Platform 8
- May 31, 2024
- KOTAKE CREATE
- 1h median play time
Get on Steam"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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Platform 8 offers a unique and eerie experience, immersing players in a surreal horror atmosphere.
- The game features interesting anomalies that require players to think and react, providing a different gameplay experience compared to its predecessor, Exit 8.
- Despite being shorter and easier, the game is still enjoyable and worth the price, with a fun twist ending.
- Many players found the game too easy and lacking the challenge and tension that made Exit 8 engaging.
- The lack of clear instructions and the change in gameplay mechanics led to confusion for some players, making it difficult to understand how to progress.
- Some anomalies felt obvious and less creative, reducing the sense of discovery and paranoia that characterized the first game.
- gameplay192 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Platform 8" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the mechanics of its predecessor, "Exit 8." While some appreciate the new interactive elements and visual improvements, others feel that the gameplay is overly simplified and lacks the depth and challenge that made the first game engaging. Overall, players recommend trying it for its unique approach, but many express a preference for the more intricate mechanics of "Exit 8."
“Fantastic anomaly game with terrifying anomalies and top tier graphics and gameplay.”
“Overall, platform 8 is stepping up its gameplay and horror level.”
“The mechanics are very similar to the first, where you have to spot anomalies or differences in a repeating level in order to progress.”
“Kotake Create's newest title [i]Platform 8[/i] is... pretty disappointing, especially after its thematically- and mechanically-electric predecessor [i]Exit 8[/i].”
“[i]Platform 8[/i] doesn't just fail to live up to the mechanically incisive heights of [i]Exit 8[/i], 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.”
- graphics57 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising their beauty, detail, and ability to create an immersive horror atmosphere. While some noted improvements in visual quality compared to its predecessor, "Platform 8," others expressed disappointment in the overall gameplay experience, suggesting that the graphics overshadow the content and mechanics. Despite mixed feelings about gameplay length and depth, the visuals remain a standout feature that enhances the game's appeal.
“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 with poor quality graphics and performance, aimed at capitalizing on the success of their first game.”
“If the graphic optimization and motion blur weren't such a big problem in this game, I might have stuck with it until I figured it out, but it's too annoying to move around like that.”
- atmosphere47 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie and unsettling qualities, effectively creating tension and a chilling experience reminiscent of its predecessor, Exit 8. While some players noted it leans more towards a walking simulator with less psychological horror, the sound design and environmental details contribute to a surreal and immersive ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a strong point, though opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to previous titles.
“Great atmosphere and tension, horror done right.”
“The atmosphere is chilling and I look forward to more games from this dev.”
“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.”
- story23 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as minimalistic, focusing on a simple premise of identifying anomalies in a subway setting rather than delivering a deep narrative. While some players appreciate the charm and confusion of the plot, others note the lack of a substantial storyline, emphasizing that it serves more as a walking simulator than a story-driven experience. Overall, the narrative is seen as engaging yet straightforward, with players eager for future installments to expand on the existing themes.
“Game was amazing, won't spoil the story, but this is absolutely a classic Kotake game.”
“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.”
“At this point, I am eagerly waiting for a third chapter to complete the entire story.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting poor performance even on high-end systems, averaging around 45fps at maximum settings. Many find the experience sluggish and unplayable, particularly due to issues with graphic optimization and motion blur, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and quality compared to the developer's previous title. Overall, the game appears to be a rushed sequel that fails to meet performance expectations.
“I only wished for better performance and clearer instructions at the beginning.”
“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.”
“The bad: very badly optimized (~45fps max settings with 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 RAM, i7-9700K @4.3GHz, 2060 Super tuned for high performance), reliance on jumpscares and audio stings to spook the player as opposed to thoughtful anomaly design and placement.”
- replayability10 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, "Platform 8" has been criticized for its limited replayability compared to "Exit 8," with players noting that once the game is completed, there isn't much incentive to return. While some users found value in the initial experience, they felt the game lacked depth for repeated playthroughs, making it difficult to recommend for those seeking long-term engagement.
“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.”
- monetization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in the game cleverly integrates advertisements into the gameplay, creating interactive experiences that can lead to both rewards and penalties. Players can encounter real-world products through QR codes in ads, but missing certain details in these ads can result in significant in-game consequences, such as a game over. Overall, the approach is seen as innovative, blending advertising with gameplay mechanics.
- music4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that there is no music present in the game, which may impact the overall atmosphere and player experience.
“There is no music in the game.”
“The game lacks any musical elements.”
“I was disappointed to find there is no music at all.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express that Exit 8 successfully evokes genuine feelings of paranoia, creating a tense emotional experience, while Platform 8 lacks this intensity but offers a wholesome ending that provides a sense of comfort.
“Exit 8 was the first game that made me feel genuine paranoia.”
“Wholesome ending :)”
- stability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with users reporting a bug-free experience. However, while the variety of anomalies is praised, some players feel that the sense of paranoia present in the previous installment is lacking.
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of spooky and funny anomalies that create a fun and paranoid atmosphere for players. The experience of searching for anomalies is both engaging and entertaining, with moments that elicit laughter alongside tension.
“The game was fun - searching for possible anomalies that makes you paranoid when you think there is no anomaly and you see the sign saying that you are at route 0 (you failed). Some anomalies were spooky, some funny, some interesting.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game enjoyable and engaging, noting 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 exciting 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.”
