Mothered

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 378 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • graphics
Mothered Game Cover
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"Mothered" is a single-player Horror Role Playing game with a splendid story and marble visuals. As Liana, you return home to find your mother replaced by a mannequin, leading to a dense and tense atmosphere over 7 in-game days. The game features a gradual reveal of its narrative and the possibility of breaking a mysterious cycle. Content Warning: sickness, abuse, and death.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 378 reviews
story64 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • The game offers a masterclass in psychological horror, with an engaging atmosphere that keeps players on edge without relying on cheap jump scares.
  • The story is exceptionally written and deeply immersive, encouraging multiple playthroughs to uncover all its secrets and endings.
  • The audio design and visuals create a haunting experience that enhances the unsettling narrative, making it a unique and memorable horror game.
  • The gameplay can feel tedious and repetitive, particularly with certain tasks like apple picking that detract from the overall experience.
  • Some players found the game short for its price and felt that the obscure solutions to puzzles made progression frustrating.
  • The lack of clear direction and the necessity to replay sections multiple times to fully understand the story can be off-putting for some players.
  • story154 mentions

    The story is widely praised for its depth, creativity, and emotional impact, often described as haunting and immersive, particularly within the horror genre. Many players appreciate the unique presentation and the need for multiple playthroughs to fully grasp the narrative's complexities and secrets. However, some find the gameplay repetitive and the story occasionally confusing, suggesting that it may not appeal to everyone, especially those less inclined towards story-driven experiences.

    • “The story is exceptional and while the gameplay can be overly simplistic, it works wonders with the story.”
    • “The story, the characters, the horror, it's perfect.”
    • “It will keep you guessing throughout your gameplay while the tense, immersive atmosphere tells a twisted and unnerving story.”
    • “I really wanted to like this game, but the story is confusing and the gameplay is boring and repetitive.”
    • “The story never really became something interesting, although it had the potential to.”
    • “If it just told a single story or made the optional tasks to unlock different endings make any amount of logical sense then this would have been better.”
  • atmosphere56 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging, creepy, and immersive qualities, often described as unsettling and psychologically intense. Reviewers highlight the effective use of sound design and music, which significantly enhance the overall experience, while the unique visual style contributes to a haunting ambiance. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the atmosphere remains a standout feature that captivates players throughout their experience.

    • “Absolutely incredible atmosphere that is legitimately terrifying despite being so simple.”
    • “Extremely immersive storytelling, very enjoyable atmosphere to inhabit and just stylistically unrivaled.”
    • “The uncanny valley effect is definitely strong and every time you see her, you just get a sense that something is incredibly wrong, really helps bring the atmosphere to intense heights.”
    • “Just purely unsettling psychological horror and very surreal atmosphere.”
    • “Glad this game didn't rely on cheap jumpscares, instead it has an intense atmosphere that really makes the player feel anxious.”
  • graphics56 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a distinct retro-VHS aesthetic that pays homage to analog horror, creating a unique atmosphere that enhances the storytelling. While some visuals may appear simplistic or glitchy, they are intentionally designed to evoke nostalgia and contribute to the game's creepy vibe. Overall, the stylized graphics, despite being technically rough at times, are well-received for their charm and ability to immerse players in the game's narrative.

    • “The visuals were one of my favorite details: this was clearly inspired by and pays a very good tribute to the whole aesthetic of retro VHS and analog horror series (think of Gemini Home Entertainment or Midwest Angelica to get the idea).”
    • “The visual look of the game is also stylized, and the blur they use on the geometry creates this look that reminds me of the pre-rendered visuals of old point-and-click games like Myst or Riven, which is a very good fit for a game like this.”
    • “I was a big fan of the retro style graphics, and the game does have an appropriate creepy vibe.”
    • “The game features graphics between realistic and pixel-textured; the bed covers are glitched, and every time the mother moves her right hand, it glitches with the dress she's wearing.”
    • “Given the graphics, the glitches and the fact that it's a looping game, it should be $4 tops.”
    • “Def not a game for everyone though, it having PSX graphics and being a more narrative/horror game.”
  • gameplay36 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized as a walking simulator with puzzle-solving elements, which some players find overly simplistic or repetitive, particularly due to its confusing loop mechanics and reliance on branching storylines. While the gameplay may feel tedious at times, many reviewers appreciate how it complements the exceptional story and immersive atmosphere, making it a unique experience despite its flaws. Overall, the gameplay is seen as more intellectual than mechanical, offering a personal touch that resonates with the narrative.

