I Am Dead
- October 8, 2020
- Hollow Ponds
- 8h median play time
It's not often that a game has been able to address the celebration of life, though death, quite like I Am Dead.
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Get on PS Store"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.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- 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.
- story176 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The 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.”
- gameplay100 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "I Am Dead" features a unique mechanic that allows players to explore objects by zooming in and peeling away layers, creating a visually engaging scavenger hunt experience. While the puzzles are inventive and the art style is charming, many players find the gameplay to be simplistic and repetitive, lacking depth and challenge. Overall, it offers a relaxing, story-driven experience that may appeal to those who enjoy casual exploration, despite some frustrations with controls and pacing.
“I started off with great enthusiasm for 'I Am Dead', really liking the brightly-colored graphical style, the main character Morris and his dog Sparky, the story, and, in particular, the very good puzzle mechanic - being able to peel away objects layer by layer to discover what is hidden within.”
“The gameplay is that you can see through objects and slice into them to explore what hides inside.”
“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.”
- graphics61 mentions
- 74 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their beautiful, stylized art style, vibrant colors, and charming character designs, creating an engaging visual experience. Many reviewers noted the simplicity and consistency of the visuals, which complement the game's heartwarming story and immersive gameplay. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a delightful choice for players who appreciate artistic aesthetics in gaming.
“Touching story, with absolutely beautiful and stylized graphics.”
“The visuals are a gorgeous feast of vibrant colors.”
“The art style is beautiful and it has a lot of warm and comforting moments.”
“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'.”
“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.”
“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.”
- emotional36 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- -6 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and touching narrative, exploring themes of life, death, and personal histories through beautiful visuals and engaging voice acting. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, with many noting its charming characters and the emotional depth of the story, despite some criticism regarding gameplay mechanics. Overall, it is described as a wholesome experience that leaves a lasting impact on players.
“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.”
“First of all, the story was rich, emotional, and beautiful. I enjoyed all the levels and going through everyone's memories; the prettiest and most emotional level would have to be the last one where you meet Aggie. It was just all well done.”
“The story fails to evoke any real emotions, leaving players feeling disconnected and uninterested.”
“The emotional depth of the characters is lacking, making it hard to care about their journeys.”
“Despite attempts at emotional storytelling, the execution feels flat and uninspired.”
- music21 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
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 creating a cozy environment, despite some criticism of the game's mechanics. Overall, the music is described as lovely, engaging, and integral to the game's charm.
“The music is relaxing and pairs very well with the game's overall atmosphere.”
“The gameplay is incredibly simplistic, but it really tugged on my heartstrings and is a wonderful game with some fantastic visuals, a great voice cast, and an amazing soundtrack to boot.”
“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'.”
“The OST is quite active but always firmly in the background of the soundscape.”
“The music is so relaxing and sweet that I feel so calm playing it, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys puzzle games like I do.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with many expressing frustration over the slow pacing and the need to solve simple puzzles to progress. While some appreciate the game's charm and aesthetic, the repetitive nature of searching for items and completing similar tasks leads to a sense of boredom for many. Despite its unique concept, the grinding mechanics often feel more like a chore than an engaging gameplay experience.
“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.”
- humor9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by clever, affectionate dialogues and amusing hidden objects, appealing to a wide audience with its cozy and thoughtful storytelling. While some players find the humor charming and laugh-out-loud funny, others feel it can be overly twee or heavy-handed, with voice acting that may detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers a mix of delightful surprises and quirky moments, though some players may find the humor repetitive as the game progresses.
“I appreciated the sense of humor in some of the objects you'd find hidden inside others.”
“Sweet & humorous, this amusing little game of observation is good for a broad range of ages.”
“The graphics are great - everything's done in a simple, chunky, ugly but cute style that looks very good in motion and is often laugh-out-loud funny.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, enhanced by calming music and thoughtful worldbuilding. Players appreciate the slow-paced, atmospheric storytelling, which encourages exploration and deep engagement with the game environment. However, some users note that complicated controls can detract from the overall experience, particularly for those with accessibility needs.
“It was a relaxing experience and it had a good atmosphere to play in.”
“The audio also adds a nice touch to the overall atmosphere, making the experience more immersive.”
“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.”
“The ambiance and worldbuilding are immersive, often making me stay in levels far longer than necessary just to soak in the atmosphere and understand the world the developers crafted.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its diversity and depth, featuring well-written dialogue and engaging character designs that enhance the storytelling experience. The combination of aesthetic appeal and nuanced character arcs contributes significantly to the game's overall charm.
“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.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally well-received, with users noting that its cozy British atmosphere and strong voice performances contribute positively to the overall experience, particularly for a younger audience.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is characterized as having a charming yet unstable experience, with numerous bugs that affect gameplay.
“It's a wholesome, buggy game.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy.”
“I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined the gameplay.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing multiple paths, varied character choices, and dynamic environments that encourage exploration and experimentation. Many appreciate the inclusion of different difficulty levels and unlockable content, which further enhances the incentive to replay. Overall, players feel that the game offers enough diversity to keep them engaged for multiple playthroughs.
“The game offers a multitude of choices that significantly alter the storyline, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back to this game time and time again.”
“The dynamic world and random events ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the experience exciting.”
“Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to go back. The story doesn't change, and the side quests feel repetitive.”
“After finishing the main storyline, I found no reason to replay. The choices I made had minimal impact on the outcome.”
“The game lacks variety in gameplay mechanics, making multiple playthroughs feel like a chore rather than an adventure.”
Critic Reviews
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%
