SIAM

SPOILERS!!!

SIAM is a unique visual novel that requires you to work in order to progress.

First of all, SIAM is the highlight of the game for me. SIAM's design and animations are high quality, cute, and enjoyable. Their dialogue is what allows you to learn the most about the futuristic setting of SIAM, as well as SIAM's personal life. Some dialogue is repeated a bit, but otherwise this is my favorite part of the game.

The "work" consists of copying and entering 6 digit codes. You are forced to work a certain amount before being able to speak to or give SIAM any gifts. It is such a tedious task that it does feel like work. I got sick of the work and the constant dialogue about work quite quickly, I assume it was made like that on purpose to help you empathize with your character. The game completely succeeds at that.

The play screen allows you to play a simple minigame in order to gain the game's currency. I would have enjoyed this minigame more if it had some more audio or visual cues, it's impossible to tell if you are gaining bitz unless you check your bitz with one of the information boxes. A bitz counter that would be visible at all times would also help the player see their progress in real time.

The play screen also contains a download button where you download files that progress the game. I was confused whether I needed to download all of these things or simply gain more friendship points with SIAM in order to progess. I'm still not sure about the acutal function of friendship points.

Eventually, you download all the files that you need to be able to escape from your work. The ending cutscene is beautiful. However, I would have liked to know a bit more about what happens after the end. Moral of the story, don't push your workers so hard that they terminate themselves!

The music consists of two songs, one for the title screen and one for the rest of the game. The one song that plays the entire game gets repetitive and intentionally or not, makes the work even more grating.

I find the concept of this game interesting and I've never played anything quite like this. I'd recommend giving this a try! I'm looking forward to seeing if Sooya makes any more games in the future.