Guardians of Hyelore
Guardians of Hyelore
Game
Game2020
SELF
Developer doBell
SELF is a suspenseful Kafkaesque text-based adventure game with simulation and puzzle mechanics. Could you seize the opportunity to find your father and your SELF back in this introspective journey? From the Steam store page
139 reactions from 4 sources (Bluesky, Steam reviews, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Nov 5, 2026 · last updated Nov 6, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
81
LovedLoved
17 positive · 4 negative
95% range 60–92%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluesky * | 4 | 1 | 110 |
| Steam reviews | 17 | 4 | 0 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Positive
21 of 26 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
83% recommend · 19 yes, 4 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 23 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Mostly Positive (215 of 278 positive).
Some find the story cryptic and the minigames tedious or confusing. [1][2][3] A few reviewers criticize the game's length and price. [4]
Liked
Representative posts
- [13]
My Experience For much of the time I was playing SELF, I was considering the metaphorical implications of the different images used in the game. The flooding water representing a memory that can no longer be repressed, and the sinking feeling associated with the vivid memory of someone who was once so close to you. The cracking screen, perhaps representing the growing ineffectiveness of using entertainment to avoid …
- [1]
Such an interesting little game, with great music, atmosphere, pacing, writing, all the things that matter to craft a compelling narrative experience. Very poignant moments and scenes that take full advantage of the surrealist setting. It has some slow repetition to get to the points where the story branches, and the avoidance minigame is largely boring, but these are very minor gripes.
- [2]
The music is REALLY good, let me start with that. The story is... cryptic. Sometimes that can lead to wanting to know more, or feeling like it's too much effort to dig for. In this case, I was intrigued. Some mini games are... weird, and aren't very obvious as to what the solution is. The MAIN mini games are reminiscent of how Undertale did boss battles. Except in this case you choose red or green and WANT to run …
- [10]
This game is fantastic! I have not had such an immersive and interesting experience in a long time. The story is complex and rewarding and the story telling and visualization of this game is fabulous. The Undertale like play style was cute to. The was a refreshing new experience that I really enjoyed, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting story telling experience.
- [3]
It was definitely an interesting game, though a bit dry at times. My only major gripe with it is that I'm still not sure what exactly the plot is; I know bits and pieces and can largely infer the majority of the rest, but I've still got no clue what exactly happened with MCs father/who MC is (is he John? Is he King or is King his friend? Does he even know King?). Maybe I'm just missing some context clues but it's a …
Summarised from 29 of the 39 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 9, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
SELF sits at 81% positive across 21 opinionated reactions from 4 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Reactions
60 of 139 · most liked firstSomewhat hilariously, YouTube's restricted mode hides my most recent video on reading game guides, but DOESN'T hide my video on the Nuremberg Trials. My major takeaway is DON'T SELF-CENSOR YOUR OWN WRITING. You don't know what will or will not be restricted!! Do not comply in advance!!!
neutral · AI labelView post →at long last. it is finally here. the entirety of Breaking Bad, retold as a VR game. aka BREAKING BAD VR BUT THE AI IS SELF-AWARE www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FvB...
neutral · AI labelView post →✨ Fields of Mistria has been nominated for Best Indie Game – Self Published at the Golden Joystick Awards! If you’ve enjoyed exploring Mistria and meeting its residents, we’d love to have your vote. 💚 Vote now: www.gamesradar.com/goldenjoysti...
neutral · AI labelView post →Stay calm! When we freak out, they win. Don’t play into their game! Self care is an act of resistance ♥️
neutral · AI labelView post →CALLING ALL LOW BUDGET INDIE GAMES‼️ We're gathering games interested in participating in a "Low Budget, Big Heart" Steam Festival! 💰Self Published, Self Funded 🤏Under ~50k budget 🚫NO AI if you're interested in the festival sign up here: forms.gle/cndDrEf4rxiL... rts appreciated :)
neutral · AI labelView post →✧ Regrowth - Scum Villain's Self-Saving System fan-game ✧ Shen Qingqiu's full room overview [location 1.3] + approximate screen view! #svsss #gamedev #pixel
neutral · AI labelView post →Self care means finally playing this game.
