Betrayer

70%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,686 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Betrayer Game Cover
It starts promising and gets better in the final act, but the bulk of Betrayer's journey is let down by inconsistent quality, repeat enemies, and investigative drudgery.
Starting at $3.53Buy now
Get on Steam

Betrayer is a first person action adventure game that takes you to the New World at the turn of the 17th century. The year is 1604. You sailed from England expecting to join a struggling colony on the coast of Virginia. Instead, you find only ghosts and mysteries. What catastrophe blighted the land and drained it of color and life?

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,686 reviews
story369 positive mentions
grinding65 negative mentions
  • Striking visuals with a unique monochrome art style that enhances the eerie atmosphere.
  • Engaging narrative that unfolds through environmental storytelling and interactions with wraiths.
  • Challenging combat that encourages stealth and strategic planning, especially with period-appropriate weaponry.
  • Repetitive gameplay loop with similar objectives across different areas, leading to a sense of tedium.
  • Limited enemy variety and AI that can feel predictable and unchallenging after a while.
  • The ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving many questions unanswered.
  • story1,095 mentions

    The story in "Betrayer" is a complex and atmospheric narrative that unfolds through exploration and piecing together clues from the environment, primarily conveyed through text and ghostly interactions. While many players appreciate the depth and intrigue of the plot, some find it convoluted and repetitive, often feeling that the fetch quests detract from the overall experience. The game is praised for its unique setting and storytelling style, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of its execution and the clarity of its narrative progression.

    • “The story is engaging and I honestly could not put the game down until I solved all the mysteries, especially that of the main story.”
    • “The story is intriguing, and while the ending left me kind of 'wha?', I am very glad I got to play this game.”
    • “Betrayer has a very immersive and enthralling storyline that sucked me in like a vacuum.”
    • “The story is the most cliché noble savage Disney narrative that teamed up with Netflix.”
    • “The story doesn't progress, the pacing stalls as the gameplay, which wasn't really that great to begin with, starts getting repetitive and you realize the areas all feel the same... and when finally the next bit of progress in the main story comes, the game has ended.”
    • “The story is essentially a big 'who done it' story.”
  • gameplay602 mentions

    The gameplay of "Betrayer" is characterized by a blend of first-person shooting, stealth mechanics, and exploration, set against a visually striking monochrome backdrop. While the sound design plays a crucial role in enhancing the atmosphere and gameplay experience, many players find the core mechanics repetitive and lacking in variety, leading to a sense of monotony as the game progresses. Despite its intriguing narrative and unique setting, the gameplay often feels simplistic and can become tedious, with some players expressing frustration over the combat mechanics and enemy AI.

    • “Betrayer's gameplay design is simple yet effective.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and the story is engaging.”
    • “The mechanics were really fun and the stealth was rewarding.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and tedious, the end game is a mess that's only navigable with extensive research online, and the 'twist ending' is both ridiculous and comes out of nowhere.”
    • “The black-and-white contrast becomes annoying after a while, the gameplay is incredibly repetitive due to the lack of weapons and enemy types, and the story feels incredibly barebones.”
    • “Unfortunately, even for a 9 hour game it ends up being just a tad too long because nothing new is added for the last few hours of gameplay with the exception of the last 30 minutes.”
  • atmosphere515 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie, immersive quality, enhanced by its unique black-and-white visual style and effective sound design. Players appreciate the somber and unsettling environment that evokes feelings of dread and isolation, making exploration feel both engaging and tense. While the atmosphere is a standout feature, some reviews note that it can be diminished by repetitive gameplay and a lack of compelling narrative progression.

    • “This is definitely my favorite thing about the game because it enhances the somber and unnerving feeling of the atmosphere, and makes you feel unwelcome, like an intruder being thrown into someone else's world.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible and certainly a highlight of the game.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick, uneasy, and sometimes even serene.”
    • “Apart from a couple of conquistadors and some mystical enemies popping up out of nowhere, the game feels really empty, and in spite of the convincing summer forest stroll atmosphere that it conveys so well through its beautiful visuals and sounds.”
    • “With better atmosphere, better combat, or even a thing or two to see around the place, Betrayer might have been able to scrape by on its high production value and actually interesting setting, but in the bland, vapid state it currently sits, it’s not really anywhere approaching a recommendation.”
    • “They set up this really quite unsettling creepy atmosphere then didn't really capitalize on it; I kept waiting for something to make me jump, but I never did.”
  • graphics463 mentions

    The graphics of the game are a defining feature, showcasing a unique monochrome art style with striking red accents that enhance the atmosphere and gameplay experience. While many players appreciate the aesthetic and the ability to adjust color saturation, some have noted that the visuals can be taxing on the eyes and may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received, contributing significantly to the game's eerie and immersive environment, despite occasional performance issues and graphical glitches.

