The Elision Effect
- May 31, 2024
- teamakes.games
Get on Steam"The Elision Effect" is a surreal puzzle game set in an empty, liminal office space. Players must search for an exit while navigating different mechanics in each room. The game features a low-resolution, low-poly graphical style and aims to create an eerie atmosphere, although it contains no traditional horror elements. Please note a photosensitivity warning for a small percentage of players.
Reviews
- The game features a charming atmosphere with unique visuals and sound design, creating an engaging experience.
- Puzzles are creative and satisfying, encouraging players to think outside the box, and the game is enjoyable for achievement hunters.
- Despite its short length, the game offers a surreal and immersive experience that resonates well with fans of indie puzzle games.
- The game is very short, with many players completing it in under 30 minutes, leading some to feel it lacks depth or content.
- Some players experienced motion sickness due to the first-person perspective and the game's disorienting effects.
- The simplicity of the puzzles may disappoint those looking for a more challenging or complex gameplay experience.
- graphics12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and charming aesthetics, featuring a blend of reality-bending visuals and a glitchcore/webcore style that enhances immersion. Reviewers appreciate the distinct art style and sound design, describing it as both visually appealing and atmospheric, making it a standout aspect of the overall experience.
“The art style is awesome as well.”
“A short atmospheric puzzle game with great graphics and music.”
“Really charming, short and sweet exploration game with top-tier aesthetics and vibes, an admirable sense of overall restraint, a few fair puzzles and a couple of cool unexpected elements.”
“It's not a bad game, it worked fine, but the graphics were kinda cool; the premise seemed interesting, I should have loved it.”
“- the glitchcore/webcore aesthetic.”
“Really charming, short and sweet exploration game with top-tier aesthetics and vibes, but it lacks depth in graphics.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as charming and calming, effectively capturing the essence of liminal spaces through thoughtful level design and visuals. While some players found it engaging and well-executed, others felt it lacked depth and could benefit from a more pronounced uncanny or creepy element. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its unique blend of tranquility and subtle tension, enhancing the puzzle-solving experience.
“The overall visual design and music create a uniquely calm atmosphere while also making it feel like something's out to get you.”
“It's a short little game with simple puzzles and a very charming, uncanny, and yet calming atmosphere.”
“I cannot recommend it enough; it has a really well-done atmosphere, pulls off the concept of a liminal space really well, manages to tell a story purely through environment and level design, and makes you think outside of the box in a way that is rarely executed so well and cleanly.”
- music8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere, with many players noting its beauty and ability to create a calming yet slightly unsettling experience. While some players found the music memorable and integral to the game's charm, others did not recall it distinctly. Overall, the combination of music and visual design contributes significantly to the game's immersive quality.
“Lovely little escape/puzzle game with beautiful music and a handful of charming ideas.”
“A short atmospheric puzzle game with great graphics and music.”
“I really don't recall if there was any music.”
“Wanted to crawl through the wall to find the source of the music in the first few rooms, but that's okay.”
“The overall visual design and music create a uniquely calm atmosphere while also making it feel like something's out to get you.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by inventive mechanics reminiscent of Superliminal, offering a fun experience despite its brevity. However, some players felt let down by the simplicity of the puzzles, which primarily involve clicking on objects to interact with them. Overall, while the gameplay is engaging and creative, it may not satisfy those seeking more complex challenges.
“It has similar vibes to Superliminal but with entirely different mechanics.”
“This was a fun little game with some clever mechanics.”
“It's a bit like a mild fever dream, full of inventiveness and fun gameplay mechanics despite its shortness.”
“My issues are the length and the gameplay.”
“And gameplay-wise, I just felt let down by the 'puzzles'.”
“Gameplay is simply clicking on objects to open, turn off, or otherwise interact with them.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional plot or mystery, focusing instead on the premise of escaping a surreal office building. While there is no explicit narrative, the atmosphere and level design effectively convey a story through environmental cues, creating a compelling experience that encourages players to think creatively.
“I cannot recommend it enough; it has a really well-done atmosphere, pulls off the concept of a liminal space really well, manages to tell a story purely through environment and level design, and makes you think outside of the box in a way that is rarely executed so well and cleanly.”
“There is no plot or mystery.”
“While there is no story to speak of, the basic premise is you are alone in a trippy office building and are trying to escape its stuffy confines to get some fresh air.”
“I cannot recommend it enough, it has a really well done atmosphere, pulls off the concept of a liminal space really well, manages to tell a story purely through environment and level design, and makes you think outside of the box, in a way that is rarely executed so well and cleanly.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a distinct office employee humor, characterized by relatable "watercooler" jokes that resonate with everyday workplace experiences.
“The game features a very relatable office employee type of humor throughout.”
“It's filled with clever watercooler humor.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes strong emotional responses, particularly in relation to themes of gender identity, as players find personal connections to the narrative, such as the significance of bathroom usage for trans individuals. The inclusion of symbols like a trans pride sticker enhances the relatability and intentionality of the game's artistic choices.
“I had a personal takeaway regarding being trans in relation to bathroom usage. I'm not sure if that was intended or not, but it felt relatable. Seeing the little trans pride sticker in one of the bathroom stalls made me feel as though the transition from the male to female room was an intentional artistic decision.”
