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Is Simon There?

86%Game Brain Score
story, atmosphere
grinding
86% User Score Based on 354 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
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About

In "Is Simon There?", you navigate through a chilling narrative centered around the death of the player's son. This 40-minute horror experience combines walking simulator elements with atmospheric tension and suspense, as you question supernatural occurrences in your otherwise empty home. User discretion is advised for those sensitive to emotionally intense themes. Note that this title leans heavily on walking simulator mechanics and may not appeal to everyone.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Is Simon There? screenshot
Is Simon There? screenshot
Is Simon There? screenshot
Is Simon There? screenshot
Is Simon There? screenshot
Is Simon There? screenshot

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 354 reviews
story30 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game effectively creates a tense and spooky atmosphere, with well-timed jump scares that keep players on edge.
  • It explores themes of sadness and grief, particularly surrounding the loss of a child, which adds emotional depth to the experience.
  • Multiple endings and achievements provide replayability, encouraging players to explore different narrative paths.
  • The story is often confusing and lacks clarity, leaving players with more questions than answers about the plot and character motivations.
  • Gameplay can feel repetitive, with players needing to walk back and forth to trigger events, which can lead to boredom.
  • There are technical issues, including crashes and bugs that can hinder the overall experience.
  • story
    98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its emotional depth and multiple endings, while others criticize its vagueness and clumsy narrative progression. Many found the plot intriguing and engaging, particularly in how it unfolds and connects to the protagonist's backstory, though some felt it lacked coherence and depth. Overall, while the game offers solid scares and a decent storyline, it could benefit from more organic storytelling and clearer connections to its themes.

    • “As you progress, you begin to feel empathy for the protagonist, uncovering their backstory and the unsettling circumstances surrounding their plight.”
    • “The story unfolds really well and the happier ending is respectful, a bit uplifting, and feels well deserved for the character.”
    • “I love the story in this and delivered on all aspects of what you want in a psychological horror game.”
    • “It's not a labor of love, and the plot needs some work.”
    • “Very clumsy narrative which consists of the game telling you which room (or sometimes, object) to interact with next to advance the story.”
    • “Story-telling could have been improved as I felt it was all spoon-fed at the end rather than being introduced organically.”
  • atmosphere
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its immersive and oppressive qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and tension throughout the experience. Players highlight the masterful use of environmental details and sound design, which contribute to an unsettling ambiance filled with jump scares and a feeling of something lurking in the dark. While some note a decline in fear as the game progresses, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature that enhances the horror experience.

    • “As you navigate the protagonist’s claustrophobic home, you are haunted by persistent phone calls asking, 'Is Simon there?' The unsettling atmosphere is masterfully crafted, with the environment itself contributing to the tension—tall potted plants become unexpected sources of jump scares, and the sense of something lurking in the dark keeps you on edge.”
    • “For a long time, I forgot what a constant atmosphere of dread felt like in a horror game, until I played this game and nearly chickened out because said atmosphere was so invasive.”
    • “The atmosphere is really oppressive, using a small space to its fullest.”
    • “The ambiance and jumpscares often include low-pitched, thunderous noises that create an uncomfortable and oppressive atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere was unsettling and the tension kept building up throughout the game.”
  • gameplay
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by a minimalistic loop that emphasizes exploration and environmental changes, creating an eerie atmosphere that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the variety of endings and the rewarding nature of discovering secrets, although some miss previous mechanics like photographing. Overall, the game offers a unique, isolated experience that encourages replayability despite its simplicity.

    • “It was a lot of walking around to trigger events, but the atmosphere was good and I like different endings in these short games. It makes me want to come back to play it again to find the other ways to end the game, which adds to the gameplay time and makes it worth the money you spent on it.”
    • “While the secret ending took some trial and error, it was really rewarding when I worked out the mechanics.”
    • “On a gameplay standpoint, this is taking the player out of control to an extreme, and I absolutely love it.”
    • “It was a lot of walking around to trigger events, but the atmosphere was good and I like different endings on these short games. It makes me want to come back to play it again to find the other ways to end the game, which adds to the gameplay time and makes it worth the money you spent on it.”
    • “Gotta say I miss the photographing mechanics of the previous games. I know it doesn't fit in this one though; I would actually love if the dev made a game focusing only on that, not unlike Fatal Frame, but without the need for combat, more like seeking out paranormal events to catalog.”
  • graphics
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's graphics receive positive feedback for their smoothness and attention to detail, with many players praising the visual quality and immersive experience. However, some users noted issues with excessive bloom that can detract from the overall appearance, and a few described the graphics as basic. Despite these criticisms, the graphics are generally considered a strong aspect of the game.

    • “And for some reason, there is an insane amount of bloom that washes out the graphics pretty bad.”
    • “- it is basic graphics wise”
  • replayability
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers solid replayability through multiple endings and achievements, encouraging players to explore various narrative paths. While many players appreciate the enjoyable replay experience, some note that the replayability may feel somewhat limited. Overall, the combination of different endings and a checkpoint system enhances the incentive to replay.

    • “There is replayability that is very enjoyable, thanks to there being 3 endings and a checkpoint that you can jump ahead to after your first playthrough.”
    • “Great scares, interesting story, I love that it is replayable with multiple possible endings!”
    • “The replayability is a tad bit limited.”
    • “Multiple endings and achievements add replayability, encouraging players to explore different narrative paths and uncover all its secrets.”
    • “The achievements make it have replay value.”
  • emotional
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is noted for its profound emotional impact, particularly resonating with players who have experienced parenthood. Its narrative unfolds in a way that feels authentic and poignant, delivering gut-wrenching moments without feeling contrived. Overall, the emotional depth and tension create a gripping experience that leaves players on edge.

    • “As the story unfolds, it is pretty emotional, especially if you have/had a child.”
    • “The two serious ones delivered more context without it feeling forced, and were an emotional punch in the gut.”
    • “I died in real life once, was on edge the entire time and has a heartbreaking story.”
  • humor
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its humor, featuring amusing easter eggs and a good balance of jump scares that also include comedic moments. Players appreciate the lighthearted elements that enhance the overall experience.

    • “Amazing game, good pace with the jump scares and had some pretty funny moments as well!”
    • “Funny easter egg as well.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players noting good graphics and performance, while others criticize it for poor optimization overall. Additionally, there are suggestions for improvements in sound design and character dialogue to enhance the experience.

    • “The graphics and performance are good, the sound design could have been better/more engaging and maybe some more dialogue from the characters.”
    • “Decent horror, mediocre story, cool easter egg, but really poor optimization.”
  • music
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is minimalistic, enhancing immersion by avoiding unnecessary soundtracks, which is particularly effective in horror settings. This approach allows players to feel as if they are truly part of the game environment.

    • “The music immerses you into the game without any unnecessary distractions.”
    • “The best horror games lack a soundtrack, making you feel as if you are actually there, in the game.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players consistently express that the grinding required in the game is excessively time-consuming, often likening it to needing a second life to manage the demands.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”

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