Annie Amber

About

Annie Amber is a single player casual puzzle game. It was developed by @CarlosGameDev and was released on June 17, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Annie Amber" is a VR puzzle game that takes players on a poetic journey through the fragmented memories of the titular character. Using motion controls, players solve puzzles and experience Annie's life in a surreal and dreamlike setting. The game features minimalistic visuals and powerful piano tracks, conveying a subtle beauty and intensity.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 48 reviews

music13 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game offers a visually stunning and immersive experience, with beautiful environments and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
It provides a unique and meditative journey through the memories of the character, allowing players to reflect on life and emotions.
The floating locomotion system, while unconventional, adds to the surreal experience and helps convey a sense of depth in the VR environment.

The gameplay is minimal, often described as a walking simulator with very light puzzles, which may not satisfy players looking for more engaging mechanics.
Many players experienced motion sickness due to the movement system, which could deter those sensitive to artificial locomotion in VR.
The narrative and puzzles are considered weak or uninteresting, leading to a lack of emotional connection and engagement with the story.

music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
11%
17%
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and beautiful qualities, enhancing the immersive experience of the stunning visuals and environments. Many players found the soundtrack to be a perfect fit for the scenes, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere, although some suggested that the game's short length may not justify a full-price purchase. Overall, the combination of music and visuals creates a captivating experience, reminiscent of childhood memories and artistic expression.
- “The music is relaxing and pleasant.”
- “The soundtrack fits perfectly in the scenes.”
- “My favorite moment of the game was the very end just floating through on a gentle abstract rollercoaster listening to the nice piano music.”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “I think that this game would be much better repurposed as a short and free VR music video or something.”
- “The soundtrack and the environments are what make Annie Amber a truly awesome experience.”
story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
64%
18%
The story aspect of the game has received mixed to negative feedback, with many players finding it disjointed, uninteresting, and lacking emotional depth. While some appreciate the surreal journey and visuals, others criticize the storytelling method as ineffective and failing to create a meaningful connection with the characters. Overall, the narrative is seen as abstract and not engaging, leaving players wanting a more compelling plot.
- “A surreal existential journey through a topsy-turvy world full of wonder. The game tells the story of Annie in a Dark Souls fashion, with little things scattered around the levels.”
- “But at the end of the game and the story conclusion, I felt it was a worthwhile trip in VR, and the price point is fair for the length of game time.”
- “The point of the visuals, of course, is to tell the story of a woman's life.”
- “If you're looking for some story (or really any point to this at all), it's not there (or at least I couldn't find it).”
- “The story (if you can call it one) fails to invoke any emotional connection in me.”
- “I don't think the way it's told is particularly engaging either, just seems like a very limp attempt at environmental storytelling (failed to give me any connection to a character) that's just an excuse for some interesting visuals.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with some players praising the stunning visuals and meditative experience, while others criticize the focus on navigation circles that detracts from the overall scenery. Although the visuals are appreciated for their artistic quality, some reviewers feel that the environmental storytelling falls short, failing to create a meaningful connection to the narrative. Overall, while the graphics are a highlight for many, concerns about gameplay mechanics and value for money are prevalent.
- “The visuals are stunning, the experience is meditative, thought-provoking if you allow it to be and captivating.”
- “Really loved the visuals of some planets and the final part.”
- “The visuals are okay, but since you have to look at the circles to navigate, all you end up doing is focusing on the circles, not the scenery.”
- “I bought it even though it had mixed reviews because the graphical quality seemed to be what I was after at the time.”
- “Normally, I love abstract or strange visuals and stories; it's usually one of the main points I look for in VR (besides horror).”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The gameplay is generally criticized for its lack of depth and challenge, featuring simple puzzles that often rely on trial and error rather than skill. While some players appreciate the game's focus on mood and experience over mechanics, it is not recommended for those seeking engaging gameplay or complex puzzles.
- “If you are a person into mood and experience as much as game mechanics, then you could love this game as much as I do.”
- “In terms of gameplay, it is not a walking simulator; there are some puzzles, but they are easy and not too challenging, and I think that is exactly what the developer wanted to do.”
- “No point to it, no proper gameplay, and not really poetic or anything as advertised.”
- “If you're looking for involved gameplay, don't expect it here.”
- “Also, there isn't a lot of gameplay; the puzzles are pretty simple and mostly brute force, moving back and forth trying combination after combination.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the effective use of float locomotion that enhances the immersive experience. The universe setting and interesting locations contribute to a captivating ambiance, complemented by great music that further enriches the overall atmosphere.
- “The float locomotion perfectly fits the atmosphere of the experience.”
- “Atmospheric floating simulator in a universe environment.”
- “The locations are interesting and atmospheric.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate a divide in emotional engagement, with some players feeling no connection to the story, while others appreciate the game's laidback exploration and subtle emotional narrative, suggesting it may resonate more with those seeking a unique experience.
- “This isn’t a traditional game by any stretch, and that in itself will turn some people off, but if you’re looking for a pleasantly laid-back experience that revolves around exploration and a subtle, emotional narrative, Annie Amber is ideal.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, with puzzles that can feel repetitive, despite the beautiful scenery. Overall, the experience may lack engagement due to the monotonous nature of the tasks.
- “The puzzles are tedious; while the scenery is beautiful, it still leaves something to be desired.”
- “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore rather than an engaging part of the game.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay invested in the game.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's monetization is viewed positively, as players feel it reflects genuine effort and care rather than being a cash grab; they recommend purchasing it during sales for better value.
- “The monetization model feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- “I appreciate the game's quality, but the constant push for in-game purchases really detracts from the overall experience.”
- “While the game is fun, the monetization tactics are frustrating and make it feel like a chore to progress without spending.”