Info about Ells Tales: Egg:

Official game description:
ATTENTION!
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About the Game
==============
Imagine waking up in a chicken coop, shackled. In front of you there is a game machine with a chicken egg and a counter. To get free from this strange place you need to show attention and wit!  
FEATURES:
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*   A survival horror clicker! Why not?  
*   Chickens. Lots of chickens.  
*   Elements of a puzzle. You'll have to use your head to save yourself and the chicken egg.  
*   Separate controls for each of the arms.  
*   Retro-styled graphics.
_If you need a little hint, check out the news about the game's release._

Release date: Jun 7, 2024

Categories: Escape Room Puzzle, Survival Horror, Click-based Gameplay, Retro Aesthetics, Timing-based Mechanics, Multiple Endings, Trial and Error Gameplay


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 1.0h
  - Story completion: 1.0h
  - Session length: 0.5h
  - Endgame: 1.0h
  - Reasoning: The broad clear window of 0.5-2 hours and the report that all endings can be seen in about one hour support a gameCompletion and storyCompletion estimate near 1 hour. The same all-endings report supports an endgame/all-endings estimate near 1 hour. The explicit 30-minute play session supports a sessionLength near 0.5 hours. The 5-hour 100% report is a completionist outlier, so confidence is moderate rather than high.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players who click with the odd premise report immediate fun and addictiveness, while one reviewer finds it tedious and technically unreliable. No explicit unlock point or delayed enjoyment threshold is described.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Tedious gameplay; Technical failures at key moments
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: Appreciation for a strange premise; Tolerance for a simple concept; Technical stability at key moments
- Player Archetypes:
  - Death-Game Trial-and-Error Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: Surviving lethal trial-and-error scenarios and avoiding death.
    - Playstyle: Moves cautiously, avoids the obvious first action, and learns from deadly mistakes.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Puzzle Seeker (no buy)
    - Motivation: Finding meaningful puzzle clues and solving mysteries.
    - Playstyle: Follows trailer hints and in-game clues, expecting puzzles to have satisfying depth.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: puzzle-loving person
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Achievement Completionist (buy)
    - Motivation: Earning all achievements and reaching 100% completion.
    - Playstyle: Pushes through a hard learning curve in short sessions and tracks achievement bugs.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Streamer Content Creator (buy)
    - Motivation: Creating entertaining reactions and content for an audience.
    - Playstyle: Performs short, frustrating minigames for show effect rather than personal enjoyment.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Praise for graphics and atmosphere (weight 0.86): Many reviewers highlight the game's visuals, atmosphere, and retro style as strong points. The graphics are described as nice, nostalgic, and fittingly dirty or strict.
- Fun and entertaining gameplay (weight 0.64): The core gameplay loop is described as very entertaining, fun, and exciting. The simple clicker mechanics combined with puzzles keep players engaged.
- Unique and cool concept (weight 0.64): Reviewers appreciate the game's original and unusual concept. The idea of protecting an egg in a dark, bizarre setting stands out as novel and interesting.
- Positively surprised and enjoyed (weight 0.55): Several reviewers were pleasantly surprised by the game and expressed strong overall enjoyment. The game exceeded expectations and was found to be really fun.
- Puzzle elements enhance gameplay (weight 0.47): The puzzles are a key part of the fun, requiring thought rather than mindless clicking. Solving riddles and clues is engaging and rewarding.
- Scary and tense atmosphere (weight 0.47): The game delivers genuine fear and stress, with a dark, creepy vibe that keeps players on edge. The horror elements are effective without relying on cheap jumpscares.
- Multiple endings and replayability (weight 0.43): The presence of multiple endings and hidden achievements encourages players to replay. Reviewers mention wanting to try all endings and find easter eggs.
- Challenging but fair difficulty (weight 0.43): Some find the game difficult, while others note it is simple compared to modern complex games. The challenge is satisfying, and the difficulty is well-balanced.
- Compelling story and writing (weight 0.35): The story is described as solid, moving, and well-structured, with charismatic characters and well-written dialogues. The ending is particularly impactful.
- Retro style and nostalgic feel (weight 0.32): The retro graphics and old-school presentation add charm and nostalgia. Reviewers compare it to games like Buckshot Roulette and Inscryption.
- Bizarre and surreal atmosphere (weight 0.27): The game's bizarre and surreal atmosphere is a draw, with an aura of mystery that traps the player. The unconventional theme and presentation are intriguing.
- Good music and sound design (weight 0.26): The music and sound effects are praised for being energetic, precise, and immersive. The audio enhances the atmosphere and tension.
- Great value for low price (weight 0.26): Many reviewers note the game is inexpensive but offers high quality and enjoyment. It is considered worth trying, especially for its low cost.
- Simple and intuitive controls (weight 0.24): The controls are precise, intuitive, and easy to learn. The simple click-to-jump mechanic is effective and accessible.
- Psychological and thought-provoking (weight 0.16): The game includes psychological elements that make players reflect on their own lives. It is described as a psychological deduction experience that is a must-play.
- Freedom and variety of actions (weight 0.16): Players appreciate the large variety of possibilities and freedom of action. Each playthrough feels different due to the choices and solutions available.
- Suitable for streaming (weight 0.12): Reviewers mention the game is great for streamers and live broadcasting due to its entertaining and reactions-inducing nature.
- Hidden achievements and easter eggs (weight 0.11): Hidden achievements and easter eggs add fun and replay value. Players enjoy figuring out how to unlock them.
- Russian localization available (weight 0.06): The game includes Russian localization for its text, which is appreciated by Russian-speaking players.

