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 distinctive with beautiful minimalistic design and impactful storytelling.
- Explores dark themes like childhood trauma and depression, providing a thought-provoking experience.
- Short playtime with a low price point makes it accessible for those interested in experimental narratives.
- Gameplay is overly simplistic, primarily consisting of walking in a straight line with minimal interaction.
- The story can be vague and convoluted, making it difficult for players to connect with the characters or fully understand the narrative.
- Repetitive nature and slow pacing may lead to boredom, especially for those seeking more engaging gameplay.
- story152 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of *Emporium* is dark and tragic, often presented in a convoluted and abstract manner that can leave players feeling emotionally detached and confused. While it features poetic storytelling and a haunting atmosphere, many reviewers expressed a desire for more interactivity and clearer narrative elements to enhance engagement. Overall, the game is seen as a short, thought-provoking experience that may appeal to those interested in story-driven games, despite its limitations in gameplay and clarity.
“Beautiful minimalistic design and impactful storytelling in a short, well-paced package.”
“Emporium presents its story without judgement, without telling you what to feel, and without pretending to resolve anything.”
“The graphics and artwork are very dark and mesmerizing, and the story surrounding serves to accentuate the surreal atmosphere of the game.”
“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.”
- graphics62 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their striking, dark, and mesmerizing aesthetic, often compared to art-house titles like "Kentucky Route Zero" and "Inside." Reviewers appreciate the unique isometric perspective and muted color palette, which effectively enhance the game's surreal atmosphere, although some feel that the visuals alone cannot compensate for the lack of substance in the gameplay and narrative. Overall, while the art style is a highlight, opinions vary on its ability to engage players beyond the visual experience.
“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.”
“I'm tempted to recommend this one regardless, considering how well the art style is pulled off (the sound design is also very good, with the reverberating clock ticks that come back again and again being particularly effective) - unfortunately, looks just weren't enough for me to get past the distance the game seemed so determined to create between us.”
“A darker, empty, pointless ripoff of Kentucky Route Zero’s aesthetic trappings, with no substance and little appeal.”
- gameplay42 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Emporium is criticized for its extreme simplicity and linearity, often described as minimal or almost non-existent, resembling a walking simulator rather than a traditional game. Players primarily engage in basic movement and making limited choices, which can lead to a lack of interest despite the game's intriguing story and atmosphere. While some appreciate its unique ideas and thematic depth, many feel that the gameplay does not provide enough engagement to support the narrative.
“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 100% 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.”
“You are already presented with set pieces, and items relating to the story that are given descriptions, so being able to zoom in and inspect them closer doesn't seem like it would've been too hard and would've done a lot in keeping the player engaged. As it is now, it's too easy to lose interest with the very limited and linear gameplay.”
“There's essentially zero gameplay, and the poetry that takes the place of dialogue is too abstract to really connect with.”
- atmosphere28 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its well-developed, haunting, and surreal qualities, often evoking a psychological horror vibe through its dark graphics, immersive sound design, and minimalistic yet unsettling environments. Players appreciate the opportunity for slow exploration, allowing them to absorb the emotional depth and eerie mystery of the world, likening it to walking through surrealist art. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that compensates for any shortcomings in gameplay.
“Great sound design, nice artwork, and intense atmosphere.”
“It's dark, atmospheric, and haunting, but also bittersweetly beautiful.”
“The graphics and artwork are very dark and mesmerizing, and the story surrounding serves to accentuate the surreal atmosphere of the game.”
“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.”
“Oppressive atmosphere.”
- emotional22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes a complex emotional landscape, exploring dark themes related to childhood trauma and tragedy, often leaving players with a sense of dread. While some find it to be a beautifully bleak journey that resonates deeply, others criticize its cold and abstract writing style for creating emotional detachment and a lack of connection to the characters. Overall, it presents a slow-paced, fragmented narrative that challenges players to engage philosophically and emotionally, though not all find the emotional hook effective.
“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.”
- music20 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its fitting and impactful contribution to the overall atmosphere, particularly 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.”
“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.”
