Among the Sleep

 PC
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 251 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 141 out of 251
  2. Mixed: 84 out of 251
  3. Negative: 26 out of 251

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  1. masterx1234
    Jun 4, 2014
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game was amazing, it really impresses me what indie developers can make nowadays, I enjoyed the game all the way through, lots of scary and shocking moments that honestly made me jump out of my seat, but my only complaint is that the game is way too short, you can easily beat this game in an hour like i did, but i still enjoyed it none the less, if you want a quick scare this is a good game to buy.

    OTHER THOUGHTS: To be perfectly honest the game is lacking construction and it has a bit of a boring storyline, you make your way through what seems like the young girls dreams, where you tag along with your talking teddy bear to find your mothers memories. There are these black like figures that leark around her dream world and will follow and attack you if you get too close, the game can get very confusing at times making it difficult to figure out the direction you must go. The games ending is very strange and makes you feel like you have accomplished nothing, but overall, i enjoyed it.    … Expand
  2. MaximumPayne
    Jun 1, 2014
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ever heard of the Courage the Cowardly Dog theory? Yeah. Let me begin by say that I am a huge, huge pansy when it comes to horror games. The "helpless collector being chased" genre of horrors games barely phases me, but I couldn't stand the first 45 minutes of Outlast without Alt-F4ing and never returning.

    This game is not scary, and I personally feel it shouldn't be marketed in the same way that a game like Amnesia or Slender is. I would imagine the Oculus Rift would change my opinion, but I lack the change to pick one up. The best this game has to offer is being creepy. That unsettling, Tim Burton-esque taste lingers with this game. It is by no means outright disturbing, at any point; but with the right music, some twisted, foggy, uprooted trees and a splash of Dr. Seuss-tier surrealism, this game does an okay job of creeping you out.

    One thing to appreciate about the game is that it really is the "horror" game for everyone. It's entirely playable and completable to even the largest of wimps (me) and very consistent in it's spookiness every level. The only time I can really say my heart sank was an instance where I hadn't realized I was being chased (due to my headphones rear speakers failing to function) and was grabbed and and forced to stare into the black void with eyes that is this game's monster. It's a cheap scare, something Slender can do just as well as this game, but with this game it's a rare occurrence and not the main gimmick.

    The game is composed of four very short separate levels after the "intro" where the game takes place in your real house and not some kindergarten MC Escher painting. The levels all carry the same pseudo-surrealist vibe in that it's comprised of mainly just a bunch of doors all over the walls, misshapen rooms and enlarged or upside-down objects; nothing too unique.

    You'll find that after the initial house level, the fact that you're a baby becomes completely irrelevant because the worlds you explore after your house don't seem to have any concrete reference of size. Some settings are much too grand and large for anyone, some are fit to make your 3-feet tall self feel like an adult.

    The first level or "intro" was the most interesting part of the game for me, and it only lasts 15-30 minutes. You, the player, are quickly introduced to your baby character's best friend, a teddy bear, in a most unsettling way, followed by him saying some very unsettling things. He turns out to have no mal intent, surprisingly, because what he says initially suggest otherwise. Other than nonsensically being your source of light, your teddy bear has no real use, is the only talking character for the majority of the game, but hardly ever talks. His soothing and inquisitive voice provides relief at times, but he stays dormant for the most part unfortunately.

    The fourth level was very disappointing to me, but still respectable. (minor spoilers ahead, but I won't reveal the actual ending) It's a five-minute walkthrough of your daylit home, cramming the unexpected twist ending into a small fraction of the game's wopping hour and thirty minute story. The twist had my mouth agape for a minute, but I had my suspicions from the very beginning of the game. There are clues strewn throughout the game that people with functioning brains such as myself and most other people that played the game can easily put together to form big hints as to what the twist may be. Like, seriously, they're huge.

