100
While Videoverse might not hit as hard for you if you weren’t around back then, it absolutely delivered in making me think fondly of the past, and delivered a heartfelt story with the closest time capsule experience to the early 2000s internet there has ever been. I can’t wait to see what developer Kinmoku does next. This one is special. The only game to get me nostalgic like this before was Gone Home, and I think Videoverse ended up excelling over that in just about every way. If the premise sounds interesting, just grab it. You won’t regret it.
90
Videoverse is game that managed to hit me with the force of a truck in various ways, from the more subtle things like the in-game community’s reaction to a collapsing world around them to the parts that were more upfront, like Emmett and Vivi’s budding relationship. But even if you don’t have any emotional connections to similar online groups, what’s here is still an engrossing visual novel, one with a great story and a clever retro gaming world to explore. Videoverse is a definite highlight for the genre and one not to be missed out on.
94
Videoverse has to be one of the most authentic time travel pieces of media I’ve ever experienced. I’ve played countless games that lean heavily on nostalgia—oftentimes cheaply—to try to make me feel like a kid again or at least like I was immersed in something similar to those RPGs of yore. Videoverse might be the only title to truly accomplish that.
9
One of my favorite gem games, those comfort games u play and replay multiple times and u never get tired of.
10
Who hasn't been part of a forum, a fandom, or a gaming community? Taking us into the last days of an online console service, Videoverse delivers an incredibly relatable and emotional internet drama, all wrapped up in beautiful pixel art.
8
A short but great visual novel. Story is touching and told in a really great way, graphics are 2d pixel graphics but made with a lot of care. It really throws you back to the early 2000s internet. Can recommend!
VIDEOVERSE
Released On:
Aug 7, 2023
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
90
User score
Mixed or Average
6.6
My Score
Drag or tap to give a rating
Hover and click to give a rating
All Platforms
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
100% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Nov 1, 2023
100
While Videoverse might not hit as hard for you if you weren’t around back then, it absolutely delivered in making me think fondly of the past, and delivered a heartfelt story with the closest time capsule experience to the early 2000s internet there has ever been. I can’t wait to see what developer Kinmoku does next. This one is special. The only game to get me nostalgic like this before was Gone Home, and I think Videoverse ended up excelling over that in just about every way. If the premise sounds interesting, just grab it. You won’t regret it.
Aug 7, 2023
100
This new visual novel from the creator of One Night Stand is an engrossing, emotional study of digital relationships that will hit a raw nerve with gamers.
User score
Mixed or Average
60% Positive
15 Ratings
15 Ratings
16% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
24% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
May 7, 2025
10
Who hasn't been part of a forum, a fandom, or a gaming community? Taking us into the last days of an online console service, Videoverse delivers an incredibly relatable and emotional internet drama, all wrapped up in beautiful pixel art.
Sep 1, 2023
10
Wow, I loved this game! I really enjoyed seeing a video game era I was too young for. VideoVerse is both cosy and comforting, while also being a raw, cringe online simulation. I don't think I've played anything like it. I fell in love with the characters and their struggles and just want to protect them all! The soundtrack is amazing too. I want to replay VideoVerse again and get another ending since I heard there are a few.
Aug 17, 2023
94
Videoverse has to be one of the most authentic time travel pieces of media I’ve ever experienced. I’ve played countless games that lean heavily on nostalgia—oftentimes cheaply—to try to make me feel like a kid again or at least like I was immersed in something similar to those RPGs of yore. Videoverse might be the only title to truly accomplish that.
Aug 22, 2023
90
Videoverse is game that managed to hit me with the force of a truck in various ways, from the more subtle things like the in-game community’s reaction to a collapsing world around them to the parts that were more upfront, like Emmett and Vivi’s budding relationship. But even if you don’t have any emotional connections to similar online groups, what’s here is still an engrossing visual novel, one with a great story and a clever retro gaming world to explore. Videoverse is a definite highlight for the genre and one not to be missed out on.
Aug 13, 2023
90
Videoverse involves and upsets, moves and enhances the feelings of the player, but more than anything it makes us reflect, with a hint of nostalgia, on what it means to grow and confront ourselves with the infinite diversity of the others' lives. With a never pedantic and always natural writing, Lucy Blundell gives life to characters that we will remember for years: Emmett, a teenager who will learn to recognize his privilege, Vivi, a young man struggling with events that she had never expected, along with the rest of the cast, can create a fresco so full of life to seem real. Not to be underestimated, for this effect, the painstaking construction of the interface, incredibly immersive in its simplicity. We are sure that Videoverse will be talked about for years to come, and we recommend it without any reservation.
Aug 10, 2023
85
Videoverse joins an immensely charming, detailed snapshot of early 2000s online fandom with an intermeshed web of heartfelt and incredibly human (sub)plots.
Aug 11, 2023
80
They may unplug the servers, but those connections will never be fully severed. [Issue#388, p.120]
Aug 31, 2023
10
Really lovely and touching game, felt really authentic in its world and narrative to that early internet/2000s experience (visuals are obviously stylised in different way to lean into retro feel but felt they fitted in with overall vibe). Surprisingly touching in places as well and some interesting bits of branching in narrative as well - definitely diving back in to see how choices affect overall story. Impressive effort as well for such a small team working on it - in presentation and also in going beyond usual limitations of its engine.
Aug 17, 2023
10
Come for the nostalgic 2000s vibes, stay for the heartfelt story and memorable characters. Essential for anyone who grew up with MSN messenger or spent their teens investing in online forums.
Aug 14, 2023
10
Very fun game, extremely nostalgic if you are a 2000s kid, the story and characters are awesome and the choices you make have a huge impact.
Oct 12, 2025
9
One of my favorite gem games, those comfort games u play and replay multiple times and u never get tired of.
Aug 17, 2023
0
visual novels aren't my cup of tea but this one was extra boring like the whole starting sequence introduction of character i just couldn't do it
SummaryRelive the days of past social gaming networks in VIDEOVERSE, a decision-based narrative adventure focusing on character development, friendship and love, from the developer behind One Night Stand. As Emmett, a young video game fan and aspiring artist, dive into this fictional video game era, where the Kinmoku Shark gaming system and it... Read More
