History VideoGame / Simulacra

* MyBelovedSmother: Anna's mother practically outbeats Sara's mother in this. Compare the two:
** While Ms.Young (Sara's mom) does try to pressure Sara, she ultimately lets her daughter do her own thing (even if this was meant to be a guilt tactic). In the end, some of Ms.Young's concerns are legitimate, such as a parapsychology degree having little to no job prospects, and that she deserves a say in that area since she's ultimately paying for all of her jobless daughter's expenses.
** Ms.Hardy (Anna's mom) on the other hand, is a plain control freak towards Anna. For the record, Anna, unlike Sara, has a job, lives alone, and is able to manage her own life just fine, so her mother shouldn't even be meddling. It's this controlling behaviour that puts her straight into {{Jerkass}} territory.

** [[spoiler: A digital being going rogue in some way or another, either by kidnapping their victims and melding them into their larger consciousness (the Simulacra), or by being a KnightTemplar for their owner at the cost of others' lives (IRIS).]]

* GuideDangIt: In order to get the best ending, you have to be a complete jackass. [[spoiler:You have to lie as much as possible, get Gary arrested by having him turn himself in, hook Anna up with her best friend Ashley without her permission, report her coworker for sexual harassment (okay, that one would be the good option if it didn't also involve '''blakcmail'''), and fake an interview under Anna's name to get her a new job. In the end, it makes Anna's life better, but that's only because the [[YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame simulacra is so impressive with you being a]] [[VillainRespect completely]] [[WorthyOpponent manipulative]] [[ManipulativeBastard bastard.]] All the while, you, as Greg's accomplice, stealing Anna's identity, and blackmailing someone get off Scott free.]] In order to even guess that you had to do all of that, you would have to understand the personality of the villain from the start.

* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: The BigBad in ''Simulacra'' is [[spoiler:a [[SoftSpokenSaidst soft-spoken]], male-sounding AI who [[NobleDemon congratulates you if you out-smart it]]]]. The BigBad in ''Pipe Dreams'' is [[spoiler:a [[GenkiGirl hyperactive female-sounding]] AI who suffers a VillainousBreakdown when you beat the high score for the final time without resorting to it's deal]].

* TheBadGuyWins: In most of the endings, because [[spoiler: you end up sacrificing either Anna, Taylor, or both of them to the Simulacra.]] The last ending, where [[spoiler:both of them live]], is the only one that subverts this [[spoiler:though the Simulacra is [[KarmaHoudini still unharmed]]]].

* BigBad: The AI in [=FlapeeBird=]. There are no implications that it's necessarily the same antagonist as the previous game, though.

* BlandNameProduct: Jabbr and Surfer make a return, and are joined by [=FlapeeBird=] (Flappy Bird), Boxdrop (Dropbox), and CBB (CNN).

* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: The BigBad in ''Simulacra'' is [[spoiler: a soft-spoken male AI who [[NobleDemon congratulates you if you out-smart it]].]] The BigBad in ''Pipe Dreams'' is a hyperactive female AI [[spoiler: who suffers a VillainousBreakdown when you beat the high score for the final time without resorting to it's deal.]]
* ControllableHelplessness: Chosen replies are sometimes overridden by the BigBad.

* EnemyWithin: [[spoiler:Teddy apparently has no recollection of his moments of complete obsession with the game, implying the BigBad is controlling him]].

* GameWithinAGame: [=FlapeeBird=].
* HateSink: [[spoiler:The [=FlapeeBird=] AI is an immature, mean-spirited, and spiteful brat, being effectively every CompetitionFreak pro gamer focused into a PsychopathicManchild. It is ''really'' satisfying to beat it in the GoldenEnding and watch as it [[VillainousBreakdown has a tantrum]].]]
* InferioritySuperiorityComplex: Teddy has one, claiming that the world is isolating him while also boasting of his score in [=FlapeeBird=]. [[spoiler:In reality, he's nothing close to this. It's all just the AI speaking for him]].

* SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers: Done in a roundabout way; the AI in the final time you play [=FlapeeBird=] replaces any hopeful messages with bleak statements, because at this point it's having a full-scale impatient tantrum and trying to lure people into playing the FantasticDrug of a game. It's not a trustworthy source, and sending hopeful messages is key to saving Teddy.

