1998: The Toll Keeper Story

The main pros of the game

• Engaging Storytelling: The narrative is described as powerful, emotional, and deeply relatable, particularly in its portrayal of the 1998 Indonesian political unrest. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings and provide insight into the historical context.
• Beautiful Art Style: The game's visuals, inspired by the 90s, are praised for their charm and effectiveness in setting the mood. Reviewers appreciate the hand-drawn aesthetic and nostalgic elements.
• Moral Dilemmas: Players enjoy the moral choices they face, which add depth to the gameplay. The decisions impact the storyline and character relationships, making each choice feel significant.
• Replayability: The presence of multiple endings encourages players to replay the game to explore different outcomes and character arcs.
• Cultural Relevance: The game resonates well with Indonesian players, as it reflects significant historical events and societal issues, making it a meaningful experience.

The main cons of the game

• Gameplay Mechanics: Some users find the gameplay mechanics too simplistic or repetitive compared to similar games like "Papers, Please." There are mentions of clunky UI elements and difficulties in managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Short Duration: Several reviews express disappointment regarding the game's length, noting that it can be completed in a short time (around 3-6 hours), which some feel is not enough for the price.
• Lack of Voice Acting: The absence of voiceovers for dialogues, aside from a few exceptions, is mentioned as a drawback, leading to a less immersive experience.
• Confusing Vehicle Identification: Players have noted issues with distinguishing between vehicle types, leading to penalties that can feel unfair or frustrating.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Improved UI/UX: Users suggest that the user interface needs enhancements, such as better organization of information and clearer visual cues to avoid confusion during gameplay.
• Endless Mode: Some players express a desire for an endless mode to continue experiencing the game without the constraints of a fixed narrative, allowing for ongoing exploration of themes and decisions.
• More Complex Gameplay Mechanics: There are calls for additional gameplay features or mechanics that would increase the challenge and depth of the experience, similar to what "Papers, Please" offers.
• Dialogue Pause Feature: Players would appreciate the ability to pause dialogue or have a clearer indication of when conversations are happening to enhance engagement with the narrative.

Summary

• Overall, "1998: The Toll Keeper Story" is well-received for its storytelling and emotional impact, though it faces critiques regarding gameplay mechanics and length.

Summary generated on: November 24, 2025