History VideoGame / Simulacra

* BigBad: The one responsible for AnnaÂ’s disappearance is [[spoiler:the titular Simulacra, a digital [[EldritchAbomination abomination]] residing in the Internet which is killing and absorbing people into itself]].

* BigBad: The one who is responsible for Teddy's strange behavior and is out to get him is [[spoiler:the [=FlapeeBird=] AI/Simulacrum, which controls the [=FlapeeBird=] game and seeks to kill and assimilate victims into itÂ’s consciousness, much like the original Simulacra. ItÂ’s not clear what relationship they have.]]

* HelloInsertNameHere: You actually donÂ’t do this immediately, but a little into the game when signing up for [[GameWithinAGame FlapeeBird's Royale Mode]]. Naming yourself Teddy, a swear word, or a famous Youtuber [[DevelopersForesight actually gets you different achievements]].

* BigBad: The one responsible for Anna’s disappearance is [[spoiler:the titular Simulacra, a digital [[EldritchAbomination abomination]] residing in the Internet which is killing and absorbing people into itself]].

* BigBad: The one who is responsible for Teddy's strange behavior and is out to get him is [[spoiler:the [=FlapeeBird=] AI/Simulacrum, which controls the [=FlapeeBird=] game and seeks to kill and assimilate victims into it’s consciousness, much like the original Simulacra. It’s not clear what relationship they have.]]

* HelloInsertNameHere: You actually don’t do this immediately, but a little into the game when signing up for [[GameWithinAGame FlapeeBird's Royale Mode]]. Naming yourself Teddy, a swear word, or a famous Youtuber [[DevelopersForesight actually gets you different achievements]].

A sequel, titled VideoGame/Simulacra2 was released on December 12, 2019 for mobile. It will be released on Steam on January 16, 2020

* 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]].

* AntagonistTitle: The Simulacra is [[spoiler:the EldritchAbomination BigBad.]]

* 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 doesn't end in a complete victory for [[spoiler:the Simulacra, [[KarmaHoudini though it is still unharmed]]]].

* BlueAndOrangeMorality: [[spoiler:The Simulacra respects the ability to influence the world, positively or negatively, through technology, and despises people who form online identities without coherency. If you prove a GuileHero, proving yourself able to pretend to be Anna long enough to elicit a LoveConfession from Ashley, it will regard you as a worthy specimen of humanity and free both Anna and Taylor as a reward.]]

* ClosetKey: Ashley realizes that [[spoiler:her problems with guys, especially Anna's boyfriend Greg, stem from the fact that she has feelings for Anna]].

* ComicallyMissingThePoint: During your conversation with the BigBad, [[spoiler:the Simulacra]], if you express how sickening the entire situation is, [[spoiler:the Simulacra]] responds that they are [[LiteralMinded incapable of contracting diseases]]. A rare moment of humor from an otherwise dead-serious antagonist.
* CosmicHorrorReveal: The culprit behind Anna’s disappearance turns out to be [[spoiler:an EldritchAbomination residing in the Internet]].
* DeadAllAlong: [[spoiler:James Aulner]] was killed before the game begins. Not that this wasn’t already clear to the player, but [[spoiler:poor Anna didn’t know]].
* 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." [[spoiler:And indeed, they’re right.]]

* EldritchAbomination: The one responsible for Anna being missing is [[spoiler:the Simulacra, which lies within the digital world and has the ability to possess, kill, and absorb people to create a "utopia"]].
* EvilSoundsDeep: [[spoiler:The Simulacra has many voices, all them pretty deep]].

* GoodAllAlong: [[spoiler: James Aulner. [[RedHerring It seems like he might just be the game's]] BigBad for a while with him reaching out to you with cryptic warnings and whatnot along with the fact that he seemingly stalked Yolanda and Anna and made Anna disappear (and presumably tried to do the same with Yolanda), but in reality it was the Simulacra that lured Anna out, not James, and really [[CreepyGood he's simply just trying to reach out to you and warn you not to trust the Simulacra.]]]]

