Em-A-Zurvival

About

Demo Available! Story When Andrew wakes up from his apartment, he is greeted by an unfriendly shriek. Oblivious to the rising epidemic, he innocently wonders around the apartment and comes across Frank…who is eating his wife. Andrew, horrified of the man-eating Frank, is stunned as Frank lunges at him with great force. Andrew takes out his knife and ends Franks life. His own guilt of killing his …

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 16 reviews

story4 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The game offers a short, enjoyable puzzle experience with a unique twist on the zombie apocalypse theme.
Voice acting and dialogue are entertaining, adding personality and humor to the game.
The introduction of crafting and easter eggs enhances gameplay, providing depth and replayability.

The game lacks a rich survival horror experience and a deeper plot, which may disappoint some players.
Some mechanics, like the flashlight and puzzle-solving, can be frustrating and lead to unfair game overs.
The protagonist's repetitive dialogue and character portrayal may detract from the overall enjoyment.

gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The gameplay is characterized by rich and varied mechanics that offer unexpected interactions, maintaining a balance between complexity and accessibility. Players appreciate the classic point-and-click adventure style, enhanced exploration, and problem-solving elements, alongside new features like crafting and survival mechanics that add depth. While some mechanics, such as the flashlight, can be cumbersome, they do not detract significantly from the overall experience, making it a compelling sequel that improves upon its predecessor.
- “The mechanics are rich and varied, with many unexpected interactions and complexities that develop without ever becoming overwhelming, which is a challenging balance to achieve, but it is done successfully here.”
- “Classic point-and-click adventure style gameplay, with an emphasis on exploration and problem-solving.”
- “Fantastic sequel to Em-a-li, loved the little secrets dotted throughout. The pacing of the story and gameplay is a huge step up from the first title. The atmosphere is very well done and immerses you in the world. The survival elements are a nice addition, and having to choose when to use the flashlight and when to conserve battery life helps build tension. I would highly recommend it for how affordable it is!”
- “It is not a super-great game and I honestly could have done without some of the mechanics. The flashlight is really fiddly regarding when it's needed and when it even works, and it needs to have its batteries replaced every now and then. However, there seem to be enough pickups for that not to be a huge problem.”
- “This is a relatively 'early' review in terms of time spent with the game (I had forgotten one particular mechanic after hitting the 20-minute mark on my first playthrough, so I'm less than 40 minutes in at the time of writing this). The game has more to it than what it first appears, so please don't immediately drop it.”
- “General gameplay.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
22%
33%
The story has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating its creativity and depth, particularly in its sequel, while others found it frustratingly short and occasionally confusing. The atmosphere and character development are praised, though some noted issues with dialogue repetition and puzzle-solving challenges. Overall, it is considered a compelling narrative experience, especially for fans of the genre.
- “A bit short, and some of the puzzle solving can be a little annoying (especially if the enemy one-shots you as you try to get around them), but it's an interesting story that gets meta if you find all the secrets.”
- “Fantastic sequel to em-a-li, loved the little secrets dotted throughout, pacing of the story and gameplay are a huge step up from the first title, the atmosphere is very well done and sucks you into the world.”
- “Very creative, good story, and keeps you interested.”
- “I think this will lead to frustration for some who wanted a more straightforward zombie story.”
- “I really feel like some guidance would have been helpful, especially as it was easy to get confused after a game over about what the current quest is.”
- “Small game but has a better story than its former part, em-a-li.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is described as delightfully unexpected, blending dark comedy with a wild adventure, particularly in its unique take on the zombie outbreak narrative. Players recommend it for those seeking a humorous twist in their gaming experience.
- “I'm not 100% sure if it was meant to be as funny and wild of an adventure as it was, but I found it a delightful game nonetheless.”
- “I strongly recommend you try this game if you're looking for a darkly humorous take on the zombie outbreak narrative.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is praised for its quality, maintaining a great standard, though it is noted to be similar to that of the previous title, em-a-li.
- “The music is still great, reminiscent of em-a-li.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by well-paced storytelling and gameplay improvements from its predecessor. The inclusion of survival elements, such as managing flashlight battery life, effectively builds tension, while the voice acting, despite some roughness, adds depth to the characters. Overall, the atmosphere significantly contributes to the game's appeal and engagement.
- “The atmosphere is very well done and sucks you into the world.”
- “The voice acting, while a little rough, helps flesh out the characters.”
- “Having to choose when to use the flashlight and when to conserve battery life helps build tension.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers note that the emotional depth of the game has diminished, with key themes and character appearances feeling more like easter eggs rather than integral parts of the narrative, leading to a less impactful emotional experience.
graphics
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics have significantly improved, featuring a clearer and more traditional 2D RPG aesthetic, moving away from the previous game's odd visual elements. Additionally, the enhanced visuals complement a richer gameplay experience with more activities to engage in.
- “The graphics are much more visible, and the playstyle abandons the odd patches of visible hallway in favor of a more typical 2D RPG look. There is much more to do in this game than in the original.”