Is it worth it to buy The Silent Age?
Introduce The Silent Age
The Silent Age is a point-and-click adventure game developed by indie game studio House on Fire and released in 2012. It was initially launched for iOS and Android, and later ported to Kindle Fire, Windows, macOS, and PlayStation 4. The game is set in 1972 and features a time traveling janitor as the protagonist.
The Silent Age features graphics and gameplay reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventure titles. Players must solve environmental puzzles and interact with objects to progress through the story. There is no dialogue, as the protagonist is silent, lending to the game’s enigmatic atmosphere.
The game was generally well-received upon launch, with praise for its stylized visuals, simple interface, and intriguing time travel premise. It has since gained a cult following for its minimalist approach to storytelling and nostalgic appeal.
The developer, House on Fire, is a small indie studio based in Copenhagen, Denmark. They specialize in creating story-driven games with unique concepts and compelling aesthetics.
Overall, The Silent Age is a must-play for adventure game fans looking for an artistic and cerebral experience. With its surreal environments and emphasis on environmental storytelling, it provides a refreshing take on the classic point-and-click adventure.
Story and Setting
The Silent Age takes place in the 1970s and the far future year of 2018, after an apocalyptic event has made the Earth uninhabitable. You play as Joe, the janitor of the giant corporation Archon who discovers a time travel device that transports him back and forth between the two time periods.
In 1972, Joe’s main ally is fellow janitor Frank. Joe explores the Archon headquarters and environment of the 1970s. In the future year of 2018, the world is desolate after a catastrophic event. Joe teams up with a girl named Ida to try and change the past to save the future. The time travel mechanic allows Joe to alter the past to solve puzzles in the future.
The story has mystery and intrigue as Joe uncovers the secrets of the Archon corporation and how their secret project led to the apocalypse. The time travel premise also allows for creative puzzles as actions in the past alter the future landscape.[1]
Graphics and Visuals
The Silent Age utilizes a simple yet aesthetically pleasing art style consisting mainly of high contrast, stark black and white visuals with occasional pops of color. The limited color palette works well to convey the gloomy, dystopian setting of the 1970s time period in the game. Environments appear carefully crafted, with backgrounds and details that aptly set the mood and reflect the eerie, abandoned state of the world. While characters and animations are minimal, they suitably fit the stripped down, retro graphic style of The Silent Age.
As Xander51 notes in their review, “Presentation is the most consistent and satisfying aspect of The Silent Age. This project was brilliantly scoped, with a story and puzzles that can be contained within a sparse but interesting world.” The reviewers at Metacritic echo this sentiment, stating “The graphics are simple but very effective and stylish.” Overall, the pared down visuals in The Silent Age are a strength rather than a weakness, allowing the developers to craft an immersive, engrossing experience within the limitations of a small independent team and budget.
Gameplay and Controls
The Silent Age utilizes a standard point-and-click interface (see www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_Silent_Age). Players tap on the screen to move the protagonist around and interact with objects or characters. There’s no direct character control beyond tapping where to walk. The gameplay revolves around solving environmental puzzles and overcoming obstacles to proceed in the story.
As a point-and-click adventure, the puzzles in The Silent Age involve using objects found in each scene to solve problems. For example, finding and giving a needed tool to a character to gain access to a new area. There is some inventory management involved in collecting and keeping track of items to use later. Most puzzles are logical but a few can be challenging, requiring some experimentation and trial-and-error.
Overall, the controls are simple and accessible for a casual gaming experience. The interface is streamlined, with no complex menus or systems to learn. The focus remains on the storytelling and puzzles. Players looking for an interactive story with thoughtful puzzles and minimal action should enjoy the straightforward gameplay and controls.
Audio and Music
The Silent Age features a minimalist soundtrack and sound design that complements the retro pixel art style of the game. According to The Silent Age General Discussions on Steam, some players found the audio to be crackly or glitchy at times. However, the simplicity of the soundtrack adds to the brooding, mysterious atmosphere of the game. As noted by Everythingsounds.org, “The Silent Age allows the player to soak in the loneliness of being the last man on Earth through its sounds.”
