Platform 8
- May 31, 2024
- KOTAKE CREATE
- 1h median play time
"Platform 8" is a walking simulator game set on a never-ending train. As you explore the train, you'll need to watch out for anomalies and find a way to escape. The game is inspired by Japanese subways and liminal spaces, and is a sequel to "The Exit 8". It is a short experience that can take between 15 to 60 minutes to complete. Both individuals and companies can distribute videos of the game, as long as they comply with the guidelines provided. The game's focus is on exploration and discovery, with a sense of unease and mystery adding to the atmosphere.
Reviews
- Platform 8 offers a unique twist on the gameplay mechanics from Exit 8, focusing more on solving puzzles and surviving anomalies rather than just spotting them.
- The game features a creepy atmosphere with creative jump scares and a variety of anomalies that keep players engaged.
- Despite being shorter and easier than its predecessor, the game is still enjoyable and worth the price, providing a fun experience for fans of the genre.
- Many players found the game too easy and lacking the challenge that made Exit 8 engaging, as it often tells you how to proceed and doesn't require careful observation.
- The lack of clear instructions at the beginning can lead to confusion, making it difficult for new players to understand the mechanics.
- Some anomalies feel more like visual distractions rather than meaningful gameplay elements, which detracts from the overall experience.
- gameplay114 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Platform 8" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant shift from the mechanics of its predecessor, "Exit 8." While some appreciate the introduction of new puzzle elements and a more interactive experience, others feel that the gameplay is overly simplified and lacks the depth and challenge of the first game, leading to a shorter overall experience. Overall, while the game offers interesting visuals and some engaging moments, it may disappoint fans of the original's more complex mechanics.
“I like that the gameplay is different than Exit 8, spotting the anomalies, to having to do some small puzzles or trying to survive the anomalies.”
“The big difference is in Exit 8 you just literally turn around if anything is off, but in Platform 8, since you must always continue forward, you must use specific gameplay mechanics to pass certain anomalies, like look at it/don't look at it, etc.”
“Overall, Platform 8 is stepping up its gameplay and horror level.”
“Kotake's newest title, Platform 8, is pretty disappointing, especially after its thematically- and mechanically-electric predecessor, Exit 8.”
“Platform 8 doesn't just fail to live up to the mechanically incisive heights of Exit 8, but it also neglects to treat its core conceit with the focus and breadth necessary for such a mechanically- and architecturally-simple game to transcend its small scope.”
“Honestly, the more I think about it, the worse this game seems; basically because you're really scraping the barrel to even describe this as a 'game': the gameplay is so minimal as to almost be non-existent.”
- graphics31 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game receive high praise for their beauty and immersive quality, with many reviewers noting the effective horror aesthetics and detailed visuals that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some criticisms arise regarding performance issues and a lack of variety in graphical settings, particularly in the sequel, which is seen as a step back in terms of optimization despite retaining strong visual appeal. While the graphics are often described as top-tier, they sometimes overshadow gameplay, leading to a perception of a shorter and less engaging experience.
“The graphics and ambiance make the game very immersive, which helps create a sense of helpless fear.”
“Fantastic anomaly game with terrifying anomalies and top-tier graphics and gameplay.”
“First of all, the graphics are beautiful.”
“Overall, it feels less like a game that you are trying to 'win' or complete, and more like a 'hey, take a look at these horror visuals we made' experience.”
“But it's a rushed and badly made follow-up in poor quality graphics and performance-wise, to harvest benefits and hits from their first game's success.”
“If the graphic optimization and motion blur weren't such a big problem in this game, I might have stuck with it until I had figured it out, but it's too annoying to move around like that.”
- atmosphere28 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its chilling and immersive qualities, effectively creating tension and a sense of unease reminiscent of its predecessor, Exit 8. While some players note that the gameplay is simpler and shorter, the sound design and eerie presentation contribute significantly to the overall experience, making it a worthwhile choice for fans of atmospheric horror. However, a few reviews suggest that it lacks the psychological depth and paranoia found in Exit 8, leaning more towards a walking simulator format.
“Great atmosphere and tension, horror done right.”
“The atmosphere is chilling and I look forward to more games from this developer.”
“This game has a very unsettling atmosphere; play it at night for an even more intense experience.”
“Even though this game has an appropriately unnerving and desolate atmosphere, I didn't feel as paranoid playing this game as compared to Exit 8, which kind of detracted from the 'psychological horror' element this game is going for.”
“There isn't much atmosphere or tension either; it feels more like a very simple walking sim to be honest, collecting all the anomalies.”
