Emergence

About

Emergence is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Universal Everything and was released on August 7, 2020. It received positive reviews from players.

Emergence is an awe-inspiring VR open-world art experience, visualising patterns of human behaviour and exploring the individual and the collective. It immerses the player in a crowd of thousands, against a changing canvas that is at varying points wondrous and intimidating, realistic and fantastical. You control one solitary, glowing avatar amongst a mass of autonomous strangers, each of whose m…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 60 reviews

optimization3 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

Emergence offers a unique and immersive experience with a captivating non-linear narrative and stunning visuals that enhance the gameplay.
The game features intuitive mechanics that evolve throughout, allowing players to feel a genuine impact from their decisions in the game world.
It is a short but intriguing art experience that showcases impressive crowd animations and a surreal atmosphere, making it worth trying for its originality.

The game can be confusing and lacks clear instructions, leaving players unsure of their objectives and how to control their character effectively.
Some players find the experience too strange or shallow, feeling it lacks substantial gameplay or purpose beyond being an art project.
The controls can be limited, and the overall experience is quite brief, which may not satisfy those looking for a more traditional gaming experience.

music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The music in the game is described as intense and varied, with each section featuring different tracks that enhance the atmosphere. While some players found the trance elements and lighting changes enjoyable, others felt that the experience could become overwhelming or require an altered state to fully appreciate. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the immersive experience, though opinions on its effectiveness vary.
- “This was an interesting experience.. I like the music.”
- “I mixed in some trance music for a looser atmosphere.”
- “Weird music.”
- “Music was really intense though.”
- “The music changes for each section of the experience.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game is highly praised, particularly in VR, where it delivers flawless performance even with thousands of moving characters on screen simultaneously.
- “VR performance is flawless, even with what looks like thousands of moving characters on screen at the same time.”
- “The game's optimization allows for smooth gameplay, ensuring that even in the most intense moments, the frame rate remains stable.”
- “I was impressed by how well the game runs on lower-end hardware, making it accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing quality.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay has been criticized for lacking purpose and meaningful mechanics, with some players feeling that its artistic presentation obscures a fundamentally shallow experience.
- “I don't know if I'm just really uncultured or 'just don't get it, man,' but to me there's no purpose to this game or the game mechanics. That fact is cloaked within artsy nonsense that professes depth but is, in fact, as shallow as a thumbnail.”
- “The gameplay feels disjointed and lacks a clear direction, making it frustrating to engage with.”
- “I found the mechanics to be overly complicated without adding any real depth to the experience.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is enhanced by the incorporation of trance music, creating a more relaxed and immersive experience for players.
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with every detail.”
- “The haunting sound design and stunning visuals create a captivating atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
- “Each environment feels alive, contributing to an atmosphere that is both enchanting and eerie.”