What will stop many, however, are the recurring image and text decryption puzzles that become tiresome relatively quickly. It also includes 5 possible endings, meaning the opportunity to revisit Anna’s virtual world is there for those who wish to. Simulacra develops a narrative that offers a rather timely and well-paced gameplay experience. Whilst Simulacra occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own extensive list of dialogue options, it is impressive to see just how well it all gels together into one cohesive, if a little unbelievable, storyline. Whether it is probing for information from an ex-boyfriend or phoning an online company to confirm your suspicions, you’ll be kept busy selecting from the many dialogue trees as you attempt to maintain the balance between accusation and inquisition. When you are not browsing the extensive contents of the phone itself, you’ll be engaging in conversation with other characters who all play a significant role in Anna’s life. It is all very cleverly crafted to keep you guessing and scrutinising every detail.Įach chat consists of text, voice notes and images to explore. A chat between Anna and an online fling may offer a lead, or a picture in the gallery may be just the hint you were looking for to access important information in her emails.

Naturally, what ensues is an investigation into her disappearance, without ever leaving the relative confines of the mobile phone.ĭesigned with all the latest mod cons: text messaging, online dating, social media, emails, a web browser and a gallery of photos, the phone becomes the only lifeline for Anna and it is up to you to explore the contents, both obvious and hidden.

Opening with a video blog from the distraught protagonist who declares that you are not to attempt to find her, Simulacra has the hook required to get the gamer interested from the outset. The phone display fails to make full use of the Switch’s screen size and layout.īeneath the lacklustre visuals is an ambitious and engaging horror experience which is definitely deserving of exploration. From its half-sized appearance to its mediocre voice acting, this FMV (Full Motion Video) experience toys with the notion of ‘perfect handheld Switch experience’ without ever shaking the shackles of its mobile origins. Referred to as the spiritual successor to the mobile hit, Sara Is Missing, Kaigan Games have released Simulacra on the Nintendo Switch in the hopes of expanding the audience of a game so obviously designed with iOS and Android devices in mind. With as little context as that, Simulacra tasks you with piecing together the moments leading up to Anna’s disappearance – all through the mobile phone you happen to find somewhere, somehow.

All dialogye simulacra 2