The lack of music in most areas creates an eerie quiet, heightening the sense of being alone in a post-apocalyptic world. Ambient sound effects like footsteps, doors opening, and environmental noises provide realism without being distracting. The selective use of minimalist music during poignant moments offers subtle emotional cues. According to critics, while the audio can be hit or miss technically, the overall sound design fits the retro sci-fi aesthetic and creates an immersive, unsettling mood.
Critical Reception
The Silent Age received generally positive reviews, with praise for its intriguing story, stylish graphics, and clever puzzles. On Metacritic, it has a metascore of 76 based on 9 critic reviews, indicating “generally favorable” reviews.
Critics appreciated the game’s retro pixel art style and its ability to evoke nostalgia for classic point-and-click adventure games. As one reviewer said, “The Silent Age oozes style and callbacks to the glory days of adventure games” (Metacritic).
The story and time travel mechanics were also highlights for many reviewers. Adventure Gamers wrote, “Between the mind-bending time manipulation mechanics and an involving story, The Silent Age delivers an experience well worth checking out for devotees of adventure gaming.”
The game won several awards following its release, including Aggie Award for Best Story/Writing, AGS Award for Best Gameplay, and AGS Award for Best Puzzles. It was also an honorable mention for Best Story for the indie game festival IndieCade in 2012.
Overall, critics found The Silent Age to be an impressive adventure game, especially considering its modest length and budget. As Adventure Gamers summed up, “The Silent Age punches well above its weight class” thanks to its compelling story and clever time-travel puzzles.
Lasting Appeal
The Silent Age is a relatively short point-and-click adventure game. According to reviews on HowLongToBeat.com, the main story takes around 3-4 hours to complete. There is some replay value in going back to find all the collectibles and achievements, but most players seem to finish it in under 5 hours.
While the game is quite linear, there are some different dialogue options and story outcomes depending on your choices. This adds a bit of replayability to see the alternate endings and story branches. However, the core puzzle solutions remain the same.
Overall, most critics note The Silent Age as a compact, focused experience rather than an expansive game. GameCola.net states “The Silent Age will certainly entertain you for a solid afternoon or two before you’ve seen everything there is to see.” So while it may lack long-term or repeat playability, it delivers a tight, memorable few hours.
Who It’s For
The Silent Age is a great pick for fans of classic point-and-click adventure games and puzzle games. With its stylized retro graphics, compelling time travel mechanics, and logical but clever puzzles, The Silent Age will appeal to those looking for an immersive and rewarding adventure gameplay experience.
If you enjoy adventure games like Monkey Island, Sam & Max, or Day of the Tentacle, the intricate puzzles and environmental exploration in The Silent Age will feel familiar. Similarly, if you liked time manipulation mechanics in games like Braid or The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom, you’ll appreciate how The Silent Age integrates time travel into the gameplay and puzzles.
With its iOS and Android availability, The Silent Age is also a great option for adventure fans looking for a quality mobile gaming experience. Its touch controls are intuitive, making for smooth and natural gameplay on phones or tablets. So if you’re craving an engrossing adventure you can take on-the-go, The Silent Age is a slick, refined choice.
Summary
The Silent Age is a stylish retro point-and-click adventure with an intriguing time travel premise. It excels through its minimalist art style, moody soundtrack, and clever puzzles [1]. The story follows protagonist Joe as a janitor in the 1970s who acquires a time travel device, allowing him to jump between the 70s and a post-apocalyptic future. Puzzles involve using objects and information from one time period to solve challenges in the other.
On the downside, the game is fairly short at just 2-3 hours. The story is vague and open to interpretation, which may frustrate players seeking definitive answers [1]. However, the mysterious plot leaves room for intriguing theories about the game’s meaning.
Overall, The Silent Age offers an artistic, thought-provoking experience in a compact package. For adventure game fans seeking a concise, artistic title, it’s absolutely worth the low price and modest time investment. The cryptic storytelling may frustrate some but will delight others looking for a game that inspires speculation and debate.
Where to Get It
The Silent Age is available on multiple digital storefronts for PC and mobile devices:
- PC (Windows, Mac, Linux):
Epic Games Store,
Steam,
Itch.io – $9.99 - iOS and Android: App Store and Google Play – $4.99
The game is not currently available on any major console platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch.
Overall, The Silent Age offers an affordable price point between $5-10 depending on the platform. It frequently goes on sale as well, making it easy to pick up at an even lower price.