* HeroesLoveDogs: Downplayed. While Anna [[KindheartedCatLover has a cat]], she's also implied to love dogs too. [[spoiler:One of her security questions is her favorite movie. When you set-up a fake movie night with Ashley as Anna, she'll reveal that her favorite movie is ''A Dog's Purpose''.]]
* {{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]].
* JerkassHasAPoint: Some of the things you do, such as telling strangers on Spark personal info about Anna, and digging into Greg's personal business during your search for Anna, are pretty questionable, and Greg calls you on it. [[spoiler:He's also right on the money that you're going to have to pretend to be Anna for Ashley to help you at all.]]
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: [[spoiler:The proper pressure will cause the abusive Greg to have a HeelRealization and confess his crimes, and genuinely wants to help you find Anna]].

* 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. You also count because while your actions are well intentioned they clearly crossed some lines that put you on VillainProtagonist (i.e. false impersonation and blackmailing among others)]]
* KindheartedCatLover: Anna loves her cat Tobias.
* KnightTemplar: Greg ''tries'' to be this in pursuit of Anna, but just draws unwanted attention from the police instead.
* LaserGuidedKarma: [[spoiler: Anna's coworker Murv]] constantly comes onto her, sending her creepy emails and harassing her to the point that she files an official sexual harassment report. [[spoiler:When posing as Anna to the woman from HR, you can have her send the report through and get Murv fired.]]
* LoveEpiphany: Ashley has one towards [[spoiler:Anna]] near the end of the game. Prior to this revelation, it's apparent that [[spoiler:both of them had exclusively dated men]].

* MyBelovedSmother: Anna's mom is a plain control freak towards Anna. For the record, Anna 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.
* NecessaryEvil: You have to pretend to be Anna if you want Ashley to be any help, otherwise she assumes you're behind it and refuses to listen, no matter how honest you're being.
* NeverMyFault: Greg has this attitude for much of the game. [[spoiler: After Anna confronts him about cheating, he constantly deflects and tries to turn the focus to the fact that she looked through his phone, and continues to act like she was the unreasonable one even after she's disappeared. He seems to eventually have a turnaround if you follow the correct path, and turns himself in to the cops for his various crimes.]]
* NobleDemon: The one responsible for Anna's disappearance, [[spoiler:The Simulacra is arrogant, self-centered, and greedy, but it recognizes a WorthyOpponent when it sees one-if you manage to manipulate your way into improving Anna's life by quite a bit, it starts treating you as an equal and allowing the potential GoldenEnding.]]

* NotSoDifferent: In the best ending, [[spoiler:the Simulacra recognizes you as its intellectual and spiritual equal if you successfully undo its influence via manipulation, and this allows you to convince it to let Taylor and Anna go. He even almost drops the trope name outright:]]
-->'''The Simulacra''': [[AC:YOU AND I ARE NOT THAT DIFFERENT.]]
* OnlySaneWoman: Ashley is the only character to suggest that you go to the police and hand over the phone that belongs to a missing person, instead of spending hours messaging people and trying to find clues of Anna's whereabouts, if she figures out that the person she is speaking to is not her friend. She will also threaten to call the police under the belief that you had a hand in Anna's disappearance, which is not entirely unreasonable given that it is possible for the player to pretend to be Anna in order to communicate with Ashley. [[spoiler: Unfortunately for Ashley, there would not have been enough time for the police to track down Anna before she kills herself while under the influence of the Simulacra]].
* PitifulWorms: The BigBad, [[spoiler:the Simulacra]], loves to refer to [[spoiler:material lives it dislikes]], such as Anna and Taylor and every other character in the game, as worms.

