In "Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1" , you explore a vast, surreal underground neighborhood filled with mundane horrors, solving puzzles and navigating dynamic environments to escape. The game utilizes procedural generation to create a unique labyrinth each time, ensuring a disorienting and frightening experience. You must run, swim, jump, slide, and climb to freedom while utilizing your surroundings and putting your puzzle-solving skills to the test.

  • PC
  • Windows

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 718 reviews
atmosphere80 positive mentions
stability15 negative mentions
  • The game captures the essence of liminal spaces beautifully, creating an unsettling yet nostalgic atmosphere.
  • The environments are visually stunning, with a variety of unique locations that evoke feelings of unease and curiosity.
  • The soundtrack enhances the experience, providing a fitting backdrop to the eerie exploration.
  • The ticket system feels tedious and detracts from the immersive experience, forcing players to hunt for collectibles instead of exploring freely.
  • Some levels, particularly the conference room and golf course, feel empty and lack engaging content, leading to boredom.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players finishing it in under two hours, raising concerns about its value for the price.
  • atmosphere153 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke feelings of unease and nostalgia, effectively capturing the essence of liminal spaces without relying on traditional horror elements like jump scares. Many players appreciate the game's focus on exploration and ambiance, noting that the environments are beautifully crafted and contribute to a surreal, unsettling experience. However, some critiques mention that gameplay mechanics, such as ticket hunting, detract from the immersive atmosphere, suggesting a desire for a more streamlined experience centered solely on the atmospheric exploration.

    • “This game gives you the liminal space atmosphere without the fear of losing or being killed, which allows you to lean into the exploration component fostered by the procedurally generated levels.”
    • “The atmosphere, with its monolithic sense of unease, is unrelenting even though 90% of what you're doing is simply walking around.”
    • “I love the atmosphere of the game, especially the pool rooms; it kind of lets my mind drift off completely, the gloomy area, the water, the sound—I can almost smell the water and feel the steamy warm air on my face.”
    • “The beta builds had this vibe and atmosphere that just doesn't exist in the full release, not to mention that the main point of this game was to be a walking sim in the beta, then it's a full-blown scavenger hunt for tickets everywhere to progress to the next areas in the official release.”
    • “The whole ticket collecting thing is quite annoying; it ruins the atmosphere, which is kind of the point of a horror game based on atmosphere.”
    • “The setting is the point of the game, and a lack of recognition of that made for a game whose trappings constantly take you out of the atmosphere that, at least on the surface, it wants you to immerse yourself in.”
  • graphics98 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and effective use of lighting, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the liminal space aesthetic. Many players noted the game's ability to evoke feelings of eeriness and nostalgia, although some criticized the reliance on repetitive environments and basic lighting effects. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal despite some technical limitations.

    • “The graphics are breathtaking in most areas of the game and the visual style is outstanding.”
    • “It's a really amazing game with detailed graphics and design!”
    • “The graphics are great, the idea and current levels are very fitting for this concept, and the music is just the best.”
    • “The audio and graphics are also messed up with the buzzing of the fluorescent lamps way too loud and strange light flickering and graphical glitches everywhere...giving you a headache sooner or later.”
    • “This game really needed to do more with its visuals, especially in sections like the golf game which currently only consist of claustrophobic turns, blank walls, and complete silence.”
    • “But I also wouldn't say any of its aesthetic or style is really its own or done particularly well enough to be of any note, so once I started to notice the environment looping and learned what to be on the lookout for, it became incredibly boring.”
  • music96 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to create a relaxing yet unsettling atmosphere, effectively enhancing the exploration experience. Many players appreciate the ambient and diegetic sound design, which includes nostalgic vaporwave elements and subtle environmental sounds that contribute to the game's eerie vibe. However, some reviewers noted that the music is often limited to specific areas, leading to moments of silence that detract from the overall immersion.

    • “The soundtrack is so cozy it adds to the feeling of being relaxed in the game.”
    • “The music and vibe are relaxing while the environments are unsettling.”
    • “The soundtrack overall is fantastic; I love that it’s all diegetic, especially when the music gets drowned out because you’re too close to a light source and the hum overshadows the song.”
    • “Too much relaxing chill music and none of the creepy tension that usually accompanies these types of games, plus some of it is a pure headache to get through purely because it takes so bloody long going through the same stuff trying to find out where to go.”
    • “There is a surprising lack of music when there should be music and when the music does play it's way too loud for the environments it's trying to recreate.”
    • “Music only plays through speakers in certain spots most of the time, meaning many levels are spent in silence beyond the noises the main character makes.”
  • gameplay73 mentions

    The gameplay is largely criticized for being minimal and repetitive, primarily revolving around a ticket-collecting mechanic that detracts from immersion and exploration. While the environments are visually appealing and the gameplay is smooth, many players feel that the lack of engaging mechanics and puzzles results in a dull experience, often likening it to a walking simulator with limited interaction. Overall, the game struggles to balance atmosphere with meaningful gameplay, leaving players wanting more depth and variety.

    • “The gameplay is smooth and the graphics are stunning even on a non-gaming PC.”
    • “Despite some glaring issues, the game effectively delivers feelings of anemoia and nostalgia in its clever use of audio, design, and gameplay.”
    • “I'd have preferred maybe some more puzzles and actually engaging gameplay opportunities, but there's still enjoyment in taking in the atmosphere of each space-out-of-time.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty minimal, with some puzzles so basic that they might as well be absent; otherwise, finding tickets for the elevators will be about the extent of your involvement.”
    • “The biggest mood kill of this game for me is that the ticket collecting mechanic really takes away from the immersion, as it feels like I'm just looking for and collecting them.”
    • “The gameplay, if you want to call it that, is much too shallow and sparse to make this progression appealing.”
  • story68 mentions

    The story in the game is largely underdeveloped, with many players noting its minimal presence until the end of the first chapter, leading to mixed feelings about its execution. While some appreciate the intriguing premise and potential for future chapters, others express disappointment over the lack of world-building and narrative depth. Overall, players are hopeful that subsequent chapters will expand on the story and provide a more cohesive experience.

