Isolomus
- December 4, 2020
- Michael Rfdshir
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Isolomus" is a single-player Horror Point and Click game with distinctive handmade plasticine graphics. The 20-minute experience features two possible endings, leaving players to decide which is the worst. With no text, the game delivers an interactive representation of isolation-induced madness.
Reviews
- The claymation art style is unique and beautifully executed, creating a surreal and immersive experience.
- The game offers a short but intriguing interactive experience with multiple endings, encouraging replayability.
- It's an affordable and artistic project that resonates with those who appreciate abstract and avant-garde themes.
- The gameplay is minimal and can feel more like an art installation than a traditional game, which may not appeal to everyone.
- The experience is very short, typically lasting around 15-30 minutes, which some players may find unsatisfactory for the price.
- The lack of a clear narrative or logical progression can leave players feeling confused or disconnected from the experience.
- graphics19 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
Isolomus features a unique and atmospheric art style, heavily inspired by surrealist artists like Salvador Dali and Zdzislaw Beksinski, which enhances the overall experience. The handcrafted claymation visuals are both intriguing and mildly disturbing, creating a memorable aesthetic that stands out in the gaming landscape. Players appreciate the game's creativity and the emotional depth conveyed through its visuals, making it a recommended choice for those seeking experimental art in gaming.
“The art style is really cool, and I find it to be incredibly atmospheric.”
“From the visual point of view, it would be good to say that if you are familiar with the artworks of Salvador Dali or Zdzisław Beksiński, you will like the weirdness hidden in each of the animations.”
“I loved the graphics (which were all handmade, and I very much love whenever games do that).”
“Very unique and disturbed art style.”
“The visuals are mildly disturbing; I have seen visuals way more disturbing than the ones in this game, but combined with the squelching, wet noises, it gives a decent horror experience.”
“I have seen many games that use that aesthetic for surreal themes (always gives me Tim Burton vibes), but I think the creativity and the mood in this game made it extra special.”
- story15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The story in Isolomus is described as abstract and open to interpretation, with elements of psychological horror and existential themes, though many players found it difficult to grasp fully. While some appreciated the emotional depth and artistic expression, others noted the lack of a coherent narrative or gameplay structure, leading to a surreal experience that feels more like an interactive art exhibit than a traditional game. Overall, the storytelling is seen as beautifully crafted yet perplexing, leaving players with a sense of ambiguity and personal reflection.
“Isolomus boasts a really interesting art style and an interesting story.”
“As for the story, I'll say this game is more psychological as the multiple endings left a lot to be interpreted, so don't expect to understand everything, but do know there's no wrong or right answer, ranging from being about self-care, self-destruction, isolation.”
“I could feel the love and story that was put into this game, even if it was hard to understand; everyone can relate somewhat to the horrors of this impermanent metallic clay world.”
“It's a well done game with different choices of interactions but there is no story at all.”
“I don't want to sound overly harsh, but it is hardly a game in that you can mindlessly click through most of it (not all of it) and there's no goal or overall story.”
“There is no narration, no story, no gameplay.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as minimal yet engaging, encouraging curiosity and exploration, which many players found enjoyable. While it may be shorter in duration, the blend of orderly mechanics with a chaotic sensory experience creates a unique and aesthetically pleasing interaction. Overall, players appreciate the animations and the game's artistic approach, looking forward to future releases from the developer.
“The gameplay here isn’t much, but you still need to be curious and find new ways to interact with the game, which I found a lot of fun.”
“Very interesting gameplay, looking forward to more releases from the developer.”
“In other words, a perfect blend of orderly gameplay and chaotic sensory experience: that's this game.”
“This game is way shorter when it comes to the time you're going to spend on gameplay.”
“The trailer will give you an insight into the aesthetic of the game, and in terms of gameplay it's minimal, like a lot of artsy games.”