Common complaints:
- Repetitive egg jump rope (weight 0.66): Players criticize the egg jump rope mini-game as monotonous, difficult, and making up most of the gameplay. Retrying after mistakes forces painful repetition.
- Finicky and inaccurate controls (weight 0.48): Controls are frequently misread, causing unintended actions like grabbing a chicken instead of jumping. Inaccurate aiming or one-pixel errors lead to instant game over.
- Frustrating trial-and-error gameplay (weight 0.41): The game requires guessing and learning from death due to first-time traps, with vague hints and no guidance. This creates a frustrating trial-and-error loop.
- Unclear ending and story (weight 0.38): The ending meanings, protagonist's identity, and overall story are unclear or incoherent. Many players did not understand the two endings.
- Excessive repetition for achievements (weight 0.37): Achievement hunting involves endless repetition of the egg jump rope without guides. Some achievements are obscure or fail to unlock.
- Unfair instant deaths (weight 0.32): Many actions cause immediate death without warning, such as pulling a lever or breaking an egg. The killer sometimes behaves unpredictably.
- Tedious and unfun experience (weight 0.31): Players find the game tedious, boring, and not fun, leading to anger and quitting. The experience induces zoning out.
- Poor shotgun mechanics (weight 0.3): Shotgun controls are awkward: left click discards the only bullet, right click shoots, and there is no cursor. Mistakes force restarts.
- Short and lacking content (weight 0.25): The game is quite short with only about one hour of playtime and very little content. The gameplay feels raw and basic.
- Routes to endings too demanding (weight 0.22): The route to alternate endings is too demanding, causing players to give up. Endings are pointless and very far-fetched.
- Lack of polish and QOL features (weight 0.21): The gameplay lacks proper development, quality-of-life updates, and polish. No save feature and graphical glitches hinder the experience.
- Not a real horror game (weight 0.21): Despite being labeled horror, the game is not scary and lacks impactful scares. The visuals meant to frighten do not feel scary.
- Difficult and illogical puzzles (weight 0.21): Puzzles are abstract, forced, and illogical, requiring external solutions. The clearing method is not logical or interesting.
- Misleading store description and aesthetics (weight 0.17): The store description and tags mislead players into expecting a different game, leading to disappointment. Comparisons to Inscryption also set wrong expectations.
- Unclear progression and direction (weight 0.15): The gameplay feels scrambled, lacks direction, and never comes together. Players are left wondering why they are playing.
- Hand icon obstructs gameplay (weight 0.15): The hand icon blocks the view and prevents pressing buttons, causing deaths. It also activates incorrectly.
- Missing clicker and puzzle elements (weight 0.11): The game does not contain the expected clicker mechanic or actual puzzle-solving, contrary to expectations.
- Areas deactivate jump action (weight 0.06): Some areas deactivate the jump egg action, disrupting gameplay flow and causing confusion.
- No checkpoint after egg game (weight 0.06): There is no checkpoint after beating the egg game, forcing players to repeat sections after mistakes.
- Screen shake discomfort (weight 0.06): The screen shake did not suit some players, causing discomfort or irritation.

