Hello Cruel World

About

Hello Cruel World is a single player role playing game with a horror theme. It was developed by Akupara Games and was released on August 1, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Features Product Testing - Probing the limits of human pain receptors and cybernetic grafts may sound difficult-- and it is! But you're the exception that proves the rule, aren't you? Real-time Simulated Chat - Even down here, there's wifi. And that means your audience gets a front row seat to your death-defying depravity as they help you out along the way. No Limits Research - Only the unhinder…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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67%

Audience ScoreBased on 15 reviews

story3 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features a creepy and atmospheric environment that effectively engages players.
Puzzles are enjoyable and provide a good balance of challenge without being overly complex.
The addition of a stream chat feature adds a fun and novel element to the gameplay.

There are significant bugs, including issues with save points and calibration that can hinder progress.
The game lacks immersion due to limited interaction with the environment and feels more like a 2D game with VR controls.
The narrative and gameplay mechanics are underdeveloped, leading to a repetitive experience.

story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
28%
29%
The game's story is described as interesting but ultimately underwhelming, with some players finding it lacking in resonance and integration with gameplay elements like Twitch chat. While it has potential and some players appreciate its hidden narrative, others feel it falls short, particularly in its execution and pacing. Overall, the story is seen as passable, with mixed opinions on its effectiveness and engagement.
- “Definitely an interesting game with a hidden story underneath it all.”
- “Out of the last few puzzle games I've tried in VR, this does have a story and it's not bad.”
- “I'm looking forward to exploring the rest of the levels and seeing the story progress!”
- “The story, without mentioning any spoilers, is fine, I guess. It didn't resonate with me, but I can see how others might like it. I assumed that the whole Twitch chat was going to play into it more, but it was really not a thing until it was ham-fisted right into the last bit of the story.”
- “I can take passable gameplay or I can handle a sort of weak story, but I don't think I can really do with both.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Gameplay is characterized by a limited puzzle mechanic focused on manipulating sound and electricity between nodes, which some players found underwhelming and lacking in difficulty progression. While the game offers a gloomy aesthetic, it suffers from technical issues, such as load problems and potential soft locks, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, some players still recommend the game, suggesting it may appeal to those who enjoy its specific style.
- “There are some videos of the gameplay you can watch if you're on the fence, or you can always refund it if it's not what you're looking for, as you can get a good idea of what to expect within the first hour.”
- “The game is okay; it's not really a horror game like I was expecting, but rather just a puzzle game with a gloomy aesthetic to it. There is pretty much only one puzzle mechanic to the game, and that's making either sound or electricity move between nodes, sometimes with your laser gun and poles or sometimes with fixed paths that you must link up with.”
- “It's also really easy to soft lock yourself into rooms by either recalling your laser nodes or sometimes when you look away, the laser's path seems to reset. If you placed nodes too close, it will sometimes jump to a different path, locking the door behind you. Given that this is the core mechanic, I would expect it to have been polished a little better.”
- “The game is okay; it's not really a horror game like I was expecting, but rather just a puzzle game with a gloomy aesthetic to it. There is pretty much only one puzzle mechanic to the game, and that's making either sound or electricity move between nodes, sometimes with your laser gun and poles or sometimes with these fixed paths that you must link up with.”
- “The game design never really takes full advantage of these mechanics, though I was kind of waiting for there to be a pitch up in difficulty, and it never came.”
- “It's also really easy to soft lock yourself into rooms by either recalling your laser nodes or sometimes when you look away, the laser's path seems to reset. If you placed nodes too close, it will sometimes jump to a different path, locking the door behind you. Given that this is the core mechanic, I would expect it would have been polished a little better.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its effectiveness in creating a creepy and engaging environment that enhances the overall experience, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay elements. Reviewers note that the atmosphere is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's narrative and emotional impact.
- “On a positive note, I did like the puzzles as they were done differently from others, and the atmosphere was creepy and fit the game well.”
- “I keep hoping for more types of puzzles, more types of interactions, but the atmosphere, narrative, and vibes make up for it.”
- “The atmosphere in Hello Cruel World is extremely effective at creating an eerie environment that isn't overly terrifying.”
- “This game is forgettable aside from the atmosphere that it creates.”
- “The atmosphere in 'Hello Cruel World' is extremely effective at creating an eerie environment that isn't overly terrifying.”
- “I keep hoping for more types of puzzles and interactions, but the atmosphere, narrative, and vibes make up for it.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game's graphics are generally well-received, featuring nice visuals that enhance the single-player experience, though some users note rough edges and a lack of polish. While the aesthetic leans towards a gloomy atmosphere, the overall presentation may not align with expectations for a horror game, as it focuses more on puzzle mechanics than immersive visuals.
- “While there are some rough edges and the 'streamer' aspect of the game feels like a last-minute feature added to grab some coverage, the game is a solid single-player experience with nice visuals and a fairly engaging narrative.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games, making the overall experience feel less immersive.”
- “The character models look flat and lifeless, which detracts from the emotional impact of the story.”
- “The environments are bland and repetitive, failing to create a captivating atmosphere that would enhance the gameplay.”