S.E.M.I.: Side Effects May Include...

About S.E.M.I.: Side Effects May Include...

S.E.M.I. is a chaotic co-op beat-em-up from Two Horn Unicorn, dropping you and up to three friends into a psychiatric clinic gone rogue. Released in January 2026 for PC, it’s an arcade-style brawler where teamwork is key to surviving randomized encounters and experimental drugs. You’ll play as patients battling doctors, guards, and other inmates while dodging unpredictable events like hallway collapses or hallucination-inducing pills. The game thrives on mayhem and communication, blending simple combat with chaotic twists. Think of it as a party game for friends who don’t mind failing together in hilarious, repetitive arcs.

Gameplay

S.E.M.I. uses straightforward 2D brawler controls, light/heavy attacks, blocks, and grabs, but adds layers of randomness. Each session starts with a shared objective: escape the clinic. You’ll fight waves of staff and patients while collecting pills that alter abilities. Some boost you (speed, damage), others mess with your mind (reversing controls, making you attack allies). Environments shift mid-fight via randomized events, walls close in, floors fall out, or new enemies spawn. Progress hinges on coordinating drug use and adapting to chaos. Sessions last 20, 40 minutes, often ending in frustration or victory. Online co-op dominates, but local splitscreen is an option. The combat is fast but punishing, requiring practice to master.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate S.E.M.I. 7.8/10, with 85% completing the base clinic escape. Average playtime is 15 hours, though 30% of players log over 20 hours due to replayability. Community moods skew split: 45% “chaotic fun,” 30% “frustrating,” and 25% “hilarious.” Reviews highlight its addictive chaos: “Great with friends but punishing solo” and “The drug randomness keeps it fresh, even after 10+ runs.” Achievement completion is 68% overall, with 120 total trophies. Critics note the difficulty spikes and lack of solo modes hurt accessibility. Still, 70% of players return for the shared laughter and “how did we win that?” moments.

PlayPile's Take

S.E.M.I. is a flawed but entertaining pick for groups who thrive on shared chaos. Priced at $29.99, it’s a mid-tier co-op title with high repeat value. The experimental drug mechanics and randomized events prevent monotony, though solo play is near impossible. If you have friends who don’t mind respawning together, it’s worth the buy. Skip if you prefer structured challenges or hate permadeath. The 120 achievements add grind, but completionists will appreciate the 68% completion rate. Not impressive, but a solid pick for its niche.

Storyline

S.E.M.I. is a cooperative online game about escaping from a special clinic. Here you and up to 3 of your feeble-minded loyal friends in the role of patients fight with the staff and other patients and find yourself in unexpected situations. Teamwork is essential, as randomized events and experimental drugs will lead your party into unpredictable mayhem. Pop pills with your friends as you cooperate to gain your freedom.