Game Review: Acquainted with the Night (Mobile – Free to Play)

Acquainted with the Night is inspired from the original poem from Robert Frost, ‘Acquainted with the Night’ from The Poetry of Robert Frost. It’s also clearly inspired by Thomas Was Alone, a game that is absolutely adored here on GBHBL.

Well inspired might be the wrong word. Let us not beat around the bush here. Acquainted with the Night unashamedly attempts to copy the simplistic style of Thomas Was Alone. However, what it isn’t capable of copying is the beauty. The glorious music, the narration or the addictiveness of the gameplay. Thomas Was Alone is an emotional ride that you never want to end. Acquainted with the Night couldn’t end fast enough.

Even if you can overlook its poor attempt to ape a better game you’ll find numerous problems with the gameplay. The controls are so hit & miss resulting in numerous deaths that mean you having to start the entire level again. It’s an incredibly frustrating experience that relies on your fingers hitting the jump/directional arrow buttons perfectly. Even then you’ll often find the game registers your touch a split second too late.

Your blocks vary in ability meaning you have to often use all three to make it past a particular obstacle. The annoyance with this is two of the blocks are so responsive to the other. You’ll quickly grow to hate the third, slow block or at least you would if the game had any personality.

The attempt to make a pretty & memorable game fails as the music loops constantly meaning you’ll be sick of it very quickly. The one plus are the backgrounds that give off a nice & chilled vibe, something that is definitely needed because of the numerous rage moments caused by the rubbish controls.

All of that being said, this is a free to play game with no in-app purchases or ads. That is such a rarity but the reality is you’re way better off paying the money to play Thomas Was Alone. Trust us, you won’t regret it.