The Yawhg

 PC
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Destructoid
    Jun 18, 2013
    75
    Whether $10 gives you enough value for a mechanically simple, short game is down to you. It's rare to to play a game that has such simple mechanics but resonates in the memory for so long.
  2. PC Gamer
    Mar 7, 2014
    72
    Witty interactive storytelling that’s best with a group and weakens significantly after a few brief playthroughs.
  3. Games.cz
    Apr 18, 2014
    70
    Interactive storytelling proceeding differently every time you play the game. It's short, uncompromising, and if you value games for their ability to tell stories in interactive fashion, you should not miss your opportunity to meet The Yawhg. Just wait for the right moment and the right discount to buy the game because The Yawhg is also a hell of a lot of a short title.
  5. D+PAD Magazine
    Sep 4, 2013
    70
    The game is short, as I said before the page break; you’re able to race through events in a matter of minutes, which is why this is better played with multiple players to make awful choices together. Ten dollars feels like a lot for a short, independent game, but the amount of different options and the varied repercussions for single actions make it feel like better value than the great but ultimately linear Dear Esther or 30 Flights of Loving.
  6. Riot Pixels
    May 7, 2014
    65
    The Yawhg is original enough to draw the attention of your guests away from Wii Sports, but if you like to read stories alone, this game is not for you.
  7. GameSpot
    Mar 17, 2014
    60
    Here again, there's humor and occasional pathos to be found in The Yawhg's brevity, but it's just not very moving to be told that you were a strong leader, or that you never found love, in as many words.
  8. Edge Magazine
    Jul 26, 2013
    60
    It only takes a couple of playthroughs for events to start recurring, and that severely diminishes The Yawhg’s spell, but it can’t take away the charm with which Carrol and Sommer’s game weaves together fairy tales.
  9. CD-Action
    Jul 23, 2014
    55
    The game was designed with high replay value in mind (one playthrough lasts ca. 15 minutes), but the second time I played it part of the situations repeated and with every subsequent attempt it got worse. [06/2014, p.61]
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 34
  3. Negative: 2 out of 34
  1. Sonic_Doctor
    Mar 31, 2014
    10
    The Yawhg is fantastic. The art of the game has a wonderful story book charm to it and goes quite well with the writing which can be manyThe Yawhg is fantastic. The art of the game has a wonderful story book charm to it and goes quite well with the writing which can be many things, from witty, quirky, light and happy to dark and depressing. The music fits amazingly to set the mood of the game. Droning, foreboding tones that give the impression of something horrible about to happen or could happen before the end. The ending/credits song fits so well with the game that it works with any ending you get, good, middle of the road, or bad.

    The Yawhg is basically a random story based fantasy RPG of pure choice, with the outcome of most of your choices being based on the stats of your characters, with the stats playing a large roll in what happens in the end. There are four unique (in look) characters to chose from, two men and two women. The choice of character just gives a different look at certain scenes, with each character showing different appearance from one another in each situation possible in the game. You must choose at least two characters to play as, even if you are playing alone. The game is better with friends, as you experience their reactions depending on how you or they effect the game for everybody playing, because one bad move could get a bad ending for everybody. The game is still extremely entertaining alone, finding out different story branches and outcomes.

    The main goal of the game is to guide the characters in their lives and build their attributes so that they can do well with helping out with the final part of the game. While the game is short, 10 to 15 minutes depending on how quickly you make your decisions and read through the choices and story points, it has phenomenal playability. Each place a character visits each day in the game has two things that can be done that day, like helping patients at the Hospital or cleaning it, or working at the town bar or drinking/partying. Each of these choices have random story bits that occur, and depending on your stats, the bit you encounter could end up differently if you encounter it more than once.

    With all the places one can visit and interact with, there are many story threads that can occur in each place. The places you got and interact with have an effect on the ending story of your character. There are 8 places around town that your character can go to, so right their is 8 possible story endings if you just focus on only going to one of those places for the entirety of the game, but that branches out since you have a choice of two things to do at each location, so the stories endings can branch even more. If you got to more than just one place, you can get a ending that is mix with a couple or more of the things you did.
    I've played the game eight times so far and I've encountered several new things on each playthrough. I recommend basing your decision of getting this game on the user reviews, not the "professional" ones. Looking those reviews over, I can tell that they didn't spend enough time with the game. Ten dollars is perfectly acceptable for this title because of it's depth within the short playtime, and it's artistic quality.

    In many respects, I do consider games an art-form. The Yawhg is definitely a work of art along with being a thoroughly entertaining game.    … Full Review »
  2. tvkiki
    Mar 4, 2014
    9
    Nice little indie game. Endless choices, cute, variable story, with drama and comedy as well. The environment is fantastic, all the artwork isNice little indie game. Endless choices, cute, variable story, with drama and comedy as well. The environment is fantastic, all the artwork is amazing, and combined with the soundtrack really creates the relaxing fantasy mood.
    Seems like there are countless endings, although it is short, can be played in 10 minutes, it is replayable, and it is advised to replay it many more times.    … Full Review »
  3. MrTim165
    Mar 2, 2014
    9
    This game is amazing. An absolute blast to play, even better with friends. Games are short, but the replayability is great. There are so manyThis game is amazing. An absolute blast to play, even better with friends. Games are short, but the replayability is great. There are so many different outcomes. I can imagine myself playing this hours upon hours just to see which choices effect the outcome in what way. The art is amazing as well as the music. The only real criticism I can make is that there are probably a lot of people that wouldn't want to pay $10 for this. I personally think that the price is justified by the art and all the stories the game has to tell.… Full Review »
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