9.03m Reviews

9.03m is an extremely brief walking simulator trying to make you think of the 15000 casualties of the 2011 Japan Tsunami as more than just mere numbers: it does so by letting you walk along a beach chasing a white butterfly and meeting shadows that leave meaningful items behind for you to examine. This is an experience, not a game, and despite its extremely short length and very basic execution it does succeed in its goal . [b]PROS:[/b] -eerie, minimalistic soundtrack -dreamlike atmosphere -manages to provide at least some emotional pull [b]CONS:[/b] -the graphics can feel a bit too fuzzy at times -extremely short at 15/ 20 minutes -lacks any kind of gameplay http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=562817678 9.03m did manage to move me at times when I encountered certain items, it's hard to stay unaffected when certain things easily remind you of the young age or dreams of some of the victims. This is when it succeds in the goal it set for itself, when it takes a few examples out of the 15000 casualties so that you can briefly know something about them: the tragedy behind events with high death tolls is that the faces and lives of those lost are easily shadowed behind numbers and I appreciate what 9.03m tried to do hence my thumbs up. Having said that it's short length and lack of any gameplay will surely turn some people off and I can easily concede that the message'd have been carried just as well using a video or other means. Is this brief experience worth your dollar? It's up to you to decide.

Straight up, let me say that I am neither a very "politically correct" nor "humanistic" person...so my review of this game is liable to read a little differently to some of the other "positive" reviews on this Store page. Truth is, I'm a borderline misanthrope who, given a choice between saving the rest of nature and saving "us", would happily herd us all into the great Dog Food Factory in the Sky. We really are, on the whole, a grubby and nasty little species who are probably fully deserving of a nice, big meteor in the face some time in the next few decades or so. Having said that, there are people who I love very dearly, and for whom I will no doubt feel at least a twinge of sadness for if and when they pass on; and fuck it, beyond all my smarmy cynicism and cold, rational analysis of us from a purely anthropological perspective, when all is said and done, I AM STILL HUMAN. And I'll be darned if this tiny little twelve-minute fuck-turd of a game didn't almost make me cry. But hey, I've caught a lot of flack lately for going off-topic and not just sticking to the nitty-gritty of "reviewing a game", so in the interests of being pragmatic...yes, it's super-short, yes, it has virtually no "gameplay" to speak of, and yes, it can be "beaten" by even the most unskilled of gamers. Hell, even your grandma can probably get to the end of this one. Having said that, if any of you people are still buying so-called "walking simulators" expecting anything BUT what I've just described, then you really are a bunch of wretched, unsalvageable FUCK-WITS, aren't you? Ooops, a tiny bit of my misanthropy crept in there again. Sorry about that. In my opinion, this "game" does what it sets out to do exceptionally well, and as I've possibly alluded to above, can potentially touch the heart of even stone-hearted mother-fuckers like my dear self. Sure, it's not TIMEframe - a "game" which genuinely makes an apocalypse into a thing of true beauty - but it's really quite affecting for the short time it plays out, provided you're open to such things. If you're not - and believe me, I bought this game actually looking FORWARD to writing a damning, hateful review - then really, you may as well save your fifty cents or dollar and go find some other cheap game where you can blow shit up. Me, I like to stop killing things every now and then to stop and smell the flowers...or failing that, the "napalm in the morning", if more applicable. If there's one thing I actually DO like about humanity, it's art, and the limitless possibilities therein. This "game" is but one example. Take it for what it is, or leave it be. Oh, and Merry Christmas to one and all...me, I'm spending most of it alone, but that's just the kinda Scrooge I am. But I wish you all the best just the same, and if that mighty meteor DOES hit, I at least hope it's quick and painless for us all. Peace on earth and goodwill to all men (and all that good shit). Verdict: 7.5/10.

9.03m is technically not a game, but an interactive video. It makes aware the warning signs and effects of a tsunami to the player. 9.03m is a very deep and meaningful game, and the money from every purchase of a copy contributes to two wonderful charities which helps the victims of the Tōhoku tsunami. 9.03m is all about symbolization, in which you need to figure the situation out for yourself. The total game doesn't take too long to complete, though the story is amazingly powerful. You're on a beach, on which the tsunami previously hit. Your task is to follow the glowing butterflies which lead you to the ghost of a victim. Heading to them in the dim moonlight, you will find a possession of theirs in which you need to find a clue to inform you of their name, history, etc. The whole game is based on supporting the victims and raising awareness, and in my opinion it has succeeded in that. 9.03m is not meant to be played as a game, more as a meaningful, sad and informative story. The game is simplistic though meaningful. Symbols are a large part of the game, creating mystery and suspense. With all it's revenue headed directly to the two charities, this game is worth the full price. An enjoyable and meaningful story.

