Carly and the Reaperman: Escape from the Underworld
- June 19, 2018
- Odd Raven Studios
- 12h median play time
VR doesn't have to be played alone... grab a friend and dance with death in a puzzler for two.
Get on SteamCarly 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.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus Quest
Oculus VR
PlayStation
PlayStation VR
Windows Mixed Reality
Reviews
- Carly and the Reaperman offers a unique and engaging asymmetric co-op experience, allowing one player to use VR while the other plays on a standard screen, fostering communication and teamwork.
- The game features creative puzzles and a charming art style, making it enjoyable for both casual and experienced gamers, with a good balance of challenge and accessibility.
- Players have reported a high level of polish and fun gameplay, with many moments of laughter and memorable experiences shared between friends or family.
- Some players have experienced frustrating control issues, particularly with keyboard and mouse support, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.
- There are reports of bugs and glitches that can lead to lost progress or unplayable situations, such as characters getting stuck or levels resetting unexpectedly.
- The difficulty spikes in later levels can be punishing, making it less enjoyable for casual gamers or those new to platforming games.
- gameplay30 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its smoothness, creativity, and engaging co-op mechanics, particularly in its asymmetrical design that allows for unique interactions between VR and flat-screen players. Many reviewers highlight the clever puzzles and evolving mechanics that keep the experience fresh and rewarding, despite some minor criticisms regarding specific controls. Overall, the game is considered a strong proof of concept with significant potential for fun and engaging gameplay.
“I highly recommend this game to anyone with a VR headset and another person to play with who want a good platformer with very creative gameplay.”
“The controls are excellent and the mechanics evolve throughout the game, keeping things fresh.”
“The levels are satisfying, gameplay is engaging for both asymmetrical players, and the mechanics make clever use of that VR/console divide.”
“I think the only gripe I have is the jump mechanics.”
“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.)”
“Timed levels may take a few or several retries but at least the game mechanics don't repeat too much and new stuff is introduced throughout the game so going forward doesn't get boring.”
- story18 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally perceived as simplistic and lacking depth, with many players finding it difficult to understand or connect with the narrative. While some appreciate the cute and interesting storytelling, they feel it has little impact on gameplay, leading to a sense of detachment. Overall, the game is enjoyable despite its narrative shortcomings, with players expressing a desire for more lore and character development.
“Its was a ton of fun, and the story was interesting.”
“Awesome game, interesting storytelling, and great level design.”
“Nice artwork and story, and brilliant puzzles.”
“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.”
“And even if you find it, it looks the same as the doors for levels you've already completed, so as you reach what I presume is the 'end' of the game, it becomes increasingly difficult to find the next story.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and solid art style, featuring cute characters and a lovely visual aesthetic. Players appreciate the consistency and creativity in the visuals, which complement the engaging gameplay and narrative. Overall, the simplistic yet effective graphics enhance the overall experience, making it visually appealing and enjoyable.
“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.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
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.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its charming portrayal of the protagonists as bumbling and innocent, leading to amusing moments of confusion and frustration during cooperative gameplay. While spamming emotes adds a layer of fun, players feel the game could benefit from more ways to annoy each other. Overall, the comedic elements shine through in the chaotic interactions and shared struggles, often resulting in uncontrollable laughter.
“There's a particularly funny mechanic that can lead to arguments and moments of confusion until you grasp what's happening.”
“At times we were laughing so hard at our inability to assist each other through a puzzle that it was literally too painful to focus on what we were doing.”
“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.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally enjoyable and catchy, enhancing the overall experience, especially in local co-op play. While some players appreciate the soundtrack, they feel it may not stand out enough to listen to outside of the game. Overall, the music is considered decent but not exceptional.
“The music is kind of catchy.”
“I played the game local co-op with a friend, and quickly fell in love with the art style and soundtrack.”
“The music is enjoyable.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
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 seen as a potential enhancement to replay value.
“I personally think the game has great replay value - once as Carly and once as the Reaperman.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes makes me want to play through the game multiple times.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the different paths and strategies you can explore.”
“The lack of diverse endings really limits the replayability of the game.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play through it again.”
“The game feels repetitive on subsequent playthroughs, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is highly praised, with users noting that its simple design allows for smooth performance without any noticeable issues, even when running alongside a VR headset. Overall, the gameplay experience is seamless and efficient, justifying its price.
“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.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, featuring well-designed levels that contribute to an immersive experience, despite some frustration with the camera controls.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world with its stunning visuals and sound design.”
“Every level is meticulously crafted, creating a rich and engaging atmosphere that keeps you captivated.”
“The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, perfectly complementing the narrative and enhancing the overall experience.”
