Pleh! is a short psychological horror walking simulator which tells the story of a depressed game developer, his intrusive thoughts and his dark mysterious secrets.
The game features a deeply emotional and relatable story that resonates with many players, particularly those dealing with mental health issues.
The unique blend of 2D and 3D environments, along with engaging gameplay mechanics, creates a captivating experience.
It's a free game that offers a powerful narrative and meaningful themes, making it a must-play for fans of psychological horror.
Some players found the pacing slow and the gameplay repetitive, leading to moments of boredom.
The game can be emotionally overwhelming, and its heavy themes may not be suitable for everyone, especially those currently struggling with mental health.
There are criticisms regarding the execution of certain narrative elements, with some feeling the writing was corny or lacked depth.
story
288 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The game's story has been widely praised for its emotional depth and relatability, resonating with players on personal levels, particularly regarding themes of mental health and social anxiety. Many reviewers noted the effective storytelling, immersive atmosphere, and the ability to evoke strong feelings, with some describing it as life-changing. While some critiques mention basic gameplay mechanics and occasional narrative clichés, the overall consensus highlights the story as a standout feature that captivates and engages players throughout the experience.
“The storytelling in this game is done *very* well.”
“The story was amazing but heartbreaking, the music was great, the atmosphere was both calming and uneasy, and this game genuinely made me feel something.”
“This game is life changing, from the main game's plot itself to the story it tells.”
“My biggest gripe with this game is the mediocrity of the storytelling, and the actively bad game interactions and visuals.”
“It's not even excusable as a coincidence; from the premise to the plot points to multiple scenes being straight up exactly copied, and I'm not even halfway through the game!!”
“Rubbish controls, boring gameplay and on the nose storytelling.”
emotional
182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
1%
1%
The emotional impact of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with many players reporting that it made them cry and resonated deeply with their personal experiences, particularly regarding mental health and emotional struggles. The storytelling, combined with effective visual and sound design, creates a powerful atmosphere that evokes a range of feelings, from sadness to closure. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in certain areas, the overall consensus is that the game successfully delivers a heartfelt and touching experience that many players find relatable and impactful.
“This game was amazing to play. When I first picked it up, I did it because I had nothing better to do, but oh boy did I regret not looking at the game tags. This game made me cry so hard that I had to get up and take a break from the screen multiple times.”
“Easily one of the most impactful games I've ever played and truly made me feel seen.”
“The story was amazing but heartbreaking, the music was great, the atmosphere was both calming and uneasy, and this game genuinely made me feel something.”
“The game made me cry, holy crap”
“Boring game, boring story, bad design, annoying text. Literally the only good part about this game is where you get to make the painting, and it's just a ton of good memes. That's literally it.”
gameplay
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players praising innovative mechanics and a strong narrative that effectively conveys emotional themes, while others criticize frustrating meta elements and limited interactivity typical of walking simulators. The game is noted for its unique approach to storytelling through gameplay, though some find the controls and overall experience lacking. Overall, it offers a rich narrative experience, but gameplay may not appeal to everyone due to its minimalistic nature.
“A beautiful narrative, good gameplay, gorgeous environments.”
“The story was amazing and the gameplay worked alongside it perfectly!”
“I really like the concept of how each part of the storyline tied in with the game mechanics; it flows beautifully and I just love this game.”
“The game features 'frustrating, not clever' meta mechanics like deliberately 'crashing' and closing the game, forcing you to reload it.”
“Be aware that the game, as part of the gameplay, forcefully shuts down several times, including soon after you start it and 'end' it, leaving you wondering what just happened.”
“Rubbish controls, boring gameplay, and on-the-nose storytelling.”
music
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
29%
6%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as "beyond perfect" and emotionally resonant, enhancing the storytelling experience. Some players noted that the music effectively sets the atmosphere, evoking a range of emotions, while others found it average or lacking in variety. Overall, the soundtrack is highlighted as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's impact.
“Also, the soundtrack is beyond perfect.”
“The story was amazing but heartbreaking, the music was great, the atmosphere was both calming and uneasy, and this game genuinely made me feel something.”
