Pitched as a “Game-Photo album”, Retention is a pseudo interactive narrative, told mostly through photographs, with multiple endings. Towards the abstract end of the indie spectrum then.
If you’re in the mood for something at a more contemplative pace, with a focus on atmosphere and storytelling over raw mechanical challenge and demanding controls, then Retention might be for you.
Lewie Procter // DIYGamer
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Greg Costikyan // Play This Thing
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The ‘game’ is actually just kind of a ‘choose your own adventure’ book. Honestly, I did not really want to play it more than once or twice. The photos are well taken and beautiful, but it again does not feel like a game. It was also a little tough to get to look at all of the photos because there is a time limit. Although those expecting a game will be disappointed, it is a really interesting thing to play through, especially for those interested in art and photography.
Jessica Weimar // Mash Those Buttons
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Retention is a stylish staging of hundreds of photos, turning the collection into a character building exercise somewhere between “Memento” and “Choose Your Own Adventure” titles. Can a man be truly defined by frozen moments of his history? Is identity really just a question of perspective?
Callabrantus // Indie Game Reviewer
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William Bertin // Game Side Story
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After all, if you don't like art games, or you don't get them, this isn't going to be worth the $4 the author's asking. If you like this sort of thing, it's still going to be a mixed bag, because art is... well, some art grabs you, some doesn't. I personally found this quite interesting, and, in a sense, felt the confusion of a man trying to reassemble his memories (a sensation I go through once a month... thank you so very much, epilepsy), among other things. But, also in summary, $4 is really not much to pay for some introspection.
Jamie Thomas Durbin // Gameboyz