Gameplay feedback:
- Egg jump rope is core mechanic (weight 0.99): The central gameplay loop requires repeatedly pressing a button to make an egg jump rope without breaking it. Players compare it to a timing-based minigame where mistimed input cracks the egg.
- Escape room puzzle structure (weight 0.52): Progress requires solving puzzles and deduction through trial and error to escape the chicken coop. Hints are scattered throughout the environment, supporting an escape-game style of play.
- Survival horror clicker hybrid (weight 0.43): The game blends clicker mechanics with survival horror and surreal elements, where the player must save a chicken egg to stay alive. The tone is described as bizarre and lightly horrific.
- Save the egg to survive (weight 0.41): The primary objective is to keep a chicken egg from breaking while also preserving the player's life. Failing to protect the egg carries direct consequences.
- Mouse buttons trigger distinct actions (weight 0.37): The left and right mouse buttons perform separate functions with distinct failure outcomes. Clicking the left button saws off the player's hands, while the right button starts the egg-jumping minigame.
- Multiple endings and hidden gimmicks (weight 0.31): The game features several hidden gimmicks and multiple endings, with reports of three to four possible conclusions including a true ending. Replayability is driven by discovering these variants.
- Player starts chained and restrained (weight 0.3): The protagonist wakes up in a dark chicken coop with wrists chained to a table and both hands bound. The initial goal is to escape despite these restraints.
- Chickens interfere and attack (weight 0.27): Chickens crossing the screen can interrupt interactions and trigger prompts. Angering them or losing the egg results in a chicken attacking the player, sometimes breaking their face.
- Jump rope requires no explanation (weight 0.18): The player is made to jump rope with an egg without any context or explanation. There is a required number of egg jumps needed to proceed.

Performance notes:
- Good optimization performance (weight 0.07): Reviewers rate the game's optimization as good, indicating it runs smoothly on their hardware.
- Graphical glitches reported (weight 0.06): Some players encountered graphical glitches during play, which can detract from visual quality.