“I want to say I think the atmosphere of 'Platform 8' and some of the anomalies are solid, but that's all I could enjoy about it.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as simple and not deeply narrative-driven, focusing instead on a straightforward mission of identifying anomalies in a train environment. While some players appreciate its charm and the engaging puzzles, others note the lack of depth and variety in the storytelling. Overall, it offers a light experience rather than a complex narrative, with some players eagerly anticipating future chapters to expand on the plot.
“Game was amazing, won't spoil the story, but this is absolutely a classic Kotake game.”
“You're not going to get a super deep story with an overarching message, you're going to get a neat little walking sim.”
“At this point, I am eagerly waiting for a third chapter to complete the entire story.”
“As a sequel, 'Platform 8' retains the charm of 'The Exit 8.' There's no deep story or background connection between the two games, just some aesthetic similarities and light nods to its predecessor.”
“The plot at the end is really confusing and amazing.”
- optimization9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 44 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with users reporting poor performance even on high-end systems, leading to sluggish gameplay and low frame rates. Many players expressed frustration over the inability to disable ray tracing, which exacerbated performance issues, and noted that the overall graphics quality and motion blur detracted from the experience. Overall, the optimization is viewed as a major flaw, especially compared to the developer's previous titles.
“Performance: no issues with performance nor any bugs.”
“I only wished for a better performance and clearer instruction at the beginning.”
“No way to disable ray tracing; performance is strangely terrible.”
“It's almost unplayable because of the poor optimization in the game. Even on the lowest settings, it's a slow, sluggish experience that need not be and wasn't there in their first game at all.”
“If the graphic optimization and motion blur weren't such a big problem in this game, I might have stuck with it until I had figured it out, but it's too annoying to move around like that.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is perceived as having limited replayability compared to its predecessor, Exit 8, primarily due to its shorter length and easier challenges. While some players found value in the initial experience, many felt that once completed, there was little incentive to revisit the game.
“After 2 hours, I didn't feel like I had seen everything yet, but enough that my purchase was worth it. In my opinion, the game could be £5 (currently £3.39 full price) and it would still be worth it; the replayability will be in the very likely new experiences.”
“However, it's a game that doesn't really offer much in replay value; where Exit 8 offers a challenge of correctly finding and reporting anomalies, Platform 8's focus on observing and surviving anomalies, although good in concept, doesn't offer much once you complete the game.”
“Due to the lack of replayability, I find it hard to recommend Platform 8.”
“Interesting game, slightly less challenging and much less replayable than Exit 8, but still a decent game.”
- music5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a notable absence of music in the game, with users expressing disappointment over the lack of any musical score, resulting in a low rating of 6/10 for the audio aspect.
“Music: none at all.”
“Music?”
“No music.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a mix of emotions, ranging from discomfort and fear to genuine paranoia, particularly with Exit 8. However, the experience is balanced by a wholesome ending, suggesting a complex emotional journey throughout the game.
“Made me feel uncomfortable and scared at the same time.”
“Exit 8 was the first game that made me feel genuine paranoia.”
“Wholesome ending :)”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy includes in-game advertisements that are cleverly integrated, such as ads for real products that players can purchase through QR codes. However, players may face penalties, like being attacked by a hellhound, if they miss certain advertisement cues, leading to frustrating game resets.
“The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without constant interruptions.”
“I feel pressured to spend money to progress, which takes away from the overall experience.”
“The in-game purchases are not balanced, and it feels like you have to pay to win.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a mixed experience with stability; while some anomalies are varied and impressive, there are concerns about the absence of the intense atmosphere from the previous game, and questions remain about whether the game is entirely bug-free.
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs.”
“I haven't encountered any stability issues during my gameplay.”
“The performance is consistent, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced constant frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the immersion.”
“There are numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay, leading to frustrating moments.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a blend of spooky and amusing elements, with players enjoying the tension of searching for anomalies that can evoke paranoia. The mix of funny and interesting anomalies adds to the overall fun experience, making the gameplay both engaging and entertaining.
“The game was fun - searching for possible anomalies that make you paranoid when you think there is no anomaly, and then you see the sign saying that you are at route 0 (you failed). Some anomalies were spooky, some funny, some interesting.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game enjoyable and engaging, highlighting that it feels less tedious and more rewarding due to the interesting anomalies to discover. The overall atmosphere enhances the experience, making the grinding feel less like a chore and more like an intriguing challenge.
“It was more fun and not tedious at all, less 'find which pixel is different this time!' and more 'look, an anomaly!'”
“The anomalies are more interesting, aren't as tedious to find, and the atmosphere is excellent.”