The Relief of Impact

This story uses media in unusually good ways. It has audio, graphics, animation and text effects.

The game is creepy on two levels. On the first level, it has overtly 'horror'-type text, almost over-the-top. On the second level, it serves to illustrate what something experiencing sleep paralysis could encounter, and I found that much more disturbing.

The story had a narrative twist that I found lessened my enjoyment of it as a game, but heightened my appreciation of it as a piece of art or a means of communicating thoughts. Because I think the artist intended it more as a story or art, I've considered it as such and given it 5 stars

Uses slow text, but in an appropriate way. I usually hate slow text, but it makes sense here. The whole piece is well-considered and designed as a whole.

You just read/watch/listen and get to click a few mouse-over hilighted words.
Little interactivity but the theme of this also does not allow for much.
The sounds were reminiscent of Darkwood for me (which is not bad as they are scary and hence fitting).
The subject matter was the draw for me here.
Of course if you ever experienced something like it your experience is bound to be different.
So do not expect too much.

The game effectively uses sounds, images and fonts to create an unsettling atmosphere. I was kept on edge throughout, and was both disappointed and relieved that there wasn't a jumpscare at the end.

I think the transition to the ending could have been a little smoother, but I like the fact that the ending furthers the author's goal of representing sleep paralysis in its entirety. Very aptly titled.