    (MAJOR SPOILER AHEAD) For example, a drawing that can be found, clearly scribbled by a child of your age, depicts the scary female monster of the game teasing a depiction of a baby with an elephant toy. Some 20 minutes later you complete a level by stumbling upon one of your own memories, basically a 3D flashback, and it's a depiction your mother teasing you with an elephant toy. Put 'em together folks, and you get your uber deep hamfisted twist 40 minutes before the game is even over.(SPOILER OVER)

    Overall, I'd say it's worth playing mainly because it takes so little of your time, and maybe you'll put a thing or two together and just appreciate it as a short story that could only be truly told in the form of a video game. It's like a spooky, darker Gone Home that doesn't suck and isn't bogged down by sluggish controls.    … Expand
  3. doncsoo
    Nov 28, 2014
    7
    This game has great graphics and immersing atmosphere but in my opinion it could've been bit longer and implement more action because it could be a bit boring.
  4. arclight
    May 30, 2014
    6
    It ends just as it starts getting good. It seems like it was a bit over hyped though. It's too short for the price tag and there isn't much replay value as I don't think any of the game is procedurally generator. Worth a play through definitely, but I would wait for the price to come down. Also, where the hell is chapter 5? It skips from 4 to 6?
  5. mountainpony
    May 30, 2014
    7
    "Among the Sleep" is a good indie horror title that delivers an eerie and truly unsettling atmosphere throughout its unfortunately short running time (and I mean short; it took me all of 2 hours to complete). There are some creepy scripted scares (one involving a woman by a well comes to mind), a few easter eggs to find, and some genuinely frightening sequences a la "Amnesia: The Dark"Among the Sleep" is a good indie horror title that delivers an eerie and truly unsettling atmosphere throughout its unfortunately short running time (and I mean short; it took me all of 2 hours to complete). There are some creepy scripted scares (one involving a woman by a well comes to mind), a few easter eggs to find, and some genuinely frightening sequences a la "Amnesia: The Dark Descent." Yet, for a game this short, I can't help but feel these are too few and far apart (not to mention largely ineffectual during repeated play-throughs). Thankfully, in between the scares are some nifty set pieces and interesting level designs to keep interesting. I also have to tip my hat to the sound team at Krillbite; they must love making people squirm because, by the end of the game, every creaky floorboard, every rusted hinge, every strange noise will make the game's peaking mechanic essential. It's no doubt the most immersive part of the game. All in all, I'd recommend this game to survival horror aficionados, but with some reservations; the story is weak and mostly uninvolving (though they deserve credit for focusing on the abstractness of the theme), glitches cause some puzzles to be unsolvable (a simple "Load Last Checkpoint" always fixed that), and the graphics leave one wanting. The length and actual amount of scares, also, are disappointing, but it's nice to see a different approach to this genre that doesn't include buckets of blood and torn limbs (excluding stuffed animal limbs). I'd certainly keep my eyes on the developers. They have plenty of talent and, having gotten to know them through the Kickstarter campaign, are extremely nice people who really deserve your support.… Expand
  6. SuperNaiv
    Jun 4, 2014
    5
    It's not bad, nor it's great. The game is "ok". And that is pretty much. The game isn't scary, but it is creepy. The ambient sound design in the game is really great. The story in the game is interesting, but it's presented in very non involving way. The interaction and gameplay is minimal and not very engaging. I wish they made several interesting story driven puzzles in the game to makeIt's not bad, nor it's great. The game is "ok". And that is pretty much. The game isn't scary, but it is creepy. The ambient sound design in the game is really great. The story in the game is interesting, but it's presented in very non involving way. The interaction and gameplay is minimal and not very engaging. I wish they made several interesting story driven puzzles in the game to make it more engaging and interesting. I guess everything depends on the budget. These games have been in development in several years and it is kind of disappointing that it didn't deliver better product. The game doesn't last for long, which is kind of a good thing, but at the same time it is kind of disappointing. I guess it had something to do with its lack of interesting stuff to do in the game, with it minimal gameplay. All you can do is crawl and walk, and interact with some furniture’s on the basic level, like climb up on the chairs or open draws to climb up higher, push some buttons and some similar stuff. You can also use your teddy bear as a light source. This game had a potential to be really great, but, in the end, it didn't quite make it. Would I recommend it to anybody? On the rainy dark and grey day will this game perhaps be interesting to check out.… Expand
  7. MikeZillaGames
    Jun 1, 2014
    7
    Among The Sleep lays on the creepy atmosphere big time, and as a horror game it's fair to call it successful enough to warrant your attention. There are many "indie" horror titles on the PC platform as of late, and many of them aren't very good, but Among The Sleep manages to trump most of them...although just barely.