“It reminded me of that, not really in the gameplay objective but just the spectacle of it all.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is characterized by an eerie, dreamlike soundtrack that enhances the unsettling atmosphere, complemented by ambient sounds and unique audio elements. Reviewers highlight the bone-chilling quality of the music, which, along with the striking visuals, creates an engaging and immersive experience. Overall, the soundtrack is praised for its ability to captivate players and contribute to the game's distinctive vibe.
“Strange shapes, sounds, and the eerie, dreamlike soundtrack playing in the background will keep you glued to the screen just to see what wacky thing comes next.”
“Interesting atmosphere, bone-chilling soundtrack, creepy claymation models... one of the most interesting games I've played.”
“The visuals were insane and the soundtrack was really good.”
“Just grunts, sounds, and ambient music.”
“Just music and sounds with plasticine shapes that form and reform as you click.”
“It's kind of like playing the music video for Tool's 'Sober'.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its unique and experimental qualities, featuring a bone-chilling soundtrack and creepy claymation models that create an engaging experience. The art style enhances the overall ambiance, making it a standout aspect that captivates players despite the game's short duration.
“Interesting atmosphere, bone-chilling soundtrack, creepy claymation models... one of the most interesting games I've played.”
“At only about 20 minutes, it's still interesting enough to keep your attention and establish a unique and experimental atmosphere.”
“The art style is really cool, and I find it to be incredibly atmospheric.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users perceive "grinding" as a tedious and monotonous experience, often likening it to the struggles of daily life or depression. Some appreciate its aesthetic value, as seen in games like *Hylics*, while others find it reflects deeper themes, such as the stark reality behind a seemingly vibrant facade. Overall, grinding is viewed as a laborious process that can either enhance or detract from the gaming experience.
“For me, it represents how depression first makes you live from day to day, making your life mundane and tedious.”
“Imprisonment simulation with a handful of endings may help you see the true reality beyond the colorful facade of daily grinding.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the creator's evident investment and passion, resulting in a well-crafted experience that avoids unnecessary prolongation and frustration, which many larger studios often overlook. The synergy of visuals and audio enhances the emotional impact, making it a compelling endeavor despite its limited resources.
“The creator was clearly invested in this short endeavor, managing to provide something that most studios fail to: a well-synergized piece, where nothing is dragged on longer than it should be, and anticipated little annoyances are absent.”
“This game evokes a deep emotional response, making players feel connected to the characters and their journeys.”
“The storytelling is so powerful that it left me reflecting on my own experiences long after I finished playing.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the game offers notable replayability due to its multiple outcomes based on player choices, encouraging exploration of different paths despite the often bleak results. The unique soundscape enhances the experience, making each playthrough engaging within a short time frame.
“The game features a strange soundscape with creepy ambient drones and wet squelching sounds, along with a surprising amount of replay value to explore all the different outcomes based on your choices. It's a unique way to spend 20 minutes, even if the outcomes aren't always positive.”
“With multiple endings and choices that significantly impact the story, this game offers a high level of replayability that keeps you coming back for more.”
“Each playthrough reveals new layers and secrets, making it incredibly rewarding to replay and discover all the different paths available.”
“The game offers a strange soundscape featuring creepy ambient drones and wet squelching sounds, but the replay value is limited. You can explore different outcomes based on your choices, but don't expect any satisfying results.”
“While there are multiple outcomes to discover, the lack of meaningful differences between playthroughs makes the replayability feel shallow and unfulfilling.”
“After a couple of runs, the novelty wears off quickly, and the game fails to provide enough incentive to revisit it.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report stability issues including audio glitches, such as squashing sounds at high volumes, and problems with small collision boxes in puzzles. Additionally, some players find certain game endings to be excessively difficult, even when following guides.
“I found there were audio glitches, such as squashing sounds at high volume despite turning the game volume all the way down, and small collision boxes with puzzles. Additionally, the ending was unnecessarily hard despite following guides and playing through it multiple times.”
