A chaotic co-op escape from a deranged clinic where every pill grants wild powers and even wilder physics-driven side effects.
If your favorite gaming nights are the ones where nobody really knows what’s happening, but everyone is crying with laughter, S.E.M.I. – Side Effects May Include… is your kind of indie chaos. Developed by Two Horn Unicorn, this Early Access co-op action-platformer drops you and up to three friends into a twisted clinic where experimental pills grant ridiculous powers and side effects.
Concept & Setting
S.E.M.I. casts you as patients in a bizarre mental hospital, strapped into straitjackets but free enough to stage a chaotic breakout. The “story” is light, focusing on dark humor, slapstick violence, and emergent co-op disasters. Think party-game energy wrapped in a surreal asylum theme.
Gameplay & Mechanics
S.E.M.I. is a cooperative escape mode with roguelite flavor:
- Up to 4 players work together to escape the clinic.
- Levels are randomly assembled with traps, puzzles, and brawling.
- The Early Access build includes 25 levels, a dozen abilities, and unlockable cosmetics.
Pills, Powers & Side Effects
The headline mechanic is the pills, which heal your “sanity” and apply wild side effects like:
- Bipolar Force – alternating between invincible and floppy.
- Alice’s Syndrome – random size changes.
Effects stack, creating unpredictable chaos that defines the game’s charm.
Co-op Structure & Progression
A typical run involves:
- Improvised weapons like plungers and candy canes.
- Friendly fire and voice chat antics.
- Navigating traps while side effects wreak havoc.
- Buying pills for more chaos.
The design thrives on communication and improvisation, making every run memorable.
Atmosphere & Presentation
S.E.M.I. features a cartoonish 3D style with exaggerated ragdoll physics and goofy characters. The audio design adds to the silliness, with vending machines blaring tunes and lip-synching voice chat. It’s not polished, but it nails its expressive, comedic sandbox vibe.
Indie Spirit & Early Access Roadmap
Proudly indie, S.E.M.I. is developed by Two Horn Unicorn with a clear Early Access plan:
- Add new content like enemies, abilities, and modes.
- Expand customization and refine balance based on community feedback.
It’s a bold, weird project that’s exciting to follow.
Strengths
- Hilarious chaos – Stacked effects and physics mishaps create organic comedy.
- Strong co-op focus – Voice chat and friendly fire push interaction.
- High replayability – Randomized layouts and unpredictable powers keep runs fresh.
- Distinctive indie identity – A unique theme and mechanics stand out.
- Clear roadmap – Promises significant growth over time.
Verdict
S.E.M.I. – Side Effects May Include… is a beautiful mess in the best indie sense. It’s about laughing at chaos, screaming at side effects, and enjoying unpredictable co-op experiences. If you love quirky indie games and want to support a small studio with a bold idea, S.E.M.I. is worth checking out.