Lost in Vivo

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,823 reviews
  • atmosphere
  • story
  • graphics
Lost in Vivo Game Cover
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"Lost in Vivo" is a narrative-driven psychological horror game where you play as a detective investigating a series of mysterious disappearances. The game features a unique mechanic of switching between the real world and the "Vivo," a nightmarish alternate reality, to uncover the truth. Your choices and interactions in the game affect the outcome of the story, leading to multiple endings.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,823 reviews
atmosphere238 positive mentions
stability35 negative mentions
  • Incredible atmosphere and sound design that creates a constant sense of dread.
  • Unique enemy designs and clever gameplay mechanics that keep players on edge.
  • Multiple endings and hidden content provide great replayability.
  • Combat can feel clunky and unbalanced, with some enemies being too easy to defeat.
  • The story can be confusing and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonist.
  • Some technical issues, such as screen tearing and bugs, can detract from the experience.
  • atmosphere446 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Lost in Vivo" is widely praised for its oppressive, claustrophobic, and immersive qualities, drawing strong comparisons to classic horror titles like Silent Hill. Reviewers highlight the effective use of sound design, unsettling visuals, and a unique art style that enhances the game's psychological horror elements, creating a constant sense of dread without relying heavily on jump scares. While some critiques mention gameplay and design flaws, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature that captivates and terrifies players throughout the experience.

    • “The atmosphere created by the sound design, setting, and art direction instills a sense of fear and dread that is held on throughout the game.”
    • “The phenomenal atmosphere is enhanced by the clever use of lighting, terrifying enemies, and the claustrophobic feeling that the game successfully creates.”
    • “Lost in vivo is an atmospheric first-person horror game about trying to find your dog in the worst place imaginable.”
    • “The game tries so hard to be scary, and it immediately ruins the atmosphere with monsters who go through walls, dumb effects, and excessive attempts to make the player be scared.”
    • “There was no personality here, no scares, no atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick and foreboding, making heavy use of underground locations that are filled with rustic metals and flesh.”
  • story414 mentions

    The story of "Lost in Vivo" is a complex blend of psychological horror and personal struggle, primarily revolving around a protagonist's quest to rescue their dog from a sewer, which serves as a metaphor for deeper themes of mental health, anxiety, and trauma. While the narrative is conveyed through environmental storytelling and scattered notes, many players find it vague and disjointed, leading to mixed interpretations and a sense of ambiguity that can be both intriguing and frustrating. Despite its shortcomings, the game offers multiple endings and additional content that encourage exploration and deeper engagement with its themes.

    • “The multiple branching storylines you can uncover were intriguing and thought-provoking, and it made use of the perfect amount of detail so that mostly everything was up for interpretation.”
    • “The attention to detail is phenomenal, the storytelling is masterfully crafted, the clever ideas are so many that I could talk for hours without even mentioning them all.”
    • “Lost in vivo uses its story, monsters, and environments to perfectly capture the themes it explores of anxiety, self-deprecation, mental illness, and loneliness—all wrapped in an overarching horror.”
    • “The story is vague, but makes you keep playing to see what happens next.”
    • “There's barely anything told in the story; everything is up to you to piece together the notes and such and come up with the conclusions on your own.”
    • “The main let-down, sadly, is the game's story.”
  • graphics382 mentions

    The graphics of "Lost in Vivo" are intentionally designed to evoke a nostalgic PS1 aesthetic, successfully capturing the gritty, low-poly style reminiscent of classic survival horror games like Silent Hill. Reviewers praise the game's unique art direction, which enhances the unsettling atmosphere and psychological horror, despite some noting that the visuals may appear dated or inconsistent at times. Overall, the retro graphics are seen as a strength, contributing to the game's immersive and eerie experience.