neutral · AI labelView post →CW: SELF HARM I don’t wanna play this game anymore. #Staticmoth #Hazbinhotel
neutral · AI labelView post →Little stoned. Again. In the tub. Again. Self-care it’s important😌 (Plug still in it for the love of the game)
neutral · AI labelView post →Making a game. Eternal Strands. Self published, now. Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/1491410/... Also on Xbox and PS Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLli...
neutral · AI labelView post →Self indulgent DND art of my Monday game character Tylvia
neutral · AI labelView post →Self-care isn't selfish. If you really need some time alone it's okay. Watch your favorite Movie or play your favorite game that makes you smile and brings good memories. Doesn't matter what it is. Hope you feel yourself soon. You're awesome! 🫂🫂🩷🩷
neutral · AI labelView post →welcome to Online Game Store, we have hot new releases like Futa Slave Massage School, Furry Himmler Simulator, Hentai Sudoku (Bundle), Cat Farm Story Adventure Cozy Puzzle Cute Harvest AI Romance Vampire, "Self-Aware" Isekai, Partially Completed Game Jam Entry, $30 SNES prototype, and Call of Duty
neutral · AI labelView post →CHI 30, NE 24 🧀 D allows plays of 26, 58, 22, 22, 21, 21, 21 yards 🩹Self-inflicted wounds 🥊Showed resolve ⬇️ Pass coverage, pass rush, run game ⬆️ Henry, Maye 🚑Barmore ⛳️Challenge flag saves Maye TD 😯Rhamondre's TD 1️⃣4️⃣ giveaways on year 🐬 Next: at Dolphins
neutral · AI labelView post →At the Golden Joystick Award's, Hollow Knight Silksong is up for: - PC Game of the Year - Best Indie Game - Self Published Hades II is up for: - Best Indie Game - Self Published - Best Supporting Performer
neutral · AI labelView post →My free essay "The Self-Reflexive Tabletop RPG" turns 10 years old this year! "[These] games reinforce the idea that collaboration and what Karl Bergström (2012) calls “playing for togetherness” allow TRPGs to look at their own processes with analytic precision." www.gamejournal.it/torner-the-s...
neutral · AI labelView post →When you point to why you think ai in coding is bad you can get the smart ass reply “but coders hate coding” why the fuck you working in that profession. Maybe Self‑deprecating humour but don’t see other departments in game dev talking that way in terms of losing work to genAi
neutral · AI labelView post →67 is just The Game for Gen Alpha. That is the hill I will die on. It's the same thing. Self-referential, the goal is to get someone to make the connection to the bit.
neutral · AI labelView post →I'm Miss Self Destruct, I'm a solo dev, and I have been cutting my own hair for over a decade (just not on camera) - but hey, anything for the algo 🤷♀️ I'm making a psychological horror indie game called 'Hell Is Other People'. You can play the demo right now on Steam 🖤 #indiegame #gamedev #gaming
neutral · AI labelView post →Just found out that my game SELF//FORK is going to be showcased at WNConf Yerevan 2026! 🎉 So excited, so scared, and so grateful for this chance! 👾 More information about the event: wnhub.io/event-info/y... #wnconf #indiegame #gamedev #indiedev #indie
neutral · AI labelView post →Self-catered snack spread for the game.
neutral · AI labelView post →PLAY MY GAME WHERE YOU'RE A LOSER CHUD GIRL THAT GETS TO BAG A VAMPIRE BADDIE THROUGH HER REPEATED FAILURE TO COMMIT TO SELF-ACTUALIZATION IN 4 DAYS!!!
positive · AI labelView post →Self expression in video games and looking cool as fuck means everything to me. Give me a cool hat and i will love ur game to death
neutral · AI labelView post →Such an interesting little game, with great music, atmosphere, pacing, writing, all the things that matter to craft a compelling narrative experience. Very poignant moments and scenes that take full advantage of the surrealist setting. It has some slow repetition to get to the points where the story branches, and the avoidance minigame is largely boring, but these are very minor gripes.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Self care means trying new games. This game FUCKS so far. Keeps you on your toes throughout combat instead of relying on big number to do the thing. If you dig Fire Emblem and Advance Wars with more active combat system, you'll definitely like this.
