Pine: A Story of Loss

  • 4.0
    out of 5
    184 Ratings
  • Editors’ Choice

    The soothing mini-games in this quietly haunting interactive story help illustrate how love can make life feel less monotonous.

  • So sad but so good!!

    wandathechubycat

    So I have only played the demo so I don’t know EVERYTHING about this game, but what I do know of is that it’s sweet and sad.It’s sad that so many people have to feel this in there life, I know it’s not losing an actual person but I had a dog (he was a boxer and his name was Felix) and he had a problem with his back that didn’t come up until his last year with us. he was only two and a half and we had to put him down, it was the saddest day of my life, and I regret not snuggling with him as much, not playing with him as much, and not savoring every moment with him. But the saddest part (for me at least) in the game is when he is carving her out of wood. It shows how much affectionate he was about her, and how he loved her with all his life 🥹 I’m only ten (going on eleven) but I know what it’s like to feel pain and suffering from a tragic moment. We all have moment where we feel like nothings going to get better, but all we can do is try to get through it, we always will. I take the loses of things hard bc I have, depression, anxiety, adhd, and autism, so sometimes I take things harder than others, but at least I know I’m not alone. Again, it’s hard, but we can do it together, and remember. You are never alone in this. ❤️ 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈💜💙💚💛

  • Storytelling through repetition

    Beatnick0688

    This isn’t a game in the traditional sense. It’s more of an experience. The woodworker goes through sets of repetitive actions and as you repeat them a small change reminds him of the person whom he lost. Then, you’re brought to experience a part of his life with her, and the emptiness he feels after. It’s a thought provoking and heartfelt aim at storytelling through nuance. It’s about 2 hours of story so it’s very doable to sit and experience it through a single play through. I recommend to do so as you’ll get the full emotional trip in one solid journey as opposed to several small telling.The sound really gives it a feeling of solidarity and solemnity. It doesn’t have a soaring orchestral. It doesn’t need one. This is a story through minimalism and that’s reflected in the audio as well. The moments where the music swells are where it’s helping you to feel the characters emotions in that moment. It’s an excellent job of using sound to invite the user into the characters heart and mind.

  • Deeply Moving

    ifalis

    This game offers a truly unique and very moving meditation on the experience of loss. The pacing starts out slow, with a woodsman going through the mundane tasks of life in a solitary forest clearing. As you move through his chores, memories of happier times with his absent wife are revealed. I don’t want to give too much away, but as you play through the game, you experience the stages of grief alongside the Woodworker. This game really moved me (to tears at times!) and the art, sound design, music, and storytelling were all phenomenal. I also appreciated the simplicity of the puzzles that unlock the storyline. I’m not a very skilled gamer and I felt that the puzzles made the game accessible to someone with my skill level and weren’t so challenging they they took me out of the narrative. This game is so unique and so human in its honest and forthright approach to loss. It’s very beautiful and was clearly a labor of love from its creators. I highly recommend it.

  • Meh

    CatLover471

    When I saw the pictures and reviews I thought “oh! This looks cool!” So then I got it. At first I thought oh wow this is beautiful but then i found out it’s actually really boring. I mean there is a good storyline I guess and it’s sad and all, but why do I have to do everything 5 times?! Water the bucket 5 times, pick the plants 5 times, and gather hay 5 times. I almost crashed out but then I thought “maybe it’s gonna end soon? I don’t think the game is really gonna be that repetitive” then after 10 more “days” I got to the end. And guess what?! You have to freaking buy the game! This is very upsetting. But if you are a type of person who likes this sort of stuff, good for you👍Overall I thought it was beautiful but boring.

  • you have to get it

    daveshotchicken_

    I never write reviews as i find it stupid and time consuming. But this, it’s truly a spectacular experience, might a say a very important one. Sure it might be repetitive but the details and everything the atmosphere how he did all of that, sorry i don’t want to spoil it, it’s remarkable. Coming from a person who isn’t very emotional, man i cried a lot for a good 30 minutes. If i could i would’ve want to experience this like i did as my first time. it truly embodies how people are important to us.

  • I want to love this game

    Commenter2.0

    I love the slow, meditative “going through the motions” approach to grief. I love the art style, the sound design, the pensive music. What I do not love — and what has kept me from finishing the game — is the nigh impossible wood carving portions, wherein I am left to scrape futilely against the log, hoping I can divine the exact spot I need to hit on a shape that can only be described as ‘one heck of a blob’ in order to progress the carving portion. In an experience where all other actions are mapped out with precision, it is baffling that this mini game leave you out to dry.

  • I’ve only played the demo

    Taiiiike

    This story says a lot with no words. It takes you in an emotional adventure taking you through stages of grief and loss. This game definitely brought up past memories and thoughts, it really made me think “hey the person you’re in love with is still here in your life, you should take the chance before she’s gone”

  • Pine…

    Mmmk...?

    Never did I think in my 21 years would I find something so masterfully made. The storyline is so gut wrenchingly beautiful. It truly captures the things people can experience, the emotions, the “not knowing what is what”, “why am I here”, “what is my purpose” sort of ordeals someone faces during the loss of a loved one they cared about so deeply and it depicts the mental war so perfectly.It’s just perfect… ♥️

  • I thought it was a full game

    ArcticFoxEllie

    When I downloaded this game, I was expecting a full game, but I got a demo. A demo? Really? Btw I am just a 11 year old writing this review, but please listen to me. This is a beautiful game, but it is asking me to pay for the full game, when the app was free, and I thought the game was free, but only the demo is free. I hope this review can help you decide if you are going to download this game. I do not recommend if you don’t want to pay for the full game.

  • Only a demo

    BL218

    While this is only a demo, the feel and weight of the protagonist is heavily felt. If you’ve ever fought depression and mourning you’ll feel the heaviness. The movements are slow and have no drive etc. wish this was longer but wil wait until I have a little extra dish to pay for the full game.