Lost in Vivo

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,030 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 5,030 reviews
atmosphere434 positive mentions
stability62 negative mentions
  • Incredible atmosphere and sound design that creates a constant sense of dread.
  • Unique and creative enemy designs that enhance the horror experience.
  • Engaging story that explores deep themes of mental health and personal trauma.
  • Combat can feel clunky and unbalanced, with some weapons being more effective than others.
  • The game is relatively short, taking around 3-4 hours to complete.
  • Some puzzles and gameplay mechanics can be confusing or frustrating, leading to potential softlocks.
  • atmosphere800 mentions

    The atmosphere of "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, lighting, and low-poly graphics to create a sense of dread and paranoia, often noting that the game relies more on atmospheric tension than on cheap jump scares. Overall, the game's ability to evoke fear through its environment and storytelling is seen as a significant strength, making it a standout experience in the horror genre.

    • “The music, aesthetic, and atmosphere are incredible, and the game does an expert job at instilling dread and paranoia at every turn.”
    • “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 atmosphere is incredible throughout the whole game, and every area is claustrophobic with new and creative scares at every turn.”
    • “There was no personality here, no scares, no atmosphere.”
    • “I understand that it is meant to be like that to add to an atmosphere and so on but wait - creating a game with graphics from a PS1 Doom game is just not the way to go.”
    • “The maps and feel are similar to Silent Hill 3, but empty and devoid of enemies and horror atmosphere stripped away, enemies are uninspired.”
  • story742 mentions

    The story of "Lost in Vivo" is a mixed bag, with some players praising its intriguing themes of mental health and personal struggle, while others find it confusing and lacking cohesion. The narrative primarily revolves around a quest to rescue a lost dog, with environmental storytelling and notes providing depth, but many feel it doesn't fully realize its potential, leaving some plot threads unresolved. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of horror and psychological elements, though its storytelling may require players to piece together the narrative themselves for a more fulfilling experience.

    • “The attention to detail is phenomenal, the storytelling is masterfully crafted, and the clever ideas are so many that I could talk for hours without even mentioning them all.”
    • “The loss of your service dog forces you to overcome your fears on your own and firmly roots both the game's mission and narrative.”
    • “The story and emotions are poignant, and the multiple different endings are well written and meaningful within the context of the story, with certain endings shining a light on some of the reasons behind the nightmarish experience you go through.”
    • “Compared to horror games like Soma and Outlast, the story makes very little sense.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics680 mentions

    The graphics of *Lost in Vivo* are intentionally designed to evoke a retro aesthetic reminiscent of PS1-era horror games, particularly *Silent Hill*, effectively enhancing the game's unsettling atmosphere. While some players appreciate the low-poly, pixelated style for its ability to instill dread and nostalgia, others criticize it for appearing outdated or inconsistent with modern graphical standards. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's psychological horror experience, blending minimalist design with modern lighting techniques to create a haunting and immersive environment.

    • “The visuals are strikingly grimy and grisly without needing a high resolution.”
    • “An absolute horror masterpiece, the PS1 style graphics help amplify the game's horror and atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics may be PS1 styled, but the art direction is very appealing and effective with how the game plays.”
    • “I understand that it is meant to be like that to add to an atmosphere and so on, but creating a game with graphics from a PS1 Doom game is just not the way to go.”
    • “On top, the deliberately old and undetailed visuals that are supposed to emulate the PlayStation 1 Silent Hill graphics don't benefit the game at all, but rather make it an unintentionally comical mockery.”
    • “The graphics are a bit on the weak side even for its date of release.”
  • music516 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to create a haunting and immersive atmosphere, drawing clear inspiration from the iconic soundtracks of the Silent Hill series. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's diversity, ranging from eerie and unsettling to calming and beautiful, effectively enhancing the game's psychological horror elements. Overall, the sound design and music are considered standout features, contributing significantly to the game's tension and emotional depth.

    • “The music, aesthetic, and atmosphere are incredible, and the game does an expert job at instilling dread and paranoia at every turn.”
    • “The music is phenomenal; Akuma Kira, Ritual Wails to the Cosmic Tree, Nolan Reese, and Jarren Crist all did a great job composing the soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly builds the game's super unique, claustrophobic atmosphere.”
    • “As a practicing Muslim, it saddens me that there is no BGM volume setting to disable music.”
    • “The soundtrack is truly and utterly horrifying with its dreadful and sharp noises.”
    • “The music is just never-ending nightmare fuel.”
  • gameplay338 mentions

    The gameplay of "Lost in Vivo" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its simplicity and lack of depth compared to classic survival horror titles like "Silent Hill" and "Resident Evil." While some appreciate the atmospheric design and unique mechanics, others criticize the repetitive nature, clunky controls, and underwhelming combat, leading to a generally uneven experience. Overall, it offers a nostalgic homage to retro horror games but may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay or engaging mechanics.