What this game lacks in gameplay, it makes up for in feels. The music and art style really come together to set the perfect mood to bring a tear to your eye. These are the games I point to when people say the video games aren't an art form. if it can make you feel... it is art

First and foremost, this is not a game...per say...More like an interactive video awareness. It's purpose is to give some awareness and dedication to those who lost their lives in the March 11, 2011 tsunami. Some of the funds raised are said to go to help with the victims and devistation from this...As of this review I have not yet checked into that fact...just so we are clear on that matter. I however did go through the game to experience it. I did find it moving and emotional, as when you are in the video you are aware of it's purpose and there are parts that will touch your heart. I recommend this particular item as it is meant for a good cause and would be a nice addition to anyone's library as just to have a quick little reminder of how precious life can be and how quickly the opportunities pass us by to realize that...sometimes much too late...I hope that everyone reading this will give 9.03 a chance. :)

How do I write a review about a game that was developed in the name of charity and stay objective. It's difficult to say the least, yet I find it difficult to recommend this to anyone unless you want to donate and it's on sale. First of all, if I had to describe what this was, I would be more likely to call it an interactive art exhibit. The graphics and color choices are gorgeous of course, but all you do is walk on a beach, follow butterflies to items, spin the item until you locate another butterfly, then click on said butterfly, rinse, repeat. It was designed to be experienced, not played or beaten, and the subject matter is supposed to illicit an emotional response from the user. Unfortunately, I don't think that subject matter was conveyed properly for it's intended results. Honestly, if it wasn't for the discription on the store page, it would be hard for me discern the message this game is trying to convey. The idea is that each item you locate belonged to a victim of the Japanese Tsunami, however the game gives you no indication of this. After each item is located, the tide goes out a bit to uncover the next, maybe this was an artistic decision on the devloper's part to convey something deep. Locating the lost artifacts pushes the Tsunami back, acknowledging the victim's loss undoes the damage of the Tsunami, something like that? Maybe it's up to the player to discern for themselves how to interpert this. The focus of the game doesn't become clear until you locate the butterfly on the last item, which takes about 10 minutes from starting the game, if that. After which some text appears on the screen explaining the damage the Tsunami had done in Japan, then the credits roll. I feel terrible about not recommending this game due to the nature of the title. How can you say no when a percentage of the profits go to the Tsunami Relief Fund? I want to make it perfectly clear that I in no way disagree with the game's message, and support the developers for donating to the charity through this title, I just disagree with it's design. The message could have been conveyed in a more understandable and focused way. As I played I knew what this title was trying to do, I just never felt that it accomplished it's task, and that's the only reason I couldn't recommend it. Let this be a lesson to developers everywhere. Wanting to create a game to help educate the world of a foreign cataclysmic natural disaster, and to donate to a charity, is not enough. That game must be worth the time of the people donating, and more importantly, the game must make it's message clear. Otherwise people who wish to donate can just do it manually through the charity's website. Thank you Space Budgie for developing this title and choosing to help out of the kindness of your hearts. I'm sure families all over Japan praise your work and thank you for your time. I wish more developers would put their talents to good use by creating things like this in the name of charity. Please don't take the fact that I'm not recommending this game as a personal attack in anyway, or a stance against your message. Don't ever stop creating and helping humanity the best way developers can. Your work is appreciated, maybe even more than you know. However, as a reviewer, I have to be honest, even though in cases like this one, I wish I didn't. If you wish to donate to the Japanese Tsunami Relief Fund and other charities that the proceeds of this game are going towards without purchasing this game, here are some links. [url=http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/]Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund[/url] [url=http://www.aidforjapan.org.uk/]Aid For Japan[/url] [url=http://www.redr.org.uk/]People and Skills for Disaster Relief[/url]

This "game" is not for everyone, only for those who can appericate it for what it is. A typical game review just can't do 9.03m justice because what 9.03m is and what it aims to makes you feel is nothing like a typical game at all. If you understand the context, through its short and unique use of symbolism, 9.03m is probably one of the most touching, real world relatable experiences that I've ever had while playing a game. Calling it a game doesn't even feel apropos. 9.03m is an experience, a touching, beautiful experience that will move you to the core. All of my feels!! 10/10 *Rating isn't based on gameplay or story but instead how 9.03m made me feel*

It is a very, very short game, about 15-25 minutes of not-conventional gameplay. It was supposed to be art, and i think they do it well, with a good atmosphere and a real good piano soundtrack. For those who like to have new experiences - and an emotional one - and doesn't bother themselves with not traditional gameplay mechanics.

Great concept - a game that is not a game - but an experience instead. I enjoyed it immensely, and it gave me a closer understanding of the real losses of the victims of the Tsunami. This is not for someone who loves beating a traditional game - you don't beat this, you experience it. It only takes 15 minutes to finish, but at 2 euros, half of which go to Aid For Japan, it's definately worth buying.

A monster named Joseph Stalin once said "A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic." Sadly, there is a cold, blunt truth in this statement. When we hear about a natural disaster or an ongoing war somewhere in the world, and read about the number of casualties on television screens, newspapers or history books, that's all we usually see: statistics. We live in an age that detachment and conformism are the norm, so it rarely bothers us enough to even think about collateral damage, if we are not a part of the collateral affected by it. Here, all you'll ever find will be a collection of blurry scenes, scattered around a beach lot in San Francisco, painted in shades of blue and purple. Not one of the greater works of Unreal engine, surely. As we start the experience, we are asked to follow the butterflies and that's all we are going to do for the next 15 minutes, until the game ends. We walk in the beach lot, approach disappearing shades and discover phantom objects to contemplate on people that we know nothing about. We probably never will... [i]9.03m[/i] is not a game in the conventional manner. It is a really short, interactive art exhibition that serves as an empathy simulation. It is a tribute and a requiem for people who lost their lives in 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, aiming to humanize the victims by presenting hypothetical anecdotes from their lives, hopes and dreams. It is not a good game, neither necessarily quite successful in an artistic manner; but here with this specific project, it really is the thought that counts and nothing else. All profit made through the sales are sent to Aid for Japan and Redr charity organizations. With this ridiculously low price tag, it really is a choice of donating or not rather than buying a game. Please also check out Lady Storyteller's Curator page [url=http://steamcommunity.com/groups/ladystoryteller#curation]here[/url] - follow for regular updates on reviews for other games!