Abscission

About

Abscission is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by beyondbooleans and was released on October 26, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Abscission" is a single-player Horror Point and Click game, where you play as Detective Will Stanhope, investigating a Lovecraftian story through searching crime scenes, combining clues, and questioning suspects. The game offers multiple solutions to puzzles, and Stanhope's temperament – including melancholic, phlegmatic, sanguine, and choleric – impacts conversations and relationships. Your choices affect how characters respond to Stanhope, shaping his destiny and the game's outcome. A demo is currently available, with a full release planned for late 2022 or early 2023.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 96 reviews

story36 positive mentions

Engaging and well-written story with a strong Lovecraftian atmosphere that keeps players intrigued throughout.
Unique retro graphics and atmospheric music enhance the overall horror experience, making it a standout in the genre.
Multiple endings and branching narrative choices add replay value and depth to the gameplay.

The game is quite short, with some players feeling it lacks depth and complexity for the price.
User interface and inventory management can be frustrating and inconsistent, leading to a less smooth gameplay experience.
Some graphical elements, particularly character portraits, are considered unattractive and may detract from immersion.

story
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The game's story is a dark, engaging detective narrative infused with Lovecraftian horror, featuring well-crafted characters and a creepy atmosphere that keeps players intrigued. While the pacing can feel rushed at times and the branching choices may not significantly alter the outcome, the overall plot is entertaining and offers unexpected twists. Despite some inconsistencies and gameplay issues, the story is praised for its originality and depth, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
- “The storytelling is top notch with great pacing, which always has a surprising event when you are not expecting it.”
- “Lovecraft-inspired games are a dime a dozen these days, but to find one that is masterfully woven together with curious intrigue, suspenseful storytelling, and believable characters, now that is rare.”
- “It tells an engaging and well-written story about an investigation into eldritch horrors that manages to stay interesting and fresh throughout its whole - albeit brief - runtime.”
- “It is just really, really inconsistent and really, really annoying before even reaching halfway through the story.”
- “However, this choice is an illusion, as the story does not change in any significant way and based on what you clicked, the 'choose your own ending' diamond has between one and four enabled options.”
- “The plot got a bit over the top and bizarre at times and also hard to follow if you weren't always paying attention.”
graphics
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
59%
8%
The game's graphics are characterized by a dark, Lovecraftian aesthetic with a nostalgic 90s pixel art style that enhances its horror elements. While the crude artwork and retro visuals effectively contribute to the atmosphere, some players noted occasional issues with clarity in identifying clues. Overall, the striking art style and detailed graphics complement the game's storytelling and immersive experience.
- “It's got cool retro graphics, atmospheric music, and it's really playable - with a true horror vibe.”
- “The game nails the atmosphere and storytelling with its pixel art style.”
- “The crude artwork and graphics sometimes mess up noticing some clues.”
- “The rugged art style and janky background animations suit the mood of the story, as you follow leads into liquor stores and tattoo shops inhabited by punks and metalheads.”
- “Great plot and characters, along with the retro graphics.”
atmosphere
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
56%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its effective use of music, pixel art, and dark storytelling, creating a compelling horror experience that evokes a sense of dread and paranoia. Many players appreciate the haunting soundtrack and the game's ability to immerse them in a Lovecraftian vibe, although some critique certain sections for lacking depth and cohesion. Overall, the game is recognized as an indie gem that successfully captures a vivid and engaging atmosphere.
- “The music is great, it really sets the tone well and underscores the gloomy atmosphere and the horror of the situations.”
- “The game did very well crafting that classic Lovecraftian atmosphere - bizarre phenomena and a sense of dread and paranoia continued throughout the game.”
- “The pixel art, hand-made backgrounds, and music create a vivid atmosphere, and the writing is excellent throughout.”
- “I feel that the story could've used a slower pace to build up the atmosphere some more and let things breathe a little.”
- “Atmosphere was gone, library and tattoo studio sections were done terribly, with some very questionable music for a horror-themed video game. Characters and locations were shallow and did not feel like they were part of the game world; the story was rushed, and it felt like a chore to play.”
- “The soundtrack underlines the creepy atmosphere.”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
34%
12%
The game's music is widely praised for its ability to create a tense and unsettling atmosphere, effectively enhancing the horror elements of the story. While the soundtrack is described as haunting and atmospheric, some reviewers noted that it loops too frequently and can feel repetitive. Overall, the music, combined with unique visuals, contributes significantly to the game's mood, despite some gameplay and narrative shortcomings.
- “The music is great, it really sets the tone well and underscores the gloomy atmosphere and the horror of the situations.”
- “A good soundtrack with some haunting and eerie music that fits the atmosphere of the game.”
- “The pixel art, hand-made backgrounds and music create a vivid atmosphere and the writing is excellent throughout.”
- “The music and ambient effects are overall quite good, but they are far too short and loop noticeably.”
- “Atmosphere was gone, library and tattoo studio sections were done terribly, with some very questionable music for a horror-themed video game. Characters and locations were shallow and did not feel like they were part of the game world; the story was rushed, and it felt like a chore to play.”
- “The soundtrack underlines the creepy atmosphere.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
The gameplay is generally enjoyable, featuring interesting mechanics like a reaction choice system and a branching story arc that enhances the adventure horror experience. However, players noted some frustrations, including wonky movement, pixel art obscuring items, and a lack of advanced puzzles, which detracted from the overall experience. While the game starts strong with a compelling story and atmosphere, some gameplay issues and a shorter narrative may leave players wanting more.
- “Really enjoyable adventure horror game with some interesting mechanics.”
- “The reaction choice mechanic and branching story arc is an excellent addition, something I think more adventure games should do.”
- “It's well written, animated, and the gameplay is solid.”
- “In any case, prepare for a somewhat frustrating gameplay experience in one or multiple ways, depending on your personal preferences.”
- “Movement can be wonky at points and the pixel art can make it hard to see necessary items, but other than that, the simple gameplay serves its purpose.”
- “Would have liked voice acting and some more advanced puzzles, and I don't think we got enough time with the cast for the conversation mechanic to really get its chance to shine - but I understand why we can't have those things.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is described as dark and unsettling, lacking traditional comedic elements. While it features some oddities, the focus is more on the impactful story and the significance of player decisions related to the four humors.
- “While the game is short and has some oddities here and there with the sound and controls, it is worth it for the story and the endings, which...well, I'll just say your decisions with the 4 humors do matter at different points of the game.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players feel that the game's brevity undermines emotional engagement, making it difficult to form attachments to characters, which diminishes the impact of its multiple endings and renders them a superficial feature rather than a meaningful choice.
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users emphasize that the game's replayability, often referred to as "replay value," is a significant aspect, suggesting that players find enough content and variety to warrant multiple playthroughs.