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BELOW

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2018

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Quick resume

BELOW is a solitary journey through the haunted depths of a forbidden isle. Explore. Survive. Discover.

Global score

71/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Role-playing (RPG)

Pros

  • Immersive atmosphere and sound design
  • Deep exploration and discovery
  • Challenging but fair gameplay
  • Minimalist ui and storytelling
  • Rewarding progression and shortcuts

Cons

  • Punishing permadeath and backtracking
  • Steep learning curve with little guidance
  • Slow pacing and repetitive early levels
  • Limited character customization
  • Some technical issues and bugs

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have freedom to explore, experiment, and discover mechanics on their own with minimal guidance or tutorials."

  • Competence
    3

    "The game requires skillful combat, resource management, and learning from failure to progress, though combat mechanics are relatively simple."

  • Competition
    -4

    "Focus is on personal exploration and survival without competitive or ranked elements."

  • Continuation
    2

    "Players invest long hours and repeatedly retry after death, showing attachment despite punishing mechanics."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player experience with no cooperative or multiplayer elements."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players experiment with crafting, item combinations, and tactical approaches to combat and exploration."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; purely individual experience."

  • Escapism
    5

    "Strong immersion in a mysterious, atmospheric world provides escape from real life."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of curiosity and intrinsic interest despite difficulty and frustration."

  • Experimenting
    4

    "Game encourages trying new strategies, exploring mechanics, and discovering secrets."

  • Exploration
    5

    "Core motivation is discovering new areas, secrets, and lore through careful exploration."

  • Expression
    -3

    "Limited character customization; focus is on gameplay and atmosphere rather than self-expression."

  • Fantasy
    4

    "Imaginative, mysterious setting with fantasy elements and abstract storytelling."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "Solo play with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

  • Growth
    3

    "Players learn game mechanics, improve skills, and gain knowledge through repeated play."

  • Health
    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; long sessions encouraged."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention and deliberate play; not a casual or background game."

  • Intimacy
    -5

    "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; solitary experience."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management roles; single player only."

  • Progression
    3

    "Players accumulate items, upgrades, and unlock shortcuts to progress deeper."

  • Relaxation
    -2

    "Atmospheric but tense and punishing gameplay creates sustained pressure and challenge."

  • Sensation
    4

    "Strong sensory immersion through visuals, sound design, and music."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems; individual focus."

  • Story
    3

    "Narrative is environmental and implicit, encouraging player interpretation and discovery."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Requires planning, resource management, and tactical combat decisions."

  • Thrill
    4

    "Tense moments, risk of death, and suspenseful exploration provide thrill."

  • Value
    3

    "Players perceive good value through deep, rewarding gameplay and atmosphere."

  • Violence
    2

    "Combat and defeating enemies is part of gameplay but not gratuitous or central."

  • Survival
    5

    "Strong survival mechanics including hunger, thirst, temperature, and resource management."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026