At Dead of Night
- November 18, 2020
- Baggy Cat Ltd.
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"At Dead Of Night" is a horror game that blends live-action and graphics to create a unique immersive experience. Players take on the role of Maya, a student trapped in a remote hotel run by a psychopath named Jimmy Hall. To save her friends, Maya must uncover Jimmy's dark secrets by communicating with the ghosts of his past using an ancient ghost voice receiver. The game offers Beta options for players to try out.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Incredibly immersive atmosphere that keeps players on edge.
- Unique blend of FMV and gameplay, creating a fresh horror experience.
- Engaging story with well-developed characters and intriguing ghost backstories.
- Gameplay can become repetitive and tedious, especially in later stages.
- Some mechanics, like the compass and scrying mirror, can be confusing or unhelpful.
- The ending may feel anticlimactic and frustrating for some players.
- story466 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story of "At Dead of Night" is widely praised for its engaging and intricate narrative, which revolves around a young girl navigating a haunted hotel while uncovering the tragic backstories of its ghostly residents. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the intertwining tales that create a compelling mystery, despite some criticism regarding pacing and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the combination of a chilling atmosphere, strong voice acting, and a well-crafted plot makes it a standout experience in the horror genre.
“The story is wonderful, the characters are wonderful, I love how morally dubious everyone but Maya and Amy are.”
“The story had me wanting more, as I kept learning more and more about Jimmy's past.”
“The story is extremely interesting and captivating as well.”
“I wanted more of the story but was too frustrated to continue because of the reset on death and the wonky movement.”
“So I could look past the buggy gameplay, the difficulty triggering events despite being in the exact right place under the exact right conditions, the random problems clicking drawers and not being able to see half the items, but to put hours into a storyline just to be confronted with an RNG non-skill-based ending is ridiculous.”
“While the story may have been rewarding to uncover, I have major issues with the map layout and story pacing.”
- gameplay219 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "At Dead of Night" is a mix of point-and-click mechanics and live-action elements, creating a unique and immersive experience that keeps players on edge as they navigate a haunted hotel while being pursued by an antagonist named Jimmy. While many players appreciate the atmosphere, story, and innovative mechanics, some criticize the gameplay for being repetitive, buggy, and at times frustrating, particularly regarding the AI behavior and the need for backtracking. Overall, the game offers a compelling horror experience, but its gameplay may not sustain interest for all players throughout its duration.
“The gameplay is genuinely scary and the stories behind the ghosts are all super interesting.”
“The gameplay is awesome, point and click, and I love the fact that the game is half game, half live-action.”
“The mechanics are super easy and fun.”
“So I could look past the buggy gameplay, the difficulty triggering events despite being in the exact right place under the exact right conditions, the random problems clicking drawers and not being able to see half the items, but to put hours into a storyline just to be confronted with an RNG non-skill-based ending is ridiculous.”
“The overall idea of the game is good and I like the atmosphere and setting, but the gameplay itself is a complete chore that isn't interesting or fun in the slightest. You go back and forth through the hotel finding items to solve mysteries of people who died in it, which sounds good, right? Wrong. The gameplay itself consists of just walking into rooms and hoping to find the items you need whilst hiding from a stalker-type enemy called Jimmy that is a constant annoyance and frustration that takes away from the overall experience.”
“The gameplay is a tedious and repetitive chore that never ends with a murderman hitting you in the head repeatedly.”
- graphics143 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and seamless integration of live-action footage with digital elements, creating an immersive and cinematic experience. Players appreciate the meticulous detail and atmospheric design, which enhance the horror elements and storytelling. Overall, the visuals are described as exceptional, contributing significantly to the game's engaging and terrifying ambiance.
“The graphics are so realistic and well made, the atmosphere is unsettling, voice acting is brilliant, the story is creepy and interesting, it's more scary than frustrating, and just everything about it is either perfect or at least close to perfect.”
“The graphics pull you right into this world and make the game all the more terrifying, at times it feels quite real.”
“The blend of FMV and rendered graphics is done incredibly well and is pretty much seamless.”
“The visuals are so realistic they're sickening, so this game might not be for the faint of heart.”
“It's also worth a mention that I have seen friends experience odd visuals... 3090 rendering the game motions in a super weird 'bullet time or frame drop' effect... that honestly was a headache in itself.”
“The game itself has little in the way of in-game graphics options, almost completely because of its m4v-based nature.”
- atmosphere104 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "At Dead of Night" is widely praised for its immersive and terrifying qualities, effectively combining chilling sound design, realistic graphics, and a tense setting that keeps players on edge. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a sense of paranoia and dread, particularly through the presence of the antagonist, Jimmy, and the well-timed jump scares that enhance the overall horror experience. Many players feel that the atmosphere is a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of horror games.
“The atmosphere is really good; it keeps you on the edge, dreading every corner, especially when you hear the stalker is on the prowl, making you paranoid as well as you hear all the little sounds from creaks and groans of the hotel, to the storm outside or other various noises that help add to the atmosphere and tension.”
“The atmosphere this game creates is fantastic!”
“At Dead of Night has excellent atmosphere and really puts you in the game; you actually feel like you're exploring a creepy hotel -- it has that Overlook Hotel (from The Shining) feel to it.”
“Its atmosphere is dark and stressful; you really need to play this game in a quiet area because listening to small movements is very important.”
“This game is just going to bully you constantly with the atmosphere and Jimmy stalking you in the halls.”
“The atmosphere of dashing through the hotel's many corridors while trying to listen out to hear if Jimmy is nearby or not is terrifying and executed very well.”
- music33 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and tension, effectively contributing to the horror experience. While some reviews note a lack of a traditional soundtrack, the ambient sounds and occasional music stings are described as immersive and well-executed, heightening feelings of dread and jump scares. Overall, the sound design, including music and sound effects, is considered a standout feature, significantly enriching the gameplay experience.
