SIMULACRA: Pipe Dreams

About

In Simulacra: Pipe Dreams, players help Teddy escape the grasp of the addictive mobile game "FlapeeBird" which is causing disturbing gaps in his memory. The game is experienced through a simulated mobile phone interface, with the story's outcome affected by the player's decisions and dialogue choices. FlapeeBird, a playable tapping game within the simulation, features scores, power-ups, and even ads that can aid in gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 605 reviews

story45 positive mentions

monetization111 negative mentions

Engaging story with multiple endings and easter eggs, making it fun to replay.
Clever satire on mobile gaming addiction and the freemium model, effectively critiquing modern gaming practices.
High production value with immersive graphics and sound, creating a creepy atmosphere.

Gameplay heavily relies on a frustrating Flappy Bird clone, which can detract from the overall experience.
The story feels less compelling and more linear compared to the original Simulacra, lacking depth in character development.
Repetitive ads and grinding for in-game currency can become tedious and annoying.

story
152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
7%
The story of "Simulacra: Pipe Dreams" is a mixed bag, with some players praising its engaging narrative and eerie atmosphere, while others criticize its linearity and lack of depth compared to the original game. The plot revolves around the character Teddy and his obsession with a mobile game, incorporating social commentary on addiction, but many found the execution lacking, with repetitive gameplay and a less compelling storyline. Overall, while it offers intriguing elements and multiple endings, it falls short of the rich storytelling found in previous entries of the series.
- “Simulacra: Pipe Dreams hooked me right away with its eerie atmosphere and unsettling story, classic for the Simulacra universe.”
- “Great story, and I think it's cool that it all takes place on a virtual phone like the original!”
- “Kaigan games are really skilled at storytelling design and know how to tell a good story through an immersive experience.”
- “The story is not really compelling enough for me to want to proceed.”
- “It doesn't help that this story is so unbelievably stupid and disconnected from the first.”
- “Ultimately, it felt like the story is way more linear than it felt with the original.”
monetization
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
3%
94%
The monetization strategy in this game heavily relies on ad-watching, with players needing to view numerous fake ads to progress and achieve better endings, which many find frustrating and tedious. While the ads are designed as humorous parodies of typical mobile game advertisements, their frequency and necessity for gameplay create a negative experience, overshadowing the game's narrative and mechanics. Overall, the game serves as a satirical commentary on the pervasive ad culture in free-to-play games, but this approach may alienate players who prefer a more traditional gaming experience without constant interruptions.
- “Great satire/commentary on game addiction and monetization.”
- “It discusses free-to-play games, apps invading our privacy, in-app purchases and of course game addiction.”
- “I get that the game is supposed to be self-aware, focusing on microtransactions, teaching lessons, whatever.”
- “Well, it's alright, the replayability is not there though. To get other endings, you have to play Flappy Bird over and over again without spending hours. If you take the 'ultimate' deal, you die in the end. So if you want that good ending, you either watch ads like 50 of them, over and over again, or just give up. These ads are parodies and funny at first, but it gets annoying having to watch 20+ ads to beat one phase of the game.”
- “The problem is, it’s just not fun. I did not like the Flappy Bird part of the game and the forced ads, and I wish the game was more narrative-focused on your friend literally being consumed by the game.”
- “To reach the optimal ending, I had to watch lots of ads or bother my in-game contacts with invites to get eggs to proceed with the game.”
gameplay
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
62%
18%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it frustrating and dull, particularly due to the reliance on a flappy bird clone that detracts from the overall experience. While the story and mechanics are intriguing, many feel that the gameplay lacks depth and engagement compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, the game is seen as a blend of entertaining narrative elements and tedious mechanics, leading to a polarized reception.
- “Engaging story and entertaining gameplay.”
- “It is very intriguing, the story is good and the mechanics are well implemented.”
- “Awesome concept, fun gameplay.”
- “Mechanically, this game is dull.”
- “The gameplay is so boring and limited; there's no crime that you have to solve - it's just your friend who got addicted to a game and you have to help him.”
- “When the main mechanic is a really crummy flappy bird rip-off and you have to watch tons of ads to avoid [spoiler], it makes things very frustrating and un-fun.”
humor
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its blend of comedy and horror, particularly through the use of parody ads and quirky character interactions. While some found the humor genuinely funny and entertaining, others felt it became repetitive and grating, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the game leans more towards comedy than horror, with a unique approach that may not resonate with everyone.
- “This has probably the best humor of the series.”
- “The game's sense of humor is also great, and there are tons of easter eggs and hidden secrets you can find throughout.”
- “Extremely silly and cheesy, but also wildly entertaining, while not keeping up to the standard of the original simulacra, it still entertained me, this one made me laugh out loud quite a lot too as it feels more like a spoof on app games than a serious game.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
56%
17%
Overall, the graphics of the game have received high praise for their smoothness and immersive quality, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many users highlighted the impressive visuals and aesthetic appeal, noting that they contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere and storytelling. While some comparisons were made to previous titles, the graphics were generally regarded as a strong point, with a nostalgic nod to classic styles.
