Image credit: Steam store page
Playtime: ~7.2 hours
Completion: 100% – All achievements unlocked
Platform: Steam
Genre: Puzzle / Adventure / Escape Room
Final Score: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
🧠 First Impressions
Is This Game Trying to Kill Me? is the kind of game that surprises you with how much it packs into such a small package. At first glance, it looks like a cute little escape-room-style puzzler — but then it throws meta puzzles, secret endings, and even boss fights at you.
It’s short, it’s weird, and somehow it works.
🧩 The Puzzle Path
The heart of the game is in its puzzles — and thankfully, they’re mostly satisfying and intuitive. You’ll explore the entire map, interact with everything you can find, and occasionally hit a wall that’ll have you wandering aimlessly. But those moments are brief, and the solutions always feel within reach.
It never tries to melt your brain — just tease it.
👾 Boss Fights (Kinda)
If there’s one part that stumbles, it’s the “boss fights.” They’re more about reflexes than strategy, which doesn’t quite fit the vibe of a thoughtful puzzle game. Most involve sprinting to safety before you get wiped, and sometimes it feels a little cheap when you fail.
The final boss redeems this a bit with a clever twist, but overall, these sections feel more like interruptions than highlights.
✍️ Writing, Style & Vibe
The writing isn’t groundbreaking, and the endings come on a bit fast — but that’s not really the point. This isn’t a game about emotional payoff or narrative depth. It’s about clever design, exploration, and the joy of solving something unexpected.
The aesthetic is beautiful in a minimal, stylized way, and the humor in the dialogue helps keep things light even when you’re stuck.
✅ Final Verdict
Is This Game Trying to Kill Me? is a quick and clever indie experience with just enough surprises to make it feel worth your time. It’s not perfect — some mechanical roughness, a few bugs, and abrupt pacing issues — but it absolutely delivers on the puzzle front.
If you’re in the mood for a short, satisfying escape game with a twisty structure and a few secrets to chase, this one’s worth it.
Bonus Tip: There’s also a free prequel on Steam called Is This Game Trying to Kill Me? Preface. It’s short and simple but sets the tone well — worth playing before or after the main game.
🔥 Clay’s Take
“Short, smart, and way more layered than I expected. Some of the boss stuff was rough, but the puzzles and style make up for it. Definitely coming back for another run.”
Final Score: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)
Recommended? Yes — especially if you’re into short puzzle adventures with quirky twists and clever design.
🗨️ What About You?
- Did you get stuck at any point, or did the puzzles click for you?
- How do you feel about boss fights in puzzle games — do they add tension or just break the flow?
- Got any other short puzzle games you’d recommend?
Drop your thoughts in the comments — always down to discover more hidden gems like this.
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