The Vaporwave Game That's More Than Just A Meme | Broken Reality Review

[@SebastianCova]

Thank you very much for this very touching review. You really nailed it when it comes to what we were trying to express with the game's backstory. I wasn't aware of that Camera glitch where you can't switch tools after control is taken from the player. Will look into it for sure. 🤙

[@dungeonchill]

Hey! Thank you for watching! And for making such an incredible game. It's one of my favorites of recent years. I've played through it a few times now. I've also got the sequel wishlisted. Didn't mention it in the video, because I found out about it after I'd finished editing, but I'm hyped!

[@colton3843]

I’m sooo ready for the sequel, I hope the soundtrack in the second is as good as the first!!!

[@potentiallyunfunnyguy9716]

You've quickly become one of my go-to content creators for recommendations chief. Loving your mellow sense of humour and the more niche games you cover.

[@midnightbrave]

Dang I had that same Addison Wesley math book. I remember looking at the cover and thinking, "Man, this is the future." It wasn't the future, but it kind of was.

[@dungeonchill]

Just took a good 30 years for it to become the future

[@QVAZzzz]

​@@dungeonchillI had/have so many physics and math textbooks, and folders and binders, from over the years that were just CGI geometric scapes with multi colored lava-like textures that I realize now as an adult are basically big calculus equations they used to draw vortex filled worlds 😂 quintessential mid 90s for sure

[@TheGregoryodd]

The “saved” drink puts me in mind of Sobe drinks, at least in it’s font ; gonna have to check this out now tho, much obliged for bringing it to our attention 🤘

[@prince_nocturne]

3:40 DEAR GOD! That is some hard nostalgia from my childhood right there. Brings me right back to the mid-90's and yelling across the house to make sure no one was on the phone at the time.

[@Mike14264]

Maybe this is just me reading too much into it, but when I saw our avatar image on the top floor of the Geo City building... that was when it hit me. That we were simply "returning home", earning back what we willingly casted away. That we are the dev that left. The apartment at the end? It's the same apartment we can see beyond the door in the main menu, should we want to leave the game instead. It's our home in the real world, and a reflection of how fucked up it is, probably the reason folks want to stay in the illusion that is NATEM. This is just my interpretation, but I think we go through the Innernet to find a backdoor into the core of NATEM, to shut it all down. There are still some mysteries I don't fully understand. Are ZeroChan and OneeChan the same, one being an earlier version of another? Is Error the actual ZeroChan? And was OneeChan modelled after the Dev's soulmate, who then left him? Is she the other dev, or would that be the ellusive Phisherman? Such a mystery it is... I wonder if the VR game will shine some light on it...

[@SuccBoiTrash]

how do i cope with the fact that i have to wait for the sequal

[@Mike14264]

@@SuccBoiTrash same way as we all do, pal...

[@SuccBoiTrash]

@@Mike14264 drugs?

[@Mike14264]

@@SuccBoiTrash ...I was gonna say "doing anything else to take your mind off of it like playing other games, watching movies and series, reading books or playing and listening to music", but hey, whatever tickles your fancy. Except no, Winners Don't Do Drugs

[@SuccBoiTrash]

meth it is

[@Sanjuaro]

Yoooo, I instantly recognized the lyrics to that ending track. By this River by Brian Eno. Like the intended vibe of this game, that song is immensely nostalgic for me

[@hesiolite]

You've been on a roll recently pumping 1 or 2 videos a week. Keep going they're great and the games are great too. I think besides Peripeteia which is how i discovered you, I didn't know most of these games, so I'm always excited to see what else you're gonna showcase.

[@dungeonchill]

Hey thanks! I just really like making these videos, so I’m glad people like watching them. I’ve got a long list of games I want to talk about. Maybe some you’ve heard of, maybe some you haven’t. I’m just gonna keep going!

[@sarabihyena]

Ahh I keep meaning to watch more of your videos, but two minutes into them you have me wanting to play them for myself first, your enthusiasm for them is infectious.

[@jimjohn1740]

I only bought this game because it happened to be in a bundle with hypnospace outlaw, but I'm glad I got it despite the bugs. I also actually found the buying minigame pretty fun most of the time, even if the spinning was annoying with items like the hats or shirts. lastly, thank god I got this game shortly after the devs fixed the tool switching bug keep covering cool niche games like this and all that

[@dungeonchill]

Thanks! I’ve got more obscure stuff on the way!

[@svperuzer]

4:00 I think that's sobe (stylized SoBe). I had to look it up. Surprised I found it. Apparently they're still around. I remember there was a white one I really liked. It's kind of strange, for just a moment, when you're reminded of something from your childhood that you haven't thought about in decades. Not really that strange, but kinda. There should be a word for that.

