Selfie : Sisters of the Amniotic Lens
- May 8, 2015
- Rail Slave Games
Get on Steam"Selfie: Sisters of the Amniotic Lens" is a non-game narrative experience set in 198X, where you confront the consequences of your past actions as the "Sisters of the Amniotic Lens." The game features a play-by-mail MMO/social network, advanced fly AI, and a music mix tape by award-winning artist Jarboe. It delves into quantum physics, metaphysics, and retro-future tech, immersing you in a dark, nightmare-like world.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique interactive social experience that allows players to share and read deeply personal messages, fostering a sense of community and connection.
- The atmosphere is described as thick, unsettling, and immersive, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack that complements the game's themes.
- Players appreciate the experimental nature of the game, finding it thought-provoking and capable of evoking strong emotional responses.
- Many players find the gameplay to be repetitive and boring, with unclear objectives that lead to frustration and confusion.
- The game is criticized for its poor implementation and lack of coherent structure, making it feel unfinished and lacking in engaging content.
- Some reviews highlight that the game does not deliver a traditional gaming experience, which can lead to disappointment for those expecting more conventional gameplay.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "mind: path of thalamus" is described as lacking depth and often repetitive, with many reviewers noting that it does not significantly enhance the story. While it features some puzzles and an interesting framing narrative, the overall experience is marred by frustrating mechanics and a lack of engaging content, leading to mixed reviews. Despite its artistic presentation, players generally agree that it is not a game to be played for its gameplay alone.
“The framing story has an interesting concept and some cool symbolic elements, and being an art game that isn't a walking simulator and manages to have not-terrible gameplay is a nice plus.”
“Meanwhile, something only slightly more expensive, like Mind: Path of Thalamus, has an impeccably beautiful world crafted with a big load of love and care, and some actual gameplay and puzzles in it.”
“You wouldn't find a 'walkthrough' for this game; there's not much gameplay here, but whatever gameplay that does exist is actually rather frustrating, so make sure you reach that part I've just mentioned because that's what makes selfie so good!”
“Definitely not a game you play for the actual gameplay.”
“Terribly boring and repetitive gameplay, which does nothing to advance (or even relate) to the story.”
“On the technical side, this game is not that good, not that it matters much with so little gameplay.”
- story10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is noted for its intriguing concept and rich symbolism, creating a disturbing yet engaging atmosphere. However, many players find the storytelling to be inconsistent, with some elements feeling concise or abstract, leading to a disconnect between the gameplay and narrative. While the presentation and depth of the world are appreciated, the repetitive gameplay detracts from the overall experience, leaving some players feeling unfulfilled in their quest for a coherent plot.
“The framing story has an interesting concept and some cool symbolic elements, and being an art game that isn't a walking simulator while managing to have decent gameplay is a nice plus.”
“The longer you think about it, the richer the story and concept become.”
“There are so many deep layers to the presentation, the music, the plot, and the world that you are inside.”
“Terribly boring and repetitive gameplay, which does nothing to advance (or even relate) to the story.”
“I guess I got this game expecting a story or plot, and it doesn't have that at all.”
“There's some (very) minor gameplay, and a rather abstract backstory which I didn't yet complete and didn't find myself too intrigued by.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its fitting and haunting qualities that enhance the 80s aesthetic, while others find it lacking compared to other titles. Despite some criticisms of the gameplay and overall pretentiousness, many players appreciate the soundtrack's emotional depth and its ability to complement the game's atmosphere. Overall, the music is seen as a strong point that adds layers to the game's presentation and experience.
“Also, the music by Jarobe is pretty nice and lends really well to the 80s aspect of the whole product.”
“The music is really good, fitting and haunting... I think it was worth the money I spent.”
“A lovely thing with a lovely soundtrack and intriguing multiplayer aspect I'm thrilled to spend time exploring.”
“Music isn't as good as other titles and the gameplay is pretty weak, but you certainly weren't playing this title expecting much of the latter.”
“I thought the game was a bit pretentious and I didn't care for the music or style.”
“Even right now as I write this, the music that accompanies you in space in selfie is playing through my headphones, urging me to try and explain the emotions that it brings up in me as I drift through the empty loneliness of space.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as weird and trippy, creating a thick and unsettling environment that can evoke a range of emotions, from amusement to discomfort. Many players find it engaging and appreciate how it complements the story, though it may also lead to a negative emotional experience for some.
“Weird and trippy, but a good atmosphere and a pretty engaging story.”
“The atmosphere might put you in a bad place.”
“I love the very disturbing atmosphere this game conveys.”
“The atmosphere is thick, unsettling, amusing, and soothing.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as unremarkable and not particularly engaging, with some reviewers noting that the aesthetic choices and narrative may not appeal to everyone. However, the developers are praised for their boldness in tackling complex themes, suggesting that the visuals serve a purpose beyond mere graphical execution.
“Disturbing story frames a graphic-based social network.”
“Rail Slave's aesthetic choices and vague narrative aren't always my thing personally, but I love the risks the dev takes and their willingness to honestly engage with topics I want to see so much more of in games and to do so with that rare combination of brains and heart.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“Character models are poorly designed, making it hard to connect with the story.”
“The environments are bland and uninspired, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the emotional aspect of sharing selfies lies in the ability to express inner thoughts anonymously, fostering genuine and meaningful reactions rather than seeking validation or popularity. This authenticity creates a deeper emotional connection with others.
“Instead of trying to represent yourself visually, entertain others, and boost your ego by gaining their likes, in 'Selfie' you reveal your inner thoughts anonymously without any ambition to gain popularity - and receive deep, honest reactions that have real emotional value.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy includes entertaining 8-bit TV advertisements that users find amusing, adding a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is described as a complex blend of deeply disturbing and thought-provoking elements, combining funny and sad moments with a profound creepiness that enhances the overall experience.
“This game is deeply disturbing, thought-provoking, funny, sad, profound, and pretty damn creepy.”
