ALTER EGO

About

ALTER EGO is a single player casual action adventure game with horror, drama, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by Fruit Salad Torture and was released on April 24, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

Alter Ego is a 2D point-and-click narrative-based adventure game featuring psychological elements. Explore two levels with atmospheric environments, solve puzzles, and use your inventory items to uncover the mystery behind Reese and Winona's relationship, and find the real culprit—if there is one.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 132 reviews

story31 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The art style is unique and visually appealing, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
The story is engaging and thought-provoking, with emotional depth that resonates with players.
For a free game, it offers a surprisingly good experience in terms of narrative and presentation.

The game is extremely short, often taking less than 30 minutes to complete, which leaves players wanting more.
Puzzles are overly simplistic and not challenging, making the gameplay feel minimal.
The narrative can be predictable and lacks depth, with some players feeling it doesn't fully explore its themes.

story
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The game's story is a brief yet compelling exploration of dark themes, particularly focusing on relationships and domestic violence, conveyed through a unique art style and engaging narrative. While many players appreciated the emotional depth and surprising twists, some felt the storytelling lacked depth and could benefit from a longer format. Overall, the combination of beautiful visuals and a poignant storyline makes it a worthwhile experience, despite its predictability and simplicity.
- “For a free game, I am impressed by how good the story is presented: usually, short games like this have no depth to them, but this one managed to be good in such a short span, wow.”
- “The story is much darker and sad; yet very relatable in many relationships.”
- “Worth every second, a very compelling and personal story conveyed in such a powerful style.”
- “The main problem of this game is that the story is a bit obvious.”
- “Offering a short and simple experience, this video game does not offer original puzzles or a story we have not seen before.”
- “I wish there was more of the story and was paced better, especially for the alternate ending which was very anticlimactic for the theme.”
graphics
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
46%
7%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a distinctive and visually appealing art style, often described as a beautiful comic book aesthetic that enhances the storytelling. While many reviewers praise the unique and charming visuals, some note visual inconsistencies and a jarring shift in art style during certain scenes. Overall, the minimalist approach and engaging atmosphere contribute positively to the game's experience, despite its simplicity and short length.
- “The art style is very impressive!”
- “Alter ego is in such a gorgeous comic art style that reminds me of the beauty of the Spiderverse movies.”
- “Absolutely gorgeous art style and cool vibes.”
- “The shock in the change of art style is about as accurate as when you take those rose-tinted glasses off.”
- “If I had any criticism, it would be that the sudden shift in art style in some of the final scenes is a bit jarring.”
- “The graphics aren't great, just simple comic book-type artwork; might as well be a web page.”
gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
76%
12%
The gameplay is generally described as simple and easy, often taking a backseat to the narrative, which some players find enjoyable despite its minimal complexity. While some reviews highlight the depth of certain mechanics, others criticize the basic puzzles and lack of polish, suggesting that the gameplay serves primarily to complement the story rather than stand on its own. Overall, the experience is seen as light and accessible, with beautiful visuals enhancing the journey.
- “The gameplay is simple and very easy, but it works well for this game.”
- “Alter Ego's gameplay revolves around introspection and self-reflection.”
- “Alter Ego offers a thought-provoking experience with its unique concept and complex gameplay mechanics.”
- “These issues can disrupt gameplay and affect the overall experience, making it feel less polished.”
- “The puzzles are super basic and easy - mainly there to fill a 'gameplay' aspect to try and make this a game and not just a movie.”
- “Beautiful art style, the story is interesting and I love the animal metaphors, but the gameplay is way too easy and it's difficult to tell when a cinematic is over and you can start the next one.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
19%
14%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, blending ambient sounds and electronic beats that enhance the unsettling and introspective nature of the gameplay. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the overall experience, despite some noting minor issues with sound design. Overall, the music is considered a strong point, elevating the game's emotional impact and artistic presentation.
- “The distinctive art style and atmospheric soundtrack contribute to an engaging atmosphere.”
- “An emotional story with fun puzzles, great art, and banger music!”
- “And the music??”
- “The music is a haunting mix of ambient sounds and electronic beats, perfectly complementing the game's unsettling atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack is atmospheric and fits well with the game's introspective nature.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with a haunting and atmospheric soundtrack that enhances its unsettling and introspective nature. The distinctive art style and abstract approach effectively complement the thematic elements, creating an engaging environment that immerses players in the narrative. Overall, the combination of music and visuals contributes significantly to the game's captivating atmosphere.
- “The distinctive art style and atmospheric soundtrack contribute to an engaging atmosphere.”
- “Just a little something to gently dilute the atmosphere without taking away from the narrative.”
- “The music is a haunting mix of ambient sounds and electronic beats, perfectly complementing the game's unsettling atmosphere.”
- “Its abstract and stylized approach effectively complements the game’s thematic elements and adds to the overall atmosphere.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game is noted for its limited replayability, which detracts from its overall polish and long-term enjoyment. Users consistently express that the lack of engaging content reduces the incentive to replay.
- “The game has limited replayability.”
- “Technical glitches and limited replayability also impact the game's polish and long-term enjoyment.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes strong emotions, with many players reporting tears by the end due to its impactful themes, including domestic violence and emotional trauma. While the puzzles are relatively easy, the narrative delivers a surprising and deeply emotional conclusion that may not resonate with everyone. Overall, it combines an engaging story with appealing art and music, making for a memorable emotional experience.
- “Ngl, this game made me cry a little bit at the end.”
- “Interesting take on a very emotional topic.”
- “An emotional story with fun puzzles, great art, and banger music!”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report experiencing technical glitches and bugs that detract from the game's overall stability and polish, affecting long-term enjoyment and replayability.
- “Personally, I encountered technical glitches and bugs.”
- “Technical glitches and limited replayability also impact the game's polish and long-term enjoyment.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The character development in the game is praised for its wonderful and interesting design, featuring anthropomorphic animals that effectively enhance the story's underlying analogy. This thoughtful integration of character design and narrative adds depth to the overall experience.
- “The character design is wonderful and very interesting.”
- “The characters in this game are portrayed as anthropomorphic animals, and the reason for the character designs ties into the analogy this game is making in its story.”