Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld

8IGN Logo Buono Carly and the Reaperman: Escape From the Underworld dimostra senza ombra di dubbio che la VR cooperativa può dare vita a esperienze avvincenti e intriganti. di Francesco "Checco" Destri

85%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

stability, optimization

89% User Score Based on 162 reviews

Critic Score 75%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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About

Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld is a single player and multiplayer casual action adventure game. It was developed by Odd Raven Studios and was released on June 19, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld is a cooperative puzzle game where one player controls Carly in real-time, while the other plays as a ghostly character in a VR environment. Players work together to solve puzzles and navigate through the underworld, using each character's unique abilities. The game features a single-player mode with an AI-controlled partner, but is best experienced in multiplayer.

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Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld screenshot

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 162 reviews

gameplay15 positive mentions

stability6 negative mentions

Carly and the Reaperman offers a unique and engaging asymmetrical co-op experience, requiring effective communication and teamwork between players.
The game features charming visuals and a whimsical atmosphere, with well-designed levels that introduce new mechanics and challenges as players progress.
It provides a satisfying blend of puzzle-solving and platforming, making it accessible for both casual gamers and those looking for a more challenging experience.

The controls can be clunky and frustrating, particularly for the non-VR player, with issues like awkward camera angles and imprecise jumping mechanics.
Some players have reported technical issues, including bugs that can disrupt gameplay and loss of progress due to glitches.
The game may not be suitable for everyone, as its difficulty spikes and reliance on communication can be overwhelming for less experienced players.

