SIGNALIS

A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.

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In SIGNALIS, play as a Replika named Elster searching for her partner and lost dreams in a dystopian, retro-tech future. Uncover terrifying secrets and solve puzzles amidst cosmic dread and psychological horror. Manage scarce resources as you encounter strange horrors in this tense survival adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 27,727 reviews

story3,554 positive mentions

grinding404 negative mentions

story
9,858 mentions
36 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of *Signalis* is a complex and emotionally charged narrative that intertwines themes of love, loss, and existential dread within a dystopian sci-fi setting. Players navigate a haunting world filled with cryptic storytelling, environmental clues, and fragmented memories, requiring them to piece together the plot through exploration and careful attention to detail. While the narrative can be challenging to fully grasp on a first playthrough, it rewards players with a deeply resonant experience that lingers long after the game ends, often prompting further reflection and discussion.
- “The story starts off normal: you wake up on a ship that has crash-landed somewhere, trying to find someone.”
- “The setting that you were in starts shifting to where you don't even know how you got there. You start seeing things from a different person's point of view, you meet people wondering how they connect to the overarching story, only to end up speculating the connection to tie up loose ends with the story.”
- “The story is a masterclass in terms of gut-wrenching horror and the deep love shared between two women.”
- “But all of this beauty ended up boring me because I couldn't get engaged with the story.”
- “The story is, if you can even call it that.”
- “The story is presented in such an obtuse manner that it never even began to interest me.”
gameplay
4,868 mentions
32 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Signalis* is a homage to classic survival horror titles like *Resident Evil* and *Silent Hill*, featuring a mix of resource management, puzzle-solving, and exploration within a tense atmosphere. While many players appreciate its nostalgic mechanics and engaging puzzles, some criticize the limited inventory system and backtracking, which can lead to a tedious experience. Overall, the gameplay is generally well-received for its solid execution and ability to enhance the game's narrative, though opinions vary on its repetitiveness and difficulty.
- “Gameplay-wise, the game is an homage to classic survival horror like Silent Hill and classic Resident Evil.”
- “The gameplay plays like survival horror and it is perfect.”
- “The gameplay, the designs, the narrative, everything just shines.”
- “The gameplay, however, is just an absolute chore.”
- “In terms of story that is, because the gameplay devolves into walking back and forth going to one place to get an item just to go across the map to get another item, but the environment and atmosphere make up for all of this.”
- “The gameplay is infuriating; with the repetitive screech of the main enemy type dulling the horrific atmosphere, and retro qualities like the limited inventory stalling the pacing.”
graphics
3,511 mentions
43 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Signalis* have received widespread acclaim for their unique blend of retro aesthetics, combining pixel art and low-poly 3D models reminiscent of PS1-era games. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a haunting atmosphere through its visuals, which are complemented by a striking soundtrack and thoughtful design choices that enhance the overall experience. While some players may find the anime-inspired character designs and pixelated graphics off-putting, many agree that these elements contribute to the game's distinctive charm and immersive storytelling.
- “The visuals are stunning and the soundtrack really sets the ambience.”
- “This is without a doubt Signalis' strongest leg to stand on with a deep, brooding atmosphere as thick as the fog in Toluca Lake & cerebral, beautiful visuals that feel straight out of a Stanley Kubrick film (think The Shining).”
- “The graphics, sound design, atmosphere, and story are s++ tier.”
- “The environments are bland, the graphics are bad, the puzzles are lame, the control is janky, the combat is pointless (just run), and the story is presented in such an obtuse manner that it never even began to interest me.”
- “The graphics of this game are intentionally bad!”
- “The story of this game is compelling, but I have a neutral take on it, because graphics and audio are very important to storytelling and both of these aspects are very weak in this title, thus I'm ultimately disappointed by the potential of the narrative that was not flushed out through auxiliary factors.”
atmosphere
2,887 mentions
57 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Signalis" is widely praised as its strongest feature, characterized by a deep, brooding sense of dread reminiscent of classic survival horror games like "Silent Hill" and "Resident Evil." Reviewers highlight the game's stunning soundtrack, immersive sound design, and unique art style, which collectively create an unsettling and engaging environment that enhances the storytelling and emotional impact. Many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke tension and unease without relying on cheap jump scares, instead focusing on psychological horror and atmospheric depth.
- “The soundtrack is stunning and all the tracks really complement the dark, almost brooding atmosphere the game gives out throughout your playthrough.”
- “From the atmosphere, to the world building, the characters, just all of it is so absolutely perfect.”
- “The atmosphere is incredible and the story is emotional and gripping.”
