it's the narrator saying I was a dick.
    I would wait for it to be free if ever, wait for it to go on sale, or pass it up.    … Expand
  13. sevifc
    Feb 26, 2016
    7
    Mas que un juego es una experiencia. No hay objetivos ni reglas. Solo dejarse guiar por los comentarios del narrador a lo largo de la hora y media dos horas que dura.
  14. WhiskeyStories
    Oct 15, 2018
    7
    A highly creative and rather thought provoking little experiment, but unlike The Stanley Parable, by the end of The Beginner's Guide, as it gets borderline corny by the end, you feel sort of cheated. It's an experience that I'd highly recommend anyone to have, especially going in blind, but be prepared, because it's one of those "games" that most people either love or hate.
  15. Kujin
    Jun 29, 2020
    7
    This game is a unique way for a human man to directly vent about his problems and expressing his thoughts through a videogame. The gameplay, the story and the visuals are nothing but okay, but the mere premise of The Beginner's Guide and the way it delivers it's narrative are exceptional. It's not the best, but even the best game ever won't make this game disappear from my memory
  16. Haeder
    Aug 9, 2020
    7
    The nature of this game makes it hard to recommend, Even tho I really liked it, but that doesn't make it worth what you are paying for because of how short it is only 110 mins? that's too short even for a game of this type.

    But if you like this type of games you will certainly find the joy of this one.
  17. ErayTellezi
    Nov 17, 2020
    5
    Biraz gereksiz bir oyun, olmasa da olur. Neyse ki süresi kısa ve sıkma noktasına geldiğinde bitiyor.
  18. FRIST_008
    Jun 14, 2021
    7
    Странный симулятор ходьбы повествующий о психологии разработчика игра, и творческой импотенции.
  19. CodaHensley
    Jul 14, 2022
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm not exactly the person to delve into the types of games that don't really include gameplay. The misnomer 'walking simulator' has always been one that as hard as I try to omit, I find myself using to discredit these types of interactive narratives. While there does seem to be a very interesting story at play here, there are a few things that handicap that experience in my opinion. One being; this game would be completely incomprehensible if not for the narrator. While there is a meta aspect to this, it stands to reason that in an interactive media, a game that is unable to convey its story internally seems a bit detrimental. Second, I would like to state that when the turn in the story happens and the game enters a bit of meta discussion between the games creator and the narrator, I'd argue that the interactions experienced by the player become irrelevant. The main aspects that will stick with me will be a few of the visuals, fortunately detached from the rather cringey and ham-fisted dialogue the game repeatedly offers to the player.… Expand
  20. HydrophobikFish
    Jun 9, 2023
    7
    A short indue game with an interesting premise. It's very unique and worth experiencing just for the moral that it offers and the way that it gets there. Gameplay wise there's almost nothing to speak of but the unconventional story is strong enough to be worth it on its own.
  21. Eyean
    Aug 6, 2023
    6
    The whole "exploring someone else's unfinished game's" idea was cool, but the story ends up fizzling out by the end, really just making me wonder why I played the game in the first place.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
3
#3 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 35
  3. Negative: 4 out of 35
  1. The Escapist
    Feb 10, 2016
    90
    The Beginner's Guide is an incredible art piece of a game that gets you thinking your relationship with the games you play.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Feb 4, 2016
    30
    Instead of engaging interactions, great animations or wonderfully crafted characters The Beginner’s Guide offers empty, amateurish, uninteresting environments and a story about two immature game developers. [01/2016, p.54]
  3. Power Unlimited
    Dec 10, 2015
    88
    The Beginner’s Guide is as fascinating as The Stanley Parable is hilarious. One of the most intriguing ‘games’ that we’ve played in recent history and an easy recommendation for everyone who likes weird game experiments. [dec. 2015 / page 062]
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