Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Modernism’s gameplay hinges on its text-adventure mechanics, inviting players to type commands and navigate loosely scripted stage scenarios. Rather than relying on flashy action sequences or complex puzzles, the game expects you to embrace the deliberate pace of Beckett and Sartre-inspired dialogue. Typing feels weighty, as each keystroke can break the fourth wall and draw attention to the artifice of the experience. This self-awareness becomes part of the fun, turning every command into a subtle performance.

The double-feature structure splits the adventure into two acts: Waiting for Godot and No Exit. In the first act, you find yourself perpetually waiting, attempting to coax events from the void. Each command yields a mixture of playful resistance and (often) no response at all, capturing the thrilling monotony of Beckett’s classic. The second act thrusts you into a claustrophobic room with other characters, where dialogue trees probe existential questions and force you to confront consequence—or the lack thereof.

Despite minimal interactivity, Modernism rewards patient players who appreciate absurdist humor and philosophical undertones. There’s no inventory system or branching skill tree; instead, the focus is on the weight of words. Occasionally, you might discover hidden text snippets or unexpected narrative detours, offering brief reprieves from the dramatic tedium. If you thrive on memorizing dialogue cues or crafting your own stage directions, this game will feel like an intriguing experimental theatre piece rather than a traditional video game.

One notable aspect is how the game teases players who expect more conventional “win” conditions. There’s no final boss or triumphant ending—rather, satisfaction comes from the subtle shifts in tone and the internal revelations prompted by each scenario. While this approach can feel alienating at first, those willing to invest in the text-based medium will find a deeply reflective, if occasionally repetitive, journey.

Graphics

Graphically, Modernism adopts a minimalist design that places text at center stage. The interface features a stark, monochrome palette reminiscent of early computer terminals, reinforcing the sense of stepping onto a bare theatrical set. Occasional typographic flourishes—such as highlighted character names or italicized stage directions—serve as the only visual ornamentation, creating a clean canvas for your imagination.

Background art is scarce, limited to simple line sketches or symbolic icons that hint at setting and mood without overwhelming the text. This sparing use of visuals aligns with the game’s thematic focus on existential emptiness. Rather than illustrating every detail, Modernism relies on descriptive prose and your mind’s eye to fill in the blanks, much like reading a play.

Transitions between scenes are marked by subtle fade-ins and fade-outs or the brief appearance of a curtain graphic, cleverly evoking the theater experience. These small touches demonstrate the developers’ attention to theatrical tradition, even in a digital context. However, players seeking vibrant 3D environments or high-fidelity animations should look elsewhere—Modernism’s strength is in its textual presentation and intellectual ambiance.

Story

Modernism intertwines two seminal modernist works—Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and Sartre’s No Exit—into a cohesive text-based narrative. Each act pays homage to its source material while allowing the player to actively shape the dialogue. In the first act, you wrestle with anticipation and inaction, mirroring Vladimir and Estragon’s ceaseless wait for a character who never arrives. This experience of thrilling monotony becomes the game’s central motif.

The second act transports you to a confined “room” where heat, tension, and the gaze of unseen observers seal your fate. Drawing on Sartre’s existential themes, Modernism twists the famous “hell is other people” premise into a branching conversation engine. Every choice you type reverberates through the dialogue, though definitive resolutions remain elusive. Instead of a concrete ending, you’re left to ponder freedom, guilt, and the self-imposed barriers of social interaction.

Both acts avoid traditional narrative arcs, opting for cyclical structures that reflect the characters’ inability to change their circumstances. While this can feel repetitive—and at times even frustrating—it’s also a deliberate design choice that underscores the futility and humor inherent in modernist theatre. Players who appreciate thematic depth over plot-driven thrills will find the experience intellectually stimulating, if not conventionally “entertaining.”

Overall Experience

Modernism challenges conventional expectations for what a video game can be. It strips away combat, puzzles, and exploration in favor of introspective dialogue and theatricality. The result is a niche experience that appeals primarily to fans of absurdist literature, experimental art, and minimalistic design. Casual gamers or those seeking fast-paced action may find the game’s pacing too slow and its humor too dry.

However, for players willing to embrace the dramatic tedium and revel in the self-referential fourth-wall breaks, Modernism offers a unique journey. The double-feature format ensures that you engage with two distinct philosophical frameworks, each exposing different aspects of human inertia and interpersonal friction. The game’s commitment to text-based storytelling makes it a refreshing counterpoint to the hyper-realistic visuals and adrenaline-pumping mechanics found in mainstream titles.

Ultimately, Modernism stands as a testament to the versatility of the interactive medium. It proves that video games can be vessels for literary experimentation and existential inquiry just as much as they can be platforms for high-octane adventures. If you’re intrigued by the prospect of typing your way through modernist stageplays, and you don’t mind being occasionally left with more questions than answers, this game will be a thought-provoking addition to your library.

Retro Replay Score

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