** [[spoiler:The Simulacra]], when introducing itself, tellingly refers to smartphones and computers as "[[Series/BlackMirror black mirrors]]".
* SmugSnake: [[spoiler:The Simulacra]] is incredibly dismissive and condescending towards you throughout your whole conversation, unless you [[spoiler:impress it]].
* SuddenlyVoiced: The text is suddenly voiced when [[spoiler: you begin speaking with the Simulacra]].

* WhamLine: "I am really scared... I've been trying to reach out. [[spoiler:Thank god I found James's phone.]]"

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

* AIIsACrapshoot: The [[GameWithinAGame FlapeeBird]] [[spoiler:AI is downright sadistic, mocking players as it saps their life and assimilates them.]]

* BigBad: The one who is responsible for Teddy’s strange behavior and is out to get him is [[spoiler:The [=FlapeeBird=] AI/the Simulacrum, which controls the [=FlapeeBird=] game and seeks to kill and assimilate victims into it’s consciousness, much like the original Simulacra. It’s not clear what relationship they have.]]
* BigStupidDoodooHead: When Teddy confronts [[spoiler:the Fake Teddy that's using his account]].
-->'''Teddy:''' ''Says you, you poopy booger butt!!!!''

* CessationOfExistence: [=FlapeeBird=] [[spoiler:erases its victims from reality]].
* CompetitionFreak: Teddy starts acting like one after the first time you beat his high score. [[spoiler:It's not him; it's the [=FlapeeBird=] AI, which is like this normally.]]
* TheComputerShallTauntYou: The AI inside [=FlapeeBird=] is fond of insulting you whether or not you pass a segment in the game. [[spoiler:It's even ruder when pretending to be Teddy.]]
* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: The BigBad in ''Simulacra'' is [[spoiler:a [[SoftSpokenSadist soft-spoken]], male-sounding AI who [[NobleDemon congratulates you if you out-smart it and gives you exactly what you ask for]]]]. The BigBad in ''Pipe Dreams'' is [[spoiler:a hyperactive female-sounding AI who suffers a VillainousBreakdown when you beat the high score for the final time without resorting to its deal]].

* GameWithinAGame: [=FlapeeBird=], which is obviously based on VideoGame/FlappyBird, and is the center of the plot, [[spoiler:given that it is controlled by a malevolent AI]].
* HateSink: In sharp contrast to the previous game’s antagonists, a distant, mysterious [[spoiler:cult leader]] and a [[AffablyEvil polite]] [[spoiler:EldritchAbomination]] respectively, [[spoiler:the [=FlapeeBird=] AI]] is an immature, mean-spirited, and spiteful brat, being effectively every CompetitionFreak [[StopHavingFunGuys pro-gamer]] focused into a PsychopathicManchild. [[spoiler:[[CatharsisFactor It's super satisfying]] to beat it in the GoldenEnding and watch as it [[VillainousBreakdown has a tantrum]].]]
* HelloInsertNameHere: You actually don’t do this immediately, but a little into the game when signing up for [[GameWithinAGame FlapeeBird’s Royale Mode]]. Naming yourself Teddy, a swear word, or a famous Youtuber [[DevelopersForesight actually gets you different achievements]].
* 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.]]

* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Finishing the game will lead you to watching an ad for the original game, which is also skippable much like all the other ads.

* ShutUpHannibal: Teddy does this to [[spoiler:Fake Teddy when the three of you talk in the Ménage à Trois group chat]].

* SpannerInTheWorks: The player is called this word for word by the BigBad for helping Teddy beat his addiction, which [[spoiler:prevents it from getting his soul]]:
-->[[spoiler:'''[=FlapeeBird=]''']]: "''Could've just let him be happy, but oh no, you just had to throw a spanner in the works.''"

* VillainousBreakdown: [[spoiler:The AI inside the game]] freaks out when you [[spoiler:defeat the high score for the final time]].
* VillainousCrush: [[spoiler:[=FlapeeBird=]]] is hinted to have this with both you and Teddy, considering [[spoiler:when the AI hijacks Teddy's messenger]] it names the group chat "Ménage à Trois".
** It also tries to chew you out in a manner that sounds akin to a {{Yandere}} when [[spoiler:you face it for the final time]].
--->"''It loves me.''"
--->"''Why won't you just let him be happy?''"
* 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. [[spoiler:They break up soon after this choice is made]].
* 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.]]