    • “The graphics in 'Lost in Vivo' are not only beautiful but also feature a unique art style that adds to the game's overall appeal.”
    • “The visuals are strikingly grimy and grisly without needing a high resolution.”
    • “The ps1 style graphics, the atmosphere, and sound design are all really cool and immersive, giving you that gritty Silent Hill vibe that you're probably looking for with a FPS twist.”
    • “The graphics are very dated but do the job, I suppose.”
    • “The graphics, while not very detailed, are lifted up by the excellent monster designs, oppressive environments, and great sound work backing everything up.”
    • “Graphically, this game leaves much to be desired.”
  • music290 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and evoke a sense of dread, drawing clear inspiration from classic horror titles like Silent Hill. Reviewers praised the soundtrack for its haunting melodies and effective sound design, which contribute significantly to the game's psychological horror elements. While some noted occasional repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature, elevating the gaming experience and immersing players in its eerie world.

    • “Liv’s sound design and deeply unsettling music are the primary reasons the game succeeds in terrifying where many don’t.”
    • “The music, aesthetic, and atmosphere are incredible, and the game does an expert job at instilling dread and paranoia at every turn.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the gameplay perfectly.”
    • “The soundtrack is truly and utterly horrifying with its dreadful and sharp noises.”
    • “The music is just never-ending nightmare fuel.”
    • “The soundtrack feels ill-fitting on some parts, as it sounds like someone recreating Akira Yamaoka's work but with slightly less effect.”
  • gameplay193 mentions

    The gameplay of "Lost in Vivo" is generally described as simple and reminiscent of classic survival horror titles like "Resident Evil" and "Silent Hill," featuring straightforward mechanics and a focus on atmosphere over complexity. While some players appreciate the nostalgic design and effective enemy encounters, others criticize the repetitive nature, lack of depth, and occasional bugs that detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable moments and frustrating elements, making it a decent choice for fans of the genre but potentially underwhelming for those seeking more refined gameplay.

    • “A simple, effective gameplay and story with the puzzles feeling very Resident Evil mixed with the horrors of Silent Hill to create an experience you won't forget and one you'll possibly revisit due to the multiple endings and challenge modes.”
    • “The gameplay is standard survival horror - find ammo, find lockpicks/keys, unlock new areas, get spooked by something horrific, blast a few bad guys, but the loop is so well done here with absolutely zero padding, it's a delight to play.”
    • “The gameplay itself is solid; you walk around, read letters that teach you about the nightmare-land around you, and solve simple puzzles.”
    • “Lost in Vivo isn't really anything you haven't seen before, especially when it comes to the story and gameplay concepts.”
    • “Very basic gameplay and a rather repetitive game despite being only 3-4 hours.”
    • “The gameplay is so stale and repetitive and I just can't be bothered to finish it, and it throws so much stuff at the wall hoping the horror will stick, and it's nothing but overwhelming and exhausting to play.”
  • replayability56 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple endings, new game+ modes, and various bonus content, making it appealing for players who enjoy exploring different story branches and secrets. While some players noted that the initial scares may diminish upon replay, the abundance of hidden features and alternative gameplay modes ensures a rewarding experience for horror fans. Overall, despite its relatively short playtime, many reviewers found the replay value to be strong and worth the investment.

    • “A relatively short game with insane replay value: 10/10 best horror game I've ever played.”
    • “The different endings and new game+ (which gets harder each time) give it replayability, and the tapes and hidden game modes give you more content as well!”
    • “Tons of replayability with new game+ modes and also hidden extras and goodies, not to mention 4 possible endings you can get.”
    • “Finally, with barely four to five hours of content and very little replay value, the game is absolutely overpriced at currently 10 euros.”
    • “Game possesses a new game+ option, that introduces new enemies, but otherwise Lost in Vivo has very little in a way of replay value.”
    • “I have yet to start new game+ (which I'm honestly not sure if I want to relive all that), but it's got a lot of replay value despite being a relatively short game.”
  • stability35 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it is quite buggy and unpolished, featuring various glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some appreciate the intentional glitches as part of the horror experience, others find them frustrating and detrimental to immersion. Overall, the game's performance is inconsistent, with reports of lag and technical issues, though some players still enjoy the atmosphere despite these flaws.

