qualia

About

qualia is a single player action game. It was developed by CMY2K and was released on March 13, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

Qualia is a single-player, retro-inspired interactive fiction game where you analyze participants' responses to determine if they are human or AI. Featuring a wholesome story, sensational soundtrack, and deep world-building, it offers over 300 unique playthroughs and 6 endings. Immerse yourself in its existential themes and nostalgic audiovisual experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 292 reviews

music16 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

The game offers a thought-provoking experience that explores deep philosophical questions about consciousness and what it means to be human.
It features a unique and engaging narrative with multiple endings, encouraging players to replay and discover all the secrets.
The retro aesthetic and soundtrack enhance the overall atmosphere, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Some players found the gameplay repetitive and tedious, particularly when trying to unlock all the endings.
The inclusion of a jumpscare felt unnecessary and detracted from the overall experience for some players.
Certain aspects of the game, such as the philosophical themes, may come off as heavy-handed or lacking nuance for some players.

music
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
32%
11%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to evoke a range of emotions, from relaxation to unease, enhancing the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Players particularly praise the soundtrack's haunting beauty, with standout tracks like "Think Happy" and the ending songs leaving a lasting impact. The combination of well-crafted soundscapes and memorable melodies contributes significantly to the game's artistic experience, making it a highlight for many reviewers.
- “The soundtrack is that perfect 'I am both relaxed and deeply unsettled' flavor you put on while staring at your ceiling later.”
- “Not just the writing, but that soundtrack for the ending was eerie, reflective, and honestly beautiful.”
- “The soundtrack for the ending was eerie, reflective, and honestly beautiful.”
- “The credits song made me cry a bit, but don't tell anyone, because they might think I'm not human.”
- “The soundtracks and background noises make this a unique experience.”
story
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
57%
13%
The game's story is described as short yet compelling, effectively immersing players in its narrative without relying on advanced graphics or mechanics. While some players found the storytelling engaging and memorable, others felt disconnected due to limited choices and a lack of deeper plot development. Overall, the narrative is praised for its emotional depth and unique presentation, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “The story is short but impressively compelling, and I am incredibly grateful that I found this gem.”
- “This game is living proof that you don't need pretty graphics or innovative mechanics to captivate a player; all you need is a purpose and a story to tell.”
- “It's a beautiful, contradictory story that was as wonderful to play as it was uncomfortable.”
- “If it was removed, or you removed the jumpscare noise, it would go along with the slow increase of the story.”
- “So when I click the answer I can't relate to, I don't really care about the consequences and further flow of a story.”
- “You know it's coming, but I wouldn't have minded a little bit of extra plot development between the basic gameplay loop and that moment where the one link that changes everything pops up on the screen.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
31%
23%
The graphics of the game are described as minimal yet effective, with a nostalgic retro aesthetic that resonates with players familiar with 90s and early 2000s gaming. While some reviews note the visuals as decent or questionable, many appreciate the unique art style and how it complements the game's themes of love and consciousness, creating an engaging overall experience.
- “It explores love, consciousness, and what it truly means to be alive, all wrapped in stunning visuals and flawless voice acting.”
- “Awesome aesthetic design and simple and fun to play... with some amazing secrets and a surprisingly awesome soundtrack.”
- “Decent, questionable graphics.”
- “An unsettling reflection on what it means to think and feel, packaged in a clunky Y2K tech aesthetic.”
- “This game is the living proof that you don't need pretty graphics or innovative mechanics to captivate a player; all you need is a purpose and a story to tell.”
gameplay
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The gameplay is a blend of psychological horror and text-based elements, focusing more on narrative and atmosphere than traditional mechanics. While some players find it engaging and unique, others criticize it for being confusing and lacking in fun, with a sense of missing content compared to promotional materials. Overall, the experience is described as thought-provoking but may not appeal to those seeking more conventional gameplay.
- “This game is the living proof that you don't need pretty graphics or innovative mechanics to captivate a player; all you need is a purpose and a story to tell.”
- “Such a combination between psychological horror and text-based gameplay I've never seen before.”
- “Really fun and unique gameplay.”
- “Not much gameplay, seems made to freak people out more than anything else... I don't recommend it because it was not a fun experience.”
- “About 1/3rd of the pictures shown in the preview images I've not actually seen during gameplay, so I really feel like I've missed out on like half the game.”
- “The gameplay can get a bit confusing as you kinda get stuck sometimes but I think that's built into the game experience.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its profound emotional depth, prompting players to reflect on humanity through a compelling narrative and character relationships, particularly between Hiro and Machina. Many reviewers noted that it elicited strong emotional responses, including tears, despite some minor gameplay frustrations. Overall, it is celebrated as a heartfelt experience that blends psychological horror with impactful storytelling.
- “Deepest and most emotional game I've played that really makes you think about what makes us human.”
- “The story between Hiro and Machina isn’t just touching; it’s unforgettable.”
- “It might be the most emotionally impactful game I’ve ever experienced.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
15%
71%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly when attempting to unlock all six endings, which requires multiple playthroughs. While some appreciate the intentional design behind this repetition, many feel it detracts from the overall emotional impact and can lead to confusion.
- “However, in general, this game, although relatively short, doesn't feel rushed, but getting all of the endings also isn't too tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “If I had one critique, it’s that unlocking all six endings got a bit tedious.”
- “Interesting thought experiment, but too tedious to reach all endings.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
Overall, the atmosphere of the game receives mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the unsettling ambiance and effective sound design, others find the jumpscares disruptive and feel that the atmosphere falls short. Many highlight the importance of exploring the environment to fully appreciate the intricate details that contribute to the game's mood.
- “The unsettling atmosphere is really well done.”
- “Be sure to click around and soak in all the atmosphere and details hidden about.”
- “The random weird noises add to the atmosphere of dread.”
- “However, I think the jumpscare was pretty annoying, and the atmosphere just wasn't there.”
- “You could have just had the random weird noises that add to the atmosphere of dread.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized as both funny and weird, effectively balancing dark and existential themes with lighthearted moments. Players appreciate the well-written dialogue and clever details that elicit genuine chuckles while engaging with the game's deeper context.
- “It's dark and existential charm is perfectly offset by the right amount of humor.”
- “I found myself chuckling at some of the small details as I began processing the context of the game.”
- “Funny and weird.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players enjoyed pursuing multiple endings and appreciated the engaging length and pacing, others found it limited. The retro graphics and sound effects enhance the experience, but the overall consensus suggests that replayability may not be a strong point for everyone.
- “Other cool stuff: retro graphics and sound effects are greatly appreciated by anyone who gamed through the 90s to early 2000s; the length and pacing is fun enough to just play a bit on your break or lunch; it's highly replayable.”
- “The sound design is super cool, and I loved the replayability; I was really trying to get the different endings.”
- “I spent a while trying to get all the endings and all the possible choices, but it only has a small amount of replayability.”