    The idea of playing a two-year-old is pretty unique, and handled well    Among The Sleep lays on the creepy atmosphere big time, and as a horror game it's fair to call it successful enough to warrant your attention. There are many "indie" horror titles on the PC platform as of late, and many of them aren't very good, but Among The Sleep manages to trump most of them...although just barely.

    The idea of playing a two-year-old is pretty unique, and handled well enough. The environments in Among The Sleep range from colorful to washed out, and just like inside a child's mind- everything can turn from happy-go-lucky to extreme horror in an instant. Levels often go from seeming harmless rudimentary puzzle solving to running for your life and hiding in an instant, and encounters with the game's creepy surrealistic environments and enemies is eerie and entertaining.

    But, for every good aspect of Among the Sleep, there's a troubling one as well. The level design is interesting, but the puzzle solving is cheap. The enemies are freaky but there are few times when you're actually in danger. The game strings you along at a good pace, but the experience is too short overall...these are just a couple of problems with the game.

    Add to that several unforgivable progress blocking bugs that many people have run into...and overall Among the Sleep feels like it was rushed along a bit too much. Even the ending feels pretty phoned in, and the build up to what could have been an emotional and poignant resolution just kind of dies immediately and forgettable.

    Overall, I think it's a good horror title...but it needed some extra attention before being released.    … Expand
  8. PrincessRose
    Jan 26, 2016
    6
    This is a short horror adventure game from the perspective of a toddler trying to find his mum with his teddy bear friend to help him out along the way. Interesting playing from the perspective of a toddler. The atmosphere is great the environments are well made, being rather creative and imaginative with a sad story.

    It's a little bit scary. Trying to avoid the monsters did freak me    This is a short horror adventure game from the perspective of a toddler trying to find his mum with his teddy bear friend to help him out along the way. Interesting playing from the perspective of a toddler. The atmosphere is great the environments are well made, being rather creative and imaginative with a sad story.

    It's a little bit scary. Trying to avoid the monsters did freak me out a bit. It does a good job of making you feel small in a big world.

    I like how unique the game is seeing everything through the eyes of a infant.

    This game is definitely worth playing, it was interesting and fun mostly.

    6/10 I rate it as ok as it's a bit too short taking me just over 4 hours to complete as I did not rush and I got lost a bit.    … Expand
  9. BasilZero
    Feb 5, 2017
    6
    Game: Among The Sleep
    Genre: Horror
    Developer: Krillbite Studio System: Steam (PC) Total Score: 65/100 Value Score: 6.5/10 • Story: 7/10 • Characters: 5/10 • GamePlay: 6/10 • Graphics: 6/10 • Sound: 9/10 • Music: 5/10 • Length: 5/10 • Replay Value: 6/10 • Player Value: 6/10 Pros +Great game for those who love Puzzle and Horror +Unique gameplay as a baby +Great    Game: Among The Sleep
    Genre: Horror
    Developer: Krillbite Studio
    System: Steam (PC)
    Total Score: 65/100
    Value Score: 6.5/10

    • Story: 7/10
    • Characters: 5/10
    • GamePlay: 6/10
    • Graphics: 6/10
    • Sound: 9/10
    • Music: 5/10
    • Length: 5/10
    • Replay Value: 6/10
    • Player Value: 6/10

    Pros
    +Great game for those who love Puzzle and Horror
    +Unique gameplay as a baby
    +Great atmosphere and environment in first person view
    +Ability to continue from within chapters in menu selection
    +Prologue DLC included for free which includes additional story prior to the main story of the game

