Gaming News “It’s like going to the Dark Web,” this free horror game on Steam uses AI and can be finished in 20 minutes!
Available completely free on Steam or itch.io, Last Seen Online offers you a short horror story that will take you back to the 2000s for a moment.
Emily is gone <3 (2021)
If you like short video game experiences that give you the unique feeling of exploring the 2000s again by browsing an old computer equipped only with Internet Explorer and an old mailbox, you probably know Emily is gone; In this text adventure game, you take on the role of a young man chatting with an old friend from high school in the hope that one day she will fall for his charms by choosing the right dialogue options. A real independent success that you can find for free on the Steam platform.
The game that interests us today gives pride of place to AOL’s instant messaging, which brings back even more fond memories for American gamers. Here you take on the role of a real little snoop who accidentally comes across an old computer at a flea market that he saw lying among piles of scrap metal.. This is more than enough to pique his curiosity and fuel his urgent desire to follow a stranger’s life since the machine is not yet formatted. You are now faced with a screen full of secrets, which gradually turns out to be very dark, and with old messages that remain unanswered and to which you must respond. Last Seen Online is presented by its author Sochin Studio as a psychological horror escape room heavily inspired by the first Flash games.
So little puzzles and news reading are at the heart of this completely free experience that you can easily solve in just twenty minutes. Another special feature: Last Seen Online uses artificial intelligence; A point that may put off more than one person, but which is fully supported on the game’s Steam page : “Photoshop’s generative AI is used throughout the game to create fake photos., this is how it is explained; and add: “These fake photos are created by the developer, who takes photos of themselves or blank scenes, then changes gender, age and clothing, or inserts props or people.. Honestly, if this note hadn’t been shared, I would never have noticed that the game was partially generated by an AI, most likely due to some very skillful and minimal use of the thing.
A free and clever horror game
The atmosphere is very pleasant, the sound effects remind me of the sweet, missed days of my youth and I really had a lot of fun exploring this succinct but carefully written story. This book deals with some pretty deep themes, particularly depression in young people and feelings of abandonment. On the other hand, if Last Seen Online wants to be a horror game, I have to admit that at no point was I scared or felt any fear. Nevertheless, there is something about the atmosphere that is as dark as it is pleasant. Furthermore, the game currently has no less than 98% positive reviews.based on generally very encouraging opinions:
“Short but sweet – I really enjoyed this little game, it reminded me of the Flash games of the early 2000s. The puzzles are a little confusing at first, but once you understand them, you say “Wow.”
“A short and amazing experience. I’m honestly shocked that it’s free, considering it’s more entertaining and impactful than many AAA games that cost $30.”
Yes, it’s a short experience, but it’s excellent. I played it on itch.io and fell in love with it, so of course I wanted to download it on Steam too. He’s not that scary but the ending makes me cry every time lol. I love this game.
It’s like going to the dark web!
And if you don’t want to get completely involved in the adventure, you can make do with one of the many Let’s Plays on YouTube.
A lot of recommendations
Search (2018)
After the game was finished, the developers shared some of their inspiration for the title. Cinema fans will probably guess that the feature film Searching (2018) is one of them: This film by Aneesh Chaganty with John Cho deals directly with the computer of a missing girl, which the father confiscates for his research. Very good entertainment that you can enjoy on Netflix. Further inspiration cited: Noriko’s Dinner Table, prequel to Suicide Club, from Sion Sono’s unique filmography.
Your Story (2015)
There’s also a selection of niche games like Deep Sleep Trilogy, Hypnospace Outlaw, which I personally discovered on Xbox Game Pass, and Lost Memories Dot Net. This latest game is from 2017 and is also available for free on the itch.io platform. If you enjoy the Last Seen Online experience, I highly recommend you continue with this one next.
Finally, with a more trendy FMV dimension, it would be unimaginable not to mention Her Story, the first independent masterpiece by Sam Barlow that immerses us in the police video database where we can examine dozens of interrogation clips of a woman suspected of disappearance is by her boyfriend. Fascinating from start to finish and very short.