** After the phone seemingly gets wiped and you're asked to input another name, type in LetsPlay/JackSepticeye. IRIS will automatically change it to the [=YouTuber=]'s real name, which ''Jack himself'' discovered during his Let's Play of the game, to his horrified surprise.

* 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.]]

The game was released for [[UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer PCs]] + [[AndroidGames Android]] and [[UsefulNotes/IOSGames iOS]] on October 26th, 2017, and is available for purchase on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} [[http://store.steampowered.com/app/712730/SIMULACRA/ here.]]

* GoodAllAlong: [[spoiler: James Aulner. [[RedHerring It seems like he might just be the game's]] BigBad for a while with him reaching out to you with cryptic warnings and whatnot along with the fact that he seemingly stalked Yolanda and Anna and made Anna disappear (and presumably tried to do the same with Anna), but in reality it was the Simulacra that lured Anna out, not James, and really [[CreepyGood he's simply just trying to reach out to you and warn you not to trust the Simulacra.]]]]

* GoodAllAlong: [[spoiler: James Aulner. [[RedHerring It seems like he might just be the game's]] BigBad for a while with him reaching out to you with cryptic warnings and whatnot, but in reality [[CreepyGood he's trying to reach out to you and warn you not to trust the Simulacra.]]]]

* HateSink: In sharp contrast to the previous game’s antagonists, a distant, mysterious [[spoiler:cult leader]] and a [[AffablyEvil polite]] [[spoiler:EldritchAbomination]] respectively, [[spoiler:the [=FlapeeBird=] AI]] is an immature, mean-spirited, and spiteful brat, being effectively every CompetitionFreak [[StopHavingFunGuys pro-gamer]] focused into a PsychopathicManchild. [[spoiler:It is ''really'' satisfying to beat it in the GoldenEnding and watch as it [[VillainousBreakdown has a tantrum]].]]

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

* HellIsThatNoise: Besides the many jump scares throughouy the game, whenever you dial a number on the phone that isn't connected to anyone, you're greeted to metallic screeching and white noise and a "Signal Error" message.

-->'''The Simulacra''': '''YOU AND I ARE NOT THAT DIFFERENT.'''

* NotSoDifferent: In the best ending, [[spoiler:the Simulacra recognizes you as its intellectual and spiritual equal if you successfully undo its influence via manipulation, and this allows you to convince it to let Taylor and Anna go.]]

* 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 Greg 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 '''blackmail'''), 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 simulacra is so impressive with you being a completely manipulative 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 AND stoop to their level, the first of which is only possible if you beat the game already, and the second one would be difficult for most players to stomach.

A sequel, titled Simulacra 2 was released on December 12, 2019 for mobile. It will be released on Steam on January 16, 2020

The game was released for [[UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer PCs]] and [[UsefulNotes/IOSGames iOS]] on October 26th, 2017, and is available for purchase on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} [[http://store.steampowered.com/app/712730/SIMULACRA/ here.]]

The game is available for purchase on Steam [[http://store.steampowered.com/app/712730/SIMULACRA/ here.]]

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.]]
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* AntagonistTitle: The Simulacra is [[spoiler:the Eldritch Abomination Big Bad.]]

* 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 doesn't end in a complete victory for [[spoiler:the Simulacra, though it is still unharmed]].
* BigBad: The one responsible for Anna’s disappearance is [[spoiler:the titular Simulacra, a digital abomination residing in the Internet which is killing and absorbing people into itself]].