* VillainousBreakdown: [[spoiler:The AI inside the game freaks out when you defeat the high score for the final time]].
* VillainousCrush: Possibly with both you and Teddy, considering [[spoiler:when the AI hijacks Teddy's messenger]] it names the group chat "Ménage à Trois".

* WorthyOpponent: Despite his pride about his score, Teddy challenges the player to beat it several times and treats them as a "considerable rival". [[spoiler:It's all an act by the AI to try to trap the player alongside Teddy]].

-->"''It loves me.''"
-->"''Why won't you just let him be happy?''"

* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: The BigBad in ''Simulacra'' is [[spoiler: a soft-spoken male AI who [[NobleDemon congratulates you if you out-smart it]].]] The BigBad in ''Pipe Dreams'' is a hyperactive female AI [[spoiler: who suffers a VillainousBreakdown when you beat the high score for the final time without eggs.]]

* CompetitionFreak: Teddy starts acting like one after the first time you beat his high score. [[spoiler:It's not him]].
* TheComputerShallTauntYou: The AI inside [=FlapeeBird=] is fond of insulting you whether or not you pass a segment in the game.

* HateSink: [[spoiler:The [=FlapeeBird=] AI is an immature, mean-spirited, and spiteful brat, being effectively every CompetitionFreak pro gamer focused into a PsychopathicManchild. It is ''really'' satisfying to beat it in the GoldenEnding and listen to it have a tantrum.]]

* SillyRabbitCynicismIsForLosers: The AI in the final time you play [=FlapeeBird=].
-->"''We are all lost.''"
-->"''An endless grind.''"
-->"''Every day is drudgery.''"

** [[DownerEnding The Two Figures]]: [[spoiler:You and Teddy are both [[CessationOfExistence erased from reality]]]].
** [[HeroicSacrifice The Symbol]]: [[spoiler:You are erased from reality while Teddy is spared]].
** [[AllForNothing The Sheep]]: [[spoiler:Teddy is erased from reality while you are spared]].
** [[GoldenEnding True Friends]]: [[spoiler:Both you and Teddy beat [=FlapeeBird=] at its own game]].

* WorthyOpponent: Despite his pride about his score, Teddy challenges the player to beat it several times. [[spoiler:It's all an act by the AI to try to trap the player alongside Teddy]].

* TheComputerShallTauntYou: The AI inside [=FlapeeBird=] is fond of insulting you whether or not you pass a segment in the game.

* WhatTheHellHero: If you send an invite to the game to Teddy's girlfriend, it opens up a conversation with her. Should you try to tell her to be more patient with him, she'll chew you out because she already tried that and it wasn't working. [[NiceJobBreakingItHero They break up soon after this choice is made]].

* AllegedlyFreeGame: In-Universe. [=FlapeeBird=] in ''Pipe Dreams'' has the eggs system, where you could either pay with real money, share the game with friends, or watch advertisements.

-->"''Could've just let him happy, but oh no, you just had to throw a spanner in the works.''"

** [[AllForNothing Sheep]]: [[spoiler:Teddy is erased from reality while you are spared]].

** Occasionally, the choices you select in conversations will be overridden [[spoiler:by the Simulacra]], which happens much more often in ''Pipe Dreams''.

-->"''There's no 'self' in peace.''"

* InvincibilityFrames: [=FlapeeBird=] has this every time the bird is revived with eggs.

* VillainousBreakdown: The AI inside the game freaks out when you defeat the high score for the final time.
* VillainousCrush: Possibly with both you and Teddy, considering [[spoiler:when it hijacks Teddy's messenger it names the group "Ménage à Trois", but [[CameOutWrong then again]]..]].

!!''SIMULACRA'' contains examples of:

* AllegedlyFreeGame: In-Universe. [=FlapeeBird=] in ''Pipe Dreams'' has the eggs system, where you could either pay with real money, share the game with friends, or watch advertisements.

* BadBadActing: The advertisements in ''Pipe Dreams'' sometimes play like this.

* BigStupidDoodooHead: In ''Pipe Dreams'' when Teddy confronts [[spoiler:the Simulacra that's using his account]].
-->'''Teddy:''' ''Says you, you poopy booger butt!!!!''

