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
- The game effectively combines FMV and gameplay, creating a unique and immersive horror experience.
- The atmosphere is tense and engaging, with well-executed jump scares that keep players on edge.
- The story is intriguing, with well-developed characters and a compelling narrative that unfolds as players interact with ghosts.
- The gameplay can become repetitive, especially in the later stages, leading to frustration.
- Some mechanics, such as the compass and scrying mirror, can be vague and may not always guide players effectively.
- The ending feels rushed and lacks a satisfying resolution, which may disappoint players after an otherwise engaging experience.
- story555 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story of "At Dead of Night" is widely praised for its engaging and immersive narrative, which revolves around a young girl navigating a haunted hotel while uncovering the tragic backstories of its ghostly inhabitants. Players appreciate the intertwining tales of the ghosts, the chilling atmosphere, and the well-executed live-action elements that enhance the horror experience. However, some reviewers note that the pacing can feel slow and repetitive, particularly in the latter stages, and the final mission may not provide a satisfying conclusion to the otherwise compelling storyline.
“The ghost and mystery mechanics were super engaging, and I'm glad each ghost story was related but also different.”
“The story is amazing, and the devs have done a really good job.”
“The story lures you in, and with each reveal of how the ghost's story develops, it pulls you in deeper.”
“The story is probably one of the most underwhelming parts of the game.”
“For a game that’s trying to balance horror and storytelling, this feels like a missed opportunity.”
“The worldbuilding is barely there, and it doesn’t help that the plot crawls until the final reveal.”
- gameplay278 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "At Dead of Night" is a blend of point-and-click mechanics and live-action elements, creating a unique and immersive horror experience. While many players appreciate the tension and atmosphere generated by the antagonist, Jimmy, and the engaging story, some criticize the gameplay for becoming repetitive and tedious over time, with frustrating mechanics that can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is praised for its innovative design and chilling ambiance, though it may not appeal to those seeking dynamic gameplay.
“The ghost and mystery mechanics were super engaging, and I'm glad each ghost story was related but also different.”
“The gameplay loop is simple but a ton of fun: the hotel has two safe floors and three danger floors, and Jimmy is always wandering on one of the danger floors.”
“The mix of live-action footage and gameplay creates a scarily realistic and immersive experience that makes you feel like you're actually there in a horror movie.”
“The gameplay itself is a tedious and repetitive chore that never ends with a murderman hitting you in the head repeatedly.”
“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 consists of just walking into rooms and hoping to find the items you need while hiding from a stalker-type enemy called Jimmy, which is a constant annoyance and frustration that takes away from the overall experience.”
“Despite its initial thrills, many players found the gameplay becoming repetitive over time.”
- graphics166 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in this game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning quality and unique blend of live-action footage with computer-generated imagery, creating an immersive and eerie atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of real-life actors and digital graphics, which enhances the storytelling and overall horror experience. Many consider the visuals to be a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's tension and engagement.
“The amazing graphics plus the live action actors makes it all feel so real.”
“The blend of FMV and rendered graphics is done incredibly well and is pretty much seamless.”
“The graphics pull you right into this world and make the game all the more terrifying; at times it feels quite real.”
“I could not find in the menu any adjustable settings for graphics, audio, controls... the motion blur is far too strong in a point and click game.”
“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.”
- atmosphere128 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "At Dead of Night" is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and tension throughout the gameplay. Players highlight the game's chilling sound design, realistic visuals, and the constant feeling of being watched by the antagonist, Jimmy, which keeps them on edge. Overall, the combination of suspenseful audio, haunting visuals, and a labyrinthine hotel setting contributes to a uniquely terrifying experience that resonates with horror fans.
“The game expertly crafts an atmosphere of dread and tension, keeping players on edge throughout.”
“The atmosphere this game creates is fantastic!”
“The atmosphere is so tense you can never settle and have a moment to relax.”
“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.”
“This game is just going to bully you constantly with the atmosphere and Jimmy stalking you in the halls.”
- music40 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in "At Dead of Night" is praised for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and tension, with subtle ambient sounds and effective stingers that contribute to the horror experience. While some players noted a lack of a traditional soundtrack, the existing sound design and music are described as immersive and well-executed, complementing the game's unique narrative and visuals. Overall, the sound effects and music are considered integral to the game's chilling ambiance, earning high marks from players.
“The music was good; it definitely helped with the atmosphere and the tension.”
