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alemonyoyo · 8 months ago

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Okay I've been waiting for a post like this because I have some DAMN opinions!

We're gonna go from 6-1 cause it's more tense that way hehe.

6. Rot In Paradise:

Snoozefest. One thing I love about Studio Investigrave is their experimental use of gameplay, it really feels like they use their games as an oppourtunity to test out coding new mechanics, but this game has none of that. Frankly it has very little gameplay to begin with, and, when coupled with a story that is "intentionally confusing" and will be "explained later on twitter" makes the game a completely unenjoyable experience for me. The art and music is wonderful as always and I like the characters, but I really can't forgive the absolute lack of story or gameplay that the game provides- I will not be replaying it.

5. Cold Front

Unlike RIP, Cold Front is way too heavy handed with it's metaphors and symbolism which can make it a real slog to get through. I feel like Auggie is basically turning to the camera and being like "I am insecure! This is all in my head!" And I find it pretty grating.

Because of this, Auggie and Winnie feel like really flat characters, which is something I could forgive if the game wasn't a character study of their friendship. Games like Elehitch can get away with having very little characterisation cause it's very much not the focus of the game, yk?

I can appreciate the messaging of this game, as heavy handed as it is, its a good wake-up call/reminder for those of us who are a little paranoid haha.

I appreciate the unique 2.5D style they use, that's pretty interesting even though it's utilised pretty infrequently. As usual the games art and music is stellar, and really does the heavy lifting in terms of the characterisation.

All in all, I don't think I could replay this one.

4. Married In Red

There is very little I could say about MIR which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it can therefore sit at 4 in this list, as there is nothing about the game that screams "FLAW" to me. But also, due to its briefness and minimal gameplay, I can't really put it any higher.

I do however love the story of this game. I wish it could have been hinted at a little better, rather than blatantly told to us, since the foreshadowing of tension was done really well. I also think the over world art in this game is really good and rather standout in comparison to the others? I feel like you can TELL they're trying to do something different yk?

There isn't a whole lot too it, yes, but a SIG game will always have amazing art and music, so it's got that!

3. Eloquent Countenance

This one may be a bit higher than one might expect and that is for one reason. ATMOSPHERE. In my opinion, out of all the SIG games, EC is the game with the most tense atmosphere BY FAR. It is the only game to have scared me- It's cause of those damn eyes.

SIG's use of realistic eyes coupled with their artstyle is so chilling to me- it made the experience so evocative and work super well despite it's short runtime. We've also got some fun characterisation of Forcas, who is a riot, and plays a really interesting role in the story along with out MC.

I think the story of EC is also super unique, something which I feel the previous entries don't encapsulate as much. The religious setting, coupled with the tense atmosphere and story really make this game WORK for me.

Also ofc, stunning art and the music and sfx REALLY help build this atmosphere!!! I have replayed multiple times just to shit my pants when that damn nun looks at me.

2. Elevator Hitch

Girl you knew it would be this high. ITS GOOD. Great music (I listen to the main theme to study), simple yet great character designs and a wonderful concept that draws upon the pop culture obsession of liminal spaces and the level-like nature of the modern backrooms and just AMPLIFIES IT! It's so good, it knows what it wants to be and it just DOES it so well.

This game is a far departure from the other SIG games in terms of gameplay, as it is very game-play focused. I have always been a fan of a good escape room puzzle game so this was right up my alley.

The overall story connecting the escape room game to the visual identity of the backrooms is really cool and acts as a cool comment on the modern day job insecurity that many of us face! And I think it's effective while not needing to be heavy handed, enough is implied through Protag's comments.

Also each floor is really unique, the only one that felt stereotypically "Backrooms" was The Hole and Floor 9 (Which feels pretty intentional). Great job all around. I have replayed multiple times I love it.

Dead Plate

I know it's a basic bitch answer, but there's a reason this game is so well loved. It's INREDIBLE.

I am a slut/whore/bitch for tycoon games, so this was right up my alley. I can appreciate a SIG game that feels like a game and less a semi-interactive means of storytelling.

I feel that Elehitch blends it's gameplay and story better than Dead Plate, BUT I think the story of Dead Plate is far more compelling and therefore I place it higher.