** ''Pipe Dreams'' adds [=FlapeeBird=] (Flappy Bird), Boxdrop (Dropbox), and CBB (CNN).

* BribingYourWayToVictory: In-Universe. [=FlapeeBird=] in ''Pipe Dreams'' encourages this, considering how demanding the score requirements are and the difficulty, especially in the [[FakeDifficulty final time]] it's played.

** ''Pipe Dreams'' also has this with a distorted image of Teddy's face after [[spoiler:he kicks out Simulacrum!Teddy from the group chat]].

* InvincibilityFrames: [=Flapee Bird=] has this every time the bird is revived with eggs.

** ''Pipe Dreams'' also has four endings with associated icons.
*** [[DownerEnding The Two Figures]]: You and Teddy are both [[CessationOfExistence erased from reality]].
*** [[HeroicSacrifice The Symbol]]: You are erased from reality while Teddy is spared.
*** Sheep: Teddy is erased from reality while you are spared.
*** [[GoldenEnding True Friends]]: Both you and Teddy beat FlapeeBird at its own game.

* VillainousBreakdown: The mocking AI inside [=FlapeeBird=] freaks out when you defeat the high score for the final time.

Another installment subtitled as "''Pipe Dreams''" revolving around gaming addiction on a mobile game called [[VideoGame/FlappyBird FlaPeeBird]] has also been released and can be downloaded [[https://store.steampowered.com/app/878320/SIMULACRA_Pipe_Dreams/ here.]]

** ''Pipe Dreams'' adds [=FlaPeeBird=] (Flappy Bird), Boxdrop (Dropbox), and CBB (CNN).

** JerkWithAHeartOfGold: [[spoiler:The proper pressure will cause him to have a HeelRealization and confess his crimes, and genuinely wants to help you find her.]]

* WorthyOpponent: [[spoiler:If you get the best ending, the evil A.I. acknowledges your skill at manipulating people, and lets both Anna and Taylor go out of respect for your talents.]]

* BigStupidDoodooHead: In ''Pipe Dreams'' when Teddy confronts the SIMULACRA [[spoiler:that's using his account]].

* AccidentalPervert: Taylor [[spoiler:is a registered sex offender. However, he got it for a mother and her kid walking in on him publicly urinating, something he only did [[PottyEmergency out of desperation]]]]. It's still a huge source of tension throughout the game, though]]

* DeadAllAlong: [[spoiler:James Aulner.]] Not that this wasn’t all that clear to the player, but [[spoiler:poor Anna didn’t know..]].

* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler: No matter which ending you get, the Simulacra is still out there. This also applies to Murv if you choose not to report him for sexual harassment.]]

* KnightTemplar: Greg ''tries'' to do this, but just draws unwanted attention from the police instead.

** Ms.Hardy (Anna's mom) on the other hand, is a plain control freak towards Anna. For the record, Anna, unlike Sara, has a job, lives alone, and is able to manage her own life just fine, so her mother shouldn't even be meddling. It's this controlling behaviour that puts her straight into [[JerkAss]] territory.

* AccidentalPervert: Taylor [[spoiler:is a registered sex offender. However, he got it for a mother and her kid walking in on him publicly urinating, something he only did [[PottyEmergency out of desperation]]. It's still a huge source of tension throughout the game, though.]]

* AIIsACrapshoot: While not technically an A.I., [[spoiler: the Simulacra is some sort of digital creature that poses as real people on Spark in order to lure in victims which it can absorb into its growing consciousness.]]
* AllForNothing: [[spoiler: If you choose to have the Simulacra save Taylor over Anna, Taylor must kill Anna to save his own life, fulfilling this trope.]]
* AntagonistTitle: [[spoiler:The Simulacra is the antagonist.]]

* TheBadGuyWins: In most of the endings, because [[spoiler: you end up sacrificing either Anna, Taylor, or both of them to the Simulacra.]] The last ending, where [[spoiler: both of them live]], is the only one that subverts this.
* BigBad: [[spoiler: The titular Simulacra, which is killing and absorbing people into itself.]]
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Even if you get the GoldenEnding and save both Anna and Taylor, the Simulacra is still out there, and will presumably continue to "delete" people. And you made it stronger.]]