    • “Explaining 'Mothered' from the gameplay perspective is pretty difficult; the best way I can describe it is that it's a walking simulator, but there are quite a few puzzles you have to solve to advance through the storyline.”
    • “The story is exceptional, and while the gameplay can be overly simplistic, it works wonders with the story.”
    • “It will keep you guessing throughout your gameplay while the tense, immersive atmosphere tells a twisted and unnerving story.”
    • “I really wanted to like this game, but the story is confusing and the gameplay is boring and repetitive.”
    • “I don't have the patience for repeated gameplay; 'branching storylines' (going back to day 1 and doing the same objectives, hoping for something to change).”
    • “Explaining the gameplay perspective is pretty difficult; the best way I can describe it is that it's a walking simulator, but there are quite a few puzzles you have to solve to advance through the storyline.”
  • music24 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and set the mood, particularly during tense moments, with many tracks effectively amplifying horror elements. While some players noted that certain songs can become grating over time, especially if stuck in a particular scenario, the overall composition is considered exceptional and a key reason to play the game.

    • “The music is great at setting the mood and this developer is very good at playing with the environment.”
    • “The music is great, especially the creepier tracks, so when things turn tense, the music definitely sends chills down your spine.”
    • “A lot of the horror elements are amplified thanks to the position of certain characters as well as lighting, but most importantly, the music composed was so well done I had to turn my lamp back on for some parts.”
    • “The soundtrack makes you dizzy, your skin crawls away and suddenly...”
    • “The only minor negative is that the song that plays during the mornings does get pretty grating fast, but overall it's still great stuff.”
    • “Some music gets grating if you get stuck.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply resonant, particularly through its melancholic soundtrack and character interactions that foster a strong emotional investment. The combination of evocative music and character dynamics creates a memorable experience that can evoke feelings of discomfort and nostalgia, making it a game worth revisiting.

    • “Waking up in the morning with 'As You Left It,' the beautifully melancholic track playing that reminds me a lot of Lisa's theme from Silent Hill, made me feel somewhat emotional.”
    • “If you often find yourself emotionally invested in games because of the characters and how they treat you and how they feel, I think this game is something worth experiencing.”
    • “The graphics aside, it has replay value and made me feel rather uncomfortable.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding in the game to be tedious, particularly highlighting repetitive tasks like apple picking that detract from the overall experience. While the atmosphere and design evoke positive comparisons to Undertale, many feel that the gameplay lacks the same engaging quality, making certain sections feel unnecessarily drawn out.

    • “The atmosphere was amazing, but the gameplay and blurry vision were making it tedious for me to get through.”
    • “Because of the tedious parts, like the apple picking.”
    • “Yet, so much of it, from the design to the dialogue (rather monologue) reminded me heavily of Undertale, and I gotta say, Undertale did it better. I say this as someone who played through Undertale several times, and yes, parts of it did become tedious, but never as tedious as parts of Mothered, despite the latter being much shorter in duration.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game's stability is inconsistent, with reports of graphical glitches, particularly with bed covers and character animations. While some players experienced no significant bugs during their playthrough, others noted lag issues towards the end, suggesting a need for optimization. Overall, the presence of glitches detracts from the experience, leading some to question the game's value.

    • “The game features graphics that are a mix of realistic and pixelated textures; the bed covers are glitched, and every time the mother moves her right hand, it glitches with the dress she's wearing.”
    • “Given the graphics, the glitches, and the fact that it's a looping game, it should be $4 at most.”
    • “I didn't encounter any bugs or glitches during my playthrough, although I did experience some lag issues at the very end of the game.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    While the game offers a great experience and unsettling atmosphere, many users note that it lacks significant replayability. However, this limitation does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “Great experience and unsettling atmosphere; however, there is not much replayability, but that does not detract from the game whatsoever.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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