Skip to main content

Mothered

93%Game Brain Score
story, atmosphere
grinding, stability
93% User Score Based on 458 reviews

Platforms

PCPCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SPlaystation 5Playstation 5Playstation 4Playstation 4WindowsWindowsPlayStationPlayStationNintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchXbox OneXbox One
Buy Nowfrom $3.99
Buy NowGet on Steam$9.99Buy NowGet on itch.io Store$10

About

"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.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Mothered screenshot
Mothered screenshot
Mothered screenshot
Mothered screenshot
Mothered screenshot
Mothered screenshot
Mothered screenshot
Mothered screenshot
Mothered screenshot
Mothered screenshot
Mothered screenshot
+1

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 458 reviews
story78 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • The game features exceptional writing and a deeply engaging story that keeps players invested throughout multiple playthroughs.
  • It creates a uniquely unsettling atmosphere without relying on cheap jump scares, making it a standout in psychological horror.
  • The sound design and retro visuals contribute significantly to the immersive experience, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the game.
  • The apple picking segment is frustrating and tedious, detracting from the overall experience and immersion.
  • Some players found the gameplay repetitive and the need to replay sections to unlock different endings tedious.
  • The graphics, while stylistically unique, can sometimes hinder visibility, especially during nighttime segments, making navigation difficult.
  • story
    188 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and unique presentation, often described as haunting and immersive. Players appreciate the intricate plot that requires multiple playthroughs to fully understand, with many noting its strong ties to personal experiences and psychological themes. While some find the gameplay repetitive, the narrative's execution and atmosphere are considered exceptional, making it a standout experience for fans of story-driven horror.

    • “The story is exceptional and while the gameplay can be overly simplistic, it works wonders with the story.”
    • “The story was very interesting and it's been a very long time since I've been actually surprised by the direction a game's story went in.”
    • “It delivers a brilliant story and incredibly good horror writing!”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging, immersive, and unsettling qualities, often described as beautifully crafted and deeply atmospheric, enhanced by effective sound design and a haunting story. Players appreciate the unique visual style and the psychological horror elements that create a sense of tension and unease without relying on cheap jump scares. While some minor gameplay issues were noted, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's impact.

    • “This game is absolutely beautiful—not so much for its visuals, but for the incredible atmosphere and carefully chosen background music.”
    • “Absolutely incredible atmosphere that is legitimately terrifying despite being so simple.”
    • “Extremely immersive storytelling, very enjoyable atmosphere to inhabit and just stylistically unrivaled.”
    • “My only complaint is that one section [spoiler](the apple picking)[/spoiler] feels like unnecessary padding, which does take the player out of the atmosphere a little bit.”
    • “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.”
    • “Glad this game didn't rely on cheap jumpscares, instead it has an intense atmosphere that really makes the player feel anxious.”
  • graphics
    68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a distinct retro-VHS aesthetic that resonates well with its narrative and atmosphere, often evoking a sense of nostalgia for analog horror. While some users noted technical roughness and occasional glitches, many praised the visuals for their charm and ability to enhance the storytelling experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a unique and integral part of the game's appeal, despite not meeting modern standards.

    • “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 story and atmosphere are incredibly good and harmonize really well with the graphics.”
    • “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.”
    • “The game features graphics that are a mix of 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.”
    • “Furthermore, the visuals got so overbearing towards the finale that it was just an amalgamation and explosion of colors, but right onto your corneas.”
  • gameplay
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized as a walking simulator with puzzle elements, which some players find overly simplistic and repetitive, particularly due to a confusing gameplay loop and the need to revisit objectives. While the mechanics are praised for fitting well within the story's context, the experience can feel tedious and frustrating, especially for those who struggle with visibility issues. Overall, the gameplay serves its narrative purpose but may not satisfy those seeking more dynamic or varied interactions.

    • “People criticize it for the troublesome loop gameplay, but in the context of the story, that's kind of the point, so I didn't mind.”
    • “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).”
    • “There’s something unnatural and mechanical about it all…”
  • music
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create an immersive atmosphere, with a soundtrack that enhances the emotional and horror elements of the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the effective use of creepy and ominous tracks, particularly noting the 80s synthwave influence that adds to the tension. However, some players mention that certain tracks can become repetitive or grating over time, particularly during prolonged play.

