GAME.exe
- July 2, 2021
- Punx Studios
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"GAME.exe" is a single-player Simulation game with an intriguing story set in 1999, where you explore a used computer previously owned by a game developer who committed suicide. The game features good graphics with an old operating system aesthetic, and immerses you in the experience of discovering the developer's files and his unfinished, ambitious project. The "game within the game" also follows the same nostalgic style, with pixelated textures and few colors, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a unique and nostalgic Windows 98 aesthetic that many players enjoyed.
- Despite its short length, the game provides a fun and spooky experience with some effective scares.
- The concept of exploring a haunted computer is intriguing, and players appreciated the attention to detail in the OS simulation.
- The game is extremely short, with many players completing it in under 30 minutes, leading to feelings of being underwhelmed.
- The gameplay lacks depth and variety, often feeling like a simple Slenderman clone without much substance.
- Many players felt the price was too high for the amount of content provided, suggesting it should be offered at a lower price point.
- story40 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as underdeveloped and too brief, with many reviewers noting that it lacks depth and critical plot details, making it difficult to engage with the narrative. While some appreciate the atmospheric elements and the retro aesthetic, they feel the overall execution falls short, leaving the story feeling shallow and uninteresting. Despite its potential, players express a desire for a more fleshed-out narrative and longer gameplay experience.
“The game is a well-made psychological horror game with a nice short story, although too short.”
“A short but good horror game, using the aesthetics of the old Windows OS to tell a story about exploring somebody else's PC.”
“If you enjoy just exploring every little detail, reading all the little things to find, while trying to put the story pieces together, then definitely give this game a try!”
“It doesn't present enough story to make you care about what's happening.”
“The story is pretty simple yet not very fleshed out as much as I'd like in games like this one.”
“Story was a bit bland; I feel like it was missing more!”
- graphics17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a nostalgic nod to Windows 98 and PlayStation 1 aesthetics, featuring pixel art that some players appreciate for its charm and attention to detail. However, many reviewers feel that the overall quality is lacking, describing the graphics as poor to decent, and argue that the game is overpriced given its short length and minimal content. Despite these criticisms, some players enjoy the unique visual style and find it fitting for the horror theme.
“Beautiful art style and overall a really fun game. I hope this company puts out some more content; this is a perfect analog horror game.”
“A short but good horror game, using the aesthetics of the old Windows OS to tell a story about exploring somebody else's PC.”
“Overall a great game, attention to detail was great, and so was the pixel art work done for it.”
“For the <$5 tag, this title is a fun little throwback to using Windows 98 with that daunting PlayStation 1 quality graphics.”
“Dev needed some quick money and decided to use his scrapped two-minute-long Slenderman clone and disguise it under a non-existent story with Windows 98 aesthetics and gimmicks that aren't actually there to turn it into a game which you can 100% in 10 minutes while charging $3 for it.”
“I don't think such a short game with barely anything in it, no good sound or graphics, deserves more than 1 dollar.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for being overly simplistic and minimalistic, with many players finding it short and lacking in depth, often comparing it unfavorably to other horror games. While the aesthetic and concept are appreciated, the mechanics are seen as frustrating, and the overall experience is deemed insufficient for the price, with many users reporting only about 20 minutes of playtime.
“Game mechanics are simple, and you can pretty much get through the whole game just by clicking everything and looking around.”
“Really enjoyed the game; everything is great about it except for it being about 20 minutes worth of gameplay.”
“The gameplay is very simple and minimalistic; you can left-click, drag, and write. In other words, it's like using your computer but reimagined in a game.”
“Really disappointing, the gameplay is short and not scary at all.”
“The game itself is hella expensive since you're basically paying $3 for literally 7 minutes of gameplay, only to end up with a low-resolution PNG of an SCP that spins.”
- music6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with players praising its ability to enhance the overall experience and evoke nostalgia. Many found the soundtrack engaging and memorable, with standout moments like the interference noise adding a unique touch. While some noted a limited amount of interactive content, the quality of the music, including notable tracks from the in-game music box, was consistently highlighted as a strong point.
“🎶 The soundtrack was a surprise; I liked it a lot! It kept me tuned to the game and put me in a moment in the past that doesn't come back anymore. I especially liked the interference noise on the speaker when someone called on the cell phone. That was really cool, dude! 🎶”
“Some neat little puzzles and good music along the way, as well.”
“The PC does have some decent enough music in the playlist, but there's not really much else to read or interact with. There are a couple of files that you can read, but they only barely create a story.”
“The music box in-game has some bangers that are definitely worth checking out.”
- stability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a mixed experience with stability; while some encountered no glitches, others noted specific issues, such as a monster glitch when climbing on cars, which could be exploited to complete the game.
“The game runs smoothly with no glitches.”
“I experienced no issues or glitches during my gameplay.”
“The stability of the game is impressive; I encountered no glitches at all.”
“One of the glitches I encountered was when I climbed on top of a car, causing the monster to glitch out. I ended up using this to finish the game.”
“Some glitches affected my experience.”
“Many glitches made the game frustrating to play.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in these games is consistently described as eerie and immersive, effectively creating a sense of psychological horror that leaves players feeling unsettled. Users appreciate the short yet impactful experiences, expressing a desire for longer games that maintain the same haunting ambiance.
“Exe, Whisperwind, katydids, and Office Elevator, while not long, are very atmospheric and somewhat scary games!”
“Quick atmospheric psychological horror game with a short story that immediately gives you the creeps.”
“Wish the next project from the devs is a much longer game but with the same atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere of the game feels flat and uninspired.”
“I wish the next project from the developers is much longer but maintains the same atmosphere.”
“The game lacks a compelling atmosphere, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Many users express concerns about the game's replayability, noting that its short length and lack of additional content make it difficult to justify the full price. A sale is often recommended, as the game does not offer significant incentives for replaying.
“I'd be more comfortable saying that full price is okay for this game as it is now ($2.99 USD), but for most, a sale might still be better for the length of the game, especially as I don't really see any replay value.”
“It's just hard to justify buying such a short game for this price, especially considering there's basically no replay value.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game evokes strong feelings of nostalgia, allowing them to relive cherished memories and experiences.
“It made me feel nostalgic, and I could relive good times.”
“The story touched my heart and left me in tears.”
“I felt a deep connection to the characters, which made their struggles all the more impactful.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its ability to blend humor with spooky elements, making it an excellent choice for creating entertaining short videos.
“If you're looking to record a funny short video with a little bit of spooks, this game is perfect.”
“The humor in this game is spot on, making every moment entertaining and light-hearted.”
“I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions!”
