| Simulacra | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Kaigan Games |
| Publisher(s) | Kaigan Games, Neon Doctrine, Wales Interactive |
| Producer(s) | Jeremy Ooi |
| Designer(s) | Lee Ying |
| Engine | Java |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Playstation 4 |
| Release | Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, iOS and Android
|
| Genre(s) | Horror, Simulation, Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Simulacra (stylized in all caps; SIMULACRA) is a psychological horror simulation game developed and published by Kaigan Games on October 26, 2017 for Android and iOS. Later, the game was released for Playstation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. It is the first game in the Simulacra series.
Simulacra, optimised to be played on a phone, mixes found footage with puzzle game mechanics. The game follows the story of a woman gone missing under strange circumstances, as the player is tasked to figure out the mystery. Simulacra is considered to be the sequel to Kaigan Games' first horror game, Sara Is Missing.
Plot
editGameplay
editDevelopment
editJeremy Ooi, a game designer for Kaigan Games, was inspired to create Simulacra from his own obsession with mobile devices. He explained "being a tech geek, I have to help my friends fix some stuff on their phones from time to time; and when I catch a glimpse of their messages or photos, I immediately apologise to them." However, Ooi revealed "I've always toyed with the idea of replicating that experience, minus the guilt."[1]
Kaigan Games began development on Simulacra following the wide-scale attention their first interactive horror game, Sara Is Missing, received after being published. A key
Ooi explained "We had plenty of ideas, most of them you see now in Simulacra which we intentionally held back. To create those mechanics on our first and unproven game is very risky
By the team, Simulacra was referred to as "the 'definitive' version of Sara Is Missing."[2]
Lee Ying; "Video games is one of the best ways to tell a story narratively. For a movie, people watch it for 2 hours but they experience it from a different perspective. For me, making art for video games is like making an entirely new world that people can explore and step into."
Meaning
editThemes
editEtymology
editThe word simulacra, the plural of simulacrum, is defined as a copy or representation of a person, place or thing. Naming the game "simulacra" intended to explore the differences between people's digital and real identity. Jeremy Ooi explained "It [Simulacra] is a reflection, exaggerated danger of social media and dating apps that we want to highlight."[7]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iOS | NS | PS4 | Xbox One | |
| Metacritic | 82/100 | 64/100 | 72/100 | 74/100 |
| Publication | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iOS | NS | PS4 | Xbox One | |
| Nintendo Life | 60/100[13] | |||
| Pocket Gamer |   [9] | |||
| Push Square | 60/100[12] | |||
| Hardcore Gamer |  [8] | |||
| Digitally Downloaded | 70/100[10] | |||
| Gaming Nexus | 85/100[11] | |||
| Pure Nintendo | 90/100[14] | |||
| Game Grin | 75/100[15] | |||
| Xbox Tavern | 73/100[16] | |||
According to review aggregator Metacritic, Simulacra received generally positive to mixed reviews. Mobile versions held a higher rating than their console and PC counterparts.
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Accolades
edit| Year | Organization or event | Award | Status | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | IMGA SEA | Excellence in Story Telling | Won | [18] |
| 2017 | Level Up KL SEA Game Awards | Best Innovation and Best Story Telling | Won | [19] |
| 2018 | Indie Prize at Casual Connect, Asia | Best Mobile Game | Won | [20] |
| Most Innovative Game | Nominated | |||
| Best Game Narrative | Nominated | |||
| Best Game Design | Nominated | |||
| 2019 | Webby Awards | Best User Experience | Nominated | [21] |
Sequels and spinoffs
editSimulacra: Pipe Dreams
editSimulacra 2
editSimulacra 3
editSIMULACRA was followed by two other iterations, Simulacra 2 and 3.
https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2022/03/22/simulacra-3-reveal-trailer/
References
edit- ^ Lim, John (November 14, 2017). "Remember The 'Sara Is Missing' Viral Game? The Malaysian Creators Are Back With A New Game". Says. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Pikri, Ellia (October 31, 2017). "The Team Behind "Sara Is Missing" Launched Their Latest Creepy Game—And It's Way Better". Vulcan Post. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Pikri, Ellia (December 2, 2016). "Interactive Game On Missing Girl Is Taking YouTube By Storm—And It's Made By M'sians". Vulcan Post. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Chia, Kenny (November 11, 2017). "SIMULACRA brings horror to the lost phone genre". Destructoid. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ Ismail, Azizul (March 13, 2020). "Finding success". The Sun. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- ^ Mawarni, Oleh (March 5, 2019). "This UI Artist Created the In-Game Apps You Love in SIMULACRA". MyGameOn. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- ^ a b Tan, Freddy (August 15, 2017). "Introducing SIMULACRA: full embodiment of Sara Is Missing". IGN Southeast Asia. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ Riaz, Adnan (November 12, 2017). "Review: Simulacra". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ Valentin, Christian (October 31, 2017). "Simulacra review - An unnerving mobile adventure just in time for Halloween". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ M., Lindsay. "Review: Simulacra (Sony PlayStation 4)". Digitally Downloaded. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ Hauter, Eric (December 3, 2019). "Simulacra Review". Gaming Nexus. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ Croft, Liam (December 3, 2019). "Review: Simulacra - FMV Chat Logs Worthy of a Phone Contract". Push Square. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ Reynolds, Ollie (December 7, 2019). "Review: Simulacra - An Interesting Horror Title That Doesn't Quite Hit The Mark". Nintendo Life. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ Summers, Kirstie (December 31, 2019). "Review: Simulacra (Nintendo Switch)". Pure Nintendo. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ Davies, Jamie (January 25, 2020). "SIMULACRA Review". GameGrin. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ Baldock, Jamie (December 3, 2019). "SIMULACRA Review". Xbox Tavern. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
- ^ Tan, Freddy (December 16, 207). "SIMULACRA - Review: Not your typical mobile horror story". IGN Southeast Asia. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ "Simulacra: 2nd IMGA SEA Excellence in Storytelling". International Mobile Gaming Awards. December 1, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ Xiung, Chong (November 14, 2017). "Level Up KL 2017 wants to bump up SEA through cross-border links". Digital News Asia. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ "Malaysian Studio Wins Big At Indie Prize, USA". Unpause Asia. January 24, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ Tan, Freddy (April 4, 2019). "Malaysian Made SIMULACRA Nominated For Webby Award". IGN Southeast Asia. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ Simulacra was not formally released on Xbox Series X/S, however the game is backward-compatible with the Xbox One release and is therefore listed together on the same date.