Alien Squatter

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 46 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • humor
Alien Squatter Game Cover
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You are a homeless extraterrestrial living in a futuristic version of Japan. Humans are nearly extinct and Earth is a cesspool of pollution, urban decay, and economic inequality. Struggle to...

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Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews
graphics3 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique and imaginative world filled with quirky characters and engaging writing, making it a memorable experience.
  • It offers a high level of replayability with multiple endings and various interactions, allowing players to explore different play styles and outcomes.
  • The energy management mechanic, while challenging, adds depth to the gameplay and enhances the experience of navigating the struggles of the game's setting.
  • The restrictive energy system can make exploration feel tedious and limit player freedom, leading to frustration during gameplay.
  • Some players find the game can become monotonous over time, with repetitive tasks and a lack of clear direction in certain aspects.
  • The game may feel overwhelming at times due to the frequent dialogue pop-ups and the need to constantly monitor energy levels, which can detract from immersion.
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay revolves around an energy management system that requires players to carefully plan their daily activities in a sci-fi city, balancing exploration, resource gathering, and interactions with characters while avoiding exhaustion. While the energy mechanic can feel restrictive, it adds a layer of tension to the otherwise low-stakes gameplay loop, encouraging strategic decision-making. Players appreciate the engaging writing and unique world, though some express a desire for additional mechanics or challenges in subsequent playthroughs.

    • “Built around an energy mechanic, you spend each day of the game exploring the city, trying to gather money, find food, and interact with the charming characters that live in this game's sci-fi slums.”
    • “The writing is great and weird and fun, and the gameplay is interesting and humanizing.”
    • “The energy mechanic can be stifling, but it does add some element of oppression to an otherwise low-punishment gameplay loop, and the mechanics you unlock to stretch your energy feel like the city is beginning to open up, that it isn't so scary.”
    • “Basically, every step you take costs you energy, and if you don't make it back to bed before your energy hits zero, you lose money, stats, get sick, etc. I understand this mechanic is required here since the whole game is built around energy management.”
    • “The gameplay consists of a day-by-day routine of gathering the money required to work a way out of the slums while also managing your energy to make sure you don't pass out.”
  • graphics5 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming vaporwave-inspired pixel aesthetic, which complements the writing and overall atmosphere beautifully. Players find the art style endearing and visually engaging, contributing to a unique and captivating experience. Overall, the combination of graphics, characters, and music leaves a strong impression on users.

    • “This part is definitely the highlight of the game, as the writing combines surprisingly well with the vaporwave-inspired pixel aesthetic.”
    • “Visually, the art style is endearing and interesting to look at.”
    • “It's a small but wonderfully charming game with a unique idea, cool art style, and a fun cast of characters.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game features a funny choose-your-own-adventure format that combines dark and deranged humor with a surprisingly humanistic touch. Players appreciate the replayability and the rewarding experience of seeing lives positively impacted, making the humor both entertaining and meaningful.

    • “Funny choose-your-own-adventure with lots of replayability.”
    • “That's a very humanistic element to find within a game that seems like a weird and dark piece of humor on the surface.”
    • “There are plenty of deranged bits of black humor throughout the game, yet should the player reach the end, it's in seeing the lives helped that ends up being the reward.”
  • story4 mentions

    The story is set in a captivating and unique world, enriched by varied RPG elements and lore that encourage exploration and replayability through optional side quests and multiple endings. Players appreciate the narrative's delivery, often pieced together from collectible items, reminiscent of the creator's previous work, Void Pyramid, which also features a compelling tale set in a distant future. Overall, the engaging storytelling invites curiosity and further exploration of character backstories.

    • “Strange and engaging setting and style are what initially sold me; the varied RPG elements and story/lore kept me coming back.”
    • “This one is much more of a sandbox than Void Pyramid, and focuses more on optional side quests and varying endings based on how you played.”
    • “Void Pyramid, another work by the same creator, comes closest, and what it shares in common with that game is that a fascinating story of a far-distant future is largely told through little bits of garbage you collect and can examine at your discretion.”
    • “Perhaps another playthrough... I am quite curious about the biobot's story, now.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised, with users describing it as energetic and impactful, enhancing the overall experience. Many reviewers express their admiration for the combination of music with the game's brutal RPG elements, characters, and graphics, contributing to a captivating atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.

    • “The music, just like in Void Pyramid, absolutely bangs.”
    • “I highly recommend that game; it's a very brutal RPG and it's actually a lot of fun to play. The music is pretty good too.”
    • “Love the writing, graphical style, and music.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and occasionally boring, yet they appreciate the rich creativity and personality of the world and lore. While the grinding can be punishing, particularly when players face theft that impacts their resources and stats, it is generally manageable within the game's context.

    • “Tedious and boring, but at least you won't get punished for that too much (except when you get robbed, which costs you money and sometimes stats).”
    • “Alien squatter takes place in a world where everyone faces nothing but a grinding, brutal future and yet still collects photographs of celebrities.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its memorable characters, numerous interactions, and multiple endings, encouraging players to explore different strategies and outcomes. Many users find it to be one of the most replayable titles in their collections, offering significant value for its price.

    • “Every character in this game is fun and memorable in their own way; it's easily the most replayable game in my library.”
    • “There are a lot of interactions, providing plenty of replay value and different ways for your character to escape the slumps.”
    • “There are several different endings, offering significant replay value for the cost of an average lunch.”
    • “There are several different endings, providing quite a bit of replay value for the cost of an average lunch.”
    • “There are a lot of interactions, lots of replay value, and different ways for your character to escape the slumps.”
    • “Every character in this is fun and memorable in their own way, it's easily the most replayable game in my library.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its unique and intimate narrative that explores themes of poverty, inequality, and solidarity, resonating deeply with players. Many find it to be a heartfelt and touching experience, evoking a range of feelings from heartbreak to warmth.

    • “This is a beautiful, completely unique, intimate, and heartfelt narrative about poverty, inequality, gentrification, and solidarity with others who are struggling— all things I can personally relate to.”
    • “It's heartbreakingly sad.”
    • “It's adorable, touching, and sweet.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a unique neon-grunge aesthetic that sets it apart, complemented by an unconventional RPG structure that enhances the overall experience.

    • “I enjoyed its neon-grunge atmosphere and atypical RPG structure.”
    • “The game immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful world that feels alive.”
    • “Every corner of the environment is filled with detail, creating a captivating atmosphere.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Players appreciate the unique and individual character designs of NPCs, leading to strong emotional attachments, as exemplified by the quick bond formed with characters like Old Tandy within the first hour of gameplay.

    • “The character design is so unique and individual to each NPC; I've already grown attached to Old Tandy within the first hour of playing.”
    • “The depth of each character's backstory adds so much richness to the game, making every interaction feel meaningful.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, reflecting the choices I make and creating a truly immersive experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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