LOST EMBER

An incredibly relaxing experience, with a great story to tell. Exploring the breathtaking environments as adorable animals is consistantly satisfying. The voice acting does detract from some moments, but Lost Ember's charm and beauty is undeniable

87%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

stability, replayability

87% User Score Based on 2,606 reviews

Critic Score 73%Based on 23 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $18.90

Buy NowGet on Steam€29.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

In Lost Ember, play as a wolf with a mysterious companion, exploring a stunningly beautiful world reclaimed by nature. Possess any creature you encounter to traverse diverse landscapes, from lush jungles to barren deserts, uncovering the stories of mankind's fall and the lush life that followed. This immersive 5-hour adventure is also available in VR, offering an extraordinary experience of life from different perspectives. The normal version of Lost Ember is also included with purchase.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,606 reviews

story1.2k positive mentions

stability126 negative mentions

Stunning visuals and beautiful art style that create an immersive experience.
Emotional and engaging story that resonates with players, often leading to tears.
Unique gameplay mechanic of possessing different animals adds variety and fun to exploration.

Frequent bugs and glitches, including getting stuck in terrain and camera issues.
Linear gameplay with little incentive to explore beyond collecting mushrooms and relics.
Voice acting and narration can be annoying and detract from the overall experience.

story
2,730 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
3%
The story of "Lost Ember" is a deeply emotional journey centered around themes of love, loss, and redemption, told through the perspective of a wolf and its spirit companion. Players explore a beautifully crafted world, uncovering memories that reveal the past of a fallen civilization, while the narrative unfolds in a linear fashion, often accompanied by stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack. While some players found the story predictable or the pacing slow, many praised its heartfelt delivery and the ability to evoke strong emotions, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate story-driven games.
- “Highly recommend for anyone wanting a great story to experience in a chill, cozy game.”
- “Lost Ember's story was very emotional, and the visual design was fantastic, let alone the music!”
- “Beautiful and tear-inducing story, great storytelling and very fun mechanics, a must play.”
- “Unfortunately, due to bugs, lack of clear direction, and poor storytelling, I found myself increasingly frustrated and have submitted a request for a refund after reaching chapter 5.”
- “The game looked promising, but between poor storytelling, culturally inappropriate voice acting, unclear directions, and bugs, it turned out to be one big ball of frustration.”
- “The story became more and more disappointing as it progressed.”
graphics
820 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
32%
2%
The graphics of "Lost Ember" have been widely praised for their stunning art style and beautiful environments, creating an immersive and visually captivating experience. Many players appreciate the unique aesthetic, which combines vibrant colors and detailed landscapes, although some have noted occasional graphical glitches and performance issues. Overall, the visuals are considered one of the game's strongest aspects, enhancing the emotional storytelling and exploration elements.
- “The art style is nothing short of breathtaking—each scene is a work of art that complements the game's emotional tone perfectly.”
- “The graphics are absolutely stunning and it is very easy to get lost in the beauty of little things while just exploring the areas.”
- “The visuals are stunning in it.”
- “The art style is simple in a 'hey, listen!' Zelda-ish kind of way, but by no means jaw-dropping, inspired, or original.”
- “The graphics aren't photo realistic, but the use of color and variety of the environments produce some moments where it is achingly beautiful.”
- “There are entire sections of map areas that are there but completely devoid of any detail, which is rather unforgivable for a game that strongly encourages exploration for exploration's sake.”
music
732 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
36%
1%
The music in "Lost Ember" has been widely praised for its beauty and emotional depth, enhancing the game's serene atmosphere and storytelling. Many players found the soundtrack to be calming and evocative, perfectly complementing the stunning visuals and immersive gameplay. However, some critiques noted that the music occasionally cuts out or lacks variety, which detracted from the overall experience at times.
- “The music is beautiful.”
- “The soundtrack is stunning!”
- “The music, design, and story combined make the game just wholesome.”
- “During the very last scene, two songs played over each other (this is actually currently happening in the menu).”
- “Long stretches where the music runs out and leaves the environment in a bland silence.”
- “Countless times, especially at the beginning, you will be constantly interrupted by the narrator, and the music in the game is just... weak, it's almost like elevator music, it doesn't represent the scenes at all, and this is when there is music, and where there is music it keeps fading in and out for some strange reason.”
