Mothered

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 229 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

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 229 reviews
story39 positive mentions
grinding4 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, instead using sound design and visuals to evoke fear.
  • The gameplay encourages exploration and critical thinking, rewarding players with different endings and a richer understanding of the narrative.
  • The apple picking segment is frustratingly tedious and can detract from the overall experience, especially for colorblind players.
  • Some players found the gameplay repetitive, requiring multiple playthroughs to fully grasp the story, which may not appeal to everyone.
  • The graphics, while stylistically unique, can sometimes hinder visibility, particularly in darker areas, making navigation difficult.
  • story94 mentions

    The story of the game is widely praised for its depth, emotional impact, and unique presentation, often described as haunting and immersive. Many players recommend experiencing multiple playthroughs to fully grasp the narrative and uncover its secrets, as the plot is intricately woven and can be surprising. While some find the gameplay repetitive, it is generally viewed as fitting within the context of the story, enhancing the overall experience for those who appreciate 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.”
    • “The story and atmosphere are incredibly good and harmonize really well with the graphics.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere36 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, effectively enhancing the storytelling and overall experience. Reviewers highlight the unique visuals, haunting sound design, and a strong sense of tension that contribute to a deeply engaging and creepy environment. While some players noted minor pacing issues, the overwhelming consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for fans of psychological horror.

    • “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.”
    • “The story and atmosphere are incredibly good and harmonize really well with the graphics.”
    • “My only complaint is that one section (the apple picking) 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.”
  • graphics34 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a distinct retro-VHS aesthetic that effectively complements its atmospheric storytelling, though they may appear simplistic or glitchy at times. Many players appreciate the unique art style and charming visuals, which evoke a sense of nostalgia while enhancing the game's creepy vibe. Despite some technical roughness, the overall visual presentation is seen as a strong point that harmonizes well with the 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 graphics and atmosphere are so cool and unique, but the story for me shines the most.”
    • “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 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.”
    • “Furthermore, the visuals got so overbearing towards the finale that it was just an amalgamation and explosion of colors, but right onto your corneas.”
  • gameplay20 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized as a walking simulator with puzzle elements, which some players find simplistic and repetitive, particularly due to the need to revisit objectives. While the gameplay loop can be confusing and tedious, especially for those with visual impairments, it is often seen as fitting within the context of the story, which is praised for its exceptional narrative and atmosphere. Overall, the gameplay experience is described as personal and immersive, though it may not appeal to those seeking more dynamic mechanics.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is like the first-person segments in their previous game, The Enigma Machine, where it controls like an FPS until you click a button, which unties the camera and mouse pointer, and then it controls like a point-and-click game.”
    • “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…”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the gameplay and evokes strong emotions, particularly during tense moments. While some tracks may become repetitive over time, the overall composition, especially the creepier and synthwave-inspired pieces, effectively amplifies the horror elements and immerses players in the experience.

    • “This game is absolutely beautiful—not so much for its visuals, but for the incredible atmosphere and carefully chosen background music.”
    • “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 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

    The game elicits a profound emotional response through its cerebral storytelling and melancholic soundtrack, creating a deeply immersive experience. Players appreciate its ability to evoke feelings of unease and isolation, while also delivering a wholesome message that resonates on a personal level. Overall, it is recognized as a worthwhile indie title for those seeking an emotional journey.

    • “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.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when it comes to repetitive tasks like apple picking. While the atmosphere and design are praised, many feel that the gameplay mechanics detract from the overall experience, especially when compared to similar titles like Undertale.

    • “The atmosphere was amazing, but the gameplay and blurry vision made 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. I have to 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.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is inconsistent, with some players experiencing significant glitches, such as characters passing through objects 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 immersion, leading some to question the game's value given its technical shortcomings.

    • “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 that are a mix between realistic and pixelated; 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.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    While the game offers a great experience and unsettling atmosphere, many users note that its replayability is limited, though this does not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Great experience and unsettling atmosphere; however, there is not much replayability, but that does not detract from the game whatsoever.”
    • “The game is fun, but once you finish it, there’s little incentive to play again.”
    • “While the story is engaging, the lack of different endings makes replaying it feel unnecessary.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky visuals, such as the amusingly dysfunctional interface, and the absurdity of character interactions, including the comically vacant expressions of characters and the inconsistent behavior of the mother figure.

    • “From the funny-looking, 'out-of-commission' interface to the dead-eyed stares when passing the time, the humor is both quirky and engaging.”
    • “The game is filled with hilarious moments that keep you laughing, especially with the hot-and-cold treatment by the mother character.”
    • “The absurdity of the situations and the witty dialogue make for a truly entertaining experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game highlights the disparity between the idealized family portrayals in advertisements and the diverse realities of family dynamics, suggesting that the game's approach may not resonate with all players.

  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game is widely regarded as inadequate, with users expressing dissatisfaction with its performance.

    • “Currently, optimization just comes off as inadequate.”
    • “The game suffers from severe performance issues, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “Despite the potential, the lack of proper optimization leads to frequent crashes and long loading times.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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