Journey of the Broken Circle

 Switch
Journey of the Broken Circle Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

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  • Summary: Can you make a game about life, love and existentialism? We believe we have just done that! In the ‘Journey Of The Broken Circle’ you dive into a beautiful universe, where a satisfactory gameplay, combined with a deep story that throws the main character into a self-discovering journey makesCan you make a game about life, love and existentialism? We believe we have just done that! In the ‘Journey Of The Broken Circle’ you dive into a beautiful universe, where a satisfactory gameplay, combined with a deep story that throws the main character into a self-discovering journey makes ‘Journey of the Broken Circle’ a rewarding and different kind of game. By overcoming obstacles, meeting NPCs with different personalities and discovering new places, the Circle grows and develops as a character. It learns about the world and itself, and we, along with it.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Cubed3
    Nov 2, 2020
    90
    The development team has crafted an experience that shows how while life can be filled with anxiety, worrying often proves to be a waste of time because the worst case scenario does not come true, even when an enemy gives chase. Journey of the Broken Circle on Nintendo is a mental journey through conquering fears, pieced together with impressive attention to detail, showing that just by trying hard - dozens of times if needs be - moving forward can happen and positive results can occur despite the person's apprehensiveness. The perfect mix of platform-puzzling goodness, and deep, profound story-telling.
  2. Pure Nintendo
    Sep 18, 2020
    85
    Journey of the Broken Circle is a lovely, thought-provoking game that uses simplicity to explore the complexity of relationships.
  3. Gaming Age
    Feb 11, 2021
    83
    If the platforming were better, then Journey of the Broken Circle might just have challenged Thomas Was Alone for that “best platformer starring inanimate objects” crown. As it stands, it’ll simply have to settle for being a very, very good game.
  4. 4Players.de
    Sep 18, 2020
    75
    A pleasant surprise: Journey of the Broken Circle turns out to be a small, but nice playable essay on human relations.
  5. COGconnected
    Sep 21, 2020
    72
    Journey of the Broken Circle is unique. It successfully presents a heartfelt story that progresses to a beautiful and fitting conclusion. Not only is the game designed to entertain, but it’s also designed to inform and guide the gamer to look deeper within themselves in order to find self-fulfillment. Although the game could have ironed out a few issues and ramped up the difficulty, it is still an exhilarating experience that requires your attention.
  6. Screen Rant
    Sep 14, 2020
    70
    Overall Journey Of The Broken Circle is still a decent indie platformer. Its strong characters and effective story are enough to warm even the coldest of hearts, in spite of its occasional issues with gameplay that could put players off. It's a concise, well-crafted puzzler that doesn't outstay its welcome, which is more than enough reason to give it a shot if interested.
  7. NintendoWorldReport
    Sep 18, 2020
    70
    Journey of the Broken Circle is a title that I’d heavily recommend to those who are battling wars within themselves and wish to find a relatable experience that can provide peace, and maybe even a little wisdom for the game we all play: life.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Dragonfly_Alice
    Sep 23, 2020
    10
    This game was great. I did not expect it to be what it was about. I cried at parts and could relate to a lot. This game hit me hard.
  2. laurenkerys
    Mar 25, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the most beautiful games i’ve come across that made me cry multiple times. it completely captured the emptiness and loneliness of depression.… Expand
  4. Oddishanthony
    Sep 20, 2020
    10
    I cried while playing this game. It explained what I've been feeling recently, and helped me through them. I really felt as if I was goingI cried while playing this game. It explained what I've been feeling recently, and helped me through them. I really felt as if I was going through everything with circle and connected with their character. Thank you for making this game!!… Expand
  5. Piglet
    Jan 25, 2021
    8
    Not as great as I was hoping but still a good enough story with matching gameplay. I had my expectations rather high for this, so myNot as great as I was hoping but still a good enough story with matching gameplay. I had my expectations rather high for this, so my disappointment lies largely in the game being just good instead of great. Its heartfelt. It asks meaningful questions of you. I'm glad I played it. It crashed once on me near the end of a chapter, and I found myself eager to read through some of the dialogue again.… Expand
  6. lowey
    Oct 12, 2021
    8
    This is a lovely game, about finding something is missing in your life and finding the right person to fill that gap. It's hard to believe aThis is a lovely game, about finding something is missing in your life and finding the right person to fill that gap. It's hard to believe a game about a circle with a crack in it could touch so many emotions. I was reminded somewhat of Thomas Was Alone, another outstanding game about geometric friends, although the play styles are drastically different. The controls are nice and responsive, the storyline is an emotional rollercoaster, funny, and quirky. I found the game was never too challenging, except for in one place where the player is required to dive into some water, and then bob out on the other side of an underwater shelf. This part of the game was rage inducing, and I still don't know how I managed to get past it. Other than that, however, the game was a nice relaxing and heartfelt experience.… Expand
  7. Miss_M
    Nov 27, 2021
    8
    Very nice game.
    I have no problem with games that are short in general. I have given a strictly max 9 hour long game a 10/10.
    The    Very nice game.
    I have no problem with games that are short in general. I have given a strictly max 9 hour long game a 10/10.

    The art-style is simplistic and quite pleasing. However, you may get a little tired of its simplicity after a while.
    The dialogue is charming and sometimes heart-wrenching; the plot is good and conveys some interesting messages.
    It can feel a little repetitive and consequently unengaging, but all scenes helped advance the narrative and the art design definitely elevated the story and gave off a good ambience.
    The tension, heartbreak, spiral into depression and subsequent rebuilding of hope and optimism found in this game's plot will resonate at different degrees to many.

    Technical mechanics were well implemented - the pieces that fill the circle along the way each provide a different boost - which is also in some form a hindrance - but this helps drive one of the messages in the game.

    It's worth getting.
    Relaxing with its visual style yet emotionally confronting with its short but impactful plot, it is perfect for a few hours of free time.    … Expand
  8. ooregano
    May 21, 2021
    6
    This game could've been so much better than it is. The art is pretty good but the execution of the mechanics just doesn't work well, the firstThis game could've been so much better than it is. The art is pretty good but the execution of the mechanics just doesn't work well, the first power up is extremely annoying to use climbing walls because it sticks too much. The second ability is difficult to steer as instead of moving your joystick in the direction you want to go, you have to hold it in one direction, which I found really confusing and disorientating. Some of the writing is good and touches on deep subject matter, but most of the time it was just an annoying interruption to the sub-par gameplay. I got it on sale for $2 (normally $10) and I honestly don't think it was worth it. If you're looking for a game with beautiful artwork and deep themes of hopelessness and existentialism, I would suggest Gris, it's 10 times better than this. Overall, my main problems with the game are the length, the rusty controls, and poor pacing.… Expand

See all 13 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

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