“The music was good; it definitely helped with the atmosphere and the tension.”
“Amazing story, and astounding graphics with a great soundtrack to back it up, cementing it as one of the best horror games I've ever played.”
“The soundtrack is more than blissful, as it perfectly matches the mood and setting that Dead of Night provides, and further, the cinematic cutscenes make the game more immersive.”
“It doesn't have a soundtrack but has some sound effects that improve the terrifying experience that this gem offers you.”
“There's not much in the way of music, but what music there is really lends to the atmosphere.”
“My only minor critique on the game is that the intense music seems to just pick up and fade out at random and at some points Jimmy would walk past in the wrong direction or would for some reason walk from a dead end when you were already there.”
- optimization19 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback. While the integration of live-action performances with graphics is praised for its seamlessness and high quality, some players experienced stuttering and lag, particularly on lower-end systems like an i5 processor. Despite these performance issues, the game's atmosphere and character portrayals are highly regarded, contributing to an engaging experience.
“For starters, the performances of the real-life actors are interwoven seamlessly with the graphics in the game, such that it's indistinguishable from magic.”
“The actor performances are very good and the blend of live action performances with CG graphics are the best I've seen in a horror game.”
“This game is scarier than the whole FNAF series and it's literally just a pre-rendered 3GB video that loops and changes to other points depending on what you do, meaning that the game is insanely realistic and optimized.”
“Only issue is the stuttering during turns, meant for a laggy experience at times trying to stream, despite alternating window capture/display capture, full screen etc.”
“Ok I am changing what my review says for one reason and that is because game companies are trying to expand to the new eras and this requires at least an i7. I have an i5 which is the problem of the lagging and the stuttering. The compass is either inaccurate or there is a bug that forbids me from seeing Dr. Bose's spirit, making me run around confused.”
“I like it, but there is something really weird with the performance.”
- humor16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a delightful blend of funny and terrifying, with players finding joy in the quirky character of Jimmy and his amusing interactions. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its clever writing, comedic scenarios, and the absurdity of gameplay moments, such as taunting the antagonist. Overall, the humor adds a charming layer to the game's atmosphere, making it both entertaining and engaging.
“Jimmy is a perfect mixture of terrifying and funny; some of his lines crack me up.”
“The story is completely made with love, and the game itself and the graphics are just hilarious.”
“It's funny, charming, scary, intense, and uncanny.”
- grinding15 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often describing it as a chore that detracts from the enjoyment. While some initial excitement exists, the lack of variety and the relentless nature of certain gameplay elements lead to frustration and a sense of monotony, with many suggesting that it requires an excessive time investment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Enjoyable at first, but gets tedious towards the end.”
“The gameplay is a tedious and repetitive chore that never ends with a murderman hitting you in the head repeatedly.”
“However, after a while, [i]At Dead of Night[/i] becomes a bit tedious, because there is not much variety in terms of gameplay.”
- stability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is marred by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly affecting gameplay mechanics and controller support. While some players appreciate the graphics and story, many express frustration over the frequent technical issues that disrupt immersion and enjoyment. Despite its potential, the game's stability issues have led to a disappointing experience for several users.
“Little to no glitches, with amazing graphics and voice acting.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes, providing a seamless experience.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows me to fully immerse myself in the story.”
“So I could look past the buggy gameplay, the difficulty triggering events despite being in the exact right place under the exact right conditions, the random problems clicking drawers and not being able to see half the items, but to put hours into a storyline just to be confronted with an RNG non-skill-based ending is ridiculous.”
“The idea is great, the story is interesting, but no one wants to play for hours through buggy story and movement mechanics only to take 40 minutes since the last allowed save to try to beat the game and getting a game over because you got tired of standing at the door for 10-15 minutes trying to figure out whether or not the bad guy is moving or just waiting for you... twice... this game is rage inducing.”
“My only real gripe with this game is that controller support seems buggy, and I would lose my onscreen prompts and be unable to do anything; this never happened while using mouse and keyboard though.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game is highly praised for its replayability, featuring a compelling story, challenging achievements, and a unique narrative that keeps players engaged. With elements like item re-shuffling and multiple difficulty modes, it offers a fresh experience on each playthrough, making it a standout choice for those seeking long-term enjoyment.
“I should add that the game is quite replayable and some achievements are really challenging, which will help you enjoy this gem for longer.”
“Great concept for a game, a little difficult to start but definitely attention grabbing and high replay value.”
“There is replayability here, as the game seems to re-shuffle where items you need are found.”
“Technically, this means this game is a roguelike, and there's a lot of replay value for those who are brave enough to play it.”
“At Dead of Night has depth, plenty of replay value and a unique narrative that will hook you from beginning to end.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised for its thrilling and heartbreaking storytelling, effectively blending horror with deep psychological themes. Players report experiencing a range of intense emotions, from fear to sadness, as the game explores mental disorders and personal struggles, making it a standout experience for horror fans. The immersive atmosphere, enhanced by sound and visuals, further amplifies the emotional impact, leaving players feeling genuinely affected.
“The stories of the ghost are thrilling, heartbreaking, and scary; very good storytelling.”
“Genuinely terrifying and heartbreaking - a must-play for horror fans.”
“A completely different and unique take on a horror game, live action mixed with game graphics. It truly made you feel like you were locked away in the hotel. The noises, the music, the story - everything was superb. It made me jump, it made me cry, and at times yell at my monitor (because I was scared). To create a game based around a mental disorder that is sometimes overlooked or forgotten about is amazing. We all have that inner voice, we all have that darker side, and to see it so well portrayed, then add some horror, is something to behold.”