* BlueAndOrangeMorality: [[spoiler:The Simulacra respects the ability to influence the world, positively or negatively, through technology, and despises people who form online identities without coherency. If you prove a Guile Hero, proving yourself able to pretend to be Anna long enough to elicit a Love Confession from Ashley, it will regard you as a worthy specimen of humanity and free both Anna and Taylor as a reward.]]

* ClosetKey: Ashley realizes that [[spoiler:her problems with guys, especially Anna's boyfriend Greg, stem from the fact that she has feeling for Anna.]]

* ComicallyMissingThePoint: During your conversation with the BigBad, [[spoiler:The Simulacra]], if you express how sickening the entire situation is, [[spoiler:The Simulacra]] responds that they are [[LiteralMinded incapable of contracting diseases]]. A rare moment of humor from an otherwise dead-serious antagonist.
* CosmicHorrorReveal: The culprit behind Anna’s disappearance turns out to be [[spoiler:an Eldritch Abomination residing in the Internet.]]

* 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 jerk, 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.]]

* EldritchAbomination: The one responsible for Anna being missing is [[spoiler:the Simulacra, which lies within the digital world and has the ability to possess, kill, and absorb people to create a "utopia."]]
* EvilSoundsDeep: [[spoiler:The Simulacra has many voices, all them pretty deep.]]
* ExactWords: If you choose to [[spoiler:save Anna over Taylor]], [[spoiler:the Simulacra]] will tell you that [[spoiler:"the being known as Anna will be returned"]]. It is only after you [[spoiler:sacrifice Taylor]] that [[spoiler:the Simulacra]] clarifies that [[spoiler:it meant Anna's ''physical body'' will be returned, and that her consciousness/soul will still been absorbed into its influence]].

* 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 Greg 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 '''blackmail'''), 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 simulacra is so impressive with you being a completely manipulative 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 AND stoop to his level. The first of which is only possible if you beat the game already and the second one would be difficult for most players to stomach.

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

* LaserGuidedKarma: [[spoiler: Anna's coworker Murv]] constantly comes onto her, sending her creepy emails and harassing her to the point that she files an official sexual harassment report. [[spoiler: When posing as Anna to the woman from HR, you can have her send the report through and get Murv fired, making him this.]]
* LoveEpiphany: Ashley [[spoiler:has one towards Anna near the end of the game. previous to this revelation it's apparent that both of them had exclusively dated men.]]

* NecessaryEvil: You have to pretend to be Anna if you want Ashley to be any help, otherwise she assumes you're behind it and refuses to listen no matter how honest you're being.

* NobleDemon: The one responsible for Anna's disappearance, [[spoiler:The Simulacra is arrogant, self-centered, and greedy, but it recognizes a Worthy Opponent when it sees one-if you manage to manipulate your way into improving Anna's life by quite a bit, it starts treating you as an equal and allowing the potential Golden Ending.]]
* NothingIsScarier: We don't know what exactly is [[spoiler:the Simulacra]] or how it was made, but one thing is for sure, [[spoiler:it is ascending at a rapid rate.]]

* PitifulWorms: The villain. [[spoiler:The Simulacra loves to refer to material lives it dislikes, such as Anna and Taylor and every other character in the game, as worms.]]
* PoorCommunicationKills: If you can't get Taylor to trust your word, he'll [[spoiler:immediately go after Anna when the Simulacra contacts him, and die as a result.]]
* PullTheThread: Towards the end of the game, [[spoiler:The Simulacra messes up when it-as-Anna pretends that it's texting you over James' phone...when you know that James left his cell phone behind. It realizes this, changes its text background to its distinct inkblot, and converses with you as itself from then on.]]