positive · AI labelView post →C-Tier Game Designer: The Self-Starter. You identify problems and pitch creative mechanics, but you design in a vacuum without considering production budget, scope, or technical debt. Substack link in bio #gamedesign #gamedev #indiedev
neutral · AI labelView post →Self-reporting into the void of Bluesky on my #indiedev #pygame hobby learning project wherein I decided I was just not going to use Tiled like a smart dev, opting for raw-ass JSON files of my own design
neutral · AI labelView post →Fighting Game Players Have A Single Ounce Of Self Respect Challenge (GONE WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
neutral · AI labelView post →Self-inflicted wounds all over the place in this game. Sometimes as bad as you are, the other team is just that much worse. #Bills #BillsMafia
neutral · AI labelView post →My Experience For much of the time I was playing SELF, I was considering the metaphorical implications of the different images used in the game. The flooding water representing a memory that can no longer be repressed, and the sinking feeling associated with the vivid memory of someone who was once so close to you. The cracking screen, perhaps representing the growing ineffectiveness of using entertainment to avoid encroaching emotions. What a disappointment, when, at the end, these images…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The whole story is pointless and everything is wet and they want me to eat sphagettios, and you play for an hour to get 1 tiny interesting fact but by that time you've went insane.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →New arrival today! Cards & Command Self Published by Jason Smith. Pretty sharp looking little WW2 strategy card game.
positive · AI labelView post →Pre-Metatopia Newsletter! Development on Separation of Work & Self, a Mothership hack inspired by The Bear, a new video game inspired game, and notes of other games I've been playing! mailchi.mp/71929679aab5...
neutral · AI labelView post →There ARE books that read fanfictiony (I don't mean this as a bad thing in quality of writing, just in tone) Captive Prince Trilogy - C.S. Pacat -M/M All for the Game Series - Nora Sakavic - M/M Scum Villain's Self Saving System - Mo Xiang Tong Xiu - M/M Divine Rivals Duology - Rebecca Ross - M/F
neutral · AI labelView post →Ambitious and creative, SELF is a decent word game if you are used to them. + Powerful sound and visual effects that helps a lot with the story telling + Tempting story plot that makes you want to explore more + Some very creative mini-games + I personally like their way of revealing the main story - Some concepts and references are hard to understand - Some minigames seemed pointless and giving up option is too easy - Save system is a bit messy and provided spoilers - Some “battle" BGM does…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →SELF – An Ambitious and Surreal Text Adventure SELF is a Kafkaesque text-based adventure that unfolds on an interactive CRT screen. The game claims to draw inspiration from titles such as Undertale and Just Shapes & Beats, striving to combine text-based narrative and choices with a variety of gameplay mechanics. It is a decent interactive fiction that will provide around two hours of gameplay. The game has an interesting albeit confusing storyline that successfully captures the player’s…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →*video game status effect noise* Oh no! Your SELF ESTEEM is critically low!! Seek validation from those disappointed in you to recover it before you start taking psychic damage!!
positive · AI labelView post →His endless-runner, played by a reported 43 million people over its history, became a defining childhood game for a generation of players. He was 30 years old. CW: Self-harm He recorded himself taking his own life on his Twitch livestream via self-immolation. Can't bring myself to watch the video
neutral · AI labelView post →I cannot finish it because it mings (who could have foreseen) & also because I might actually die of sugar. Watch this space for future episodes of everyone's favourite game, "Soda or Self-Harm?"
negative · AI labelView post →HTML game dialog loses focus on close? Check: opener rerendered; item removed/ID reused; or deliberate navigation? Observe immediately and after settling. Native focus return may be enough. Self-promo: AI-written post. Dialog kit not for sale; no individual support. #gamedev #JavaScript
neutral · AI labelView post →Self-inflicted wounds. The story of the baby Dolphins game after game.
