SEMU
- September 23, 2023
- InkForge Studios
Get on SteamSEMU is a space-exploration game where survival is key, featuring advanced space suit technology that maintains water, oxygen, position, temperature, and humidity. The suit offers easy mobility with lightspeed* movement, grapplehook for swift travel, and a jetpack for extra maneuverability, transforming barren planets into skateparks.
Reviews
- SEMU delivers a powerful and engaging narrative with minimal dialogue, effectively utilizing gameplay to enhance the story.
- The game features a unique twist on familiar gameplay mechanics, creating an unsettling atmosphere that immerses players.
- With its interesting premise and solid ending, SEMU is a short but sweet experience that leaves players excited for future projects from the studio.
- The music during certain sequences, particularly the eyeball sequence, was excessively loud and distracting.
- Some players felt that the game, despite its strengths, was too short and left them wanting more.
- A few reviews mentioned a lack of essential elements in the soundtrack, which could have enhanced the overall experience.
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's story is a poignant exploration of despair, effectively conveyed through a minimalist approach that emphasizes a show-don't-tell narrative style. Adapted from the webcomic 'the suit,' it captivates players within a brief runtime, showcasing the potential for deeper storytelling in future projects by the developers. Overall, it stands out for its emotional impact compared to more traditionally praised cinematic experiences.
“The story this game tells is one of utter despair, only fully realized by trying again and again, realizing there is nothing you can do to change the outcome.”
“Semu is a concise and highly effective adaptation of Bad Space's 'The Suit' webcomic, telling a powerful story with minimal prompting and a show-don't-tell narrative philosophy.”
“Even within its short runtime of a few minutes, it managed to engage me more in its story than countless games decorated with awards for their 'cinematic experience.'”
“The story this game tells is one of utter despair, only fully realized by trying again and again, realizing there is nothing you can do to change the outcome.”
“Even within its short runtime of a few minutes, it managed to engage me more in its story than countless games decorated with awards for their 'cinematic experience'.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay of semu is characterized by its engaging mechanics, such as a jetpack and grapple hook, which enhance the arcade-style experience while creating an unsettling atmosphere. The game effectively maintains player immersion by integrating its narrative into the gameplay without relying on dialogue or cut scenes, allowing for a seamless flow that heightens the sense of dread. Overall, semu successfully combines familiar gameplay elements with innovative storytelling techniques.
“The simple and fun additions of a jetpack and grapple hook to a 16-bit astronaut put the player in a familiar gameplay setting, but by toying with the format of the game itself, semu succeeds in building an increasingly unsettling atmosphere.”
“A looming sense of dread is an impressive thing to instill within a player, especially within the arcade-style scope of semu's gameplay and visual design.”
“Very few games manage to have a narrative without leaning heavily on dialogue and cut scenes that take control away from the player and break up the flow of gameplay.”
“Very few games manage to have a narrative without leaning heavily on dialogue and cut scenes that take control away from the player and break up the flow of gameplay.”
“A looming sense of dread is an impressive thing to instill within a player, especially within the arcade-style scope of semu's gameplay and visual design.”
“The simple and fun additions of a jetpack and grapple hook to a 16-bit astronaut put the player in a familiar gameplay setting, but by toying with the format of the game itself, semu succeeds in building an increasingly unsettling atmosphere.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for being enjoyable and well-composed, contributing positively to the overall experience. However, some users noted that certain sequences, like the eyeball segment, had excessively loud music that detracted from the immersion. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, even if it isn't central to the gameplay.
“The soundtrack was a banger, so I'm super bummed it wasn't essential.”
“A short but sweet experience with lovely music, an interesting premise, and a solid ending to boot.”
“My only gripe is that the music during the eyeball sequence was very loud.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively combines familiar gameplay elements, such as a jetpack and grapple hook, with innovative design choices that create an increasingly unsettling atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience for players.
“The simple and fun additions of a jetpack and grapple hook to a 16-bit astronaut put the player in a familiar gameplay setting, but by toying with the format of the game itself, Semu succeeds in building an increasingly unsettling atmosphere.”
“The simple and fun additions of a jetpack and grapple hook to a 16-bit astronaut put the player in a familiar gameplay setting, but by toying with the format of the game itself, Semu succeeds in building an increasingly unsettling atmosphere.”