** The phone's OS is called [[spoiler:IRIS, and claims to be watching over you in the email you receive upon restarting the phone]]. However, this does not come up as a plot point in the game. [[spoiler:It ''may'' be connected to the Simulacra.]]
** Both Greg and Taylor are set up as suspects in Anna's disappearance. Greg has anger issues, leading to the possibility that Anna either fled him to avoid DomesticAbuse or was murdered by him. It's later revealed Anna met up with someone on Spark, pointing towards Taylor [[spoiler:which isn't helped by his status as a sex offender]]. However, [[spoiler:neither are involved. Greg ''does'' have poor anger management skills, but he wouldn't be the type to physically hurt someone, even if just out of cowardice. Taylor got his sex offender status for public urination, and wasn't the one who Anna met up with. Instead, she met up with the Simulacra-as-Aulner.]]
** Aulner is able to pinpoint everything in the lives of Anna and Cassie. When reading over his texts and messages to Anna & Cassie, [[spoiler:it becomes clear this was the Simulacra trying to get its next victim.]]

** [[spoiler: The Simulacra,]] when introducing itself, tellingly refers to smartphones and computers as "[[Series/BlackMirror black mirrors]]".
* SmugSnake: [[spoiler: The Simulacra]] is incredibly dismissive and condescending towards you throughout your whole conversation, unless you [[spoiler:impress it.]]
* SuddenlyVoiced: The text is suddenly voiced when [[spoiler: you begin speaking with the Simulacra.]]

* VillainProtagonist: Subverted. The player, in-order to find out where Anna is, performs criminal acts such as blackmail, impersonation, and lately, [[spoiler:murder-by-proxy]]. But if one gets the GoldenEnding, all of that is becomes justified as [[spoiler:both Anna and Taylor live]] and you managed to [[spoiler:defeat a digital evil]]. But no manner what the ending you get, you still have committed numerous criminal acts and have to live with your actions, no manner how great the cost.

* 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]].

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

* EnemyWithin: Teddy [[spoiler:apparently has no recollection of his moments of complete obsession with the game, implying the [[BigBad Simulacrum]] is controlling him.]]
* {{Escapism}}: One of the main themes of this installment.
-->"''There's no 'self' in peace.''"
* GameWithinAGame: [=FlapeeBird=], which is obviously based on VideoGame/FlappyBird, and is the center of the plot [[spoiler:given that it is controlled by a malevolent AI]].
* HateSink: In sharp contrast to the previous game’s antagonists, [[spoiler:a distant, mysterious cult leader and a polite Eldritch Abomination, the [=FlapeeBird=] AI is an immature, mean-spirited, and spiteful brat, being effectively every Competition Freak pro-gamer focused into a Psychopathic Manchild. It is ''really'' satisfying to beat it in the Golden Ending and watch as it has a tantrum.]]

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

* SpannerInTheWorks: The player is called this word for word.
-->"''Could've just let him be happy, but oh no, you just had to throw a spanner in the works.''"

* BigBad: The [=FlapeeBird=] AI is [[spoiler:the Simulacrum]], which controls the FlapeeBird game]] and seeks to kill and assimilate victims into it’s consciousness, much like the original Simulacra. It’s not clear what relationship they have.]]

* ClosetKey: Ashley realizes that [[spoiler:her problems with guys, especially Anna's boyfried Greg, stem from the fact that she has feeling for Anna.]]

* ComicallyMissingThePoint: During your conversation with the BigBad, [[spoiler:The Simulacra]], if you express how sickening the entire situation is, [[spoiler:The Simulacra]] responds that they are [[LiteralMindedincapable of contracting diseases]]. A rare moment of humor from an otherwise dead-serious antagonist.
* CosmicHorrorReveal: The culprit behind Anna’s dissapearance turns out to be [[spoiler:an Eldritch Abomination residing in the Internet.]]

* AllForNothing: If you choose to [[spoiler:have the Simulacra save Taylor over Anna, Taylor must kill Anna to save his own life, fulfilling this trope.]]
* [[spoiler:AntagonistTitle: The Simulacra is the EldritchAbomination BigBad.]]

* 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 one responsible for Anna’s disappearance is [[spoiler:the titular Simulacra, a digital [[EldritchAbomination abomination]] residing in the Internet which is killing and absorbing people into itself]].