Recommendations:
- Genre expectations matter (weight 0.41): The game is frequently recommended or discouraged based on genre preferences, such as puzzle, horror, clicker, FPS, or escape game expectations. Reviewers warn that it is not for everyone and may disappoint those expecting a specific genre.
- Strong overall recommendation (weight 0.38): Multiple reviewers recommend the game and consider it worth playing at least once, with some calling it a must-play. The positive sentiment is consistent across clusters, though often qualified by genre expectations.
- Short but cheap experience (weight 0.3): Reviewers note the game is short, with all endings reachable in about an hour, and cheap, making it a value-appropriate time killer. Some say it can be skipped without missing anything, while others find it worth trying given the low price.
- Use guides for achievements (weight 0.28): Players aiming for achievements are advised to consult guides or YouTube videos, and one suggests solving puzzles independently for the reward. Another recommends reaching the ending while motivation is high.
- Suited for streamers (weight 0.26): Reviewers highlight the game as a strong fit for streaming and content creation, with one noting it is only recommended for streamers. The show effect makes it appealing for live broadcasting.
- Appeals to curious players (weight 0.25): The game is recommended for players seeking something different, weird, or atmospheric, including fans of magical adventures and deduction. It rewards those who find the curious and strange context appealing.
- Not for low-stress players (weight 0.24): Reviewers warn against the game for short-tempered or low stress tolerance players, while also recommending it for those wanting to train patience. One reviewer refunded immediately and another advises against playing if you don't want to waste time.
- Niche audience recommendations (weight 0.19): Several recommendations target very specific audiences, such as people afraid of birds or those who like jump rope, and caution others against buying. These niche appeals suggest the game resonates strongly with particular tastes.
- Mixed recommendation for atmosphere fans (weight 0.12): Reviewers say the game is not recommended for everyone but absolutely worth playing for fans of solid situation horror and its atmosphere. Buying it will not be a loss for those who appreciate this kind of ambiance.
- Perfect time killer (weight 0.11): One reviewer recommends the game as a perfect time killer even for non-streamers, and another notes it is more interesting than it appears at first glance. The game suits short, casual play sessions.
- May suit some people (weight 0.06): One reviewer notes the game may suit some people but does not give a strong recommendation either way. The feedback is vague and suggests limited appeal.

