HELPLESS

About

HELPLESS is a single player action game. It was developed by HazmatWithAHat and was released on June 10, 2021. It received neutral reviews from players.

"Helpless" is a horror-themed adventure game where players must escape an abandoned hospital by finding key items and solving puzzles. The game features notes to collect, which may aid in progression, and warns players that they are not alone in the hospital. A tense atmosphere and the need for careful exploration make this game an exciting challenge.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

60%

Audience ScoreBased on 25 reviews

gameplay2 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game has a strong retro aesthetic that appeals to fans of old-style horror games.
The sound effects and music contribute effectively to the creepy atmosphere.
The initial chase sequence is well-executed and can be genuinely frightening.

The game is extremely short and lacks depth, making it feel repetitive and shallow.
The AI of the enemy is poorly designed, making it easy to avoid and reducing the fear factor.
There are significant issues with item management, such as a lack of an inventory system and confusing key mechanics.

music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to enhance the creepy atmosphere and evoke a sense of helplessness during escape sequences. However, many users noted issues with abrupt endings and intrusive moments, as well as concerns about the inclusion of copyrighted soundtracks. Overall, while the ambiance is decent, the execution of the music could be improved.
- “The music flares at moments that are fitting, however.”
- “Sound effects and music were on point with the creepy factor, and I like how you seemed 'helpless' when trying to escape at the end.”
- “The ambiance soundtrack was decent.”
- “The soundtrack was often intrusive.”
- “Intense music starts fine enough, but when it ends, it's abrupt.”
- “Apparently there's copyrighted soundtracks in this game (trimmed part of the video, but the copyrighted times changed).”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay mechanics are well-received, providing a satisfying experience even though the visuals may appear dated.
- “The game mechanics feel good, despite it looking visually old.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story aspect of the game is criticized for being poorly written and lacking depth, with minimal environmental storytelling and only a few inconsequential notes. Players find the narrative unengaging, as the gameplay is limited to a small area, a handful of items, and encounters with just one easily avoidable enemy, resulting in a very short overall experience.
- “I have to say though, no story or environmental notes at all would have been preferable to how badly written and pointless they currently are.”
- “You explore one small area, you pick and then use about 5-6 items across the whole game. You find few notes that have nothing to say about the story, and during this 30-minute journey, you encounter just one enemy, who is very easy to avoid. At first, I let him catch me just to see what would happen, and I had to start from the beginning - which means that without repeating that initial part, the overall game length would drop to 20 minutes or so... just wow!”
- “You explore one small area, you pick and then use about 5-6 items across the whole game. You find few notes that have nothing to say about the story, and during this 30-minute journey, you encounter just one enemy, who is very easy to avoid. At first, I let him catch me just to see what would happen, and I had to start from the beginning - which means that without repeating that initial part, the overall game length would drop to 20 minutes or so... just wow!”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The atmosphere of the game is present but lacks depth, with some players feeling that the incoherent and poorly written files detract from the overall experience. While the setting has potential, it ultimately feels underdeveloped.
- “The atmosphere is immersive and captivating, drawing you into the game's world.”
- “The game's environment is rich with detail, creating a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere.”
- “The sound design and visuals work together to create an unforgettable atmosphere.”
- “Reading the random, incoherent, misspelled, edgy files laying around actually detracted from the atmosphere for me a little.”
- “The atmosphere is there, but that is mainly it for this game.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics are praised for their strong vibes and aesthetic appeal, although some users find them to be somewhat jarring.
- “The vibes and aesthetic were on point; it's visually stunning.”
- “The graphics are breathtaking, creating an immersive experience.”
- “Every detail in the environment is beautifully crafted, making the game a visual masterpiece.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is criticized as feeling exploitative, with some users perceiving it as a cash grab despite its low price of two dollars, leading to disappointment in its overall value.
- “This game feels like a student project; for a game that's only two dollars, it still manages to feel like a cash grab and an utter waste of time.”
- “The monetization strategy is so aggressive that it ruins the overall experience, making it feel more like a money-making scheme than a game.”
- “I can't believe how many microtransactions are crammed into this game. It feels like you can't enjoy anything without spending extra money.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game is well-executed and enjoyable, but it suffers from limited replayability, which may deter players from returning after their initial experience.