Parents' Guide to

Gemini Rue

By Mark Raby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Action game with retro graphics has captivating story.

Game Windows 2011
Gemini Rue Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Gemini Rue Game: Screenshot #1
  • Gemini Rue Game: Screenshot #2
  • Gemini Rue Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 1 parent review

Pinkarray
Pinkarray Adult
August 20, 2019
age 9+

A fantastic indie game that is sadly overlooked

If you haven't played Gemini Rue, you should play it, especially if you are a fan of this genre or even something like Cowboy Bebop. It has one of the best stories I ever seen in media and unique even if the characters aren't the most complex, it's more story-driven than character-driven. I don't want to give away spoilers so I'm not going to say why the story is so interesting, you just got to see for yourself. I hate story-driven games but I was quite hooked on this one and it has high replayability. I do think some of the dialogue was a little talky at a few moments. The story kept me on the edge of my seat and I was feeling a lot of different emotions playing it, from awe to worry about the characters because I cared for them. I was even sad when it ended. The game isn't that violent but it's very challenging. I would say it's okay for kids age 9 or 10 and up. I did look up a walkthrough a few times because some of the logic and attention to detail this game had confused me. It's a unique gameplay where you have to think like a detective. I especially liked the gimmick where you have the ability to search things on terminals. The only thing I didn't like about the gameplay was the controls were wonky and there was one part in it that I felt was tedious. Technical-wise, the atmosphere is dark and gloomy with a calming soundtrack that somehow fits it while still making you feel tense. The retro art style is quite beautiful and reminds me of like 90s point and click games even though I did have a problem not being able to see the characters' faces clearly. The voice acting is fitting but wooden.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

What’s It About?

In GEMINI RUE, the story is arguably more important than the graphics or even the actual gameplay mechanics. The story is set in the future, sometime in the 2200s, when mankind has colonized planets throughout the galaxy. In one planetary system, a criminal syndicate has risen to power and it is up to players to take down the syndicate and restore peace to the universe. The story is presented both in cutscenes in between gameplay and in dynamic dialogue exchanges that happen during game, which helps pull players into the experience and become a part of the story.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

Gemini Rue's target audience is most likely players that are in their 20s and beyond, since they will be most able to appreciate the vintage graphical style. The game plays very similar to computer games from over a decade ago, which is not necessarily a bad thing. In that era of PC games, the story was more important than anything else, and a captivating, unique, and compelling storyline was able to pull players in more than a badly written HD video game of today. This game manages to capture the same level of intrigue as video games of the past. And that appeal is universal to anyone who appreciates a good sci-fi story.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the violence in this game. Is the violence necessary?

  • Is there ever a situation where you can justify being the "bad guy"?

Game Details

  • Platform: Windows
  • Subjects: Language & Reading: following directions, reading comprehension, using supporting evidence
  • Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, deduction, solving puzzles
  • Available online?: Not available online
  • Publisher: Wadjet Eye Games
  • Release date: February 24, 2011
  • Genre: Adventure
  • ESRB rating: NR
  • Last updated: August 29, 2016

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