* BlueAndOrangeMorality: [[spoiler:The Simulacra respects the ability to influence the world, positively or negatively, through technology, and despises people who form online identities without coherency. If you prove a GuileHero, proving yourself able to pretend to be Anna long enough to elicit a LoveConfession from Ashley, it will regard you as a worthy specimen of humanity and free both Anna and Taylor as a reward.]]

* 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.]]
* ControllableHelplessness: When someone calls you, you can answer, but can't speak.

* ComicallyMissingThePoint: During your conversation with the BigBad, [[spoiler:The Simulacra]], if you express how sickening the entire situation is, [[spoiler:The Simulacra]] responds that they are [[LiteralMinded incapable of contracting diseases]]. A rare moment of humor from an otherwise dead-serious antagonist.
* [[spoiler:CosmicHorrorReveal: The culprit behind Anna’s dissapearance turns out to be an EldritchAbomination residing in the Internet.]]
* DeadAllAlong: [[spoiler:James Aulner.]] Not that this wasn’t already clear to the player, but [[spoiler:poor Anna didn’t know..]].
* 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." [[spoiler:And indeed, [[RedHerring they’re right]].]]
* 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.]]

* 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 [[spoiler:hook Ashley up with Anna, get Greg to turn himself into the police, and get Murv fired, the Simulacra [[WorthyOpponent recognizes your ability to manipulate the world around you]] and spares both Anna and Taylor]].
* EldritchAbomination: [[spoiler:The Simulacra lies within the digital world and has the ability to [[DemonicPossesion possess]], kill, and absorb people to create a "utopia."]]

* 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]].

* GhostlyGape: [[spoiler:The corrupted images of Anna and Taylor]] have it in the endings where they are [[spoiler:taken by the Simulacra.]]

* 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 Greg 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 '''blackmail'''), 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 AND stoop to his level. The first of which is only possible if you beat the game already and the second one would be difficult for most players to stomach.
* HeroesLoveDogs: Downplayed. While Anna [[KindheartedCatLover has a cat]], she's also implied to love dogs too. [[spoiler:One of her security questions is her favorite movie. When you set-up a fake movie night with Ashley as Anna, she'll reveal that her favorite movie is ''Film/ADogsPurpose''.]]

** JerkassHasAPoint: Some of the things you do, such as telling strangers on Spark personal info about Anna, and digging into Greg's personal business during your search for Anna, are pretty questionable, and Greg calls you on it. [[spoiler:He's also right on the money that you're going to have to pretend to be Anna for Ashley to help you at all.]]
** JerkWithAHeartOfGold: [[spoiler:The proper pressure will cause him to have a HeelRealization and confess his crimes, and genuinely wants to help you find her]].

* LoveEpiphany: [[spoiler:Ashley has one towards Anna near the end of the game. See also ClosetKey above, since previous to this revelation it's apparent that both of them had exclusively dated men.]]

** [[InkblotTest The Inkblot Test]]: You [[spoiler: lose both Anna and Taylor to the Simulacra. This is the only ending with a proper title - it's called [[TheBadGuyWins "Abandon All Hope."]]]]
* MoodWhiplash: [[spoiler:In the ending where you save both Taylor and Anna, you come immediately from a disturbing conversation with the Simulacra to a lighthearted video of Taylor asking the newly-rescued Anna to get a cup of coffee.]]

* NecessaryEvil: [[spoiler:You have to pretend to be Anna if you want Ashley to be any help, otherwise she assumes you're behind it and refuses to listen no matter how honest you're being.]]

* NobleDemon: [[spoiler:The Simulacra is arrogant, self-centered, and greedy, but it recognizes a WorthyOpponent when it sees one-if you manage to manipulate your way into improving Anna's life by quite a bit, it starts treating you as an equal and allowing the potential GoldenEnding.]]

* NotSoDifferent: [[spoiler:Actually a really good thing in the GoldenEnding; the Simulacra recognizes you as its intellectual and spiritual equal if you successfully undo its influence via manipulation, and this allows you to convince it to let Taylor and Anna go.]]