I've talked with many people about the symbolism in dead plate, and the possible interpretations of the meanings of "taste" and "cooking" within the world of DP, and there are a lot of avenues you could take them that really shows the stories further complexity. E.g taste and cooking being vessels of love, and how each character interacts with that, how that may impose upon the ideas of sexuality within the characters and the cultural and social context.

We also have some really distinct characters that aren't just one note! Vince and Rody feel a lot more fleshed out than the other characters of the SIG cast. Vince isn't just a stern asshole, as he demonstrates a clear patience and fondness for Rody, who isn't just a loveable idiot but also someone highly critical and rather perceptive of Vincent's 'facade.' It makes these characters very easy to get attatched to, and SIG's wonderful art only amplifies these characters with some really nice designs.

Another reason I put this game over Elehitch is the soundtrack. I've been careful to mention the soundtrack positively for every game thus far because Bell does a GREAT job. But for DP especially they have outdone themselves- This soundtrack has so many bangers, symbolic use of instruments, its wonderful. I listen to the songs to study all the time- The best song is the catalogue in my opinion, and table for four is the best tycoon song.

Overall, deadplate is amazing. I have replayed a gazillion times.

These are just my opinions, no hate to anyone nor OP. I have not read OP's post just yet as I didn't want their opinions to affect my own (i will be reading after this dw).

Y’know what? If you’re a Studio Investigrave fan, reblog this with your personal rankings of the games (add reasons if you can but if not that’s fine)!

Here are mine:

1.) Cold Front ( I’m VERY attached to these boys and their friendship, genuinely top tier comfort characters. I’m a big fan of metaphors and phycological horror, might be my favorite art wise, both endings hit VERY hard in different ways, especially once you get both. It’s also in my opinion the funniest SIG game.)

2.) Elevator Hitch ( I love time loops and escape room games. The humor in this game is also fantastic, all the characters are interesting and fun to think about as well. I love all the capitalism metaphors in this game as well, trying to interpret this game, company and lore is very fun. In my opinion this game is visually the scariest, but I love the horror and trauma my boy goes through.)

3.) Dead Plate (Really like the story in this! Especially with the metaphors (how surprising), I also really love each of these three idiots. I do like Rody and Vince’s dynamic a lot, however even though the gay jokes are fun to make, I do prefer them platonically (I also really like Rody x Mannon, especially with how complex it is once we see that ending cutscene). The art direction in this game is great, especially the colors! I also love the dialogue and comedy in this game, the characters are very well fleshed out, even the one we don’t get to properly meet!)

4.) Eloquent Countenance (Way too underrated ngl, sure it’s the oldest and it’s a tad confusing, but damn it I love this storyline, lore and characters. Angelica and Forcas are way too fun, both together and by themselves. It’s got such a good twist at the end as well and the lore of this game is just fun to think about. I also like the vibe of the game and how even the good ending is more open ended. The only reason it’s this low is because it is kinda confusing at times and the puzzles aren’t the most exciting, but I still adore this game and I really think it deserves more fandom love!)

5.) Rot in Paradise (This was the first SIG game I actually got to play myself! The character designs in this game are probably my favorites, not to mention I love friend groups in media and these guys are super fun! Not to mention the tone of this game is fantastic and does a really good job of setting things up and making you feel for the characters. It does a really good job at the creepy factor as well! I do like how the metaphors tie together, and how we don’t get to know everything about “the rot”, it adds to suspense. However admittedly my lore loving brain kinda wishes we got more about the strange curse. After a while this game will probably get higher but for now I’m not as attached to the characters as the other games yet.)

6.) Married in Red (It hurts to put this game last but I do love this game, art, and story! I think it’s mostly that these characters are probably the most boring out of all the SIG games to me (I do adore Myeong Hoon), I do still get brainrot of them don’t get me wrong! I also think in general this is the the most boring SIG game, cleaning up a crime scene and framing someone is a fun premise, but it’s a bit tedious and I just kinda wish there was more character focus.)

I PROMISE I GENUINELY LOVE ALL THESE GAMES AND THEY WERE SO HARD TO RATE BUT I HAVE TO BE A LITTLE CRITICAL SOMETIMES 😭

Anyways, hope you guys have fun with this, I really wanna see your guys’ opinions!

#studio investigrave #sig #dead plate #married in red #elevator hitch #rot in paradise #cold front #eloquent countenance

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