Virginia

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. Vandal
    Sep 24, 2016
    70
    Virginia wants to tell a story, and that's what it does. It's not an unforgettable one, but if you're happy with it, it's not a bad option.
  2. GameCritics
    Sep 24, 2016
    70
    Virginia is an excellent example of what can be done with the medium – the director’s hand is felt, the approach is unusual and the subject is intriguing. However, “Ambiguous Story” is becoming a widespread disease in videogames, and it’s hitting the indie scene are particularly hard. While occasionally appropriate, it’s a perilous shortcut that leads too many narratives astray, and this game is a victim. I recommend Virginia to examine how it moves a player through its story, but I can’t sign off on the story itself.
  3. Slant Magazine
    Sep 23, 2016
    70
    Without a single word of dialogue, Virginia still manages to clearly convey complex feelings of friendship, isolation, and betrayal, but leaves it to the player to decipher how much to read into all the symbolism.
  5. Metro GameCentral
    Sep 22, 2016
    70
    Some may dismiss it as just another pretentious walking sim, but this innovative Lynchian drama is one of the best story-based games of the year.

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 119 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 119
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 119
  3. Negative: 39 out of 119
  1. rdekoch
    Sep 22, 2016
    9
    It's a truly interesting interactive experience that rewards replaying. It didn't sate my craving for unique gameplay, but the story got myIt's a truly interesting interactive experience that rewards replaying. It didn't sate my craving for unique gameplay, but the story got my attention. It's one of the most cinematic of games I've played. That said, because there are only a few things to interact with and nor real puzzles, it can feel inert. I am impressed by the how beautiful the game is, I wished it had more challenge or interactivity/puzzles. It's still worth experiencing.… Full Review »
  2. GrumpyReviewer
    Sep 26, 2016
    9
    This game is not for everyone. It's a strange, weird, walking simulator where you become a female officer in the FBI during the investigationThis game is not for everyone. It's a strange, weird, walking simulator where you become a female officer in the FBI during the investigation of a missing child. But, the moment you get this assignment, it's like the game pushes into a rabbit hole and it keeps getting stranger and stranger to a point where it becomes hard to see the difference between dream and reality.

    It does remind of David Lynch's work, like Twin Peaks. And it does have a strong cinematic feel, with you traversing bits and pieces of edited scenes, instead of a linear narrative.

    At the end, I was not very sure what to think. I just know that I really enjoyed it. This is a very special game, and one that should not be missed by people who enjoy this kind of game. But, like I said, it is not for everyone.    … Full Review »
  3. KamenRiderDark
    Sep 28, 2016
    0
    Speaking as a movie lover, Virginia is a pretty fascinating story. Imagine if David Lynch directed the pilot episode of The X-Files. It hasSpeaking as a movie lover, Virginia is a pretty fascinating story. Imagine if David Lynch directed the pilot episode of The X-Files. It has some great visuals and a soild score. It's worth it to at least watch a stream if you're into this kind of story.

    As a gamer, and as someone who loves "walking sims" and artistic games, there is no reason that this should have been told as a game instead of movie. You have no agency, there is no sense of exploration, you can't affect any outcome, and you never have any option to choose. You pretty much walk through a series of very linear levels with usually only one object to interact with at any given time.    … Full Review »
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