IMAGO: Beyond the Nightmares
- September 30, 2022
- Light Off Studio
Story: Marty Burton is a former detective who experiences mysterious hallucinations that bring him into a world that is unreachable for common people, a dark and hostile world between dreams and reality, in which mysterious creatures hide the keys to unfathomable truths. After a long period of inactivity, he is hired by a wealthy oil tycoon to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his nephew…
Reviews
- Great psychological thriller with an immersive atmosphere and an interesting plot.
- The game features a well-crafted story and memorable characters, particularly the cute talking toy, Arthur.
- The voice acting is surprisingly decent, and the game offers a good variety of fun gameplay sections.
- Some chase and platforming segments can be frustrating, and the slow walking speed may hinder the experience.
- The story becomes convoluted and confusing towards the end, detracting from the overall experience.
- Excessive head bobbing and flashing lights can cause motion sickness, making it inaccessible for some players.
- story8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story is engaging and well-crafted, successfully drawing players in and fostering a connection with the characters, despite some inconsistencies in dialogue and plot direction. However, the narrative becomes overly convoluted towards the end, leading to confusion and a lack of coherence. Overall, while the storytelling is a highlight, it suffers from a disjointed conclusion that detracts from the overall experience.
“Brilliant storytelling that ropes you in and gets you invested and caring about characters.”
“It also sucks you in with a great mystery story.”
“The script can be a bit wonky at times, both in terms of plot direction and dialogue, but it's not a dealbreaker.”
“It's too bad that near the end of the game the story gets too confusing; it falls apart and splits off into 10 different directions and barely makes sense.”
“This game is a great effort from an indie developer, but when it's all said and done, I will give this a 6/10 for the frustrating platforming sections and convoluted story ending.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of immersive experiences and occasional mechanical issues, such as the AI not functioning as intended, leading to moments where players can exploit the system. Overall, while there are entertaining elements, the gameplay mechanics may not always deliver a fully engaging experience.
“Check out my immersive gameplay on this series and have a good laugh.”
“You could start a maze and walk completely with your head down, and the mechanic would automatically have the lady coming to life to hit you, so it didn't work fully as intended half the time.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting that it perfectly complements the gameplay experience. One user highlighted the excellent choice of music at the beginning, contributing to an overall positive impression, despite some minor gameplay concerns.
“Very well made, atmosphere was perfect, music was on point.”
“The very beginning had a perfect choice of music.”
“The music really helped carry the game.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting its effectiveness in creating a gripping psychological thriller experience, complemented by well-crafted music. However, some players expressed frustration over the lack of checkpoints in certain areas, which slightly detracted from the overall experience.
“Great psychological thriller with a really good atmosphere and an interesting plot.”
“Very well made, the atmosphere was perfect, and the music was on point.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The graphics have been criticized for being subpar, with many users noting the extensive use of reused marketplace assets, which detracts from the overall visual experience. One reviewer specifically mentioned recognizing assets from a free Android horror game, highlighting a lack of originality in the design.
“The graphics are quite awful, and there are a ton of reused marketplace assets, more than one could possibly imagine. I recognized one in particular from a free horror game on Android; it's the circus tent in the amusement park area.”
“The visuals are outdated and lack any real detail, making the game feel unpolished and uninviting.”
“Character models look bland and lifeless, which detracts from the overall immersion of the game.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of the game is profound, with one user expressing that it evoked feelings of intense discomfort and sickness, marking it as a uniquely powerful experience in their years of gaming.
“This game has evoked emotions in me that I didn't know I could feel while playing. It's a truly unique experience.”
“I've never cried so much while playing a game. The story and characters are incredibly moving.”
“The emotional depth of this game is unparalleled. It left a lasting impact on me long after I finished playing.”