Software:Simulacra (video game)

From HandWiki
Short description: 2017 detective-horror video game
Simulacra
Simulacran Video Game Logo.png
Game logo
Developer(s)Kaigan Games
Publisher(s)Kaigan Games[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2]
Writer(s)Shern Chong, Jeremy Ooi, David Teigen
SeriesSimulacra
EnginelibGDX
Platform(s)
ReleaseAndroid, iOS, Windows
October 26, 2017
macOS
June 2, 2018
Switch, PS4, Xbox One
December 3, 2019
Genre(s)Horror
Mode(s)Single-player

Simulacra (stylized in all caps) is a 2017 detective-horror game developed and published by Malaysian video game developer Kaigan Games. It was released for the Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.[1] The game has received mixed reviews from critics, praising it for its scary premise and unique game concept, while denouncing it for its poor voice lines.[2]

Plot

The player finds a lost mobile phone that belonged to a person named Anna. Attempting to access the phone through the lock screen causes the phone to suddenly crackle, with the distorted screen showing "Help me". The phone continues to do things on its own, leading to a certain video. It's showing a scared Anna begging whoever is watching not to come after her. In order to find out what happened to Anna, the goal for the player is to collect all the information possible and try to find the AI Simulacrum, the one behind Anna's disappearance.

Gameplay

As a spiritual successor to the game Sara is Missing, Simulacra revolves around exploring the missing person's phone.[3] There are various contacts that can be interacted with, such as her friends or boyfriend.[4] The players can also fix glitched messages and images or check the installed apps like Spark, Jabbr and Surfer.[5][6] However, during these said ventures, the player may experience some glitches and jumpscares on the phone and an individual called "Aulner" trying to message the player in odd capitalization, asking the player to find him and by doing so the player will supposedly find Anna.

The game has 4 endings unlocked by following a specific narrative branch.[7]

Reception

Simulacra received "mixed or average" reviews from critics for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions of the game, while the iOS version received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[8][9][10][11]

Sequels

Kaigan Games have also released several follow-up games: a spin-off Simulacra: Pipe Dreams on October 26, 2018,[12] and two sequels Simulacra 2 and Simulacra 3 on January 30, 2020, and October 25, 2022.[13][14][15][16]

Notes

  1. Console versions published by Wales Interactive.
  2. PC version published by Neon Doctrine and Kaigan Games.

References

  1. "Found Phone Horror Game Simulacra 3 Launches on October 25 – TouchArcade" (in en-US). 2022-10-11. https://toucharcade.com/2022/10/11/simulacra-3-release-date-steam-ios-android-mobile-kaigan-found-phone-horror/. 
  2. "Simulacra Review – Gamecritics.com". https://gamecritics.com/aj-small/simulacra-review/. 
  3. Riaz, Adnan (2017-11-12). "Review: Simulacra" (in en-GB). https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-simulacra/279055/. 
  4. "Review: Simulacra - An Interesting Horror Title That Doesn't Quite Hit The Mark" (in en-GB). 2019-12-07. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/simulacra. 
  5. Tan, Freddy (2017-08-15). "Introducing SIMULACRA: full embodiment of Sara Is Missing" (in en-sg). https://sea.ign.com/simulacra/119245/feature/introducing-simulacra-full-embodiment-of-sara-is-missing. 
  6. Wilson, Mike (2019-10-31). "Found Phone FMV Horror Game 'Simulacra' Heads to Consoles This December" (in en-US). https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3591913/found-phone-fmv-horror-game-simulacra-heads-consoles-december/. 
  7. Tekaia, Pascal (2018-03-23). "Review for SIMULACRA" (in en-GB). https://adventuregamers.com/articles/view/34199. 
  8. "SIMULACRA for Xbox One" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/simulacra/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. 
  9. "SIMULACRA for PlayStation 4" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/simulacra/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. 
  10. "SIMULACRA for Switch" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/simulacra/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. 
  11. "SIMULACRA for iOS" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/simulacra/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad. 
  12. "SIMULACRA: Pipe Dreams on Steam" (in en). https://store.steampowered.com/app/878320/SIMULACRA_Pipe_Dreams/. 
  13. "SIMULACRA 3 on Steam" (in en). https://store.steampowered.com/app/1925970/SIMULACRA_3/. 
  14. "Simulacra 2 Review: Influencers Get What's Coming To Them" (in en). 2020-02-05. https://www.thegamer.com/simulacra-2-review-pc/. 
  15. "Save 60% on SIMULACRA 2 on Steam" (in en). https://store.steampowered.com/app/1011190/SIMULACRA_2/. 
  16. "SIMULACRA 3" (in en). https://www.metacritic.com/game/simulacra-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 

External links