gameplay
559 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
59%
7%
The gameplay of "Lost Ember" is characterized as simple and primarily focused on exploration, with players transforming into various animals to navigate the environment. While the animal-switching mechanic is praised for its uniqueness, many reviewers note that the gameplay can feel linear, repetitive, and at times clunky, with limited interactivity and a lack of challenging puzzles. Overall, the game is often described as a relaxing experience with beautiful visuals and a touching story, but it may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay mechanics.
- “The gameplay is a perfect blend of adventure and puzzle-solving, with a narrative that is both captivating and thought-provoking.”
- “The game's ability to allow players to switch between different animals to explore the world is a standout feature, adding a unique and innovative layer to the gameplay.”
- “Beautiful game with simple gameplay and a lovely story.”
- “The gameplay is horrendous.”
- “The gameplay consists of traversing the environment in search of dark red smokes, interacting with which allows to watch a non-interactive cutscene, usually a flashback, and proceed to the next area.”
- “The gameplay is very linear and doesn't well utilize the mechanics it has.”
emotional
421 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of "Lost Ember" is widely praised, with many players describing it as a deeply moving experience that evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears. The game's touching narrative, combined with its stunning visuals and evocative soundtrack, creates a heartfelt journey that resonates with themes of love, loss, and redemption. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in certain areas, the overall consensus highlights its ability to connect with players on an emotional level, making it a memorable and impactful experience.
- “Lost Ember is a beautiful game with an incredibly impactful story that resonates on a deep emotional level.”
- “The story unfolds as you journey through the ruins of past civilizations, touching upon memories that are lost.”
- “This game made me cry; the story got so good.”
- “Boring story, which is a shame since the game is actually just another walking simulator.”
- “I think the designers were trying their hand at making a journey-like game; they had some of the magic but got lost in the boring story.”
- “And when there is something remotely good, it gets interrupted by the most boring story with terrible voice acting.”
stability
134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
4%
94%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly disrupt gameplay. Common issues include getting stuck in the environment, graphical glitches, and frustrating camera problems, leading many to feel that the game feels unfinished. While some players found the experience enjoyable despite these flaws, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial polishing to improve its stability.
- “Graphically, the game is stunning and it runs great on Steam Deck, apart from devouring the battery.”
- “I loved this game so much; the art style is amazing and it was not buggy at all.”
- “Few bugs/glitches.”
- “I stopped playing because apparently there are further glitches when it comes to using the goat form up ahead, as reported by multiple other players.”
- “The game is really buggy, laggy, and at many points feels like an unfinished product.”
- “I'm not talking about the harmless glitches like ducks walking on thin air, animals freezing completely when standing still, and wombats literally floating over the terrain; no, I am talking about game-breaking ones, like possessing a fish and getting permanently stuck in a wall, getting trapped on multiple ledges with no way up, and multiple terrain clips that stuck me inside of rocks, forcing me to start again from my last checkpoint.”
atmosphere
128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
35%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating visuals, serene music, and immersive storytelling, creating a relaxing and beautiful experience for players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke emotions and provide a sense of exploration, although some note that certain design choices can detract from immersion. Overall, it is regarded as a stunning atmospheric adventure that excels in creating a tranquil and engaging environment.
- “Good storytelling, great visuals, charming art, and a very relaxing atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere in the game was so beautiful, and the music captivates the story!”
- “The atmosphere, the music, the story.”
- “This game really seems like it's trying to immerse you into its atmosphere, but every creative choice seems designed to pull you out of the game and annoy you.”
- “For a game that I would have expected to have atmosphere galore, the choice to use an Ubisoft-like 'you have found mushroom 1 of 99' game mechanic also seemed an odd, very immersion-breaking choice.”
- “I bought the game for the exploration and atmosphere; both are disappointing.”
replayability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
61%
