Impostor Factory

 PC
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Adventure Gamers
    Nov 29, 2021
    70
    Looking better than ever but reducing the gameplay elements even further, Impostor Factory manages to weave a supernatural time travel murder mystery starring a whole new character into the series’ existing tapestry, giving the game a unique-yet-familiar flavor.
  2. New Game Network
    Oct 28, 2021
    67
    On its own, Impostor Factory is a decent adventure with occasionally interesting story elements and mostly enjoyable dialogue. But as part of the otherwise great series, it's a disappointing misstep.
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  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Oct 8, 2021
    With few exceptions (the Black Mirror episode San Junipero comes to mind), stories about imaginary worlds tend to be self-critical about the fantasy they want to conjure. Fleeing into a fantasy world is a form of escapism that needs to be condemned, even when the challenges of the fantasy world are no easier than reality. The Lost Boys of Peter Pan return to their home. The kids in Narnia go back into the wardrobe. The annoying hero of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance destroys the game's setting to return to the real world. The fantasy can be tolerated only when it dares admit its self-indulgent nature, like in the isekai genre...Impostor Factory is another of those rare exceptions: a game that cheerfully posits that a fake, imaginary life can be as fulfilling, precious and valid as a real one. And isn't this why we all play videogames, after all?

Awards & Rankings

83
#83 Best PC Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 47
  3. Negative: 4 out of 47
  1. bancandrei
    Oct 9, 2021
    5
    Barely worth the time to play it. Hardly worth the wait. The murder loop mystery makes no sense and isn't properly explained even at the end.Barely worth the time to play it. Hardly worth the wait. The murder loop mystery makes no sense and isn't properly explained even at the end. The personal story starts out strong and then fizzles out. Maybe that's why To the Moon had the reverse timeline set up. Conclusion would be to just stop at the first game.… Full Review »
  2. My_Dad
    Oct 1, 2021
    5
    General Consensus: (SPOILERS) Impostor Factory starts out strong, with a characteristic gut-punch of emotion shifting the story into aGeneral Consensus: (SPOILERS) Impostor Factory starts out strong, with a characteristic gut-punch of emotion shifting the story into a beautiful, heartbreaking drama halfway through. However, instead of sticking the landing with already established characters, Kan Gao and his fellow creators opt for a soulless twist that renders the prior events of the story drastically weakened.

    (HEAVY SPOILERS AHEAD)

    It's tough to criticize such an obvious labor of love from Freebird Games. I've been closely following their work since 2011, and consider Finding Paradise to be one of the best video games stories I've experienced. And while the music, endearing comedy, and grounded dialogue are all present in true Freebird fashion, I can't say I left the experience anywhere close to satisfied–especially considering the solipsistic implications created from the story's drastic shift in the third act.

    On a positive note, the game is made all the better by doing away with the puzzle/gameplay elements of its previous installments, choosing instead to dedicate all its runtime to storytelling. And what a story it was for the first two hours, where I considered the characters to be the most mature and compelling individuals Kan and co. have come up with. It wasn't shaping up to be as touching or inspiring as its predecessors, but the subject matter explored in Imposter Factory was definitely Freebird Games' most mature (and bleak) to date.

    Lynry and Quincy go through the wringer, and the absolutely gorgeous "A Reality Without Me" simply could not be played enough to underscore the tone of their challenged relationship. I was absolutely sold from the first hour of the story, finding myself crying multiple times as hit after hit came Linry and Quincy's way.

    It's a shame none of it is real.

    The story of the people we follow is nothing but the 9th simulated version of the lives of two people that existed in the REAL real world, and the interactions between the memory versions of Linry and Quincy (whose player avatar doesn't even know Linry), are nothing but shades of people playing out a fantasy orchestrated by Neill Watts (the real Linry's son) and his morally blank A.I. Faye, who now resembles an ominous HAL9000 rather than the sentimental subconscious of Colin from Finding Paradise.

    The game ends a whole hour before it should, opting to leave us on a bitter cliffhanger. Neill callously comments on the final image (Linry tucking baby Neill into bed) as a "supposed" perfect timeline, ripping us away from the potential of any real catharsis. The character operating the story (Neill) is the very one who is not even emotionally fazed by it. Where Johnny and Colin both learned important life lessons through their experiences in Sigmund Corp's tech (as well as communicating powerful themes to the audience), this story seems to go for, "we all could be in a simulation, but you should enjoy whatever you get while you can get it, but remember, all of it might not be real."

    I'm truly disappointed by this story, not because of the strength of its predecessors, but by the wasted potential of the powerful storytelling exhibited in its first two thirds.

    Hopefully the simulation path doesn't continue on with the following story, and we can return to a world where feelings and pain are very real, and submerging ourselves in a simulation is not the answer to all our problems.    … Full Review »
  3. Krounder
    Nov 12, 2022
    10
    so touching (well at least this time I did not cry, haha). But I can affirm that the narrative in how you are gradually discovering the storyso touching (well at least this time I did not cry, haha). But I can affirm that the narrative in how you are gradually discovering the story is the best of the series, from the moment you start the game you will not want to stop until you finish it. I definitely recommend it and I hope that Freebird continues to develop games in this series, which are very worthwhi… Full Review »
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