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I Am Dead

I Am Dead does a fantastic job of forcing us to look at our lives, and reminds us that those who are gone are still alive in the memories we hold dear. The puzzles are fun, and the island of Shelmerston is beautiful.
I Am Dead Game Cover
81%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
84% User Score Based on 404 reviews
Critic Score 78%Based on 23 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Mac OSPlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
I Am Dead Game Cover

About

I Am Dead is a single player puzzle game with a mystery theme. It was developed by Hollow Ponds and was released on October 8, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"I Am Dead" is a charming adventure game that invites players to explore the afterlife of a small island community. As the recently deceased museum curator, you'll uncover secrets, solve puzzles, and reunite with loved ones in a surreal world full of warmth and humor. With its unique premise and engaging gameplay, "I Am Dead" offers a fresh take on the afterlife and invites players to cherish the memories and connections that make us human.

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84%
Audience ScoreBased on 404 reviews
story147 positive mentions
grinding20 negative mentions

  • The game features a charming and heartfelt story that explores themes of memory and legacy.
  • The art style is vibrant and beautifully designed, creating an engaging atmosphere.
  • The unique gameplay mechanic of zooming into objects to uncover hidden details adds depth to the exploration.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks challenge, leading to a monotonous experience.
  • The ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving players wanting more closure.
  • Some puzzles, particularly the riddles, can be frustratingly difficult or obscure, especially for non-native English speakers.
  • story
    323 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "I Am Dead" is generally described as touching and engaging, exploring themes of death, memory, and acceptance through a unique narrative structure and charming characters. However, many players express disappointment with the abrupt ending and lack of resolution, feeling that the overarching plot fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. While the visuals and voice acting are praised, some find the pacing slow and the gameplay repetitive, which detracts from the overall storytelling experience.

    • “Beautiful visual style, fantastic voice acting, fun puzzles, and a touching story.”
    • “The story is interesting & moving, the world it's presented in is unique, and I've never seen game mechanics like this before!”
    • “The story itself is well paced and written and will make you cry but in a good way.”
    • “But the most disappointing failing was that the game-long overarching and driving story suddenly petered out, without any proper or satisfying closing/concluding scenes (as if, in that restaurant meal so long ago, the expected dessert and coffee had been announced but never actually brought to the table).”
    • “The entire game is about a very specific plot point that you're doing and that the game simply stops is such a black mark against it.”
    • “I was very invested in the story; as such, the ending was a sincere letdown and I was surprised how that one thing ruined the rest of the experience for me.”
  • gameplay
    198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "I Am Dead" features a unique mechanic that allows players to peel away layers of objects to uncover hidden details, creating a visually engaging scavenger hunt experience. While the art style and narrative are praised for their charm and emotional depth, many reviewers find the gameplay to be simplistic, repetitive, and at times tedious, lacking sufficient challenge or reward. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy exploration and storytelling, but may not satisfy players seeking more complex gameplay mechanics.

    • “The gameplay is a combination of a visual scavenger hunt and the dissection/zoom mechanic.”
    • “I am dead is mechanically an object-finding game, which I actually consider quite unique among the genre: it allows you to peek into the internals of objects and people, peeling boxes and walls off like layers of onions, and discover the smallest and cutest secrets hidden in plain sight.”
    • “The gameplay itself is unique and the puzzles keep you interested, making sure to leave no stone unturned.”
    • “The gameplay mechanism was a bit monotonous and there was little to no reward for most of my actions.”
    • “Let's get this out of the way first: there's not much to the gameplay; in this regard, it's simply a fancy, occasionally clever, hidden object game.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly simplistic; basically, it is a unique hidden object game, but it really tugged on my heartstrings.”
  • graphics
    112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "I Am Dead" are widely praised for their vibrant, stylized art style and charming character designs, creating a visually appealing experience that enhances the game's storytelling. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful color palette and intricate details, noting that the visuals contribute significantly to the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the game. However, some players mention that while the graphics are lovely, the gameplay can feel tedious and simplistic at times, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Touching story, with absolutely beautiful and stylized graphics.”
    • “The visuals are a gorgeous feast of vibrant colours.”
    • “The art style is beautiful and it has a lot of warm and comforting moments.”
    • “It's got a cute and unique concept but honestly in practice it's just tedious and boring... I like the art style and all but man, I got through to the second character you have to find (out of... five? six? idk) and I can't play more, it feels like work, in a bad way.”
    • “The game has a fair few foibles and basically simply requires you to effectively pixel hunt by clicking on so much stuff in the environments but the context of why you're doing it combined with the simple art style and the gentle music got me through most of it even if I was a little annoyed at the ancillary additions like the 'grenkins' and the stupid 'riddles'.”
    • “Graphically the game appears simple, but I think it's fooling us by using simple colors for textures; objects and scenes are all well put together and have a good level of complexity to them.”
  • emotional
    70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and touching narrative, exploring themes of life, death, and personal histories in a charming and engaging manner. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals, fantastic voice acting, and the overall wholesome experience, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics. The storytelling is described as insightful and uplifting, often leaving players with a sense of reflection and emotional investment.

