Headache: Altered States
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About Headache: Altered States
You play as a writer who injects a drug called Nix to fuel her creativity, but the line between her mind’s hallucinations and reality starts to warp. Built with RPG Maker, Headache: Altered States is a 2D top-down adventure where each Nix dose pulls you into increasingly bizarre worlds. Developer Pior Dipond released it on PC in late 2026, positioning it as a story-driven RPG about addiction and self-destruction. The game leans into trippy visuals and abstract level design, with gameplay that mirrors the protagonist’s spiraling mental state. If you’ve ever struggled to balance inspiration and burnout, this one hits close to home.
Gameplay
Each session starts with a choice: take Nix or risk creative block. Dosing unlocks access to surreal zones that look like they were scribbled in a fever dream, gravity flips, walls bleed, and enemies resemble twisted book metaphors. Combat is turn-based but glitchy, with Nix acting as both a power-up and a poison. You’ll collect “inspiration” to advance the story, but overusing Nix triggers penalties like foggy vision or random item deletions. The game forces you to manage risk versus reward, all while navigating a script that shifts based on how often you inject. Sessions last 1-2 hours, but the disjointed pacing makes time feel nonlinear.
What Players Think
Critic scores hover around 82%, praising its bold concept but criticizing clunky mechanics. Community ratings are more mixed: 7.5/10 from players, with 43% giving 5 stars and 18% giving 1. Completion rates sit at 72%, though 37% of starters quit before hitting the 10-hour mark. Average playtime is 5.4 hours, with 89% of finishers logging under 10. Moods are split between “surreal” (68%) and “frustrating” (31%). One review called it “a raw nerve wrapped in pixel art,” while another called it “RPG Maker’s most overambitious mess.” Achievements focus on abusing Nix (e.g., “Addict’s High” for maxing out hallucination levels).
PlayPile's Take
Priced at $29.99, Headache is a niche pick for fans of abstract narratives and games that double as therapy sessions. The 40+ achievements reward experimentation, but the shaky combat and short runtime make it a tough sell. If you’re into games that replicate the panic of a deadline and the guilt of self-sabotage, it’s worth the dip. Skip if you prefer smooth mechanics or concrete stories. It’s not great, but it’s memorable, and at 5.5 hours, you’ll be done before your next coffee goes cold.
Game Modes
Single player
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