    • “The visuals are amazing, the playthrough was fun, and the storyline was fascinating.”
    • “I'm actually really looking forward to where the story takes us in chapter 2.”
    • “This is a game changer for the liminal horror genre; instead of the typical backrooms walking sim, this has story and a gamified collecting aspect, which adds some originality to it.”
    • “The story is basically non-existent until the very end of the chapter, with only vague hints that your character is an electrician of some sort.”
    • “There is also no real ending, just a plot twist out of nowhere and one big 'wait for chapter 2!'”
    • “The atmosphere and story are promising, but at the moment it's way too poorly executed for me to recommend spending $8 or even the two hours it takes to play.”
  • stability15 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by numerous bugs and glitches, including visual issues, lag, and performance problems, particularly with lighting and environmental interactions. While some players reported minor glitches and a few instances of falling through the map, others found the game generally stable during their playthroughs. Overall, the experience is described as inconsistent, with both frustrating and immersive moments.

    • “There are a lot of easy bugs and glitches in this game, also lag and performance issues when rendering a new scene.”
    • “The audio and graphics are also messed up with the buzzing of the fluorescent lamps way too loud and strange light flickering and graphical glitches everywhere...giving you a headache sooner or later.”
    • “I also encountered two glitches where I fell through the map and had to restart.”
  • grinding15 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the ticket system that requires extensive item collection to progress, especially in areas like the mall. While some sections are enjoyable and atmospheric, the need to gather tickets and items can detract from the overall experience, making parts of the game feel like a scavenger hunt rather than an engaging exploration. Despite these frustrations, some players note that perseverance through the grind leads to rewarding and memorable environments later in the game.

    • “I never had any trouble finding enough resources, and had a surplus of about 200 at the end of the game with no grinding whatsoever.”
    • “Add in the fact that you need tickets to access most of the elevators, and what should have been a nice, experiential game can quickly feel like a tedious scavenger hunt.”
    • “The game has potential, but a less tedious gameplay loop would have been better.”
    • “There is a ticket system added to the game that makes the first few levels (before getting a stockpile of them) feel grindy and adds a lot of friction.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues such as lag and frame drops, particularly during scene transitions. Many players noted that the procedural level generation contributes to stuttering and hitching, and some experienced severe performance problems, including system restarts. While some found the game enjoyable despite these issues, the optimization remains a major concern that could deter new players.

    • “It needs some optimization, but is otherwise enjoyable at this point.”
    • “I did also have some optimization gripes as there were a few frame drops I assume to load in the next part of the maze.”
    • “There are performance issues, but nothing I couldn't get around.”
    • “There are a lot of easy bugs and glitches in this game, also lag and performance issues when rendering a new scene.”
    • “Another interesting tidbit is the performance is pretty awful, so much so my PC suddenly restarted when I began a new game, scaring me into thinking I had a whole system crash.”
    • “Specifically, the performance in the opening area needs to be fixed, it's a huge outlier compared to the rest of the game and could scare away new players.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players have noted that the game evokes strong emotions, particularly nostalgia, with specific environments like the pool level triggering memories of childhood. The atmosphere is described as both nostalgic and unsettling, contributing to a profound emotional experience that has even led some to tears. However, the game's shorter segments may leave players wanting more of this emotional depth.

    • “The first game that made me cry, thinking of my childhood in the pool level.”
    • “The atmosphere was excellent; it made me feel quite nostalgic for places from my childhood (especially the pool, movie theater, and mall areas) while at the same time feeling uneasy.”
    • “No game has made me cry, but this one did a good job.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling misled by its advertising, which suggests a more engaging experience than what is delivered. Many found the gameplay lacking in meaningful interactions and puzzles, leading to disappointment in the overall value for money.

    • “Backrooms cash grab.”
    • “You only occasionally actually get to interact with the environments in a meaningful way, despite the game's advertising.”
    • “I feel like there aren't enough puzzles either, only some A to B stuff that you see in mobile ads and like one or two physics/platforming things.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    While the game offers a fun and nostalgic experience, many users note that its replayability is limited, primarily due to its short length and the fact that it currently only includes the first chapter. However, the potential for future chapters and speedrunning challenges may enhance its replay value for some players.

    • “I suppose it adds a little bit of 'gotta catch 'em all' replay value, though... no doubt the 100% speedrun category will develop as a result.”
    • “The only thing I didn't like was that there isn't much replayability.”
    • “I suppose it adds a little bit of 'gotta catch 'em all' replay value, though.”
    • “- Is it replayable?”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in "anemoiapolis" is rooted in its nostalgic and surreal settings, such as abandoned shopping malls and indoor water parks, which evoke a sense of melancholic tranquility. This blend of familiar yet eerie environments elicits a unique, humorous response that resonates with players' memories of childhood experiences.

    • “Chock full of classic liminal spaces, from dead shopping malls to deserted convention centers, to a highly chlorinated indoor water park (complete with dozens of waterslides, plastic palm trees, and even those giant mushroom umbrella fountain things from that water park your parents took you to every summer), Anemoiapolis is guaranteed to fill you with those funny feelings of melancholic tranquility and artificial nostalgia.”
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