[@dungeonchill]

SoBe! Yes, that’s totally it. I couldn’t remember while writing the script for this video and even researched but couldn’t find anything. As soon as I saw what you wrote though, I immediately remembered it. Memory is weird indeed.

[@indiegohappy]

The stylized wave pattern around the slot is Greek, same goes for the letters. VOP stands for 'very old pale'. So I think it might be a reference to Ouzo, though I'm not sure which brand in particular.

[@arknark]

Nostalgia might be the word you're looking for? I believe that would cover that phenomena

[@svperuzer]

@@arknark Not nostalgia. Or at least not exclusively nostalgia. Nostalgia is thinking back fondly on something. What I was talking about has an uncanny quality to it. Like remembering something from a past life or something. It's like simultaneously feeling both a sense of familiarity and foreignness. I got the same feeling recently when I saw a cartoon I used to watch as a child that I hadn't thought about since I was maybe 7 or 8 years old. It's like: "holy shit, I remember this. That's crazy!"

[@arknark]

​@@svperuzer I see I see. What you're speaking of is a very fleeting moment I have also experienced on many occasions, but can't think of a name of either... p.s. I used to put Sobe stickers all over my bicycle frames as a kid cause I loved the lizards so much

[@omk573]

Happy to find another video on this game! It needs some more attention! I'm a sucker for any game with a cool unique artstyle so when I first saw this game I knew I had to get it. I figured to game was gonna be more style over substance (which isn't necessarily a bad imo) but I left the game with a whole lot more substance than I expected. The presentation of the game is amazing. I honestly open up the game everynow and then just to walk through the first area again. The visuals and ambience and music are spot on. I did experience a few bugs and inconsistentcies but it was never anything too major. Hoping the sequel will be even better whenever that comes out!

[@jedgrahek1426]

I prefer to see "the internet", and any other form of escapism, be it games, books, music, films, anime, whatever, not in the mutually exclusive, dualistic sense of "doing this instead of real life", but rather as simply another part of existence, of "real life". Looking at anything that makes one happy or keeps one sane, in that mutually exclusive sense, just reminds me of dumb teenagers saying "get a life" to each other in attempted put-downs. Like, what's the point of seeing anything that way, other than trying to be the person who thinks they're better than everyone else? Once one has been alive for long enough and experienced many different kinds of living, everything is a legitimate part of existence, including escapism.

[@LinksBetweenDrinks]

Just don't stay alone for too long.

[@moonsigil]

I don't know, man. I get what you're trying to say, but we as humans have not fully grasped the implications of the Internet and being constantly wired and what it is doing to our psyches. We did not evolve as a species to be consuming content constantly.

[@Warrior-Song]

I'm so glad I found your channel, absolutely loving all your reviews and probably wouldn't have found some of these games otherwise. I was NOT expecting this game to hit as hard as it did when I played it a while ago. It kinda has a similar vibe to hypnospace outlaw just with different gameplay.

[@beanieweenie1349]

Genuinely one of my top 5 favorite video games, I'm so glad to finally see a review that does it justice

[@noin1083]

Enjoying the longer videos! This game is really interesting, I love the aesthetic and the plot took me by surprise, I'm going to be picking this one up. I love broken/forgotten/alternate takes on the internet, there's just something about that theme that always makes me happy, it reminds me of the Otherland series.

[@azagthoth2612]

i’ve always avoided videos about broken reality because in my head i tout myself as the biggest fan of broken reality (over 100 active hrs to brag) but i couldn’t help when i realized dungeon made a vid about it

[@elifdot]

I FUCKING LOVE VAPORWAVE, the only thing I love on part with Peripeteia! And it's my most favourit genre of music, I listen to that shit unironically every day I go to my University. It just has such an appeal and is sometimes such a jam! Thanks for covering this game, I found it a few month ago, hope the video will be great, wrote this comment before watching it! Also 30 minute WHOW!

[@dungeonchill]

I too unironically love vaporwave. FM Skyline is on pretty regular rotation for me. I also found out that they’re making a sequel to Broken Reality! Didn’t mention it in the video because I found out after I was done editing. Hyped for that!

[@elifdot]

@@dungeonchill Oh yeah most defineatly the hype is real, and btw. great video!

[@Cannonharrt]

amazing channel by the way, the video about lunacy, it made my day stumbling upon that. youre my favorite content to just chill and watch rn

[@bmansk8520]

Great video! Really been enjoying binging your stuff lately. You do a great job! Maybe one small critique is that when you talked about the music, you didn't take anytime to play it for us. So you say it sounds great, but I have no idea how it sounds. Some samples would have been nice. Other than that, loved the video!

