Close search results
Close search results
×

Across
the Grooves

Play YouTube video
×
Please enter a valid email address
Please choose a platform
How young was your child when they first played this?
:
 
How does your child play this? Alone, with friends, with family? How did they discover it and what kept them coming back for more?
:   :
 
To verify your input please enter your email to create an account.
Email:

Play OverviewPlay Overview

Across the Grooves (2020) is a narrative adventure where you play Alice as her uneventful life is turned upside down when a magical record throws her back into her own past. You play by making choices about her interactions that not only change the past she is visiting by drastically alter the present day. It stands out for the depth of its relational drama that unfolds differently depending on your choices.

Alice has a very normal life. She’s in a long-term relationship, works in a bank and has a comfortable apartment in Bordeaux. However, in this world the real and the magical overlap. She receives a record from Ulysse, her ex-lover, that literally takes her back into her own history. You travel with her and direct the interactions and choices she has as she travels across European cities, meets colourful characters and tries to solve the mystery of what is going on.

As you progress, you try and track down Ulysse as you explore the new parallel realities each time you play the record. What starts as something of a puzzle turns into a journey of self-discovery.

The result is a game that stands out for both its branching narrative structure but also the quality of the hand-drawn visuals and writing. It's a game that you can play many times to see how your decisions impact Alice’s fate (and how she appears) through the multiple story paths and endings.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Across the Grooves 12 months ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 12 months ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Across the Grooves. Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is an Adventure and Narrative game with Communication elements. This is a single-player game.

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 3 hours and 5 and a half hours to complete. A hand-crafted adventure — With each playthrough, discover a novel-sized adventure and a slice of the hundreds of hand-drawn images created for the game.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 16 for Strong Violence, Drugs, Sex, Use of Alcohol/Tobacco.

The game includes alcohol and tobacco consumption, drug references, non-pornographic nudity and sexual references, and non-graphic violence. This is depicted in the graphic novel visual style.

Skill Level

12+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. It's a slow game that requires the player to do a lot of reading, reflecting and observation. You also need to be able to appreciate the relationship tensions to fully understand the narrative.

CostsCosts

Across the Grooves usually costs £11.99 to £15.99.
 

Across the Grooves

Steam Store PC £11.99
Switch Store Switch £15.99
Steam Store Mac £11.99
There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 17/06/2020

Out Now: PC and Switch

Skill Rating: 12+ year-olds

Players: 1

Genres: Adventure, Narrative and Communication

Accessibility: 0 features documented (Tweet Developer )

Components: 2D Side-On and Cartoon

Developer: Nova Box (@NovaBox)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

Subscribe to our free newsletter

Subscribe
Carina Initiatives
PlayStation
HSBC
GameOpedia
Xbox
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
Discord
Contact Us
About