Impostor Factory

About

"Impostor Factory" is a single-player mystery role-playing game with a delightful story, good gameplay, charming visuals, and ingenious music. The game follows Quincy, who attends a fancy party at a secluded mansion, where things quickly take a turn for the bizarre and emotional. Despite the grinding, the game delivers a hilarious and atmospheric experience. Wishlist the series' Beach Episode on Steam!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,064 reviews

story749 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

Engaging and emotional storytelling that ties together the previous games in the series.
Beautiful pixel art and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Humor and heartwarming moments are well balanced throughout the game.

Less interactivity and gameplay compared to previous entries, making it feel more like a visual novel.
The pacing can feel slow, especially in the second act, which may lead to boredom.
Some players may find the plot twist at the end unsatisfying or confusing, especially if they haven't played the previous games.

story
2,081 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
62%
2%
The story of "Impostor Factory" is a complex and emotional narrative that expands on the themes established in the previous games of the "To the Moon" series. While it introduces new characters and a different storytelling approach, many players feel it lacks the emotional depth and impact of its predecessors, often describing it as more of a linear experience with less interactivity. Despite mixed feelings about its pacing and plot twists, the game is praised for its beautiful music and engaging storytelling, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the series, especially if they have played the earlier titles.
- “The depth of each story penetrates into our hearts, triggering profound thoughts and emotions.”
- “Another beautiful game with a heart-touching storyline and music.”
- “Impostor factory is a masterpiece of gaming storytelling, made with the intense love and care of a passionate team.”
- “The story is bland, generic, short (feels shorter than a bird story, but my game time says otherwise), and not engaging at all.”
- “The story had twists and turns I did not expect even in the slightest.”
- “The story is much more linear in this outing, with less humour, and more predictable twists, but for anyone who is a long term fan of the series, the story sheds light on several characters that they will be delighted to discover more about.”
emotional
681 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Impostor Factory" has been widely praised, with many players expressing that it evokes a strong range of feelings, from laughter to deep sadness. While some reviews note that it may not reach the same emotional heights as its predecessors, "To the Moon" and "Finding Paradise," it still delivers a heartfelt narrative filled with touching moments and character development that resonates with players. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster, leaving many in tears and reflecting on the themes of life, love, and loss.
- “This is genuinely one of the most emotional narratives I have ever played or read.”
- “Another beautiful game with a heart-touching storyline and music.”
- “I cried so much while playing this and I get so sucked into it that I beat it within 5 to 6 hours.”
music
492 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The music in "Impostor Factory" continues the series' tradition of delivering beautiful and emotionally resonant soundtracks, though some players feel it lacks the memorable impact of previous titles like "To the Moon" and "Finding Paradise." While the compositions are generally praised for their fittingness and ability to enhance the storytelling, there are mixed feelings about the absence of original vocal tracks and the reliance on familiar motifs from earlier games. Overall, the soundtrack is still considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and atmosphere.
- “The music, while good, felt like a step down from the earlier games.”
- “The music is beautiful and creates an atmosphere that heightens all of the emotions being projected in each scene.”
- “The soundtrack is what you would expect in that it's utterly fantastic; Kan Gao is a genius in composing simple yet deeply meaningful music, that truly elevates any part in which it is used.”
- “The music in Impostor Factory might not be as stunning as in the first two games, but the story still moves me deeply.”
- “The music in general was not comparable to the music from the previous parts.”
- “However, the music in this installment was underwhelming as most were recycled from the past games.”
gameplay
264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
80%
7%
The gameplay in "Impostor Factory" is heavily focused on storytelling, with minimal interactive elements, primarily consisting of walking and clicking to progress through cutscenes. Many reviewers noted the absence of puzzles and engaging mechanics, likening the experience more to an interactive visual novel than a traditional game. While some appreciated the streamlined approach that enhances narrative pacing, others expressed disappointment over the lack of gameplay depth compared to previous titles in the series.
- “Great continuation of the story from the first two main games, with a nice twist on the memory mechanic.”
- “The gameplay is simple, but the story is compelling and emotional.”
- “The pacing is much better than the previous two, because there are fewer forced gameplay elements, making for a better flowing story.”
- “Gameplay here is basically zero, and each sentimental plot is just so long it gets tiresome real quick.”
- “There are almost no puzzles to solve, nothing to figure out, no gameplay mechanics at all; it's a walk-and-click process where you click, then read, then click, then read... it's a decent interactive novella, but it's not a game at all.”
- “The gameplay is non-existent, think of it as a walking sim but I wouldn't say that's a bad thing.”
humor
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a blend of witty, dark, and self-deprecating elements, often providing comic relief amidst emotional and tragic storytelling. While some players found the humor to be a highlight, others felt it was less effective compared to previous entries, with a mix of genuinely funny moments and forced jokes. Overall, the game maintains a balance of humor and emotional depth, creating a unique experience that resonates with players.
- “The story was so funny at times, and so heartwarming just like those before.”
- “Kan Gao's humor continues to delight in this one and I can't wait to see where the series goes next.”
- “The writing rides the impossible line from being laugh-out-loud funny to heartbreakingly grim, and from cheerful optimism to a thrilling sense of ominous mystery.”
graphics
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the charming pixel art and improved visual presentation compared to previous titles in the series. While some players appreciate the emotional depth conveyed through the artwork and animations, others find the graphics simplistic and reminiscent of older RPG Maker aesthetics. Overall, the visuals are considered effective in enhancing the storytelling experience, despite not being cutting-edge.
- “The graphics are presented in the same common RPG Maker palette; however, the fantastic use of colors, saturation, and lighting utilized by Freebird Games encapsulates the themes, settings, and establishes the narrative your heart will fall for.”
