YMMV / I Am Alive

• Big-Lipped Alligator Moment: If you explore around, you can find a gorilla-like dancing mutant (or possibly just a severely deformed human) living down in the dust cloud. He's never explained and doesn't play any role in the main plot, and clashes somewhat with the otherwise realistic tone of the story. Late in the game you can actually talk to him (he's surprisingly eloquent), and trade 5 difficult-to-find items to him for a pump-action shotgun.
• Difficulty Spike: Used to demonstrate how powerful the survivor camp hunters are. More than half are armed with pistols, are resistant to surrendering when aimed at, and they employ a fully armored man as their leader. The game actually gives the player at least two health kits (probably one of the rarest items in the game), because you'll need it.
• Game-Breaker: The bow. As soon as you get it, combat strategy boils down to: 1) melee or shoot the ones with guns (with the bow if possible), 2) intimidate with pistol to take the gun(s) and your arrow back if applicable, 3) switch to bow, kill a mook, and 4) switch back to gun to intimidate, repeating until victory. Even after the game starts throwing armored enemies into the mix, this strategy makes most encounters a cakewalk.
• He's Just Hiding: While the ending suggests the protagonist died many fans believe he managed to stay alive. Although this would not explain the woman crying at the end.
• Self-Imposed Challenge: You can turn auto-aiming off at any time, which makes crack shots against groups of survivors a lot harder to pull off. It has no bearing on achievements and is available at any difficulty.
• Heartwarming Moments: Every time Mei and the protagonist are together. Seriously they talk as if they've known each other for years.
• Iron Woobie: The Protagonist in spades. He was near the east coast when the event happened only to have to walk home to Haventon, which is on the west coast. When he finally gets there his family is gone. Then having to rescue and provide care to another child. Only for her to nearly die of dust inhalation. Eventually reuniting her with her mom, after traveling through a Fallout styled raider camp. Top that all off with him leaving the two to go in search of his family and possibly dying.
• Moral Event Horizon: Comes with the territory of a Post-Apocalyptic video game. Especially when you stumble into the gangs HQ.
• Most Wonderful Sound: Whenever you pick up a bullet for your handgun or finding resources.
• Nightmare Fuel: Oh, Blue Hotel is just a pleasant place. Ranging from the uncomfortable strippers to the almost rape, Blue Hotel is straight out of a Fallout game. Couple that with various NPC's telling you how horrible the Hotel is, yeah not fun.
  • The sewers also qualify since this is the point where you first find the cannibals. They lock up humans for food wait for unsuspecting travelers to get close only to spring to life. The worst part is the fact you can hear them talk about their victims.
• Slow-Paced Beginning: During the first several minutes you have to cross the broken bridge. It's not a bad segment but it does eat up a good portion of the tutorial.
• Special Effect Failure: Simply put, the texture pop in is rather annoying.
• That One Level: The Ship level is by and large the most dangerous place in the game. Aside from the lack of ammo for your pistol the enemies start to have full armor. Add that to the lack of resources in the level, it will be frustrating.
  • The giant subway sinkhole is where a lot of experienced gamers come unstuck, as there's no clear direction as to where you're supposed to be heading. You'll burn through retrys as you take the wrong path, run out of stamina and die.
• That One Sidequest: While the shotgun can be acquired after finding five rare items. Tomato's for Her is generally considered the worst offender. The tomato in question cannot be found until late game and by then if you have been playing well retries will plentiful.
• The Woobie: Linda is considered this by many. She was separated by her daughter in an attempt to find medicine for her. Trapped in a motel where she was most likely to be raped. Top that off when she has a hope spot she and her once again get separated by another gang. Linda is practically in tears when you see her near the pier relaying the events to you. Mom has a really rough two days.

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