- “The atmosphere is thick, but I never found the game to make me feel anything past frustration and boredom.”
- “The atmosphere keeps you on edge almost permanently, just a perfect sprinkle of horror in a dystopian, puzzle, action, adventure dating sim.”
- “The gameplay is infuriating; with the repetitive screech of the main enemy type dulling the horrific atmosphere, and retro qualities like the limited inventory stalling the pacing.”
music
2,408 mentions
45 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in *Signalis* has been widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the game's overall experience. Composed by 1000 Eyes and Cicada Sirens, the soundtrack blends classical pieces with original compositions, creating a range of emotions from dread to melancholy, reminiscent of classic survival horror titles like *Silent Hill*. While some players noted that the combat music can become repetitive, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive and emotional storytelling.
- “The soundtrack is stunning and all the tracks really complement the dark, almost brooding atmosphere the game gives out throughout your playthrough.”
- “With a range spanning as broad as melancholic, soft piano pieces tearing your heart to shreds to heavy industrial, hellish soundscapes that will instill a sense of primal dread in you, rose-engine expertly employs the right music in order to enhance, not retract from whatever scenario the main protagonist may be going through.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, heightening the emotional impact of each scene.”
- “The only thing I can say negatively about it is that the chase music gets annoying after a while of running down hallways, but that's something I can live with.”
- “Music is very absent in this game as it only happens during combat.”
- “The monsters/enemies are utterly boring, they have a terrible AI; the 'horror' music that starts when a monster spots you becomes repetitive pretty quickly and ends up being just annoying.”
emotional
1,570 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Signalis" is overwhelmingly impactful, with many players reporting profound feelings of sadness, heartbreak, and introspection throughout their experience. The game's narrative, centered around themes of love, loss, and existential dread, resonates deeply, often leading to tears and emotional turmoil, making it one of the most memorable and moving games in recent memory. Players describe it as a masterful blend of survival horror and emotional storytelling, with a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the game ends.
- “Signalis presents itself as an old school survival horror game but you are in for one of the most heart-wrenching games that has ever existed.”
- “The story of Signalis is a beautiful tale of sorrow, love, helplessness, depression, and perseverance which has made me cry multiple times during my two playthroughs.”
- “I will never emotionally recover from this game.”
grinding
420 mentions
2 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, primarily due to a limited inventory system that necessitates frequent backtracking to manage key items. Many players found the gameplay loop frustrating, as it often involved running back and forth between locations to deposit or retrieve items, which detracted from the overall enjoyment and tension of the experience. While some appreciated the atmosphere and story, the overwhelming sentiment is that the tedious mechanics significantly hinder the gameplay.
- “I found the survival mechanics just enough difficult to keep the challenge, but not too tedious to get frustrated.”
- “I found this game incredibly interesting to play, with puzzles that aren't tedious and tend to give you enough information to put together the clues without ever needing a guide.”
- “A lot of enemies can be dodged (learn when to run or walk to not alert them, it isn't tedious, to the game's credit).”
- “Unbelievably tedious and boring.”
- “I ended up quitting the game because it was getting tedious.”
- “The puzzles weren't particularly interesting and the inventory just forces you to run back and forth all the time, tedious enough that I cannot finish the game.”
replayability
166 mentions
27 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The replayability of "Signalis" is a mixed bag, with many players noting the presence of multiple endings that encourage additional playthroughs. While some appreciate the opportunity to explore different outcomes and uncover hidden details, others feel that the lack of substantial post-story content and unlockables limits its overall replay value. Overall, the game offers decent replayability, particularly for those interested in experiencing its various endings and deepening their understanding of the story.
- “There is definite replay value as there's a secret ending you cannot get on the first playthrough.”
- “Solid gameplay that provides opportunities for replayability and new strategies each time.”
- “The more you explore and gather lore, even in replayability you will discover new hidden astonishments for this well-thought-out universe.”
- “The main issue I have is that aside from a few alternative endings (which is basically just a few different cutscenes), there really isn't any incentive for a replay here aside from beating personal records, which is a shame since replayability is always something that's been heavily encouraged in survival horror games.”
- “Other than that I have no complaints, though for some people the game might not be replayable enough with little gameplay incentive to do so and the story may be too open-ended and end up feeling unsatisfying to some while also requiring that you read a lot.”
- “If I had one criticism it would be that there is no upgrade system in the game at all, which would make it a lot more replayable.”
character development
96 mentions