- “First simulacra game that I played, I love the graphics and the story. I highly recommend this game to you guys to play.”
- “Very great, I loved the story behind it and the visuals. I do plan to explore this game and get all endings.”
- “The graphics help immerse you into the gameplay, and the hidden easter eggs and callbacks to their other games are really fun for those who want to go looking.”
- “I can't say that the aesthetics of this game did not come on me.”
- “☐ PS1 graphics are better.”
- “The graphics in Simulacra: Pipe Dreams is pretty much identical to Simulacra, but of course there is a brand new addition and it's the Flappee Bird game and honestly I liked the look of the game and it flooded back the memories of when Flappy Bird came out and everyone went nuts over it.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the reliance on a minigame reminiscent of 'Flappy Bird' and the frequent interruptions from ads. Many reviewers express that the grind for achievements and in-game resources detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant drawback, leading to player dissatisfaction and a reluctance to recommend the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This was one of the most tedious games I've ever had the misfortune to play.”
- “Much of the game is centered around grinding this minigame and watching ads over and over again, which is a surefire way to increase player contempt in your own game.”
- “The grind for eggs is tedious as hell, but I guess that's the point.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
55%
27%
The music in the game has received high praise for its effectiveness in enhancing the atmosphere, with many users noting its catchy and memorable qualities. While the soundtrack is generally well-received, some players find the "flapee bird" music to be irritating over time, despite its intended role in the gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with recommendations to purchase it.
- “The story was 10/10 and so was the soundtrack.”
- “Creepy atmosphere and great spooky music.”
- “The only problem I would say is there isn't any way to progress without playing the 'flapee bird' and the music for that can get very irritating after a while.”
- “Listen to your music man, this ain't that.”
- “Just finished my first go around and I can't get the music out of my head!”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The game's replayability is highly inconsistent among users; while some praise it for offering numerous secrets and multiple endings, others criticize the excessive reliance on ads to achieve these outcomes, which detracts from the overall experience. Many players find the need to repeatedly watch ads to progress frustrating, undermining the enjoyment of replaying the game. Overall, the replayability is seen as a mixed bag, with some enjoying the challenge and variety, while others feel it is hindered by monetization tactics.
- “Lots of replayability and lots of secrets to be discovered.”
- “Amazing game with tons of replay value and puzzle elements.”
- “It was decently done for what it was and it has a lot of good replay value to get the different endings.”
- “Well, it's alright, the replayability is not there though. To get other endings, you have to play Flappy Bird over and over again. If you spend hours and take the 'ultimate' deal, you die in the end. So, if you want that good ending, you either watch ads like 50 of them or just give up. These ads are parodies and are funny at first, but it gets annoying having to watch 20+ ads to beat one phase of the game. Of course, ads give you eggs, and eggs give you power-ups that you can buy. You get 30 eggs per ad, so if you want to not die and get the better endings, you have to watch ads non-stop, which is frustrating and undermines the whole replayability aspect.”
- “And really, there's not much for replayability.”
- “Replayability to the extreme!”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The atmosphere of "Simulacra: Pipe Dreams" is characterized by its eerie and unsettling tone, effectively utilizing jumpscares and a creepy soundscape to enhance the experience. While some players find it engaging and reminiscent of the original, others note that it can be hit-or-miss, with moments of effectiveness overshadowed by occasional annoyance. Overall, the game successfully creates a thrilling environment that complements its satirical narrative.
- “Simulacra: Pipe Dreams hooked me right away with its eerie atmosphere and unsettling story, classic for the Simulacra universe.”
- “Love the atmosphere; no shooting people, no guilds, and no pay-to-win!”
- “Creepy atmosphere and great spooky music.”
- “This game bases itself more on jumpscaring and atmosphere than actual horror.”
- “That subject is a pretty easy target for satire, but shoving it into Simulacra's medium of a phone glitching out as if possessed leaves the gameplay and atmosphere effective at times and annoying at others.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the player's investment in the character of Teddy, particularly during the final struggle where positive reinforcement leads to a significant outcome. This blend of humor and emotional depth creates a poignant experience that resonates with players, leaving them feeling both engaged and heartbroken.
- “In the final struggle where you're building Teddy up emotionally, that last little bit of positive reinforcement gives him the agency he needs to provide you with the final piece of the code or the last part of the URL.”
- “A fun, tongue-in-cheek dip into the simulacra world that nonetheless had me emotionally invested in the outcome.”
- “Heartbreaking.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The game experiences some audio glitches and occasional screen issues, but these technical problems are not considered severe. However, the overall stability is undermined by a reliance on graphic violence rather than effective horror elements, leading to a lack of genuine fear.
- “There are some audio glitches.”
- “There are a couple of screen glitches that detract from the experience.”
- “The game feels unstable with frequent visual and audio issues.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviews indicate a lack of character development, with players expressing frustration over the grind required to achieve a satisfying ending.
- “There is no character development, and the game feels like a grind if you want to achieve the good ending.”
- “The characters lack depth, making it hard to connect with their journeys.”
- “Character progression is minimal, leaving players feeling uninvested in their growth.”