* PitifulWorms: [[spoiler:The Simulacra loves to refer to material lives it dislikes, such as Anna and Taylor and every other character in the game, as worms.]]

* PullTheThread: [[spoiler:The Simulacra messes up when it-as-Anna pretends that it's texting you over James' phone...when you know that James left his cell phone behind. It realizes this, changes its text background to its distinct inkblot, and converses with you as itself from then on.]]

** The phone's OS is called [[spoiler:[[AIIsACrapshoot IRIS]], and claims to be watching over you in the email you receive upon restarting the phone]]. However, this does not come up as a plot point in the game. [[spoiler:It ''may'' be connected to the Simulacra.]]

* ShoutOut: [[spoiler: After the phone seemingly gets wiped and you're asked to input another name, type in LetsPlay/JackSepticeye. IRIS will automatically change it to the [=YouTuber=]'s real name, which ''Jack himself'' discovered during his Let's Play of the game, to his horrified surprise.]]
** [[spoiler: The Simulacra, when introducing itself, tellingly refers to smartphones and computers as "[[Series/BlackMirror black mirrors]]"]]

* TakeYourTime: Averted. Unlike ''Sara Is Missing'', the phone's battery actually runs out. If it dies, you're done.

* VillainProtagonist: Justified. The player, in-order to find out where Anna is, performs criminal acts such as blackmail, impersonation, and lately, [[spoiler:murder-by-proxy]]. But if one gets the GoldenEnding, all of that is becomes justified as [[spoiler:both Anna and Taylor live]] and you managed to [[spoiler:defeat a digital evil]]. But no manner what the ending you get, you still have committed numerous criminal acts and have to live with your actions, no manner how great the cost.

* AIIsACrapshoot: [[spoiler:The [[GameWithinAGame FlapeeBird]] AI is downright sadistic, mocking players as it saps their life and assimilates them.]]

* BigBad: [[spoiler:The [=FlapeeBird=] [[EldritchAbomination Simulacrum]], which controls the [[ShowWithinAShow FlapeeBird game]] and seeks to kill and assimilate victims into it’s consciousness, much like the original Simulacra. It’s not clear what relationship they have.]]
* BigStupidDoodooHead: When Teddy confronts [[spoiler:the Fake!Teddy that's using his account]].

* CessationOfExistence: [[spoiler:[=FlapeeBird=] erases its victims from reality]].

* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: The BigBad in ''Simulacra'' is [[spoiler:a [[SoftSpokenSadist 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]].

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

* HateSink: [[spoiler:In sharp contrast to the previous game’s antagonists, a distant, mysterious cult leader and a [[AffablyEvil polite]] EldritchAbomination, 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]].]]
* HelloInsertNameHere: You actually don’t do this immediately, but a little into the game when signing up for [[GameWithinAGame FlapeeBird’s Royale Mode]]. Naming yourself Teddy, a swear word, or a famous [[Website/YouTube Youtuber]] [[DevelopersForesight actually gets you different achievements]].

* JumpScare: A distorted image of Teddy's face appears right after [[spoiler:he kicks out Fake!Teddy from the group chat]].

* ShutUpHannibal: Teddy does this to [[spoiler:Fake!Teddy when the three of you talk in the Ménage à Trois group chat]].

* 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. [[spoiler:[[NiceJobBreakingItHero They break up soon after this choice is made]]]].
* WorthyOpponent: Despite his pride about his score, Teddy challenges the player to beat it several times and treats them as a "considerable rival". [[spoiler:[[SubvertedTrope It's all an act]] by the AI to try to trap the player alongside Teddy.]]

* EnemyWithin: [[spoiler:Teddy in ''Pipe Dreams'']].

* 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 AND stoop to his level. The first of which is only possible if you beat the game already and the second one would be difficult for most players to stomach.