- “The visuals are beautiful and the music is fantastic.”
- “The graphics improved a lot (in the range of pixel art), but the soundtrack was this time not so remarkable than in the first two episodes.”
- “The rudimentary graphics and lack of voiced lines hurt the atmosphere and make an odd contrast with the emotionally heightened (and generally melodramatic) story.”
- “Even the visuals became more barren/rudimentary as the game progressed, and evoked a feeling of a project that had run out of steam/funding/time two-thirds through.”
- “Graphics: 3/10”
atmosphere
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
56%
12%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, enhanced by a powerful soundtrack and emotional storytelling. While some reviews note a shift in mood compared to previous installments, the overall ambiance remains reflective and heartwarming, successfully drawing players into its narrative. However, a few critiques mention that rudimentary graphics and a lack of engaging mechanics can detract from the overall atmospheric experience.
- “From the very first moment I delved into the game, I was captivated by its haunting atmosphere and the unfolding narrative.”
- “The music is beautiful and creates an atmosphere that heightens all of the emotions being projected in each scene.”
- “The impostor factory has everything that all previous episodes had: a heartbreaking, complex story, astonishing artwork and music, sudden twists and turns, all 5 hours of concentrated atmosphere to be drowned in.”
- “The rudimentary graphics and lack of voiced lines hurt the atmosphere and make an odd contrast with the emotionally heightened (and generally melodramatic) story.”
- “Ending.... well... they tried... they tried really well... but they lost atmosphere.”
- “In Impostor Factory, Quincy and Lynri are the people whose life stories unfold, and what ended up happening was that their down-to-earth marriage story set the atmosphere for the story but no one else was around to make comments about their lives and engage in humorous shenanigans to offset the melodrama.”
grinding
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
20%
73%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some appreciate the engaging narrative that alleviates the tedium of gathering items, others criticize the linear gameplay and repetitive tasks, describing them as tedious and in need of more interactive elements. The removal of certain puzzle elements has been seen as a double-edged sword, making the experience feel less grindy for some, but leaving others wanting more depth and variety.
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The game is a very linear story and 'spoiler' there is a point where you are literally in a 2-hour movie basically where you can only move; I did not enjoy that, it was very tedious.”
- “There's about an hour of murder-mystery-ish gameplay and three hours of tedious walking around someone else's memories (if you're going to make a walking simulator, make sure the walking part is on point maybe?).”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Overall, character development in the game is highly praised, with many users highlighting its depth and emotional resonance, particularly in the main characters. While some feel that certain titles in the series, like "Impostor Factory," lack the same impact, the game's rich narrative and character design are consistently commended. Players appreciate the blend of storytelling, humor, and character growth, making it a recommended choice for fans of story-driven experiences.
- “This, as the rest of the game from Freebird, is beautiful in regards to the story, narration, character development, and music.”
- “For those looking for a rich narrative and wonderful character development, this is the game for you.”
- “I highly recommend it for anyone who really enjoys story-based games and character development.”
- “I felt a lot was put in making the animations where more could have been put in character development and 'the reveal'.”
- “While the character development of the main characters remains outstanding, I found Impostor Factory to lack the poignancy and emotional resonance of the other titles in the series.”
- “It'll have combat system, it'll have story, soundtrack, character development, options to choose from, and so on... if you play it and the story sucks, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Overall, the game has limited replayability due to its strong focus on narrative and linear gameplay, which diminishes the incentive to replay it after the initial experience. While some players appreciate the journey enough to play it once, the reliance on story twists and a lack of varied gameplay elements contribute to its low replay value.
- “Even if it doesn't have a lot of replay value, it's still such a good game that you have to play it at least one time and experience the journey.”
- “This game probably has as much, if not more, replayability value as previous ones.”
- “Likewise, there is little replay value present as these games heavily rely on the narrative beats rather than gameplay per se.”
- “But as the story relies on twists and shock moments, replay value is much more limited compared to the previous two games - I've replayed 'To the Moon' a few times and still love it.”
- “The only downside is there isn't any replayability to it, as it is solely story-led.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is praised for its impressive optimization, delivering smooth performance on mobile devices and modern PCs, especially in comparison to its predecessors, which struggled with low frame rates. However, some users noted the absence of certain vocal performances from previous entries as a minor drawback. Overall, the visual optimization effectively enhances the game's emotional and charming experience.
- “All in all, an impressive optimization of the visual factor to bring equal parts emotion and charm.”
- “The game runs so smoothly while the last games ran like crap on 20fps; this runs smoothly and having a well-optimized engine is great for modern PCs.”
- “I never expected to get this level of performance out of a mobile game.”
- “It was also missing the 'trademark' vocal performance over a cutscene featured in the previous two entries.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The monetization strategy for the game has been criticized for misaligning with its core appeal, as players feel that advertising it as a murder mystery detracts from the intrigue of its timeloop mechanics. This confusion may weaken the game's overall reception and engagement.
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “I find the in-game purchases to be excessive and not worth the value they provide.”
- “The constant push for microtransactions makes it hard to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend more money.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report a range of bugs and glitches that affect gameplay, indicating that stability is a significant issue for the game. These technical problems can disrupt the overall experience, leading to frustration among players.
- “The game is riddled with bugs and glitches that make it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experienced frequent crashes that ruined my gaming sessions.”
- “There are so many stability issues that I can't progress without encountering a game-breaking glitch.”