EMPORIUM
- May 17, 2017
- Tom Kitchen
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreEMPORIUM is a single-player Horror Simulation game that offers a beautiful and wholesome story set in a visually striking world. With a minimal approach to gameplay, players will explore notions of escapism, loss, and self in the wake of a personal tragedy through sensational graphics, a good soundtrack, and sporadic dialogue choices. The game is a short but impactful experience, lasting roughly 30 to 45 minutes, and is best experienced using a controller or keyboard to interact with the game's environment.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Visually striking with a unique isometric perspective and beautiful minimalistic design.
- Engaging and poetic storytelling that explores dark themes like childhood trauma and depression.
- Short playtime with a low price point makes it accessible for those interested in experimental narrative experiences.
- Gameplay is overly simplistic, primarily consisting of walking through static environments with minimal interaction.
- The narrative can be vague and abstract, making it difficult for players to fully grasp the story without multiple playthroughs.
- Some players may find the pacing slow and the overall experience boring, lacking substantial engagement.
- story76 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in "Emporium" is dark and tragic, often presented in a vague and abstract manner that can leave players feeling emotionally detached. While the narrative has potential and is enhanced by beautiful visuals and music, many reviewers noted its convoluted nature and limited interactivity, which detracts from player engagement. Overall, the game is seen as a short, poetic exploration of themes like depression and suffering, but its storytelling may require multiple playthroughs for full comprehension.
“Beautiful minimalistic design and impactful storytelling in a short, well-paced package.”
“Emporium presents its story without judgment, without telling you what to feel, and without pretending to resolve anything.”
“The story really has potential; the atmosphere and design are minimalistic yet very unsettling and brooding, almost monolithic.”
“The story is a little convoluted and even people who have beaten it can't all come to an agreement on what it was about.”
“The emotional hook to the story isn’t there, perhaps since the game is so determined to be vague and mysterious instead of letting you get inside anyone’s head.”
“With your only control being movement, running, and checking things, there’s not nearly enough gameplay to prop up a vague story that requires analysis and commitment.”
- graphics31 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are frequently praised for their striking art style, dark and mesmerizing visuals, and effective use of muted colors, drawing comparisons to titles like "Kentucky Route Zero" and "Inside." While many reviewers appreciate the aesthetic and sound design, some feel that the visuals alone cannot compensate for the game's simplistic gameplay and lack of narrative depth. Overall, the graphics are seen as a highlight, contributing to a surreal and atmospheric experience, despite mixed opinions on the overall execution.
“Exceptional visuals and sound design.”
“The graphics and artwork are very dark and mesmerizing, and the story surrounding serves to accentuate the surreal atmosphere of the game.”
“The visuals in this game alone are worth the $2.”
“Aesthetically, emporium is certainly striking, what with its unusual isometric perspective and starkly muted colour palette: unfortunately, I found myself bouncing off this one without being entirely sure of why.”
“A darker, empty, pointless ripoff of Kentucky Route Zero’s aesthetic trappings, with no substance and little appeal.”
“Beyond the striking art style you’re getting an incomplete tale told in a way that does little to harness the power of its medium.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Emporium is criticized for its simplicity and linearity, often described as minimal or akin to a walking simulator with very limited interaction. Players note that the lack of engaging mechanics and the straightforward nature of the gameplay can lead to a loss of interest, although some appreciate the atmospheric and story-driven elements. Overall, while the game offers unique ideas and a compelling narrative, the gameplay itself is not a strong point.
“Great story, easy gameplay, fitting music.”
“Simple mechanics, a story-driven game that is pretty linear, only 2 options for each event, so 2 playthroughs will one hundred percent complete the game.”
“Gameplay is also similar to krz, but scaled way down (fewer locations, things to interact with, dialogue options), which is fine for a $2 game.”
“Emporium's biggest weakness is the simplicity in the gameplay.”
“Interesting little art piece about depression, but the only gameplay is running in a straight line and making some arbitrary choices that only exist so you'll have to go through the game more than once to get 100%.”
“With your only control being movement, running, and checking things, there’s not nearly enough gameplay to prop up a vague story that requires analysis and commitment.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its depth and intensity, characterized by a haunting, psychological horror vibe enhanced by exceptional sound design and artwork. Players appreciate the surreal and oppressive environments that evoke strong emotions, encouraging slow exploration and immersion in the game's themes. Overall, the atmospheric elements are considered a standout feature, often compensating for minimal gameplay.
“Great sound design, nice artwork, and intense atmosphere.”
“It's dark, atmospheric, and haunting, but also bittersweetly beautiful.”
“The atmosphere is a bit like walking around in the surrealist paintings of Jeffrey Smart: a tiny figure beside vast, anonymous urban buildings, which warp into each other impossibly.”
“The story really has potential, the atmosphere and design are minimalistic yet very unsettling and brooding, almost monolithic.”
“The graphics and artwork are very dark and mesmerizing, and the story surrounding serves to accentuate the surreal atmosphere of the game.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its dark themes and exploration of childhood trauma, evoking feelings of dread and unease. While some players find it to be a beautifully bleak journey that resonates deeply, others criticize its vague narrative and detached writing style, which can hinder emotional connection with the characters. Overall, the game elicits a complex range of emotions, though responses vary significantly based on individual engagement with its abstract storytelling.
“A short, beautifully bleak emotional journey.”
“It’s one of the most emotionally affecting games I have played.”
“Very emotional, dark but light in the same way.”
- music10 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its fitting and impactful contribution to the overall atmosphere, enhancing the psychological horror themes. Reviewers highlight the deep, booming soundtrack as a standout element that complements the visuals and adds depth to the experience, despite mixed feelings about the story itself. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's strongest aspects.
“This is a very dark story with a perfect soundtrack accompaniment.”
“Amazing soundtrack.”
“The themes and atmosphere are definitely trying for a psychological horror vibe, apparent nowhere more clearly than the deep, booming soundtrack.”
“The music, honestly, is one of the biggest contributions to the game.”
