The Emptiness Deluxe Edition
- April 16, 2015
- Hooligans Entertainment
Get on SteamWarning! The game is not recommended for people with an unhealthy state of mind, nervous disorders or heart disease. Experience The Emptiness and discover a psychological adventure game unlike anything you've ever seen before!
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a creepy atmosphere with great visuals and sound, enhancing the psychological horror experience.
- Backtracking is tied to the story progression, as new rooms become accessible and some rooms change as the narrative unfolds.
- The puzzles are challenging and require patience, making it a rewarding experience for players who enjoy a slow-paced, cerebral game.
- The gameplay is repetitive, requiring players to search the same areas multiple times, which can become tedious.
- Some puzzles are frustratingly difficult, and the hint system can be limited, leading to confusion and prolonged searching.
- The pacing is slow, with unskippable animations and transitions that can disrupt immersion and lead to boredom.
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story is criticized for being weak and poorly executed, with many reviewers noting that it lacks depth and coherence. While the setting allows for some progression and changes in the environment, the pacing is slow and the narrative fails to engage, often relying on low-quality jump scares rather than a compelling plot. Overall, players feel that the story detracts from the experience rather than enhancing it.
“It's true that there is some backtracking as the whole game takes place in the rooms of a single house, but this backtracking is related to the story, as you get more and more rooms to visit while you progress, and some of the rooms also change as the story unfolds.”
“The story is about you.”
“The narrative evolves as you explore, making each room feel significant and tied to the overall experience.”
“The story, if you can even say the game has one, is the worst story that I have ever seen in computer games.”
“Terribly slow pacing kills any mood the story tries to build, all the while most of the scares are low-quality 'jump scares' that didn't really even startle me.”
“If you're looking for a story here, there really isn't one.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics are noted for creating a creepy atmosphere with great visuals and sound, effectively enhancing the game's eerie narrative. While some players appreciate the well-placed jumpscares and unexpected visual elements, others feel that the overall graphical experience is not particularly groundbreaking or terrifying. Overall, the game's strength lies more in its atmospheric storytelling than in high-end graphics.
“It has a creepy atmosphere, great visuals and sound, and some well-placed jumpscares that really gave me the creeps.”
“That said, I thought some of the unexpected sounds or visuals that jumped at me from time to time were pretty fun.”
“Graphics are nice.”
“I think it's just more of an atmospheric narration to help with the feeling behind the reason why you're there (the 'house' in your mind), and while there are some creepy sounds and sprinkles of some creepy visuals here and there, it's not too mind-blowing or scary.”
“That said, I thought some of the unexpected sounds or visuals that jumped at me from time to time were pretty fun, but I'm a fan of the scary in games and other media, so in a game, it has to really amp up its creepy sounds and visuals for me to get my heart racing or make me want to look behind my chair in the darkened room.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by a creepy ambiance enhanced by impressive visuals and sound design, featuring effective jumpscares that contribute to the overall tension. While some elements are unsettling, the experience leans more towards atmospheric storytelling rather than constant fear, creating a unique but not overwhelmingly scary environment.
“It has a creepy atmosphere, great visuals and sound, and some well-placed jumpscares that really gave me the creeps.”
“As far as the atmosphere, well, that's actually fairly cool.”
“I think it's just more an atmospheric narration to help with the feeling behind the reason why you're there (the 'house' in your mind) and while there are some creepy sounds and sprinkles of some creepy visuals here and there, it's not too mind-blowing or scary.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for its repetitive nature, requiring players to navigate the same rooms repeatedly in search of letters for a mystical word. The reliance on the same concepts, such as toggling lights, contributes to a sense of monotony and boredom, making the experience feel tedious.
“The gameplay is engaging and keeps you on your toes, with a variety of challenges that require quick thinking and strategy.”
“I love how the gameplay evolves as you progress, introducing new mechanics that keep the experience fresh and exciting.”
“The controls are smooth and responsive, making it easy to immerse yourself in the gameplay and enjoy every moment.”
“Let's take a close look at the gameplay itself: we are given a made-up word which is supposed to sound mystical, and we go through the same rooms over and over again in hopes of finding the letters of the given word around.”
“The game keeps using the same gameplay over and over again, also using the same concepts - like lights on, lights off - until it becomes nauseating.”
“Gameplay feels extremely repetitive and boring.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, lacking excitement or variation.
“Tedious, not scary, and very repetitive.”
“The grinding feels endless and lacks any real reward.”
“It becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