    Cons
    -Very glitchy/buggy at times (objects and characters going through other objects, some events not occurring or doors not opening at times that should be opened.
    -Unplayable on laptops (possibly Windows 8 and above as well), framerate stuck at 20 FPS and if you turn off everything it only goes up to 30 FPS.
    -Not many memorable moments or characters in the game
    -No Manual Save Feature, only auto-save
    -Very short even with the prologue DLC    … Expand
  10. slappycider
    Jan 14, 2015
    6
    Quite short but definitely spooky, it's kinda disappointing that this game doesn't pack as much of a punch as it should. The story is definitely emotional and wraps up quite nicely at the end of the game... but the length of the game and how extremely simple it is don't really warrant the 20 dollar price tag.
  11. Sjalka
    Jul 11, 2014
    5
    for some reason, it never "clicked" for me. I cannot really pin it down precisely why i never found my way into the game, - or feel immersed. Maybe it is the style, maybe the design.

    It MUST be said that i only played around 1 hour of it - so this is more a "first look" review. However - during this 1st hour, the game committed a cardinal sin from my point of view - it was boring. I    for some reason, it never "clicked" for me. I cannot really pin it down precisely why i never found my way into the game, - or feel immersed. Maybe it is the style, maybe the design.

    It MUST be said that i only played around 1 hour of it - so this is more a "first look" review. However - during this 1st hour, the game committed a cardinal sin from my point of view - it was boring. I caught myself asking myself why i was playing - and if there wasn t something better to do with my time.

    I categorize this game as an "adventure" - so i put the story before everything else in this case. When it comes to the story, i do not really make many compromises "just because it is an indie game". I can live with a weaker fidelity, maybe a bad UI or clunky controls when it is from an indie developer, but in terms of story, i expect 100% - and i did not get into it.

    again - it is likely my own fault in case the game caught on later - as many adventures ( or stories for that matter ) do.

    What is left is a very nice idea that simply did not work for me. - a highly subjective 5/10 from me. but other adventures have done a better job immersing the player from the very start.    … Expand
  12. YntoCCabile
    Jun 15, 2014
    6
    Quite short, relaxing game with a few horror elements and surprisingly deeper ending as the whole gameplay. You will see the world with the eyes of 2-years old boy, who can count only on his little teddybear.
  13. ReezeTheVampire
    Nov 7, 2019
    7
    Among the sleep is a nice little horror game with a cool concept and great immersion. Though it isn't diverse in mechanics or locations, the game is short enough that it all stay fun and interesting throughout. The story has some nice developments and a bit of a twist that makes it enjoyable to think about as you play. I also like that I don';t think I ever failed, the game keeps theAmong the sleep is a nice little horror game with a cool concept and great immersion. Though it isn't diverse in mechanics or locations, the game is short enough that it all stay fun and interesting throughout. The story has some nice developments and a bit of a twist that makes it enjoyable to think about as you play. I also like that I don';t think I ever failed, the game keeps the tension up without repeatedly killing the player like other games in its class. The sound is good, and the graphics have a nice touch to them. Overall a solid horror experience especially if you get it on sale.… Expand
  14. Panica3643D
    Jun 19, 2018
    7
    Неплохо. Для игры на 1 вечер имеет всё необходимое
  15. griefin
    Jun 23, 2019
    7
    +: Unusual setting, uneasy storyline, no repetitive gameplay, in-built museum of game creating
    -: Very short, few mechanics to play with, too much of collectibles.
  16. abobamen
    Oct 10, 2022
    5
    Among the Sleep - все что скажу первые 30 минут крутые дальше не страшная и скучная игра
  17. Pmstz
    Feb 11, 2023
    6
    OK game
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
93
#93 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 40
  3. Negative: 3 out of 40
  1. Impulsegamer
    Jan 23, 2017
    78
    Given it’s a fairly short playthrough I wouldn’t be paying full price for it… but if you can get it on sale it is worth getting if for no other reason than to see another form of terror placed into game form. Jump scares have nothing on the impact this has.
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  2. Riot Pixels
    Oct 19, 2014
    80
    Among the Sleep is yet another good example of a successful game made possible thanks to Kickstarter.
    Read full review
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Sep 3, 2014
    85
    Here we have a stylish and original horror adventure, which manages to scare. The ending is quite thought-provoking. The game is quite short, but the time spent on it is definitely quality time. [Aug 2014]
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