“The subtle ambience and music helped heighten those feelings even more, which made me jump on many occasions.”
“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.”
“90% of the game, if that, has no music.”
“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.”
- optimization23 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its seamless integration of live-action performances with graphics, resulting in a highly immersive experience. While most players report no significant performance issues, some have experienced stuttering during gameplay, particularly on lower-end systems. The strong voice acting and engaging story further enhance the game's appeal, despite minor technical hiccups.
“I'm about 69% through the game and I haven't had any performance issues take me out of the experience.”
“Performance: 10/10”
“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.”
“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. 9/10, so much fun!”
“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 and has me run around like a complete idiot, increasing my chances of getting whacked by Jimmy.”
“I like it, but there is something really weird with the performance.”
- grinding19 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 63 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often leading to frustration as they navigate through cryptic mechanics and encounter a lack of variety in gameplay. While some elements are initially enjoyable, the experience tends to become monotonous, particularly during extended play sessions.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The mechanics are sometimes a little tedious because I've been running back and forth between spots to try and figure out what I had to do next to progress.”
“Even though the ghost stories themselves are compelling, the method of progressing through them is often tedious and frustrating.”
“The gameplay is a tedious and repetitive chore that never ends with a murderman hitting you in the head repeatedly.”
- humor16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its blend of fun and fright, with players finding joy in the quirky interactions and comedic elements, particularly involving the character Jimmy. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its absurd scenarios and clever mechanics, such as taunting the antagonist, while also maintaining a tense atmosphere. Overall, the humor adds a charming layer to the gameplay, making it an enjoyable experience for players.
“This game is well made and funny as hell, with good jump scares to boot.”
“I went from powerless with nothing but a spirit box to having tons of keys, taunting Jimmy by locking him in rooms, luring him to dead ends, and then running. It gets so scary yet funny to do!”
“The story is completely made with love, and the game itself and the graphics are just hilarious.”
- replayability11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it highly replayable due to challenging achievements and varied item placements, others feel it lacks depth and is primarily a one-time experience. The presence of different difficulty modes and unique narratives can enhance replay value for some, but the disturbing lore and certain bugs may deter others from revisiting.
“Highly recommend, super replayable! I don't get jump scared by many games, but this game has jump scared me more times than I can count. Super fun story and gameplay for a point-and-click is very enjoyable.”
“I should add that the game is quite replayable, and some achievements are really challenging, which will help you enjoy this gem for longer.”
“At Dead of Night has depth, plenty of replay value, and a unique narrative that will hook you from beginning to end.”
“The only two negatives I have is it is not the most replayable game in the world because of how disturbing some of the lore gets and for some reason the achievement where you have to rescue all your friends in a quick game is either bugged or is part of a removed feature, but overall would recommend if you like indie horror games.”
“Unlike the previous game of the studio that is enjoyable to replay just for the acting value, this game lacks such replayability factor.”
“There is replayability here, as the game seems to re-shuffle where items you need are found.”
- stability11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- -18 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with players reporting various glitches and bugs that hinder gameplay, such as issues with item interactions, event triggers, and controller support. While some users appreciate the engaging story and graphics, many express frustration over the buggy mechanics that can lead to immersion-breaking experiences and even game freezes. Overall, the stability issues detract significantly from the enjoyment of the game.
“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.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "At Dead of Night" is highly praised, with players highlighting its unique and heart-wrenching stories that evoke strong feelings of fear and sadness. The game's portrayal of its antagonist and the incorporation of themes related to mental disorders resonate deeply, making it a standout experience that elicits genuine emotional reactions, including tears and screams. Overall, it is regarded as a must-play for horror fans seeking a profound and immersive emotional journey.
“The stories of the ghosts 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 is amazing. We all have that inner voice, that darker side, and to see it so well portrayed, combined with horror, is something to behold.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in "At Dead of Night" is praised for its unique character designs and the immersive atmosphere of the game, which effectively enhances the tension and suspense. Reviewers highlight that the game's technical execution is impressive for an indie title, contributing to a compelling horror experience.
“If you're looking for a horror game that masterfully combines tension, suspense, and unique character design, 'At Dead of Night' is a must-play.”
“The character development in this game is exceptional, with each character feeling distinct and well-crafted.”
“The atmosphere and layout of the hotel enhance the character arcs, making their stories more immersive and engaging.”
