SIMULACRA 2 is an excellent mobile horror game with a lot of potential. However, its flaws and myriad problems drag it away from greatness.
The gameplay is similar to that of the first game, but this time you can play as a detective or journalist. Each approach has its own benefits, and both offer a unique perspective on the story.
The Story
SIMULACRA 2 is the long-awaited sequel to a hit mobile horror game. Play as either a rookie detective or tabloid writer tasked with solving the mysterious death of a young influencer by exploring her wiped phone and investigating clues left behind.
The gameplay of SIMULACRA 2 is a unique mix of spookfest and puzzler. Using a smartphone that mimics the interface of a real smartphone, you solve puzzles to piece together the murder mystery of Maya Crane and the influencers who fabricated her persona.
As with the first game in the series, you explore Maya’s phone and unlock a variety of apps to reveal a series of clues about her death. This time, however, you are investigating a much more recent development in digital culture: the rise of social media influencers and their dependency on algorithms.
While I have to admit that this new take on a smartphone-based horror game is a welcome change, there are some key flaws that prevent it from achieving greatness. The first is that it skirts around a number of relevant questions regarding the morality of social media and its intrusion into people’s personal lives.
The Graphics
The graphics in SIMULACRA 2 are pretty impressive, especially when you consider the size of your screen. The game also has a couple of interesting features that make it stand out from the crowd. These include a cool looking time lapse mode and a clever way to scrounge up spare parts for your smartphone.
The best part is that they aren’t all that expensive to boot. In fact, you can download a free copy of the game from their website and play it for free. If you’re looking for a gaming experience that will keep you entertained for hours on end, this is the title for you.
The best part is that the game is also a lot of fun to play. You can choose to play it solo or team up with a friend on the same computer. As for the system requirements, you’ll need a minimum of 4 GB of RAM and a powerful CPU to get the most out of it.
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack is quite impressive and it really does amplify the drama of the storyline. From the pulsating beats of a heart attack to the ominous ringing of the alarm, the sound effects are as menacing as they are immersive.
The game also makes use of a few other tricks up its sleeve, such as the use of sound cues to alert you to important events and the inclusion of a number of acoustic cues to keep the proceedings on the right track.
The most exciting aspect of the soundtrack is the use of a number of audio tricks to deliver a number of interesting and engaging audio sequences. The most noteworthy is the clever use of a reverberating drumkit to provide a spooky atmosphere that reaches its apex with a hypnotizing and disturbing final showdown. The music is also a delight to listen to and the accompanying graphics are a treat to behold. The game is a worthy addition to my list of favorites.
The Gameplay
Simulacra 2 is a smartphone-based horror game that explores themes of intrusion and alienation. Like its predecessor, the gameplay is a mix of simple puzzles and scary elements.
The game takes place in a fictional town where people are disappearing into thin air. Players can solve the mystery of Maya Crane’s death by exploring her phone and investigating clues left behind.
However, the game suffers from a few issues. First, the narrative often drags. This is largely due to the bland writing quality, especially for Detective Murilo.
Second, there are a lot of ads on the screen, which are quite distracting at times. They can also affect the immersion.