My Friend The Spider

About

My Friend The Spider is a single player simulation game. It was developed by MCA and was released on January 4, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

A small "horror" narrative game about isolation and depression. My Friend The Spider is a 10-15 minute walking simulator where the player finds themselves voluntarily locked in a room to escape and isolate due to their current emotional state and befriending a spider that grows in size with the story's progression. I originally worked on the game for a month and a half around October 2…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 67 reviews

story5 positive mentions

The game effectively captures the feelings of isolation and depression, resonating deeply with players who have experienced similar emotions.
It features a unique and relatable narrative, using a spider as a metaphor for depression, which many players found meaningful and impactful.
Despite its short length, the game delivers a powerful message and emotional experience, making it a worthwhile play for those interested in narrative-driven games.

The game is very short, lasting only about 10-15 minutes, which some players felt limited the depth of the experience and character development.
Critics noted that the gameplay is minimal and lacks interactivity, making it feel more like a visual novel than a traditional game.
Some players found the execution of its themes to be shallow or pretentious, suggesting that it may not resonate with everyone, especially those looking for more substantial gameplay.

story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
47%
20%
The game's story is a short yet deeply personal narrative that unfolds in an engaging manner, resonating with players who have faced similar struggles. Its evocative storytelling, combined with atmospheric sound design and minimalist visuals, creates an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impact. While some may find it too brief or simplistic, many players appreciate its heartfelt themes and relatable content, making it a recommended choice for fans of story-driven games.
- “Since its initial release, 'My Friend the Spider' has touched the hearts of players, garnering acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and relatable themes.”
- “The about games like this are from a gameplay mindset; they are uninterested, and from a story/writing mindset, they can come off as too personal or lacking.”
- “It takes 10-15 minutes to finish the game, but within that really short amount of time, it's able to tell the story it wants to tell in a convincing and engaging way.”
- “The game's simple yet evocative storytelling, complemented by atmospheric sound design and minimalist visuals, creates an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impact.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke deep feelings similar to "Firewatch," with a focus on mental health and personal discovery. Players appreciate the heartfelt storytelling and relatable themes, particularly in the context of companionship and empathy, which resonate strongly and leave a lasting impact. However, some critiques suggest that addressing serious issues through gaming can be misguided and potentially harmful.
- “Set within the confines of a small room, the game follows the protagonist's journey of emotional discovery and unexpected companionship with a growing spider.”
- “Since its initial release, 'my friend the spider' has touched the hearts of players, garnering acclaim for its heartfelt storytelling and relatable themes.”
- “It serves as a reminder of the importance of connection and empathy in times of struggle, leaving a lasting impression on those who embark on its emotional journey.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The gameplay is characterized by its simple and intuitive mechanics that effectively convey themes of confinement and discovery, creating a relatable and wholesome experience. While visually appealing, some users note that the gameplay may feel limited or lacking in depth, particularly in shorter titles like 'my friend the spider'. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and meaningful, despite its brevity.
- “Va work is well done, visually it looks great, gameplay is simple and understandable. It's a fun discovery with a powerful and simple message that everyone can relate to, possibly helping people along the way, which in the end is wholesome.”
- “Despite its brevity, 'My Friend the Spider' offers a meaningful gameplay experience.”
- “Not to mention the way you used game mechanics to portray not wanting to get out, or even up, by making you believe you were finally going to go out, only for the door to say 'stay in'.”
- “As for the game, there is no real gameplay.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The music in the game is praised for its great ambiance and atmospheric arrangements, effectively enhancing the player's journey through the protagonist's mental state and isolation. The soundtracks, along with voice acting, contribute significantly to the overall experience, making it a memorable aspect of the gameplay.
- “Great ambience and musical arrangements.”
- “With a playtime of around 10-15 minutes, players are taken on a journey through the protagonist's mental state and isolation, accompanied by atmospheric soundtracks, voice acting, and one unlockable achievement.”
- “Boris the Spider is the best song from The Who.”
- “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during longer play sessions.”
- “While the atmospheric soundtracks are intended to enhance the experience, they often feel out of place and do not match the game's tone.”
- “The lack of memorable tracks means that the music quickly fades into the background, failing to leave a lasting impression.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's graphics have received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing the visuals as subpar and suggesting the use of stock or flipped assets. However, others appreciate the minimalist design, which, alongside the atmospheric sound, contributes to an immersive storytelling experience.
- “The game's simple yet evocative storytelling, complemented by atmospheric sound design and minimalist visuals, creates an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impact.”
- “Even though the game looks pretty bad, and decent visuals are a minimum requirement for any game, it seems like some or most of the game assets are stock or flipped assets.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its immersive soundtracks, effective voice acting, and minimalist visuals, which together evoke the protagonist's mental state and isolation. Players experience a poignant journey within a brief playtime of 10-15 minutes, enhanced by simple yet powerful storytelling and atmospheric sound design that leaves a lasting impression.
- “With a playtime of around 10-15 minutes, players are taken on a journey through the protagonist's mental state and isolation, accompanied by atmospheric soundtracks, voice acting, and one unlockable achievement.”
- “The game's simple yet evocative storytelling, complemented by atmospheric sound design and minimalist visuals, creates an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impact.”