Other player notes:
- Very short game length (weight 0.63): Many players note the game is extremely short, often completed in under an hour and sometimes in about 30 minutes. This is the most frequently mentioned characteristic.
- Extremely low price point (weight 0.45): Reviewers repeatedly highlight the game's very low price, with some feeling it is worth more than the asking price. The low cost is seen as a key selling point.
- Comparisons to Inscryption (weight 0.17): Several reviews compare the game's atmosphere to Inscryption, suggesting a similar eerie or unsettling mood. This comparison appears multiple times.
- Retro-style graphics (weight 0.16): The game features a peculiar retro art style, with some comparing it to Demon's Roulette. This visual choice is noted by multiple players.
- Localization support available (weight 0.15): The game includes Russian localization for its minimal text, and Chinese localization was added in an update. Japanese language support is also available.
- Sequel releasing soon (weight 0.15): A sequel in the same universe is releasing on July 26, and another sequel is in development. The sequel is a platform puzzle game with shooting elements.
- Developed by Ells&Pills (weight 0.14): The game is developed by Ells&Pills, and it appears to be the developer's first game or early work.
- Good value for length (weight 0.12): Despite its short length, the game offers good value for its price, with an appropriate volume of content for killing time.
- Chicken theme prominent (weight 0.11): The game features a lot of chickens, and is themed around the chicken-or-egg dilemma. This quirky theme is noted by multiple reviewers.
- Gloomy atmosphere (weight 0.11): The game has a rather gloomy atmosphere, which contributes to its overall mood and is compared to Buckshot Roulette.
- Store description misleading (weight 0.06): One reviewer notes that the store description and tags do not accurately represent the actual gameplay, which can lead to mismatched expectations.
- True ending for puzzle solvers (weight 0.06): The game features a true ending if you solve the puzzles, rewarding thorough exploration and puzzle-solving skills.
- Part of a trilogy (weight 0.06): The game is part of a trilogy of games sharing the same universe but with different mechanics, suggesting a larger narrative or thematic connection.
- Compared to Buckshot Roulette (weight 0.06): Reviewers compare the game to Buckshot Roulette, both in terms of atmosphere and overall experience.
- Compared to I Wanna Be the Guy (weight 0.06): A reviewer compares the experience to I Wanna Be the Guy, implying high difficulty or punishing gameplay.
- From same developers as office chair game (weight 0.06): The game is from the same developers as a game about an office chair on wheels, indicating a connection to a previous title.
- Steam trading cards requested (weight 0.06): A reviewer hopes that Steam trading cards will be added to the game, suggesting interest in collection features.
- Compared to Saw franchise (weight 0.06): One review compares the experience to the Saw franchise, likely due to puzzle or horror elements.
- Hints available in news (weight 0.06): Hints for the game are available in its posted news section, helping players who may be stuck.
- Part of Spooktober event (weight 0.06): The game is part of the Spooktober event, indicating a seasonal or horror-themed context.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Players cite the reversed jump rope mechanics and lack of guidance for puzzles and achievements, leading to endless trial and error. Control issues with chickens, the shotgun, and the jump egg interaction cause frequent deaths and restarts.
- Confusion (weight 0.06): The game provides no explanation for its premise or ending meanings, leaving players puzzled about the protagonist's identity and purpose. Unclear guidance at the start and mechanics like the non-firing shotgun add to the bewilderment.
- Amusement (weight 0.06): The absurd chicken-themed horror premise and the life-or-death egg-saving scenario are found humorous. The goofy atmosphere and bizarre consequences for failure entertain players.
- Annoyance (weight 0.05): Finicky cursor interactions with chickens and inaccurate controls disrupt the egg-jumping, causing unintended failures. Forced repetition of the timing minigame after each mistake and the shotgun's unreliability add to the annoyance.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): The game fails to deliver on horror expectations, lacking scary elements and featuring a nonsensical ending. Escape room elements are trivial, and the overall experience doesn't match the expectations set by its aesthetics or comparisons to other games.
- Boredom (weight 0.04): The repetitive egg minigame and tedious gameplay lead to zoning out and a sense of monotony. The story and slow-paced minigame make up most of the game, resulting in a boring experience for some players.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Players enjoy the blend of puzzle, fun, and dark themes, as well as the survival clicker gameplay. Solving puzzles independently and the game's concept and graphics contribute to a positive experience.
- Surprise (weight 0.03): The game is harder than expected and priced surprisingly low, catching players off guard. Discovering layers of secrets and realizing new mechanics, like freeing a hand after the egg breaks, adds to the surprise.
- Tension (weight 0.03): The tense atmosphere during the egg minigame, with instant death and interfering chickens, keeps players on edge. The need to avoid breaking the egg and escape the chicken creates a gripping sense of tension.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): The freedom to pursue all endings and the unique experience excite players. Completing 100% of the game and the overall thrilling gameplay contribute to the excitement.
- Fear (weight 0.03): The horror elements, particularly the scary chickens that try to kill the player, evoke fear. Being surrounded by birds and the threatening presence of the chickens heighten the fear.
- Stress (weight 0.02): The raw gameplay loop with little variation and the high stakes of one mistake wasting everything create stress. Being forced to perform simple death-game-like tasks under pressure adds to the stress.
- Intrigue (weight 0.02): Unusual graphics and the interesting concept of being a Saw victim attract attention. The enigmatic context and mystery aura make players want to figure out how to escape.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.02): The combination of simple play and puzzles, along with great graphics, sounds, and ambience, provides satisfaction. A well-structured story and enjoyable two-hour experience leave players satisfied.
- Irritation (weight 0.02): Interference from chickens and misfires, along with the need to maintain focus on the egg while counting, irritate players. The unclear bouncing egg logic adds to the irritation.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Experiencing a highly enjoyable deduction game with strong production value and psychological gameplay generates enthusiasm. The game being extremely fun fuels this excitement.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Playing a very annoying puzzle game and the lack of Chinese localization at launch anger players. Making the chickens angry also contributes to feelings of anger.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the game's style, vibe, lighting rendering, and atmosphere. The overall aesthetic and mood are positively received.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): The dark, dirty, rusty chicken coop atmosphere and immersion are admired. The perfect ending and exciting development make it unlike any other game, earning admiration.
- Delight (weight 0.01): Discovering that the simple-looking room is full of clues and puzzles delights players. The retro graphics are also found absolutely delightful.}