Escape Room: The Sick Colleague
- September 4, 2020
- olipool
- 4h median play time
You only wanted to make a visit to your sick colleague, but what you encounter is beyond your imagination. Discover the secrets of your colleague and find a way to escape the trap.
Reviews
- story316 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is a dark and engaging narrative that unfolds as players solve puzzles, often touching on unsettling themes such as human trafficking. While many players appreciate the depth and atmosphere of the storyline, some find it convoluted or lacking coherence, particularly due to the absence of the first part of the story. Overall, the combination of challenging puzzles and a haunting plot creates a unique experience, though the execution may leave some players feeling frustrated or confused.
“The story was interesting and leaves you with a sense of horror about what actually has been happening in the game and out in the real world.”
“Great game with a very interactive story!”
“The story unfolds slowly and the elements were... I guess 'realistic'?”
“Also the story makes no sense and the hints you can get to 'help' with puzzles are useless.”
“The puzzles themselves weren't very good, with few exceptions, and the story itself was lackluster.”
“Without a walkthrough, the game is nearly impossible to complete; the story makes no sense and the escape room does not have things to help you through the levels by yourself.”
- gameplay103 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the controls and mechanics confusing and clunky, leading to frustration during puzzle-solving. While some appreciated the creativity and challenge of the puzzles, others criticized the overall execution and optimization, suggesting that the game could benefit from significant improvements. Despite its flaws, several players noted that the game can still be enjoyable, especially when played with friends, and acknowledged its value given its free price point.
“The gameplay is a mix of exploration and problem-solving, with players having to use their wits and observation skills to find clues and solve puzzles.”
“However, I am now completely astounded at the extremely thorough and massive amount of quality content and intriguing puzzles that this game has to offer, and my friends and I had a great time playing this for the 3.5 hours of gameplay it offered.”
“The gameplay was fun and rewards curiosity and methodical thinking.”
“The controls for character movement and environmental interaction are initially confusing, sometimes leaving players wondering if progress is blocked because of a gameplay error or a glitch.”
“Incredibly unoptimized, puzzles are unclear and require you to just brute-force some of them, and it feels like not much effort was put into the mechanics either.”
“Its just poorly made, not well connected story and playthrough, game mechanics don't work and all around a waste of my time and most likely yours.”
- graphics91 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the decent quality and art style, especially for a free title, while others criticize them as basic or buggy. Many users note that while the graphics are not cutting-edge, they are acceptable and contribute positively to the overall experience, particularly in relation to the game's puzzles and gameplay. However, issues such as graphic bugs and performance problems on lower settings detract from the experience for some players.
“The graphics are great, and the story is very intriguing and I can't wait for part 2!”
“Great graphics, a working physics system and a lot of fun with friends!”
“The devs have done such an amazing job with graphics, puzzles etc. can't wait for part 3!!!”
“If you look at the whole thing - through the graphics, to the absolute enormity of bugs, collisions, crate falling into textures, ambients, atmosphere (or rather the lack of it) then it's really, really hard to recommend this game.”
“The graphics are mediocre and the controls are really confusing, but what can you really expect?”
“The graphics are okay, though very buggy at times.”
- stability49 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues, including freezing and crashing. Many players find the controls unresponsive and the overall optimization lacking, leading to a frustrating experience. While some users enjoyed the gameplay despite these issues, the consensus leans towards the game being overly buggy and difficult to play effectively.
“This game was surprisingly almost 93% bug-free, and more than 80% of the puzzles made sense and were tightly connected to the story.”
“Plays smoothly, had no glitches, and was very easy to connect with friends.”
“No glitches or bugs when we played.”
“Constantly freezes and crashes even on the start screen.”
“You can't even play half the game because it's being fixed for how buggy it is.”
“Absolute garbage, multiplayer is buggy, chapter 1 doesn't work, controls are horrible.”
- humor38 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky design and absurd moments, often leading to laughter among players, especially when playing with friends. While some found the game to be chaotic and filled with bugs, these elements contributed to its comedic value, making the experience enjoyable despite its challenges. Overall, players appreciated the humor as a highlight, even if the game itself had its flaws.
“Probably the most fun I've had with my buddies, we were laughing and enjoyed every moment.”
“Some of the puzzles were alright, and the overall storyline is okay, though the very ending had something rather hilarious which I somehow doubt the writer intended. I did get a good smile out of how absurd it was.”
“Really good game, has some really funny bugs and I just messed around with my friends.”
- atmosphere24 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its tension and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of unease and engagement that enhances the puzzle-solving experience. Many players appreciate the blend of spooky elements and a compelling storyline, likening it to a real escape room. However, some reviews note inconsistencies, with mentions of a lack of atmosphere in certain areas and a desire for more immersive and scary elements.
“The atmosphere is tense, the challenges are thought-provoking, and the sense of accomplishment upon solving each puzzle is incredibly rewarding.”
“With its clever challenges, atmospheric setting, and engaging storyline, it offers an unforgettable adventure.”
