- October 8, 2020
- Hollow Ponds
- 8h median play time
I Am Dead
It's not often that a game has been able to address the celebration of life, though death, quite like I Am Dead.
Platforms
About
"I Am Dead" is a charming puzzle adventure game where you play as a ghost named Morris. Explore the afterlife and protect the living by uncovering secrets and solving puzzles as a spirit. Discover the interconnected stories of the deceased and living inhabitants of the quaint island of Shelmerston.
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- Beautiful art style and charming visuals that create an engaging atmosphere.
- Unique gameplay mechanic of peeling away layers of objects to uncover hidden items and memories.
- Heartfelt story that explores themes of death, memory, and the impact of individuals on their community.
- Gameplay can become repetitive and tedious, especially with the hidden object mechanics.
- The ending feels abrupt and lacks closure, leaving players wanting more resolution.
- Some puzzles are overly simplistic or frustratingly difficult due to unclear objectives or controls.
story
176 mentions Positive Neutral NegativeThe story in "I Am Dead" is generally described as charming, emotional, and well-crafted, with a unique presentation that explores themes of death and memory through engaging character narratives. However, many players express disappointment with the abrupt ending and lack of closure, feeling that the overarching plot loses momentum as the game progresses. Overall, while the visuals and voice acting are praised, the pacing and predictability of the story detract from the overall experience for some players.
“The story is well done and feels like you are really learning about real people and places.”
“The story is beautifully crafted, and I love the visual style of the game.”
“The story is interesting and moving, the world it's presented in is unique, and I've never seen game mechanics like this before!”
“But for a game about death, moving on, and the passing of the torch, I cannot believe that they simply drop the entire premise of the story in such a ridiculous manner and deprive anyone playing of closure.”
“I found myself disappointed when I finished the game; the ending was abrupt and it felt like the story was cut short.”
“Worse, the conclusion to the story is confusingly incomplete and terribly unsatisfying.”
I Am Dead Review
A very interesting game indeed, I Am Dead isn't top-tier indie magic but it's a hide-and-seek sandbox that will reward you the deeper you go. It's refreshingly content-rich, what with the Grenkins to find and riddles to solve for committed players. An appealing sense of place and strong visuals are only spoiled by some misplaced attempts at quirkiness and some minor control issues. Overall, though, I Am Dead makes us long for the sweet embrace of the reaper. Wait, no. It's just a rather enjoyable game. That's it. Not that other thing. Good god.
70%Where's Waldo's ghost?
Annapurna Interactive, Hollow Ponds, and designer Richard Hogg have put together a puzzling story of ghosts and a race to save the living in I Am Dead.
80%Gone but not forgotten --- I Am Dead Review
From its heartful story that is only made better by a charming set of characters, to the soothing atmosphere of the gorgeous island-town of Shelmerston, I am Dead constructs a serendipitous but accurate portrayal of the usually sorrowful emotions around death.
90%