Underplayed Gems

DON'T GIVE UP: A Cynical Tale (2019)

DON'T GIVE UP: A Cynical Tale cover
Developer
Tristan Barona
Publisher
Taco Pizza Cat Games
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres
Adventure, Indie, RPG
Rating
4.3 of 5, 89 player ratings
Typical playtime
about 6.6 hours
Where to get it
Steam
The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A pixel-art RPG that mixes comedy with psychological exploration, feeling like a personal struggle against inner demons and social anxiety.

darkly funnycomedyretrostory richpsychologicalrpg2d

What players say

An autobiographical RPG about depression and struggle that players find heartfelt and relatable. The combat is a real-time system reminiscent of Mega Man Battle Network, but some find it poorly explained and battles can be visually chaotic. The game is short, around 6 to 8 hours, and very linear with almost no side content.

Screenshots

DON'T GIVE UP: A Cynical Tale screenshot 1DON'T GIVE UP: A Cynical Tale screenshot 2DON'T GIVE UP: A Cynical Tale screenshot 3DON'T GIVE UP: A Cynical Tale screenshot 4DON'T GIVE UP: A Cynical Tale screenshot 5

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.