21%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding value in collecting hidden items and achievements, while others feel that the short length and predictable story limit the incentive to replay. Completionists may enjoy the challenge of uncovering all collectibles, but many reviewers note a general lack of replay value, particularly for those not invested in achieving 100%. Overall, the game offers some replay potential, but it may not satisfy those seeking extensive gameplay beyond the initial experience.
- “It definitely has replayability for me, who loves these kinds of games, even after having 100%-ed it now.”
- “There is replay value through trying to collect all the collectibles that you 100% missed on the first run.”
- “This game has tons of replayability with all the hidden things to find throughout the landscape.”
- “Replay value is also low for the same reason.”
- “To close my review on a similarly bittersweet note, Lost Ember unfortunately ends up falling prey to the same issue that all of its brethren in the genre face: little to no replay value.”
- “I don't think I could sit through the game again, even for collectibles, so there's not really any replay value either.”
optimization
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
52%
28%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting stuttering, frame rate drops, and issues with loading textures, particularly on lower-end systems and PC. While some players noted that reducing graphics settings helped alleviate these problems, others highlighted that the game feels better optimized for consoles like PS4 and Xbox One. Overall, while the visual presentation is praised, significant optimization improvements are needed for a smoother experience.
- “The game performance, stability, controls, and presentation are all AAA title quality.”
- “It runs smoothly and many languages are supported, even in audio.”
- “It's also not very optimized and doesn't run well on lower-end systems.”
- “Also, the menu system is extremely broken and the optimization of the game demands improvements.”
- “The game needs more optimization; it is clearly optimized for PS4 and Xbox One, and not so well set up for PC.”
grinding
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
32%
56%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often feeling overwhelmed by the excessive number of collectibles and repetitive tasks. Many reviews suggest that exploration can feel like a chore due to poorly designed navigation and the need for extensive grinding, leading to a desire for a more streamlined experience. While some appreciate the hidden collectibles, the general sentiment leans towards the grinding being a significant drawback.
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but the rewards make it worth it.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding, but the experience is incredibly satisfying.”
- “While it can feel a bit grindy, the progression keeps you engaged.”
- “It's rather frustrating trying to figure out what animal you need to use to get where to do the, as per usual, tedious task of collecting pointless collectibles. Will games ever abandon this padding mechanic?”
- “It's not particularly beautiful or deep - it's tedious, awkward, passive, and repetitive.”
- “The gameplay at its core is tediously formulaic: find the smoke, watch the memory, turn into another animal to maneuver a barrier, rinse, repeat.”
humor
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding joy in the quirky animations, amusing character abilities, and unexpected glitches. Many highlight the comedic value of certain gameplay mechanics, such as the slow-moving sloth and absurd scenarios, while the overall presentation often leans towards the hilariously absurd rather than the intended emotional depth. Despite some frustrations with gameplay, the lighthearted tone and funny moments contribute to an enjoyable experience.
- “Making the wombats roll around made me laugh more than it probably should have haha.”
- “The animals are super fun to play and some are just hilarious, like a sloth that literally moves 1 meter an hour.”
- “Every animal not only had their helpful abilities, but they also had their 'stupid' abilities too, which I found to be pretty funny that each one had their own.”
character development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
Overall, the character development in the game is praised for its depth and engagement, with players feeling invested in the characters' journeys. While some critiques suggest a desire for more backstory and development, the unique character designs and the balance between serious and upbeat moments contribute to a compelling narrative experience. The stunning art style further enhances the emotional connection players have with the characters.
- “I was not planning on playing the whole game in one sitting, but I was instantly invested in the story and the character development.”
- “There is intriguing character development, and I feel most players will genuinely want the best for each character by the end of the game.”
- “The character development was phenomenal, and the graphics are beautiful.”
- “It's a very popular technique for writers who, either due to a lack of time, resources, or competence, or all three, just can't put together a decent story with decent character development.”
- “More backstory, more character development, etc. However, these gripes could be rectified with some DLC.”
- “With serious character development scenes followed quite abruptly by spirited, upbeat gameplay moments.”