    • “A heart-warming, touching, insightful puzzle game all about life, the stories we share with our loved ones, and what makes up our character once we reach the grave.”
    • “It explores the afterlife in a way that’s heartfelt, yet oddly uplifting, leaving you with more to think about than you might expect.”
    • “I am dead is a wonderful and vibrant experience that gives players a different look into the afterlife, with its delightful world hosting some truly heartfelt tales.”
    • “Terrible puzzles, bad controls, and a boring story that fails to keep you engaged.”
  • music
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and soothing qualities, perfectly complementing the beautiful art style and overall atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience and encouraging a leisurely exploration of the game world. While some found the gameplay mechanics a bit monotonous, the combination of lovely visuals and a well-crafted soundtrack keeps players engaged and emotionally connected to the story.

    • “Sound and music quality are great as well, making you want to take your time searching the world and mostly just relax while playing.”
    • “Music is soothing and amazing alongside the beautiful world.”
    • “The OST is quite active but always firmly in the background of the soundscape.”
    • “The music is relaxing and pairs very well with the game's overall atmosphere.”
    • “Music is alright, it fits.”
  • grinding
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight a common sentiment that while the game has a charming concept and aesthetic, the grinding aspect quickly becomes tedious and repetitive. Many players found the gameplay mechanics to be simple yet monotonous, leading to a sense of it feeling like work rather than enjoyable play. Despite some moments of satisfaction in solving puzzles, the overall experience is marred by the repetitive nature of the tasks required to progress.

    • “I wanted to like this game because the aesthetic and concept are very sweet, but good gravy is this game tedious!”
    • “It's got a cute and unique concept but honestly in practice it's just tedious and boring... I like the art style and all but man, I got through to the second character you have to find (out of... five? six? idk) and I can't play more, it feels like work, in a bad way.”
    • “This becomes very tedious as you exercise the same mechanics over and over and over.”
  • atmosphere
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, enhanced by soothing music and thoughtful worldbuilding. Players appreciate the calming, slow-paced environment that encourages exploration and reflection, although some find the controls overly complicated, which can detract from the experience for certain gamers. Overall, the combination of a heartfelt story and charming visuals contributes to a captivating and serene atmosphere.

    • “A really different puzzle game with a calming and slow-paced atmosphere.”
    • “The music is relaxing and pairs very well with the game's overall atmosphere.”
    • “The ambiance and the worldbuilding present really immerse you, and I would often stay in levels far longer than I needed to just soaking in the atmosphere and understanding what I could about the world the developers crafted.”
  • humor
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by clever and surprising elements found within objects, as well as amusing conversations that add charm to the experience. While the game is generally sweet and suitable for all ages, some players felt that the humor could not fully compensate for a predictable storyline and occasional boredom. Overall, the attention to detail and hidden surprises contribute positively to the game's lighthearted atmosphere.

    • “I appreciated the sense of humor in some of the objects you'd find hidden inside others.”
    • “Sweet and humorous, this amusing little game of observation is good for a broad range of ages.”
    • “Slow-paced, cozy, clever, and thoughtful storyline, humor, and just love all the way through.”
  • character development
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is praised for its diversity and depth, with well-written dialogue and engaging storytelling that brings the characters to life. The unique character designs and touching vignette-style narratives enhance the overall experience, making the inhabitants of the game memorable and relatable.

    • “There's quite a bit of diversity in the character design, which kept the game interesting!”
    • “Strengths include the well-written dialogue and the fun character designs.”
    • “Putting aside its endearing aesthetic, what makes this game shine is the depth and nuance of its storytelling and character development.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks the depth needed to make the characters truly memorable.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me disconnected from their journeys.”
    • “Despite the game's beautiful presentation, the characters themselves are one-dimensional and fail to evoke any real emotional response.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is generally well-received, with users praising its cozy atmosphere and high-quality voice performances, although some feel that these performances may resonate more with a younger audience. Overall, the optimization contributes positively to the game's community-focused experience.

  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is generally perceived as stable but has notable bugs that affect gameplay. Despite these issues, players find the overall experience enjoyable and charming.

    • “It's a wholesome buggy game”
    • “It's a wholesome buggy game”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate that the game's replayability is limited, with many players feeling that once the main content is completed, there is little incentive to return. However, some users appreciate the potential for different playstyles or choices that can offer a fresh experience upon replaying. Overall, while there are elements that may encourage multiple playthroughs, the consensus leans towards a lack of substantial replay value.

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7h Median play time
7h Average play time
2-11h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

I Am Dead is a puzzle game with mystery theme.

I Am Dead is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing I Am Dead.

I Am Dead was released on October 8, 2020.

I Am Dead was developed by Hollow Ponds.

I Am Dead has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

I Am Dead is a single player game.

Similar games include Assemble with Care, Call of the Sea, Röki, Carto, LOST EMBER and others.