“If you look at the whole thing - through the graphics, to the absolute enormity of bugs, collisions, crate falling into textures, ambients, atmosphere (or rather the lack of it) then it's really, really hard to recommend this game.”
“The atmosphere was so unnerving, I thought that maybe there was a time limit or a jumpscare waiting for me in the dark rooms (there were neither!!!).”
“Boring atmosphere, bad hints, bad interaction keybindings, boring puzzles and some interactions had no real instructions so you're not sure how to input some things which is more frustrating because it's bad keybindings make it more complicated on whether you need to left click or right click.”
- emotional23 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a wide range of emotional responses to the game, often feeling both intelligent and foolish as they navigate its puzzles. Many report moments of frustration and confusion that led to tears, while others highlight the joy and excitement of solving challenges, particularly in collaboration with friends. Overall, the game elicits strong emotional reactions, from feelings of inadequacy to moments of triumph, though some players found the ending disappointing.
“I cried.”
“This is the best game I've ever played, the ending nearly made me cry.”
“Amazing game but be warned you may want to cry while playing; I've spent too much of my life on this.”
- grinding19 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 42 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and frustrating, often describing it as a "long, tedious grind" that detracts from the enjoyment. Many reviewers note the lack of engaging backstory and world-building, which compounds the feeling of being thrown into challenging puzzles without adequate preparation. Additionally, issues with game mechanics, such as awkward controls and inconsistent item placements, further contribute to the grindy experience.
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“The game is broken, and the part that works is way too hard to be fun. If there were a few easy puzzles followed by a tedious or hard one, that's one thing, but to literally be thrown into the second chapter of the game, with no backstory or world-building, and be told just to 'figure it out' is not fun.”
“On top of that, various items were 'flipped' compared to the guy I was playing with (like doors being open for me but closed for him, items being placed elsewhere for me or him). Towards the end, it felt like I was playing a half-assed game that got tedious really fast.”
“How the game develops hints and puts the puzzles together is not satisfying; it's tedious.”
- music17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the minimalistic approach that enhances concentration and creates an eerie atmosphere, while others find it either overwhelming or lacking. Many noted that the absence of tense music contributed to a more relaxed experience, although some felt the directional sound design was a letdown. Overall, the music serves as a subtle backdrop rather than a focal point, with varying opinions on its effectiveness.
“The ambiance was nice with little music, only sounds so you can concentrate.”
“It could have been me, but I loved that nobody was trying to kill me in this game or that there wasn't any tense music present.”
“The music was the only thing making me think.”
“No music, just an eerie silence that makes you question your life decisions while you are stuck at the first puzzle.”
“Shit character models, music at the start makes you deaf, connection issues, etc.”
“The music is directional, so that was a bit of a let down, as I enjoyed the casual background piano, but I understand why it was designed that way.”
- replayability15 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it infinitely replayable due to diverse equipment, maps, and daily challenges, others feel limited by repetitive puzzles and a lack of additional content. Many users express a desire for more varied experiences or user-generated content to enhance replayability. Ultimately, the enjoyment of replaying the game seems to depend on individual preferences and the specific aspects of gameplay that resonate with players.
“The current build provides players with 22 different pieces of equipment and 7 maps to choose from, as well as daily challenges offering plenty of replayability that will grow during development.”
“As soon as I finished this game for my 7th time, I cannot express how much joy this game brings me. It is unbelievable how replayable this game is; it's a shame that the developers haven't added microtransactions or DLC yet.”
“I would love to see the developer add more replayable content or maybe even add a workshop to the game so people can make their own escape rooms.”
“Unfortunately, there's little replayability since the puzzles are all the same, but it's quite an enjoyable experience if you go in blind.”
“Only 1 map, not much replayability.”
“There is no replayability in this game; however, the story of this game is great for being an escape room and is totally worth playing once.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting significant performance issues, bugs, and confusing mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Many players noted random lag spikes and unresponsive controls, indicating a need for substantial improvements in quality and functionality. While some aspects of the game are enjoyable, the poor optimization remains a major drawback.
“Overall, we could benefit from some optimization and quality of life improvements, such as being able to change your keybinds.”
“We adjusted to the controls pretty quickly, and although there were some performance issues, we didn't have many issues otherwise.”
“Multiplayer was fun, but there's definitely room for optimization (it's still in alpha).”
“Game is unoptimized (performance heavy) and buggy (controls like jump either work or don't). The game is confusing at first but is fun; however, the cons outweigh the pros.”
“Incredibly unoptimized, puzzles are unclear and require you to just brute-force some of them, and it feels like not much effort was put into the mechanics either.”
“Broken puzzles that don't work, confusing solutions that just make you scratch your head as you wonder what you did to get that right. The quality is so unoptimized, with random lag spikes happening from animations or triggers.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express a desire for additional monetization options, such as microtransactions or DLC, to enhance the game's replayability, indicating that they find the current experience enjoyable but feel it could be further enriched through paid content.
“Ads on YouTube were a better escape room.”
“As soon as I finished this game for my 7th time, I cannot express how much joy this game brings me. It is unbelievable how replayable this game is; it's a shame that the developers haven't added microtransactions or DLC yet.”