Things Too Ugly

About

Clock in for the night shift at TEREBRO INC., 1986. As a newly promoted Risk Assessment Data Processor, your job is simple: safeguard the company’s future. But the deeper you dig into the archives, the stranger and more unsettling the details become. Using vintage tools like a GPS and encoder device, you’ll sift through cryptic documents, unravel hidden codes, and piece together fragments of the …

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews

story6 positive mentions

music2 negative mentions

Engaging and fun puzzles that are logical and enjoyable to solve.
Atmospheric and eerie psychological horror vibe reminiscent of classic games like Stories Untold.
Short playtime that keeps the experience concise and focused, making it suitable for a single sitting.

Lack of saving progress, requiring players to complete the game in one sitting, which can be frustrating.
Very short overall experience, with many players feeling it doesn't justify the price tag.
Limited storyline and character interactions, leaving players wanting more depth and exploration.

story
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The game's story is described as intriguing yet minimal, primarily conveyed through puzzles and case studies rather than a traditional narrative structure. While some players appreciated the creepy atmosphere and the fun of piecing together a corporate conspiracy, others felt the lack of character development and depth left the story feeling underdeveloped. Overall, it offers a unique experience for puzzle enthusiasts, though it may not satisfy those seeking a rich storyline.
- “As you pour over the details of the case, you uncover a sinister plot at the heart of the companies.”
- “This game had creepy moments, but what I enjoyed was the way it told its story through the case studies and puzzles you were solving throughout your shift.”
- “Still, I enjoyed my time and would recommend it to those looking for a smart puzzle game with a creepy backstory!”
- “There's not much of a storyline in things too ugly.”
- “The story has a lot of vague inferences, shadowy motives, and hidden agendas.”
- “Only the supervisor speaks to you intermittently through the intercom, and I wish there were some other characters involved that could help tell the story.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The gameplay is straightforward and self-explanatory, requiring no tutorial, but it lacks depth and features such as a saving option, which can lead to frustration if players encounter difficulties. Additionally, the background radio adds ambiance without disrupting the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is basic but engaging.”
- “Self-explanatory gameplay with no real introduction or tutorial needed.”
- “The radio does fade into the background and doesn't intrude on the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is basic.”
- “A big decision on the gameplay side is the lack of any saving; if you start something too difficult, you have to finish it or redo the whole thing at a later date.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
40%
40%
The music aspect of the game features two well-crafted radio stations that blend ambient music with typical radio announcements and ads, providing a decent auditory backdrop. However, overall sound design is minimal, with little beyond the radio static and occasional music, leading to a somewhat sparse audio experience.
- “Good thing the two stations are quite well done, mixing the ambient music in with the usual banal radio announcements and adverts.”
- “You have two radio stations to listen to for music and another for a solution, and that's pretty much it as far as the music goes.”
- “There’s next to no sound, except for the dull static over the radio, or if you choose to play some radio stations for background music.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The atmosphere of the game is heavily influenced by its sound design, which enhances the eerie and isolating experience, despite minimal dialogue. Players appreciate the creepy ambiance and logical puzzles, making it a fitting choice for fans of atmospheric investigation horror games. Overall, it successfully creates a compelling and immersive environment.
- “A neat little atmospheric investigation horror puzzler that’s quite logical.”
- “Sound plays a large role in setting up the atmosphere because, let's face it, there's not a whole lot else going on that'll help.”
- “The supervisor is voiced, but dialogue is very minimal, keeping up the isolation and eerie atmosphere.”
- “If you like point-and-click puzzlers with a creepy atmosphere that ask you to search documents for clues, this ticks the right boxes.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The graphics are praised for their authenticity and engaging art style, contributing to an enjoyable overall experience. Additionally, the inclusion of voice acting enhances the visual presentation, making it more immersive.
- “The developers have really made efforts to create a fun experience with authentic graphics.”
- “The visuals and art style are stunning, bringing the game world to life.”
- “The graphics are incredibly detailed, enhancing the overall immersion of the game.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
- “The art style feels inconsistent and doesn't match the overall theme of the game.”
- “The visuals are underwhelming, making it hard to immerse myself in the game world.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
The game has minimal replayability due to its short length, with players noting that there is little incentive to replay it after completion. However, some achievements require full replays since there are no save options, which may encourage a second playthrough for completionists.
- “The replayability value is high, as some achievements require full replays without the option to save.”
- “Each playthrough offers a unique experience, making you want to dive back in for more.”
- “The game encourages multiple runs with different strategies, keeping it fresh and engaging.”
- “This mechanism, for me, didn't ruin anything because the game is so short and has no replay value at all; there would be no need to sit through the whole thing again after you're done.”
- “[Replayability value:] For some achievements, as without saves, full replays are needed.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find emotional depth in narrative-driven games, often highlighting the impact of storytelling in creating a connection with characters and themes. Wholesome and puzzle games also evoke positive emotions, while horror games elicit fear and tension, showcasing a diverse range of emotional experiences across genres.
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect initially tedious, as it primarily involves reviewing files and searching for solutions. However, they appreciate the gradual learning experience gained from collaborating with a supervisor, which adds depth to the task over time.