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Em-A-Li

73%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
music, gameplay
83% User Score Based on 40 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
Buy Nowfrom $1.99
Buy NowGet on Steam$1.99

About

"Em-A-Li" is a single-player Horror Interactive Fiction game, where you play as Li, trying to escape a series of rooms while uncovering a darker story than just an AI gone rogue. Featuring full voice acting, inspired by Portal 2, with Amelea Michaela Morrow as Em-A-Li, an advance artificial health care provider. The game tells a visual short story with its top-down perspective, offering a unique and immersive horror experience.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Em-A-Li screenshot
Em-A-Li screenshot
Em-A-Li screenshot

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 40 reviews
story12 positive mentions
atmosphere2 negative mentions
  • The game features high-quality voice acting that enhances the overall experience.
  • The story, while somewhat predictable, is engaging and well-executed, making it enjoyable to play through.
  • The pixel art style and atmospheric sound design contribute to a creepy and immersive environment.
  • The game is very short, typically taking around 30 to 40 minutes to complete, which may leave players wanting more.
  • It lacks meaningful player choices and interaction, feeling more like a walking simulator than a traditional game.
  • The linear nature of the gameplay and limited mechanics may not appeal to those looking for a more complex or lengthy experience.
  • story
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story, while short and somewhat predictable, is engaging and well-executed, featuring compelling voice acting and a captivating narrative that unfolds as players explore different rooms. Although some reviewers noted a lack of interactivity and depth, many appreciated the eerie atmosphere and the emotional themes presented, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of pixel-style horror. Overall, the story is described as interesting and satisfying, despite its brevity and linearity.

    • “Each new room that opens up reveals a new piece of the story (which I will not be spoiling here), as well as new lines of fully voice acted dialogue.”
    • “I was captivated by the characters and the unraveling narrative; I wish I could forget the entire story just so I could have the satisfaction to play it again.”
    • “Interesting story and superb voice acting.”
    • “The story is not that good and the voice narration lags behind the words narration, so I end up reading faster and skip which ruins the fun.”
    • “The 'game' is a short walking simulator that's more focused on story, while the story is alright it only takes 30 minutes to finish.”
    • “I don't mean to offend the developer, but a ~40 minute linear experience, regardless of how well done the story is, should be a bit cheaper than that.”
  • music
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is praised for its simplicity and effectiveness, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional engagement. Reviewers highlight the strong synergy between the soundtrack and voice acting, which contributes to the game's immersive experience. While some minor improvements are suggested, the music is generally well-received for its ability to set the mood and complement the gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack and the voice acting complemented each other very well.”
    • “A fun mini horror game with lore, funny voice acting, and nice soundtracks that set the mood.”
    • “The music is pretty simple but effective; it really sets the tone and atmosphere.”
    • “When the music does change, it has a significant impact.”
    • “I appreciate the voice acting and the music because it made the game feel more alive.”
  • gameplay
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is criticized for being overly simplistic and lacking depth, primarily consisting of wandering and interacting with objects rather than engaging in more dynamic mechanics. Many players feel that the experience is more about narrative exploration than actual gameplay, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction with the limited interactive elements.

    • “The mechanics are probably the main highlight of the gameplay.”
    • “Em-a-li is a little indie game (about 40 minutes of gameplay) where you wander around trying to understand why you're here and what's happening.”
    • “I would have loved to see more actual gameplay rather than just moving from point A to point B for more dialogue.”
    • “The gameplay is very barebones; in fact, I wouldn't really call it gameplay.”
    • “The game is a bit barebones, but it's understandable. The main issue I have is the lack of gameplay; you just walk around and interact with things, waiting for the story to unfold.”
    • “Probably the main issue is the mechanics.”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is described as atmospheric and unsettling, characterized by an oppressive and ominous setting enhanced by effective use of negative space in the maps. The simple yet impactful music contributes significantly to the tension, creating an unnerving experience that heightens the sense of discovery and immersion.

    • “The music is pretty simple but effective; it really sets the tone and atmosphere.”
    • “The use of negative space in each of the maps lends itself to the oppressive and ominous atmosphere of the setting, and helps to focus the player on discovery.”
    • “The atmosphere is very unsettling and unnerving, adding hugely to the tension of the game.”
  • graphics
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features a charming pixel-graphic aesthetic that enhances its visual appeal, though some players feel it lacks sufficient visuals to compensate for the limited choices in its kinetic storytelling. Overall, the art style is well-received, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.

    • “The game has a charming pixel-graphic aesthetic.”
    • “I enjoyed the art style and Em-a-li's voice actress.”
    • “Usually, this type of almost kinetic stories makes up for the lack of multiple choices with a bunch of visuals, which is not the case here.”
    • “Usually this type of almost kinetic stories makes up for the lack of multiple choices with a bunch of visuals, which is not the case here.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers limited replayability, making it suitable for short play sessions but not for extended engagement. While some players find the price reasonable for a brief experience, others feel it lacks sufficient content to justify repeated play.

    • “It's a nice little game to kill a half hour or so, but there's a whole lot of replayability here.”
    • “It's a nice little game to kill a half hour or so, but there's not a whole lot of replayability here.”
    • “The regular asking price is rather steep, but $3, while still a bit much for a short game without too much production value or replayability, is reasonable enough.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews highlight a mix of emotional engagement, noting that while some plot twists are predictable and lack impact, the overall story has potential for deeper emotional exploration. The quality of the music and voice acting enhances the experience, suggesting that the emotional aspect could be more fully realized in future installments.

    • “The music is nice, the voice acting is really good, and the story is engaging. I feel like we're touching on something that could be of significant emotional depth.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing voice acting and engaging soundtracks, which complement the fun, mini horror experience and its lore.

    • “A fun, simple mini horror game with lore, funny voice acting, and nice soundtracks that set the mood.”
    • “The humor in this game is spot on, making even the scariest moments feel light-hearted and enjoyable.”
    • “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions throughout the game.”

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