Antipsychotic
- August 18, 2023
- Matt McCorkle
Get on SteamAntipsychotic is a simulation game that offers a single-player experience, featuring good graphics and an ingenious soundtrack. The game provides an immersive, nonlinear journey into the mind of someone with bipolar disorder, combining poetic reflections, personal narratives, and audio-reactive visuals for a thought-provoking, intimate glimpse into mental health. This abstract art game can be completed in 10-15 minutes, making it a short yet poignant exploration.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Visually stunning with psychedelic graphics that create a unique and immersive experience.
- The soundtrack is beautiful and enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
- It explores complex psychological themes in an accessible and engaging way.
- The game is very short, leaving players wanting more and feeling unsatisfied.
- The spoken-word content feels overly simplistic and lacks depth, detracting from the intended emotional impact.
- Some players found the experience confusing and not worth the price, especially given its brevity.
- music11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality, featuring a blend of experimental synth and entrancing soundtracks that complement the psychedelic visuals. While the placement of music tracks enhances the experience, some players feel the spoken-word elements detract from the overall cohesion. Overall, the sound design is considered phenomenal, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere.
“Psychedelic visuals, beautiful soundtrack, deep meaning.”
“This game combines psychological concepts, detailed, psychedelic visuals, and ties it all together with intriguing music!”
“Mind-blown - killer graphics and a soundtrack that is nothing short of entrancing.”
“If you stand in specific spots, you will either hear a looping music track or hear a spoken-word bit.”
“Music tracks seem very deliberately placed to allow you to enjoy particular imagery while you listen, but the spoken-word parts are delivered through speaker-looking visualizers that stick out no matter where they're placed.”
“The visuals and music are too far in one direction, a sort of 'dark whimsy' where the imagery doesn't really seem to evoke anything related to bipolar disorder.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their psychedelic and trippy visuals, which effectively create a vibrant and immersive experience. While some players find the imagery captivating and beautifully detailed, others feel that it may not fully resonate with the themes it aims to represent. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and an engaging soundtrack contributes to a unique and memorable aesthetic.
“Does exactly what it says it does, a very trippy and psychedelic representation of a bipolar mind with a focus on dazzling visuals and some really cool tunes.”
“Psychedelic visuals, beautiful soundtrack, deep meaning.”
“This game combines psychological concepts, detailed, psychedelic visuals, and ties it all together with intriguing music!”
“The visuals and music are too far in one direction, a sort of 'dark whimsy' where the imagery doesn't really seem to evoke anything related to bipolar disorder.”
“Using cinematic mode made me feel nauseous due to the psychedelic visuals.”
“While the game combines psychological concepts and intriguing music, the graphics can be overwhelming.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the emotional aspect of the game is enhanced by psychedelic visuals and a unique presentation of the emotional color wheel, creating a beautiful yet sometimes overwhelming experience. The combination of these elements evokes a strong emotional response, despite some players feeling discomfort from the visuals.
“The psychedelic visuals, combined with the cinematic mode, created a beautiful experience that left me feeling a mix of emotions, even if it made me feel a bit nauseous at times.”
“Or literally just giving an explanation of the emotional color wheel while standing on a giant emotional color wheel.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay of 'notgames' and 'interactive albums' is often critiqued for lacking traditional gaming elements, leading some to question their validity as games. However, engaging with these experiences on their own terms can reveal their unique artistic value, despite potential shortcomings in conventional gameplay mechanics.
“I think it's more important to do art criticism for 'not games' and 'interactive albums' like this, instead of just dismissing it as not a real game because it lacks traditional gameplay elements. However, taking it seriously also means acknowledging its shortcomings.”