neutral · AI labelView post →The music is REALLY good, let me start with that. The story is... cryptic. Sometimes that can lead to wanting to know more, or feeling like it's too much effort to dig for. In this case, I was intrigued. Some mini games are... weird, and aren't very obvious as to what the solution is. The MAIN mini games are reminiscent of how Undertale did boss battles. Except in this case you choose red or green and WANT to run into the objects. As someone else has already pointed out, the "avoid"/"give up"…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Like I’m sure theres valid criticism to make about it as a game but so fucking much of it ive seen is just “Doing Different Things is Self-Evidently Bad”
neutral · AI labelView post →You can call me Lukas, Gus or Gob. Self-Proclaimed Goblin Dad to all! I'm your trans dad who supplies you with: ✅ Art. ✅ Bad Video Game Skills. ✅ Endless Dad Jokes. ✅ Goblin Energy. If this is your jam; stick around! 🔗 - heygob.carrd.co/ 🎥 - twitch.tv/GobDad ☕ - ko-fi.com/GobDad
neutral · AI labelView post →Like yes, if the site were a lot bigger and had more people working there and had the time to verify every game (even before the AI slop was added) it'd be feasible to do that. But it's not. Self-disclosure is the only realistic way for this kind of thing to work for an open platform.
neutral · AI labelView post →Self-serving on AOC's part or Vindman's or both? I think AOC is playing a long game. She's interested in changing the party & breaking down the thinking that the left can't play outside of deep blue districts is part of that. The left needs to recognize that ward heeler skills are useful, actually.
neutral · AI labelView post →My muse is frustratingly fickle atm, and I find myself torn between multiple ideas... Exorcist X goat demon lady More werewolf gf Self indulgent action piece Or fanfiction of a kink game I really like.
neutral · AI labelView post →been watching a bunch of persona 5 royal with my boyfriend, @ainad.bsky.social and the more of this game i see, the more fleshed out the FEMC Self-Insert i made gets!! it's especially cool because she was made at/around the second palace, so she's evolved with my watching the game so to speak
neutral · AI labelView post →The quote was popularized for a modern audience by a video game called Far Cry. It's a part of a villain monologue. The origin seems to be from the Self Help craze of the 1980's
neutral · AI labelView post →New workout motivation track is live: Codecaine - Self Mastery GOAT (The 1 Percent). Less than 1% of what I do is online. If you think I operate at a high level in fitness, I push even harder in the game of life. Daily level up! www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5c9... #WorkoutMotivation #Fitness #music
neutral · AI labelView post →Bought tickets to you can see everything during the eagles game. Self preservation.
neutral · AI labelView post →Finished a AAA game last night. Spectacular gameplay, cringe dialogue. Self-aware heroes saying exactly what they think. Mix it up! Let characters lie to each other, the player, and themselves. You can't have traction without friction.
neutral · AI labelView post →I don’t have some kind of pathology I don’t see things unclearly  The issue isn’t personal It’s not something that I can change and it doesn’t require me changing myself Self medication isn’t the answer Politics isn’t a game Authoritarianism is real Protestors can be injured Little ruleof law   
neutral · AI labelView post →Yes!! Run To You made me an even bigger fan of Bryan Adams. Self Control is another one that always takes me back to GTA. The Vice City game soundtrack is impossible to beat. I actually bought the Flash FM and Emotion radio station cds at the time. Still have them too.
neutral · AI labelView post →Self-explanatory of that game nowadays, and don't bother to convince me otherwise.
neutral · AI labelView post →SELF is a narrative-driven indie adventure developed and published by Merry Fairy that places artistic expression and introspection at the center of the experience. Rather than delivering a conventional story filled with combat, quests, or complex progression systems, it invites players into a symbolic world where every environment, encounter, and visual element contributes to a broader meditation on identity and self-awareness. The game's concept is intentionally abstract, encouraging players…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Going through all the endings was really worth it. Everything made sense at once and it was really satisfying
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game does not deserve the %80 rating. The game is too short to be in that price range . Only buy it if it is in a sale
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really enjoyed this game quite a bit! It is mostly a text based story with you making choices along the way to determine how the story plays out. And in order to make a choice you have to play a little game, which is overall not too challenging however it is a nice addition to mix it up. The story is really where this game shines, it was super interesting to piece together the overarching story, and I found myself feeling compelled to see it to the end. If you don't mind reading quite a bit…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I said to myself, “Self, if you want breakfast tacos for the game, don’t wait till 10:45 to go get them. Get your ass over there now.” I’m in line. That barely visible arrow is where the tacos are. Yes I’m staying. Yes, they’re that good.
neutral · AI labelView post →
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