* BrownNote: The strange noise that Greg records in Anna's apartment. Also a similar noise recorded by James' co-worker. [[spoiler: It's the voice of the Simulacra.]]
* CallBack: In the middle of the game, the player learns that [[spoiler: James Aulner left his phone at his workplace prior to his disappearance.]] This comes back later when [[spoiler: Anna tells the player that they are texting via James's phone - tipping the player off that this is not the real Anna.]]
* ClosetKey: [[spoiler:Ashley realizes that her problems with guys, especially Anna's boyfried Greg ([[{{Jerkass}} Not that you need much of a reason to dislike him]]) stem from the fact that she has feeling for Anna]].

* ComicallyMissingThePoint: During your conversation with [[spoiler:the Simulacra]], if you express how sickening the entire situation is, [[spoiler:The Simulacra]] responds with how it is [[LiteralMinded incapable of contracting diseases]].
* CosmicHorrorReveal: [[spoiler:The culprit behind Anna’s dissapearance turns out to be an EldritchAbomination residing in the Internet.]]
* DeadAllAlong: [[spoiler: James Aulner.]]
* DirtyCoward: When the player asks a few people about Greg, and whether he had ever hit Anna or would try to kidnap her, they make it clear that he would never do something like that - as Yolanda puts it, "he's too chicken shit to be a criminal."
* DomesticAbuse: Greg is abrasive, clearly has anger issues and paranoia, and is currently in the process of breaking up with Anna [[spoiler:because he nearly got another woman pregnant.]] This raises the question of whether he abused Anna, and whether he's in some way involved in her disappearance. [[spoiler:This is ultimately subverted. He ''is'' a {{Jerkass}}, but he's too cowardly to physically attack someone. Though there's still room to argue that he was potentially verbally abusive, or at least manipulative.]]
* DownerEnding: The ending where [[spoiler: both Anna and Taylor are lost to the Simulacra.]]
* EarnYourHappyEnding: The good ending requires you to [[spoiler: lie indiscriminately in order to get the characters to act in opposition to their normal selves. If you manage to hook Ashley up with Anna, get Greg to turn himself into the police, and get Murv fired, the Simulacra recognizes your ability to manipulate the world around you and saves both Anna and Taylor.]]

* ExactWords: [[spoiler: If you choose to save Anna over Taylor, the Simulacra will tell you that "the being known as Anna will be returned." It is only after you sacrifice Taylor that the Simulacra clarifies that it meant Anna's ''physical body'' will be returned, and that her consciousness/soul will still been absorbed into its influence.]]
* FailureIsTheOnlyOption: [[spoiler:You can't save James Aulner no matter what, but he can help you save Anna.]]
* FissionMailed: The [[spoiler:phone data reset]] is pretty much unavoidable, even if [[spoiler:[[ButThouMust you answer all the security questions]]]]. But instead of the game over it leads you to expect, you're greeted with [[spoiler:a new login screen, and your first contact with Aulner.]]
* {{Foreshadowing}}: [[spoiler:Look closely at Anna's photos with Ashley. Ashley seems to be unusually close to Anna, physically. Almost like they're dating. Turns out Ashley has a crush on her BFF.]]
* FreezeFrameBonus: When Anna's "Work Sucks" vlog, the text on the printed paper is: "[[AC:I am screaming in text right now why shouldn't I fire]]"
* GhostlyGape: [[spoiler: The corrupted images of Anna and Taylor]] have it in the endings where they are [[spoiler:taken by the Simulacra.]]
* GoldenEnding: The one where [[spoiler: both Anna and Taylor are spared.]] The only hitch on this ending is that [[spoiler: the Simulacra is still out there, and while you've rescued two people from its clutches, you still haven't killed it for good.]]

* {{Hypocrite}}: Greg gets angry at Anna for [[spoiler: snooping at his phone and discovering his affair with Yolanda]] instead of talking to him "face to face", but [[spoiler: he didn't have the courage to break up with Yolanda personally, opting to do it via voicemail after Anna dumped him.]]
* {{Jerkass}}: Greg. He constantly berates you, accuses you of harming Anna with no grounds for it, and [[spoiler: had previously cheated on Anna with a client that he nearly got pregnant, only to blame Anna for looking at his phone in the first place.]]