    • “Akuma Kira has shown time and time again that they know how to deliver amazing gameplay, chilling soundtracks, and atmospheres that are both chilling and safe at the same time.”
    • “Great atmosphere, simple but fun gameplay, and just a really neat window back to the crunchy days of old.”
    • “The gameplay is standard survival horror - find ammo, find lockpicks/keys, unlock new areas, get spooked by something horrific, blast a few bad games, but the loop is so well done here with absolutely zero padding, it's a delight to play.”
    • “Very basic gameplay and a rather repetitive game despite being only 3-4 hours.”
    • “Ultimately I was so dissatisfied with the gameplay that I put it down and haven't picked it back up since.”
    • “The gameplay is very unpolished, buggy, and lacks depth when it comes to gameplay and level design, so it's not all moonlight and roses.”
  • replayability108 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple endings, a new game+ mode, and various bonus content, including hidden secrets and additional gameplay modes. While some players noted that the initial scares may diminish upon replay, the overall experience remains engaging and worth revisiting, especially for horror fans. However, a few reviews mentioned that the game's relatively short length could limit its replay value for some players.

    • “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.”
    • “If you pick this up either on a sale or at full price, I doubt you'll be disappointed if you're a horror fan. The only thing I'll quickly say is the game is quite short, having clocked in at 4.2 hours, and around three by the time I beat the main story, but there's plenty here to enjoy past that and I feel it'd have decent replay value.”
  • stability62 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with many users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. While some players noted that the game runs solidly at times, the prevalence of janky mechanics and unpolished elements creates a frustrating experience, especially during critical moments like unskippable intros and significant gameplay events. Overall, the game's stability is considered a major drawback, overshadowing its atmospheric strengths.

    • “If your game glitches out and loses audio, don't make the intro unskippable and the first save point ten minutes in.”
    • “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.”
    • “A non-existent story, shoddy gunplay against twitchy enemies that are hard to hit, and bizarre glitches (and I am not even talking about the intentional ones that break the fourth wall) all serve to ruin a superbly crafted atmosphere, and ultimately the game itself.”
  • emotional60 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, eliciting a wide range of feelings from players, including genuine fear, anxiety, and even tears. Many reviewers noted how the game effectively creates a sense of unease and dread, while also delivering heartwarming moments and personal connections that resonate deeply. Overall, it stands out as a unique horror experience that not only terrifies but also engages players on an emotional level, making them reflect on their own feelings and experiences.

    • “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 let this game emotionally attach me way too much. As someone who struggles with some of the themes in this game, I can say confidently it helped me and is the reason why this is one of my all-time favorite games.”
    • “Silent Hill is one of my most beloved franchises, and I don't throw around comparisons to it lightly, but this is such an inspired concoction of impossible space, captivating atmosphere, and emotional core that it warrants being in the same sentence.”
  • humor46 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark, absurd, and meta elements, often blending seamlessly with its horror aspects. Players found moments of unintentional hilarity, such as amusing bugs and quirky character designs, which contributed to a unique experience that elicited both laughter and fear. However, some felt that the humor occasionally detracted from the intended tension, leading to a confusing blend of emotions throughout the gameplay.

    • “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.”
  • optimization32 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing solid performance and no significant bugs, while others report issues such as screen tearing, frame rate drops, and problems when alt-tabbing. Many users noted that the game seems poorly optimized for resolutions other than 16:9 and highlighted various bugs, including animation stuttering and clipping issues. Overall, while the graphics and sound design are praised, the optimization leaves much to be desired, leading to a frustrating experience for some players.

    • “Performance was solid throughout my runtime and there were no bugs or glitches (except for the intentional ones :) ).”
    • “Good graphics, optimization.”
    • “Level design, sound design, monster design, music, atmosphere, scares, graphics, performance, are all top notch.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game suffers from a lot of the same issues that plague other 'Unity horror' games: poor performance, shallow plot, and worst of all, clichés (I'm sick and tired of weeping angels!).”
    • “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.”
  • grinding32 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious, with players expressing frustration over repetitive tasks and lengthy sequences that detract from the overall experience. While some elements of gameplay and enemy design are praised, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grind can feel excessive and detracts from the enjoyment, leading to a mixed reception. Overall, players suggest that the game may not be worth enduring the grind for its short story length.

    • “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.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is noted to be straightforward, with a focus on appealing character designs rather than complex narratives. Overall, while the characters are visually engaging, the depth of their development may not be as rich or intricate.

  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received criticism for its intrusive advertising, particularly in the early stages, which can detract from the overall experience. However, players noted that these advertisements diminish in later portions of the game, potentially alleviating initial concerns.

    • “The monetization strategy feels intrusive and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many ads and prompts for in-game purchases while trying to enjoy the game.”
    • “The constant push for microtransactions really ruins the immersion and enjoyment of the gameplay.”
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 10 analyzed playthroughs

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