    • “The soundtrack feels perfectly attuned to every moment it accompanies.”
    • “The music is great, especially the creepier tracks, so when things turn tense, the music definitely sends chills down your spine.”
    • “The music is inherently 80s yet not full-blown, with the ominous synthwave piano notes, just enough to put you under a threatening mood in which you are wary of but cannot escape.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game elicits a profound emotional response through its cerebral storytelling and melancholic soundtrack, reminiscent of classic indie titles. Players appreciate its ability to create an emotional journey, often feeling invested in the characters and their experiences, despite some discomfort and isolation. Overall, it is celebrated for its wholesome message and replay value, making it a noteworthy experience for those seeking emotional depth in gaming.

    • “Waking up in the morning to 'As You Left It,' a beautifully melancholic track reminiscent of 'Lisa's Theme' or 'Not Tomorrow' from Silent Hill, stirred a deep emotional response in me.”
    • “It's everything I want when I look for something indie, a short game that does so much to get an emotional journey out of the player.”
    • “If you often find yourself emotionally invested in games because of the characters and how they treat you/how they feel, I think this game is something worth experiencing.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when replaying for different paths, with some sections feeling overly drawn out and frustrating. While the atmosphere and design are praised, the gameplay mechanics, such as repetitive tasks like apple picking, detract from the overall experience, especially when compared to similar titles like Undertale.

    • “The atmosphere was amazing, but the gameplay and blurry vision were making it tedious for me to get through.”
    • “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.”
    • “Because of the tedious parts, like the apple picking.”
  • stability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is inconsistent, with some players experiencing significant glitches, such as characters passing through doors and graphical issues, while others report a mostly smooth experience with only minor lag towards the end. Overall, the presence of frequent glitches detracts from the gameplay, leading some to suggest a lower price point given the technical issues.

    • “You'll experience deep, meaningful moments of contemplation when your character glitches through a door or falls into the endless abyss beneath the house.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky visuals, such as the amusingly dysfunctional interface, and the absurdity of interactions, including the comically vacant expressions of characters and the unpredictable behavior of the mother figure. This blend of visual and situational comedy contributes to a lighthearted and entertaining experience.

    • “From the funny-looking, 'out-of-commission' interface to the dead-eyed stares when passing the time and the hot-and-cold treatment by mother.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews do not provide specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on family dynamics and societal expectations as portrayed in advertisements. Therefore, no clear summary regarding monetization can be derived from the provided texts.

  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game is widely regarded as inadequate, with users expressing disappointment in its performance and efficiency.

    • “Currently, optimization just comes off as inadequate.”

Buy Mothered

5h Median play time
5h Average play time
5-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Mothered

Layers of Fear Image
This game contains adult content
78%18.7kreviews

Layers of Fear

2016Action Adventure
PCPCiPhoneiPhoneXboxXbox+13
No one lives under the lighthouse Image
This game contains adult content
86%1.5kreviews

No one lives under the lighthouse

2020Puzzle
PCPCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|S+8
Stories Untold Image
This game contains adult content
81%7.8kreviews

Stories Untold

2020Shooter
PCPCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|S+6
Who's Lila? Image
96%1.3kreviews

Who's Lila?

2022Casual Role Playing
PCPCWindowsWindowsSteam DeckSteam Deck
Buddy Simulator 1984 Image
92%5.7kreviews

Buddy Simulator 1984

2021Casual Role Playing
PCPCXboxXboxXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|S+7
Amanda the Adventurer Image
89%4kreviews

Amanda the Adventurer

2023Action
PCPCWindowsWindows
The Convenience Store | 夜勤事件 ImageThe Convenience Store | 夜勤事件 ImageThe Convenience Store | 夜勤事件 Image
85%3.4kreviews

The Convenience Store | 夜勤事件

2020Puzzle
Playstation 2Playstation 2WindowsWindows
A Wolf in Autumn Image
77%600reviews

A Wolf in Autumn

2015Action
PCPCWindowsWindows
Year Walk Image
90%2.8kreviews

Year Walk

2014Survival Role Playing
PCPCiPhoneiPhoneWii UWii U+6
Home Image
70%1.7kreviews

Home

2012Action
PCPCWindowsWindowsMac OSMac OS+1