    • “It's buggy and janky.”
    • “The game is definitely on the buggy side.”
    • “Although the atmosphere and music are great, the game is very unpolished, buggy and lacks depth when it comes to gameplay and level design, so it's not all moonlight and roses.”
  • emotional35 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, eliciting a wide range of feelings from players, including genuine fear, anxiety, and sadness. Many reviewers noted that it effectively combines horror elements with heartfelt narratives, leading to moments of deep personal connection and reflection. The game’s ability to evoke such strong emotions, from terror to heartwarming moments, has made it a standout experience in the horror genre.

    • “The first time I finished the game, I cried (for a while); it just meant so much to me personally and connected to feelings I had that I didn't even know how to express.”
    • “I have never felt so emotionally affected by a horror game.”
    • “Despite the constant dread and anxiety I felt navigating the tight and dark corridors, the game made me feel like I was overcoming something and always just a few steps from reuniting with my lost dog.”
  • humor23 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark, absurd, and meta elements, often blending with horror to create a unique experience that elicits both laughter and tension. Players appreciate the unexpected comedic moments, such as funny bugs and quirky character designs, though some found the humor inconsistent or overshadowed by the game's darker themes. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with horror, providing a varied emotional experience that keeps players engaged.

    • “Kinda funny beginning with the dog just ending up in a sewer... but I really like the story and loved the part where you could choose which way is correct.”
    • “I was surprised that I spent a lot of my playthrough laughing and it never even detracted from the horror experience.”
    • “The game also has many endings, some even a little humorous in a dark way; it's great.”
  • grinding17 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, often describing it as tedious and repetitive, particularly during long sequences of movement and trial-and-error gameplay. While some elements, such as enemy design and ambient sound, enhance the atmosphere, many reviewers express frustration with the length and monotony of certain tasks, suggesting that these moments detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Most of the horror came from not wanting to die and have to re-do a tedious 5 minute crawl through an empty tunnel again.”
    • “From the leech creatures glitching their tongues and hitting you through walls, to stepping on a cluster of leeches and bugging into darkness, unable to move, resulting in having to reload a save... to the insanely tedious and rage-inducing 'walk down this hallway, eat an apple, puke, and walk down another hallway... rinse and repeat'... only to come across a huge creature that was unkillable.”
    • “The combat is tedious, regenerating health removes all stakes, the soundtrack is mediocre, the story and symbolism are both very predictable, and the constant meme and creepypasta references take you out of the experience completely.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is inconsistent, with some players experiencing solid performance while others report issues like screen tearing, resolution changes when alt-tabbing, and various bugs such as clipping and animation stuttering. While the graphics and sound design are praised, many users feel that the game is not well-optimized, particularly for resolutions beyond 16:9, leading to a frustrating experience for some.

    • “Performance was solid throughout my runtime and there were no bugs or glitches (except for the intentional ones :) ).”
    • “Good graphics, optimization.”
    • “The only criticism that I can mention is that the game (for its visuals) is a bit more demanding than it looks (performance wise).”
    • “Like, at the beginning of the game I can't even tell if the screen tearing is because that part is poorly optimized or if that's just part of the dev's love for buggy-like effects.”
    • “It was a long period of trial and error until I got to a 'playable' state because there was no way to get to an actual 'optimized' state.”
    • “The game's not optimized very well; alt-tabbing out of the game causes the game to change resolution.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is noted to be straightforward, with an emphasis on appealing character designs that enhance the overall experience.

    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
    • “The backstories and growth of each character are well-crafted, adding layers to the overall narrative.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players expressing dissatisfaction over in-game advertisements that disrupt the experience, particularly in the early stages. However, later portions of the game reportedly reduce this intrusive advertising, potentially improving the overall impression for players.

    • “The monetization tactics are aggressive and detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a game.”
    • “I was disappointed to see so many paywalls that hindered my progress, turning what could have been an enjoyable experience into a frustrating grind.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases feels intrusive and takes away from the immersion of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
4hMain story
8hCompletionist
2-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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