EPONYMOUS

About

EPONYMOUS is a single player casual simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by J. Kyle Pittman and was released on October 30, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"EPONYMOUS: In Which a Work Is Known by Its Reading" is a short narrative/exploration game that challenges players' preconceptions in a world of unreliable infrastructures. With no combat or failure states, players can finish the game in roughly nine or ten minutes while collecting mobility upgrades to navigate the world. The game encourages players to remember why they were and enable a self-fulfilling prophecy, but warns that they can never change the past.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 100 reviews

atmosphere2 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features a unique and interesting atmosphere that keeps players engaged.
It incorporates metroidvania elements well, allowing for exploration and backtracking.
The sound design and voice work contribute effectively to the overall unsettling experience.

The story is vague and lacks clarity, leaving players confused about the overall narrative.
The game is very short, with some players feeling it doesn't provide enough content for the price.
There are technical issues, such as motion blur and glitches, that detract from the gameplay experience.

story
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
The story in the game is often described as confusing and lacking depth, leaving players unsure of their goals and the overall narrative. Many reviewers noted that the plot feels vague and poorly defined, with a desire for more direct storytelling in future titles. While some appreciated the visual experience, they felt the narrative did not justify the effort invested in it.
- “I'm sure there's a deep dive; there is plenty to look over, although maybe on their next game the devs could be a bit more direct in the story.”
- “Not really sure what or even if there was a story or message, but as a visual experience, I enjoyed this.”
- “I know it's a 'narrative', so I was already expecting a walking simulator where a story would be told.”
- “There is also no indication that the plot even really exists; most games like this give you some grounding and leave the interesting bits for later.”
- “In this case, the plot didn't seem worth the effort.”
- “I felt the story was too broad, leaving me confused about what my goal/mission was. I was attacked by a voice that hid inappropriate pictures, the map felt like a really bad Minecraft map, and the ending felt like a meme.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The game's graphics feature a retro art style reminiscent of Minecraft, which some players may find off-putting. While the visuals are generally pleasant, they are marred by occasional glitches. Overall, the graphics receive mixed reviews, with some appreciating the aesthetic despite its imperfections.
- “The game offers some nice graphics; although there are some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
- “This similarity mostly appears in the level layout and visuals.”
- “The similarities mostly appear in the level layout and visuals.”
- “It has a retro art style similar to Minecraft.”
- “Sure, the visuals might put some people off, and I get that, but the thing that got me as far as I did (I gave up after getting very lost) is the voiceover, which started off feeling very amateurish but is actually really well judged.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The gameplay is described as fun and engaging, particularly for a horror game, but it features many unreliable elements that serve primarily as game mechanics rather than being integrated into a broader narrative context. This lack of contextualization may leave players wanting more depth in the experience.
- “The gameplay is fun and engaging (especially by horror game standards).”
- “The game contains many unreliable elements (non-candid narrations, distorted sensory perceptions, texts referencing failures of computation or communication, ...), but it declines to place them in any larger context or to embed either textual or gameplay commentary upon them.”
- “This makes it more of a game mechanic.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is marred by noticeable glitches that can disrupt the experience, leading players to question the overall quality. While the graphics are generally appealing, these technical issues detract from the enjoyment.
- “Something soon feels off as blurred glitches appear and you begin to question what it really is that you are experiencing.”
- “The game offers some nice graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its effective use of sound and an unsettling sense of unease, creating a compelling yet elusive experience. However, some players feel that the atmosphere is too short-lived to leave a lasting impact. Overall, it successfully evokes a feeling of uncanniness, enhancing the game's tension.
- “The atmosphere is great, and the uncertainty of what was going on augmented the feeling of unease I felt throughout the game.”
- “The sound is well done, and the atmosphere manages to evoke a sense of uncanniness, although it feels too short and elusive to create a bigger impact.”
- “The sound is well done and the atmosphere manages to scratch an itch of uncanniness, but it is too short and too elusive to create a bigger impact than that in my opinion.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The music in the game, while a minor component, is well-crafted and effectively enhances the overall mood. However, some players feel that the narrative lacks direction, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion reminiscent of a song title.
- “The music, although a minor portion of the game, is well-crafted and effectively supports the game's mood.”
- “The music, although a minor portion of the game, is decently made and supports the game's mood well.”
- “I like vague stories, but after running with no clear direction, the ending felt like some zinger to a song title.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find that while "Eponymous" is enjoyable, it can become repetitive and tedious during extended play sessions, making it more suitable for short bursts rather than long gaming marathons.
- “Eponymous is a fun game to play, yet it can become repetitive and tedious if played for extended periods. It's best enjoyed in short bursts.”
- “The grinding in Eponymous can feel monotonous after a while, making the experience less enjoyable during longer sessions.”
- “While Eponymous has its fun moments, the repetitive nature of the grinding can lead to boredom over time.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for lacking meaningful engagement, as players find that the absence of combat, challenges, and narrative depth diminishes the overall experience. This lack of content raises concerns about the value of in-game purchases, as players feel there is little incentive to invest in a game that offers minimal gameplay choices or progression.
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional impact of the game is so intense that it can evoke strong physical reactions, with some players reporting feelings of sickness.
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that while they have decent hardware, such as a GTX 980 Ti and 8 GB of RAM, they are experiencing performance issues that need to be addressed. Overall, there is a cautious optimism that future updates may improve optimization.
- “Yes, I have a decent video card: GTX 980 Ti and 8 GB of RAM. I gave a thumbs up, but I hope the performance problems can be worked out.”
- “Yes, I have a decent video card: GTX 980 Ti and 8 GB of RAM. I gave a thumbs up, but I hope the performance problems can be worked out.”