Speaking Simulator Critic Reviews

It's very rewarding.

Speaking Simulator is not only hilarious; it also offers clever gameplay that'll compel you to retry scenarios over and over again.

The daffy silliness of Speaking Simulator is the beating heart of this video game robot. When that’s allowed to be the focus, laughter courses through its circuitry. Sometimes the wiring of this robot obscures the best parts, though, as the dizzying amounts of QWOP-esque systems draw the focus off the heart and onto the brain, where the controls and mechanics reside. This strained, faulty metaphor might best sum up Speaking Simulator, as this game tries its best but winds up being sloppy in a way that diverts attention from the most enjoyable parts.

A niche will exist for this, and I seriously hope Jed and Jordan successfully infiltrate their bank accounts in the positive, but for all its worth, Speaking Simulator loses itself too early and pushing through the whole experience is as draining as an android’s solar battery during a an overcast day. I can’t fault an Indie duo doing new things, and as far as risky game design goes, this is right up there. Unfortunately the novelty wears off far too quickly and you’re left with a shame pile title likely to keep collecting dust, unless you’re really in to Katy from HR.

Speaking Simulator does a great job at providing comedic dialogue and a diverse selection of situations that need conversing, but overall the game falls short. The upgrade system was a welcomed addition but didn’t change my perception after finishing the game. If you are willing to accept the fact that you will likely only get a few hours of enjoyment out of this title, then this is something to consider for those looking for comedic fun.

Speaking Simulator is a great idea delivered in mostly the right way. It throws its android protagonist into some brilliantly awkward situations and, once you've unlocked his entire repertoire of facial movements, things get pleasingly hectic. However, a lack of polish with regards to the controls, zero replayability, a janky combo system and the fact you don't actually seem to be able to fail a level all conspire to hold it back from being really easy to recommend.

If you want to play a non-serious “simulator,” go play Goat Simulator. As crazy as that game is, you can actually get some entertainment out of it, and it somehow comes closer to simulating what being a goat might be like than this game comes to actually simulating speaking.