“What I can say is that the soundtrack is amazing, and the creator should be proud of the game as a whole.”
“No music or sound effect at all and a lot of bugs :/”
“The music is nothing too out of the ordinary.”
“The soundtrack is also 11/10, I keep listening to it.”
graphics
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the effective use of simple 2D visuals and moody environments to enhance storytelling, while others criticize the graphics as basic and lacking depth. Despite the varied styles, many agree that compelling narratives can shine through even with limited graphical fidelity. Overall, the game's visual presentation is seen as a supporting element to its thematic content rather than a standout feature.
“It uses a variety of graphic and gameplay styles to present dark, depressing topics in a unique and palatable way.”
“The visuals were very cool to watch.”
“I found it so interesting how it was able to transmit so much, even with limited assets, but it reminded me that you don’t need 4K graphics to tell a compelling and touching story.”
“My biggest gripe with this game is the mediocrity of the storytelling, and the actively bad game interactions and visuals.”
“The visuals are bad.”
“The game is a walking sim, so no in-depth gameplay; the graphics are basic, the focus on the game is mainly the story, which was on point.”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
90%
10%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of funny moments and dark comedy, with players appreciating its unique and surprising elements, such as the image selection segment and the incorporation of personal touches like Discord usernames. While some users found the humor hit-or-miss, many highlighted the game's ability to evoke laughter alongside a deeper, more somber atmosphere, making it a memorable experience. Overall, the game is praised for its clever references and engaging content updates that enhance its comedic appeal.
“Overall, definitely play this; it has some funny moments and is a super unique game.”
“The image selection segment was kind of funny, and the little thing where the game nabbed your Discord username was also a very nice touch that surprised me quite a lot.”
“Really amazing game (I feel like I've written that 47 times already, but I cannot express enough how good this game is), has fun achievements, some sick dark humor, and good attention to detail.”
“Bro, you're not funny.”
“Bro, you're not funny.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
43%
19%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its emotional depth and immersive qualities, effectively using music, sound design, and color to enhance the storytelling experience. While many found the atmosphere to be both calming and unsettling, some noted moments of incoherence that detracted from the overall immersion. Overall, the combination of a compelling narrative and well-crafted ambiance leaves a lasting impact on players.
“The story was amazing but heartbreaking, the music was great, the atmosphere was both calming and uneasy, and this game genuinely made me feel something.”
“The way atmosphere, music, and color are used to accentuate emotions behind each scene is done flawlessly.”
“The sound design and general atmosphere was great, especially in moments that suddenly transition between calm and quiet to panic and dread.”
“Despite its well-made atmosphere, it was difficult to put together at times; it still felt rather incoherent.”
“I think it was trying to build an atmosphere, but it takes more than just repeating the same design over and over to create something immersive.”
“As a hobbyist game developer with years of mental health struggles, the writing and atmosphere of the game felt profoundly familiar.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The game is praised for its high replayability, offering fun and memorable experiences, particularly for those who enjoy puzzle platformers. While some players may not feel compelled to replay it fully, there are still opportunities for replay based on personal preference.
“Fun little puzzle platformer with lots of replayability.”
“High replayability, and incredibly memorable experiences.”
“There is replayability if it's your cup of tea.”
“I'm not a completionist, so I won't replay the whole thing again, but there is replayability if it's your cup of tea.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Players consistently express that the grinding required in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it feels like one would need a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have numerous glitches and bugs, leading to mixed experiences among players. While some users encountered significant issues, others found that these problems were manageable or resolved within the game. Overall, stability appears to be a concern for many, though individual experiences vary.
“Had a lot of glitches which were pretty weird, but it's alright since he took care of it for me in-game.”
“I heard so many reviews saying it has bugs and glitches, and some reviews even said it was a horror game, mentioning someone was telling them really creepy stuff, but those things didn't happen to me.”
“There are numerous reports of bugs and glitches that seem to plague the game, leading to a frustrating experience for many players.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game is highly praised, with users consistently rating it a perfect 10/10 for its top performance.
“Top performance and on my scale, I would give it a 10/10.”
“Top performance and on my scale, I would give it a 10/10.”