[@dungeonchill]

Ah yeah, good call. I’ve started to play some samples when I talk about music in the newer videos. Thanks for watching and glad you’re enjoying!

[@josedorsaith5261]

This is one of the best channels for getting comfy in bed. The audio equalisation means i don't get startled awake by random loud noises/screams 😅

[@Luckyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

An amazing tribute to an amazing game!!!!! I finished it about 2 months ago and I still think about it a lot. I picked it up to pass the time while I was waiting for a big file to transfer (very fitting), thinking it would be a fun little walking simulator that would take an hour or 2 to finish. I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised by it. The ending still gives me chills

[@ProtoRez]

You should check out Paradise Killer. It's a murder mystery game that has a similar vaporwave aesthetic and a lot of wierd interesting lore.

[@FrankGulp]

The ending song its a remix of " by this river " by Brian Eno I think. A really sad song. It fit very well with this game in my opinion.

[@Fragenzeichenplatte]

I played the game a few years ago but I still think about it from time to time because it's just so memorable and it's not often talked about. The ending is really special, after everything that came beforehand, and the song has become one of my favourite songs ever, even though it's basically just a cover of a Pink song haha. The song is ℬÆ by death's dynamic shroud.wmv.

[@deanjenkins3077]

21:16 if you didn't get that, those 2 creators spoiler below give a part of a passcode to you at certain time of game. I.e. ERROR and Phisherman

[@meow-is-edible]

I usually can't play games more than the first few hours unless it's a stimulating game since I have adhd combined type, but this is one of the few exceptions I could replay few times. The lore, atmosphere, music, everything is just so good. Can't help but keeping looking for new informations about the sequel

[@CrobatmanIamthenight]

this game reall spoke to me idk why, i loved the end credits song too

[@kyaksachan502]

Man, Brutalmoose's streams made me find this gems years again, the reason I got into Twitch. LOL Everybody kept asking about the other game at the time which everybody knew about (idr the name atm) within early internet culture was like. I love this game as it really surprise me and made me genuinely laugh.

[@DaddyasaurusRex-mo9zy]

It might have been asked/suggested, but there is a game kind of similar to this called 'Hypnospace Outlaw' that is a point and click 1999 internet simulator. Hypnospace has a spin-off Boomer Shooter called 'Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer' (vengeance is spelled wrong on purpose). Both would be right up your alley.

[@miguelignaciocarrere4486]

I love your videos good sir. Thank for your work. Planning on reviewing more weird japanese games? PS: You are pretty chill!

[@Frank_42]

I am always on the hunt for the illusive "games like this"....harder than you might think because I've played most of the main ones and a lot of people will recommend games that vaguely look like this but have no substance, are glorified platformers, FPS, or other other janky mess with epilepsy inducing low res gaudy colours. Somehow this is one of the few that achieves the trippy feel without being hard on the eyes, it's relaxing yet has enough game elements to be interesting without being too frustrating or rage inducing. It has exploration elements, story elements with progression, and RPG elements. It has a good amount of content without being overly repetitive or dull. I know what you mean by wanting to hang out in this world. Few games really can do that. Would love to see suggestions on others like this, but probably I already know. Sludge Life, Jazz Punk, Solar Panic, and Norwood Suite are among the better ones. Mango was great too, but it eventually gets frustrating and very dark. Video Hole and a few others were cute but short and a bit less well written (I'm still waiting on chapter 2). I'm not sure why there is a flood of horror based trippy games these days....who would want to hang out in a nightmare?

[@SpasmFunnel]

Grandpa Simpson talking about the onion belt surely could have been drunken Lenny giving the thumbs up to a frightened Mr Burns

[@3van1993]

I use the dial up sound for my ringtone. It spooks me everytime I hear it in a video or a song.

[@evolancer211]

That dialup sound is childhood!

[@Bane_Amesta]

I hate how YT compression hates certain kinds of screen noise, because I got stuck at the Cradle level (yes my platforming skills sucks) meaning there's no way in hell I'll ever find that ending section without looking glitched and broken... pun intended

[@CodeRed001]

I loved this game so much. I really wish they would come out with a vr version. Or somebody made a mod for it that allows for vr.

[@rosee8140]

I think the second one is gonna have VR.

[@bsherman8236]

Underrated game, played on release and still remember how cozy the last apartment feels. hate the few last levels

[@am_cosmos]

I had to stop near the beginning because I need to play this immediately

[@Vggamegod]

This actually looks fun :o

[@koil475]

Man what a game, can't wait for the next one.

