...INDIE
Please Wake Up
“Please Wake Up” is a memory horror game. It has simple and accessible, yet engaging, gameplay that gives the player a fear of their own mind. As you look around the room, objects will change when they are not visible. Click on the objects if they have changed.
Developer
Publisher
Release
January 29, 2021
5 years and 275 days ago
Steam Reviews
Positive35 reviews82.9%
Game contextLatest: IGF Team
| ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan. | Status | Notes Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes |
|---|---|---|
Updated: Jul 11, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer. | ||
Updated: Jul 11, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher. | ||
Updated: Jul 11, 2026Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified. | ||
Updated: Jul 11, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released. |
Media
9 itemsAbout the Game
“Please Wake Up” is an original horror game that will hack your brain. Most horror games present the player with a fictional scare, oftentimes of creatures or gore. However, there is very real horror in our everyday lives that is completely under-explored. For example, research has shown that human memory is extremely unreliable, which leads many people to unknowingly construct false identities and narratives about themselves. Furthermore, we've discovered that our perception of reality is mostly 'hallucinated' by our brains -- not the outside world.
Every part of the game ties into this theme. Not only is real psychology and neuroscience research presented, but many other game features help drive home the effect. This includes the gameplay, which is simple and accessible -- but also engaging. Objects will change when you're not looking at them and it's your job to point out the changes. Players end up questioning the reliability and accuracy their own memory and perception. Furthermore, the game uses a number of psychological techniques to highlight the point even more. This includes the implantation of False Memories and the Mandela Effect. Another techniques used is the McCollough Effect, which is a visual illusion that can have a minor effect on vision for up to 2.8 months (players can turn this off in the settings).
All of this culminates and ties into a metafictional narrative that implies that the "reality" and "self" we experience aren't necessarily even real or accurate -- we just assume they are.
*WARNING*
THE FULL GAME USES OPTICAL ILLUSIONS THAT CAN HAVE MINOR VISUAL AFTER EFFECTS LASTING FOR UP TO 3 MONTHS.
VIEW THE ILLUSIONS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
THE DEVELOPER IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY NEGATIVE OR DAMAGING EFFECTS THAT CAN OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THIS GAME.
WE RECOMMEND PROVIDING THIS WARNING FOR ANYONE ELSE WHO MAY BE VIEWING.
USE OF THESE ILLUSIONS CAN BE TURNED OFF IN THE SETTINGS.
Every part of the game ties into this theme. Not only is real psychology and neuroscience research presented, but many other game features help drive home the effect. This includes the gameplay, which is simple and accessible -- but also engaging. Objects will change when you're not looking at them and it's your job to point out the changes. Players end up questioning the reliability and accuracy their own memory and perception. Furthermore, the game uses a number of psychological techniques to highlight the point even more. This includes the implantation of False Memories and the Mandela Effect. Another techniques used is the McCollough Effect, which is a visual illusion that can have a minor effect on vision for up to 2.8 months (players can turn this off in the settings).
All of this culminates and ties into a metafictional narrative that implies that the "reality" and "self" we experience aren't necessarily even real or accurate -- we just assume they are.
*WARNING*
THE FULL GAME USES OPTICAL ILLUSIONS THAT CAN HAVE MINOR VISUAL AFTER EFFECTS LASTING FOR UP TO 3 MONTHS.
VIEW THE ILLUSIONS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
THE DEVELOPER IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY NEGATIVE OR DAMAGING EFFECTS THAT CAN OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THIS GAME.
WE RECOMMEND PROVIDING THIS WARNING FOR ANYONE ELSE WHO MAY BE VIEWING.
USE OF THESE ILLUSIONS CAN BE TURNED OFF IN THE SETTINGS.
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