38 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the unique and striking character designs that enhance the overall aesthetic and atmosphere. However, several users noted a lack of meaningful character interactions and emotional depth, with significant development occurring only halfway through the game, making it difficult for players to connect with the characters. Overall, while the art direction and character design are celebrated, the narrative's emotional engagement and character growth are seen as areas needing improvement.
- “Memorable character design, a unique setting supported by excellent worldbuilding and plenty of original puzzles all contribute to making this a great and memorable game.”
- “The attention to detail in the environments and character designs is impressive, and the animations are smooth and fluid, enhancing the sense of immersion.”
- “The art direction and character designs are memorable and I love the ambiance and vibe of the entire game.”
- “There are no meaningful interactions with any characters and what little there is lacks voice acting or any kind of character development that would convey emotions.”
- “That being said, the setting is great, I feel like I should like the plot, but there is very little character development, so it's pretty difficult to actually care about developments.”
- “The only instances of character development that make you feel for the characters don't happen until about halfway through the game, which is a super weird choice.”
humor
86 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of subtlety and absurdity, often requiring a deeper understanding of theoretical concepts to fully appreciate the jokes. While many players are drawn in by the quirky premise of "funny robot lesbians," the humor can be hit-or-miss, with some finding it deeply funny and others noting a lack of traditional comedic moments. Overall, the community surrounding the game contributes to its humorous atmosphere, with a blend of cute and dark humor elements.
- “The humor is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of theoretical physics, most of the jokes will go over a typical viewer's head.”
- “The fans understand this stuff; they have the intellectual capacity to truly appreciate the depths of these jokes, to realize that they're not just funny - they say something deep about life.”
- “The subjectively put-together lore and the amount of worldbuilding for this game tingles the funny part of my brain and my brain's telling me to recommend this game, so I shall.”
- “Fun game, but not funny ha ha, funny sad :(”
stability
46 mentions
13 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
78 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a smooth experience free of glitches, while others encountered significant bugs and freezing issues that required troubleshooting. The retro aesthetic intentionally incorporates visual glitches, which some found immersive and fitting, while others felt it detracted from gameplay. Overall, performance varies widely among players, with a notable divide between those who experienced flawless operation and those who faced frustrating technical problems.
- “As far as an actual review goes, this game is almost 100% bug free. While the story can be hard to understand, it is very rich and satisfying to figure out more about what's going on.”
- “The gameplay, while paying homage to earlier titles in the PS1 era, is smooth and mostly bug free.”
- “Spotless, no glitches, no problems.”
- “It took me 1 full hour of troubleshooting after buying the game to even be able to play it.”
- “Just putting this out there, this game is buggy as hell sometimes.”
- “It has some bugs and glitches which make it possible to avoid puzzles and sections of the game.”
optimization
42 mentions
19 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is mixed among users. While some players report smooth performance without bugs or glitches, others experience significant frame rate drops and inconsistent performance on various hardware setups. The game generally runs well on lower-end systems, but there are complaints about optimization issues that suggest it could perform better, particularly in demanding scenarios.
- “Optimization is perfect, as it ran smoothly without any bugs or glitches during my time with the game.”
- “Performance was solid throughout my playtime and I had not encountered any bugs or glitches.”
- “10/10 in execution, art style, performance, and an all-round contender as one of the best survival horror games I've played.”
- “The game is poorly optimized; the framerate should be better, but in the FAQ, they basically tell you to buy better hardware.”
- “On a side note, the performance is surprisingly poor, and framerate can vary wildly depending on the current area.”
- “But after a few hours, I realized it has too many flaws: the repetition, the lack of enemy variety, inconsistent controls (particularly when it involves d-pad and left stick, which makes the classic RE controls unusable), poor performance (it works smoothly, it should have worked much better than that), guessing puzzles (like 'hey, please guess a number, I'll tell you if it's bigger or smaller… and then you do that 2 more times… there, great puzzle').”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Players find the monetization strategy frustrating, as it seems to encourage tedious gameplay elements like respawning enemies and excessive backtracking, which detracts from the overall experience. The vague storytelling is perceived as a tactic to generate buzz and free advertising, leading some to abandon the game altogether.
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- “I found the in-game purchases to be overwhelming and intrusive, which really detracted from my overall experience.”
- “The constant push for microtransactions made me feel like I was playing a cash grab rather than a well-crafted game.”