Mirror Layers
- October 29, 2021
- Revolab
Get on Steam"Mirror Layers" is a social horror game where players explore a mysterious apartment and survive horrors in a distorted reality known as the Mirror. Collaboration is key, and players can interact through a social network called Propaganda to share items, advice, and more. The game emphasizes solving puzzles, exploring the environment, and collecting clues, with a web and Android app available for Propaganda to facilitate cooperation even when players are away from the game.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique social media mechanic called Propaganda, allowing players to collaborate asynchronously to solve puzzles, enhancing the overall experience.
- The puzzles are well-designed and challenging, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment when solved, while the horror elements effectively create a tense atmosphere.
- Mirror Layers combines innovative gameplay mechanics with a compelling narrative, making it a standout title in the horror puzzle genre.
- Some players found the monster chase sequences frustrating and felt they detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- A few puzzles were considered unfair or overly difficult, leading to moments of frustration for some players.
- The game can feel slow-paced at times, particularly in the beginning, which may deter players looking for a more action-oriented experience.
- gameplay11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique blend of innovative mechanics and traditional horror elements, offering a mix of adrenaline-pumping moments and challenging puzzles. While some players find the horror aspects to be somewhat amateurish, the game excels in its puzzle design and introduces revolutionary twists on familiar mechanics, making it a standout experience in the indie game scene. Overall, it encourages strategic thinking and exploration, setting it apart from more linear horror titles.
“As far as gameplay and puzzle difficulty, Mirror Layers does well.”
“It has an excellent balance between sheer adrenaline-pumping horror gameplay and more thinky puzzles.”
“I love this system and am surprised this is the first time I have seen a mechanic like this in a puzzle game, and an indie game no less.”
“Outside of that, gameplay was your typical horror fare: complete puzzles and get out of harm's way when a monster is lurking.”
“Not just a spook to keep you on edge, but as a part of gameplay, which immediately made it seem cheap and amateurish when I know the people in charge are better than that.”
“- some mechanics that were coded into the game but never used?”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its intense and immersive horror elements, effectively utilizing jumpscares and a creepy environment to create a sense of dread. Reviewers highlight the attention to detail and the quality of puzzles, noting that the atmosphere is not solely reliant on jumpscares but also on a pervasive sense of the unknown. Overall, it is described as a very atmospheric and engaging horror experience.
“I really liked the atmosphere and the variety of the puzzles, and the propaganda 'social network' gimmick works really well.”
“It's so good and the atmosphere is really scary, especially with the things you find out about apartment 12...”
“The attention to detail, the quality of the puzzles, and the atmosphere are unbelievable, especially considering it has been developed by only a handful of skilled individuals.”
“I don't know if I will ever finish it, because I already had some heart attacks from the jumpscares and very scary atmosphere.”
“I think those segments have enough creepy atmosphere where you really don't need to do that.”
“It's not just 'rahh' jumpscares; it has some jumpscares, but the majority of what scared me was the atmosphere and the unknown.”
- story7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its creativity and depth, moving beyond typical horror tropes to deliver a unique narrative experience that unfolds through engaging mechanics. Players appreciate the well-presented storylines and the richness of details that encourage exploration and replayability, although some find the inability to start a new game frustrating. Overall, the narrative is described as brilliant and intriguing, inviting players to piece together its complexities.
“This game does more with the horror genre than just the standard 'run/hide from the monster while solving mundane puzzles and piecing together a run-of-the-mill edgy backstory', and I really appreciate that about it.”
“Edit: I now understand more of the story, and let me just say that once it sinks in, you'll realize just how brilliant it is!”
“The story is creative and really interesting in how it changes up each enigma, like in the game Visage.”
“I remember playing this game ages ago alongside some friends on GameJolt where it had a different style and story - although the game is much different now, it still holds up due to its very unique mechanics.”
“I don't want to spoil any more, and yes, I just teased you with what is the interesting part of the game, so you can buy it and try it yourself piecing the story of this scary fever dream.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their quality and effective aesthetic, particularly in creating an unsettling atmosphere reminiscent of "Stranger Things." However, some users noted minor inconsistencies in the graphics and aesthetic choices, which slightly detracted from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the visuals are considered helpful for puzzle-solving, enhancing gameplay.
“The graphics are really good, and the audio is minimal but almost perfectly effective.”
“Good graphics, very good sound environment.”
“The aesthetics of the mirror world, which seem to be inspired by the upside down from Stranger Things, made me feel incredibly uneasy every time I crossed into it from the comfort of the real world apartment.”
“The aesthetics of the mirror world, which seem to be inspired by the Upside Down from Stranger Things, made me feel incredibly uneasy every time I crossed into it from the comfort of the real-world apartment.”
“There were some inconsistent graphics and aesthetic choices, though these are just minor cons.”
“There were some inconsistent graphics and aesthetic choices, though these are just minor cons.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features minimal music, but the tracks that are present are described as fitting and appropriate for the atmosphere. Additionally, the music serves a functional role, signaling the presence of a character and enhancing the tension of the gameplay.
“It's also worth noting that he can sometimes just find you for no reason; however, you can tell when he's onto your location by the music and his walking pace!”
“Very little music is featured, but most of what is here is oddly fitting and appropriate.”
“It's also worth noting that he can sometimes just find you for no reason; however, you can tell when he's onto your location by the music and his walking pace.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game exhibits a generally stable performance, with only a few rare and minor glitches, such as visual anomalies and occasional delays in retrieving information. These issues, while present, do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
“There were also a couple of rare and minor glitches, like a flashlight shining through a wall, and finding a pertinent answer on propaganda sometimes took a few page flips and a good amount of research time.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of the game is heightened by the unsettling aesthetics of the mirror world, reminiscent of the upside-down from "Stranger Things," which creates a stark contrast to the comfort of the real-world apartment, evoking feelings of unease and tension.
“The aesthetics of the mirror world, which seem to be inspired by the Upside Down from Stranger Things, made me feel incredibly uneasy every time I crossed into it from the comfort of the real-world apartment.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted through its quirky art style and clever integration of challenging puzzles, reminiscent of a cooperative escape room experience. Players appreciate the lightheartedness and comedic elements that enhance the gameplay, making it enjoyable even when faced with difficult challenges.
“Half of the game is basically a cooperative escape room with quite difficult puzzles. Don't worry, if you get stuck, I'm sure you can find people discussing how to progress on propaganda, funny art sharing, and minesweeper.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions that keep you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game blends clever puns and absurd situations, making every moment feel light-hearted and entertaining.”