[@Jane-ow7sr]

This game and music is giving me HEAVY jazzpunk vibes

[@aubreyknight7563]

That water looks like Zima I'm a can

[@therealukimbus]

Fantastic video

[@tonys_write]

Dude, it's like you read my mind. When you were talking about water levels and their greatness, I was like, "you should show Mario 64's first water level." ❤❤❤

[@hiss9989]

This game made me cry in the end.

[@S0namus]

I got this game because I liked Hypnospace Outlaw and this was bundled with it so I thought it would be the same sort of thing. I liked maybe 75% of the game, and the ending was really good, but I hated the last level so much that it sort of bogged the experience down for me. Maybe I should give it another try, it's been a few years now

[@brandoncruz9798]

This was dope, but I can't get it out of my head that Phisherman is dressed as MJ from bad. 😂

[@fabrasreal]

why this video low bitrate

[@wasfureinbua]

very nice

[@Mockthenerd]

Wait. I don't understand the ending.

[@cornsyruptrucker]

I have this game and love vaporwave. Broken reality started out fun and cool but then it just got too depressing to play anymore

[@DragonAceSg7]

I'm going to admit it's after 3 in the morning and I should probably get to bed so that might make for my confusion but what exactly was that ending? I feel a little lost. And nothing against the game or your video. I feel like I missed something.

[@aname3576]

5:43 hehehehehehehehehehehe

[@DarkArtistKaiser]

The use of hindu/buddhist religious imagery isn't a incident I imagine. Its very clear they are cracks in a reality so consumed in materialism. Considering how you get back to the apartment and what seems like the overall message is, it makes sense to why you see messages like "ready to transend" and such. In a sense, Broken Reality world is a incarnation, a world you live in that isn't the true reality. What started as a funny parody turns into a gut punch to wake you from a reality dominated by memes, pop culture, nostalgia, and material excess.

[@senritsujumpsuit6021]

I saw the final moment as when your character sees the person that you have left behind your overwhelmed by thoughts an memories an you just can't process it an reality breaks

[@totallyirreversible]

I played the better part of this game while high on lsd and gotta say, great way to spend a Saturday also gave me enough patience to get through the endgame platforming 😅

[@lingricen8077]

11:41 Nah you’re terrible at this Also, you want a STAMINA mechanic?! 😂 Bro, shut up. You also want fall damage too I bet

[@oh_why_her]

My pre-teen self would’ve loved this game. Games with abstract imagery and bright colors had a stronghold on my brain. Tbh, I really held onto the aesthetic during a time when my only life line WAS the internet. So its pretty cool. Love your content man! 🤍

[@nihilistichorse9650]

Y u not rich and famooose yet. 10/10 everytime.b

[@SalusFuturistics]

yeah ngl I don't get the Ending.

[@sethbowen3093]

Ready Player 1!!!

[@zintosion]

👍

[@sunonaro]

how do you talk about background music for 5 minutes straight and then only give an audio example of the area with NO MUSIC.......bruh

[@nolaz010]

SPOILER! So my assumption with the game's plot is that you play as a smurf account for one of the original developers of the game. Zerochan was made in the likeness of your ex-girlfriend which later developed a consciousness, OneeChan promises that you can see the admin if you get popular enough, which makes me believe the OneeChan IRL is your ex-girlfriend, who has since abandoned the game following your breakup. The only way to reunite with her is to delete all of Broken Reality and delete Zero/Onee and all the NPCs you've met so far.

[@littleviking3824]

funfunfunfunfunfunfunfun

[@asterlofts1565]

This is maybe based in VRChat + Vaporwave (and others aesthetics, like Synthwave). Here is an excellent explanation of the history of Vaporwave and its meanings and why it came to that on KZbin... in fact, it can also give explanations behind this sad outcome of the game and its dark parts: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6XUpJyhbMylh68

[@asterlofts1565]

This is maybe based in VRChat + Vaporwave (and others aesthetics, like Synthwave).

[@blahblahgdp]

we really gonna pretend "influencers" are a new thing?

[@vincentdowling6360]

Furrobotto, not Furrow Roboto. Just saying.

[@EndyMMG]

i'm depressed and I really need a hug

[@abbacle]

I've played this game like 5 times over the past few years and I still don't fully understand it. One of my all time favorites, the ending removed me of the time I ate 7 grams of mushrooms. Up until then, I'd really enjoyed the game but man, that ending sequence convinced me there was so much more going on than outdated memes and cool songs. It's one of the trippiest and most emotionally cathartic sequences in a game with one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Even if you don't understand it you feel it you know, and it gave me a new perspective of the game's world on repeat playthroughs.