gameplay
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
59%
7%
The gameplay in "Carly and the Reaperman" is characterized by its innovative asymmetrical cooperative mechanics, which require players to communicate and coordinate effectively. The game features intuitive controls, engaging puzzles, and a gradual introduction of new mechanics that keep the experience fresh and rewarding for both VR and PC players. Overall, it offers a charming and satisfying gameplay experience that highlights the strengths of cooperative play.
- “Carly and the Reaperman is a cooperative puzzle-platformer developed and published by Odd Raven Studios that stands out for its imaginative concept and inventive use of asymmetrical gameplay.”
- “The cooperative mode shines brightest when played locally, as verbal communication becomes an essential part of the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is intuitive and largely consists of stacking blocks (for VR) and basic platforming (for PC).”
- “I think the only gripe I have is the jump mechanics.”
- “I read some reviews saying the gameplay was clunky and lazy, but I found it to be quite smooth and satisfying.”
- “Everything looks very good, the story is cute (albeit a bit hollow), and the overall mechanics are solid (even if I personally believe they can be improved just a bit).”
story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
54%
13%
The story in "Carly and the Reaperman" is generally viewed as a backdrop rather than a central focus, with some players finding it simple and lacking depth. While it features interesting character connections and engaging vignettes, many reviewers noted that the narrative's impact on gameplay is minimal, leading to mixed feelings about its overall significance. Despite these critiques, the game's originality and heart, along with its enjoyable mechanics, help maintain player investment.
- “The connection between the two characters mirrors the connection between players, turning every success and failure into a shared story.”
- “Awesome game, interesting storytelling, and great level design.”
- “It mixes platformer and puzzles with the spooky story and environment seamlessly.”
- “I do have a couple of issues, though, mostly around the story: I don't understand it.”
- “Although each of the 'levels' is basically a little vignette of a soul that you're trying to release, the story has no impact on the game, and I still have no idea why I exist or where I am.”
- “Our progress was all saved; every level we entered correctly showed all the collectible fireflies were still caught, but we had to play through every (now empty) level again in order to advance the story.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming art style and solid visuals, which enhance the overall aesthetic experience. Players appreciate the cute character designs, beautiful artwork, and effective level design, contributing to a visually engaging environment. While the graphics are described as simplistic, they are deemed sufficient for conveying the game's themes and mechanics, making for a delightful visual experience.
- “The visuals are nice and the characters are cute.”
- “With its beautiful art style, increasingly elaborate level design, and a seemingly simple, yet very poignant narrative, Carly delivers one of the most creative VR experiences that I have ever played.”
- “I love the visual aesthetics of this game; the gameplay is equally as fun with both Carly and the Reaperman.”
- “Graphics are simplistic, but more than sufficient to convey the game.”
- “The art style is cartoony but in a charming way.”
- “However, the visuals are solid and consistent.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by chaotic moments that arise from player coordination failures, leading to laughter and strengthened bonds. While some players feel the game could benefit from more ways to annoy each other, the comedic charm lies in the protagonists' innocent blunders and the amusing confusion that ensues during cooperative puzzles. Overall, the experience is more humorous than frustrating, often resulting in uncontrollable laughter during gameplay.
- “When the coordination clicks, it feels magical; when it falters, it produces hilarious moments of chaos that strengthen the bond between players.”
- “There's a particularly funny mechanic that can lead to arguments and moments of confusion until you grasp what's happening.”
- “A big part of the game's charm is in its ability to portray its protagonists as bumblingly innocent, making the inevitable fumbles as you help each other progress seem totally understandable and hilarious in context.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frequent freezes and glitches that hinder gameplay and cause lost progress. While there are reports of minor bugs, many users find that the overall experience remains enjoyable despite these issues.
- “Couldn't get the game to start; it just freezes every time. Other games work fine.”
- “Buggy and hard to play; my screen froze on the title screen and I couldn't do anything.”
- “Several glitches in the game resulted in lost progress, forcing us to repeat some of the most difficult levels.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game's soundtrack effectively enhances its emotional tone with gentle melodies and ambient soundscapes that evoke a range of feelings, from mystery to hope. While some players find the music enjoyable and catchy, others feel it lacks standalone appeal, describing it as merely okay. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, especially in a cooperative setting.
- “The game’s soundtrack complements the tone perfectly, with gentle melodies and ambient soundscapes that alternate between mysterious, melancholic, and hopeful, giving the underworld an emotional warmth rarely found in platformers.”
- “I played the game local co-op with a friend, and quickly fell in love with the art style and soundtrack.”
- “The music is kind of catchy.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
The game is well-optimized, delivering smooth performance even on lower-spec machines, likely due to its relatively small level sizes and simple design. While its VR origins are occasionally noticeable, overall gameplay and experience are executed flawlessly, making it a worthwhile investment.
- “Everything just works and is executed so flawlessly in terms of gameplay, performance, and experience that it is more than worth the asking price.”
- “The simple nature of everything probably leads to leaving enough CPU/GPU horsepower to run a VR headset and a pancake game at the same time, because I never saw performance issues.”
- “Technically, the game is well-optimized and performs smoothly, though its origins as a VR title are occasionally evident in the camera perspectives and environmental interactions.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a stylized, inviting world that balances eerie and comforting elements, enhanced by well-designed levels and thoughtful puzzles. While some players find the camera frustrating, the overall ambiance remains charming and engaging, allowing for creative expression through character customization.
- “Visually, the game adopts a stylized, atmospheric approach rather than striving for realism.”
- “Its world is inviting, its puzzles are thoughtful, and its atmosphere is equal parts eerie and comforting.”
- “The spooky atmosphere is charming, and we can dress up our bonehead.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted through simple yet expressive designs, with Carly's youthful energy contrasting effectively with the Reaperman's looming yet gentle presence, creating a memorable dynamic between the characters.
- “The character designs are simple but expressive: Carly’s youthful energy and the Reaperman’s looming yet gentle presence create a memorable visual contrast.”
- “The depth of each character's backstory adds layers to their personalities, making every interaction feel meaningful.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game; their growth feels organic and relatable.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively evokes a range of emotions through its beautifully crafted soundtrack, which enhances the atmosphere with a mix of mystery, melancholy, and hope. While the single-player mode introduces challenges by switching between characters, it can detract from the emotional spontaneity found in cooperative play. Overall, the game offers a deeply rewarding emotional experience that resonates with players long after completion.
- “The game’s soundtrack complements the tone perfectly, with gentle melodies and ambient soundscapes that alternate between mysterious, melancholic, and hopeful, giving the underworld an emotional warmth rarely found in platformers.”
- “For those seeking a game that balances challenge, creativity, and emotional warmth, this journey through the underworld is a deeply rewarding adventure that lingers long after the credits roll.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Players generally find the game to have good replayability, particularly due to the option to experience it from different character perspectives, such as Carly and the Reaperman. Additionally, the inclusion of Steam achievements is suggested as a potential enhancement to encourage further playthroughs.
- “I personally think the game has a great replay value - once as Carly and once as the Reaperman.”
- “Also, Steam achievements would be nice for some more replayability.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, which really hurts its replayability.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
- “The absence of varied endings makes replaying the game feel pointless.”

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75%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

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12h Median play time

10h Average play time

4-15h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld is a casual action adventure game.

Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld is available on PC, Virtual Reality, Windows, PlayStation VR and others.

On average players spend around 10 hours playing Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld.

Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld was released on June 19, 2018.

Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld was developed by Odd Raven Studios.

Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include VR Giants, Eye in the Sky, Moss, ibb & obb, Degrees of Separation and others.

Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld

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