BlueSuburbia

About

BlueSuburbia is a single player action game with horror and fantasy themes. It was developed by alienmelon and was released on December 29, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"BlueSuburbia" is a remastered interactive poetry and literature game, originally a Flash site from 1999-2005, that explores themes of struggle, survival, tenacity, and strength through animations and immersive environments. This new version, inspired by the creator's experiences with culture shock and social commentary, delivers a powerful message of hope and existentialism, while maintaining its roots in poetry and personal narrative. The game is a relatable and thought-provoking journey of resilience in the face of modern culture's pressures.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+20

Skip User Reviews

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 25 reviews

atmosphere3 positive mentions

music1 negative mentions

Blue Suburbia offers a hauntingly beautiful and emotionally resonant experience, blending poetry with exploration in a unique way.
The game's visuals are striking, utilizing a mix of high-resolution 3D graphics and retro aesthetics that create a surreal atmosphere.
For those who appreciate personal and introspective storytelling, Blue Suburbia provides a deep and authentic exploration of trauma and emotion.

The execution of the game's concept feels lacking, with many players finding the experience empty and the poetry lacking context.
Some players reported technical issues and a confusing navigation system that detracted from the overall experience.
The game has been criticized for its unfinished state and perceived low quality, leading to a dismal public reception and doubts about its future development.

story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The story aspect of the game is described as deeply personal and emotionally resonant, though its execution may leave some players feeling disconnected due to a lack of context and immersive storytelling. While the haunting dreamscapes and grim subject matter create an intriguing atmosphere, the narrative can feel sparse and reliant on unsettling visuals rather than impactful storytelling. Overall, the experience varies, with some chapters offering more engagement than others, making it a mixed bag for players seeking a compelling narrative.
- “I stumbled across them while I was experiencing extreme hardship in the pre-COVID days with 'everything is going to be okay,' and even though this story (and even some of the last one) may not align with my experiences, the feelings are the same to a vindicating level.”
- “This story is personal.”
- “The subject matter of the story is very grim and obviously not for everyone, but I really recommend giving it a try.”
- “Very interesting concept of exploring poetry through haunting dreamscapes, but the execution needs work. It feels like the visuals aim for beauty and unease at the same time, which is well done, but the experience itself feels empty and not immersive. The poems lack context; you just get thrown in the middle of the story, and the atmosphere leaves you waiting for something impactful that never comes.”
- “I hoped to find a creepy story or something explorational, but in the first minutes, I just encountered a world that seemed to make me feel uneasy by showing real-life clips.”
- “Like endless jumpscares to cover the missing story.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The game's graphics are praised for their stunning presentation and unique aesthetic, effectively blending haunting dreamscapes with a glitch-chic style. However, while the visuals are alluring and creatively executed, some elements feel borrowed and clash with the overall modern design, leading to a disjointed experience that lacks immersion and impactful storytelling.
- “The presentation and style is amazing; seeing their aesthetic both repeated and elevated in Unreal Engine is awesome.”
- “The visuals are alluring, nauseating, and very powerful.”
- “Great blend of alienmelon's web art style with maximalist 3D shaders and fantastical environments.”
- “The game graphics look better than you might expect, but that's just because it looks like some or all of them are 'borrowed' from asset stores or wherever.”
- “Graphically it's rather creative... until the 20+ year old text prompts start appearing, clashing with the modern aesthetic.”
- “Very interesting concept of exploring poetry through haunting dreamscapes, but the execution needs work. It feels like the visuals aim for beauty and unease at the same time, which is well done, but the experience itself feels empty and not immersive. The poems lack context; you just get thrown in the middle of the story, and the atmosphere leaves you waiting for something impactful that never comes.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a blend of haunting dreamscapes and a mix of beauty and unease, which some players appreciate. However, many feel that the execution falls short, resulting in an experience that lacks immersion and impactful storytelling. While some enjoy the atmospheric elements and narrative, others are deterred by the presence of jumpscares and horror elements.
- “The game had great atmosphere and overall loved the story.”
- “Very interesting concept of exploring poetry through haunting dreamscapes; the visuals aim for beauty and unease at the same time, which is well done.”
- “Was looking for an atmospheric walking sim, but I didn't get too far into this one due to jumpscares and horror elements.”
- “Very interesting concept of exploring poetry through haunting dreamscapes, but the execution needs work. The visuals aim for beauty and unease at the same time, which is well done, but the experience itself feels empty and not immersive. The poems lack context; you just get thrown in the middle of the story, and the atmosphere leaves you waiting for something impactful that never comes.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized as haunting and beautiful, delivering a visceral experience that resonates deeply with players, akin to interactive art.
- “Haunting, beautiful, and viscerally emotional interactive art.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is praised for its innovative blend of high-resolution 3D elements with low-fi narrative pop-ups and retro mini-games, creating a unique and engaging experience.
- “I especially like the way the game combines high-res 3D gameplay with lo-fi narrative pop-ups and tiny little low-res retro mini-games.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the original version is fondly remembered for its nostalgic impact, leading to disappointment among users that the reboot did not retain this beloved soundtrack.
- “I will forever feel nostalgic about the music choice made in the original version, and I have to admit I'm a little sad that it didn't carry over in the reboot.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews indicate that users are experiencing significant stability issues, with references to bugs and glitches affecting gameplay. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a major concern among players.