    • “The visuals are hauntingly beautiful.”
    • “The stark color palette with red being the main focus of the visuals is really interesting, and while the initial monochromatic palette is okay, there are settings that allow overall color saturation to be tweaked, and adding color really makes the environment stunning to look at, especially for a game that's almost a decade old.”
    • “The graphics are unique, the soundtrack is eerie and compelling, the story is pretty good if you take the time to immerse yourself into it.”
    • “The graphics are black and white overall but still manage to look great.”
    • “The graphics, which may seem pretty at first, just start seeming bland and uninspired.”
    • “The game's default look and aesthetics hurt my eyes, so I had no choice but to put down the contrast and raise some color but this game really is meant to be played in black and white because there are red visual cues that let you know when an enemy is in the distance.”
  • music77 mentions

    The game's music aspect is characterized by a notable absence of a traditional soundtrack, relying instead on ambient sounds like wind, rustling leaves, and enemy noises to create an immersive atmosphere. While some players appreciate this minimalist approach for enhancing the game's eerie and isolating feel, others feel that the lack of music detracts from the overall experience, suggesting that a subtle soundtrack could have enriched the gameplay. Overall, the sound design is praised for its effectiveness, but opinions vary on whether the absence of music is a strength or a missed opportunity.

    • “The soundtrack and the noises themselves are great; the music really gives off an effect of being in a spooky and mystical place whilst also making you uneasy and restless while encountering enemies throughout the land.”
    • “The chilling music and sounds combined with the monochrome look make the atmosphere of this game one of the best I have ever played.”
    • “Everything from the pure soundtrack of nature all around you, creepy sound cues to pull you into unexplored territory, the black and white and red graphics, the antique time pieces, the mostly open world to explore, and some really creepy enemies really make this game a standout all on its own.”
    • “The only soundtrack is the whistling of the wind, and the occasional inhuman grunt of a Spanish conquistador chasing you.”
    • “There is no music anywhere in the game, only the natural sounds of nature which themselves are limited to a chirp from a bird or two, a large breeze blowing over the plains grasses and rustling the trees.”
    • “Perhaps the biggest problem is the lack of music, not to mention the lame enemy, and the non-existing conversation voices.”
  • grinding65 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a significant issue, with many players finding the gameplay repetitive and tedious, particularly during fetch quests and achievement hunting. While some appreciated the atmosphere and story, they noted that the extensive backtracking and lack of clear objectives contributed to a frustrating experience. Fast travel options help alleviate some tedium, but overall, the grinding elements detract from the enjoyment for many players.

    • “Unfortunately, in order to beat the game you must essentially perform a series of fetch quests that grow very tedious and confusing very quickly.”
    • “The problem is that this game is fun for about an hour at the start, and about an hour at the end, but the 5 or 6 hours in between are incredibly tedious, repetitive, and pointless.”
    • “As interesting and engrossing as the atmosphere in Betrayer is, ultimately it does give way to repetitive gameplay and tedious combat.”
  • replayability30 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits low replayability, with many players noting its short length and repetitive nature as significant drawbacks. While some features, such as difficulty options and aesthetic adjustments, offer slight variations for replay, the consensus is that once the story is completed, there is little incentive to revisit the game. Despite its enjoyable first playthrough, most reviewers agree that the lack of substantial replay value limits its long-term appeal.

    • “It's a cheap game that offers a reasonably long questline and moderate replayability due to the open-world style maps and the ability to adjust your experience from color to black and white.”
    • “The game does play pretty quickly, but has decent replay value with the several difficulty options and the option to switch to full color mode as well (although I personally love the gritty black and white texture because it reminds me of old horror films).”
    • “Not really replayable because of its linear story but still enjoyable by tweaking your settings.”
    • “There isn't much to be said otherwise, 'Betrayer' is a relatively short game with low replayability.”
    • “Not much replayability, because it is repetitive as it is.”
    • “The game has little if any replay value except for playing on more difficult settings; however, I shall play it again when I get time as an adventure and concentrate on following the story.”
  • emotional19 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding the ending and certain story elements genuinely heartbreaking and thought-provoking, while others feel the delivery through text lacks the necessary emotional weight. Many reviewers appreciate the psychological immersion and dramatic moments, but criticize the absence of voice acting and deeper emotional connections, which can dilute the impact of the narrative. Overall, the game elicits a range of feelings, from curiosity to sadness, but struggles to consistently deliver a powerful emotional experience.

    • “I must admit, it took me a little bit of time after reading to fully grasp the emotional aspect and story of the game, the deep meaning behind the ending, etc. Quite fun, gets challenging.”
    • “Genuinely heartbreaking at times.”
    • “Betrayer put me on quite an emotional roller coaster.”
  • stability15 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a smooth experience free of bugs and crashes, while others have encountered significant issues such as frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and performance problems, particularly during transitions and combat. Despite some users experiencing no major issues, the overall consensus indicates that the game suffers from persistent bugs that detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “Skyrim came out in 2011, has vast terrain, mountains, hills, forests, you can see far away, runs great.”
    • “Different, atmospheric, and bug-free.”
    • “Oh also, it's buggy as hell, crashing to desktop when moving from one zone to the next, really annoying.”
    • “The game has some persistent graphical glitches that even two years after release haven't been addressed.”
    • “Even at the low price of 4.99, it's just too much trouble for me to have to constantly re-install, re-run, and find all the files that constantly seem to be 'missing'; crashes are annoying as well, especially when I am immersed in the game and it suddenly freezes.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    The game's optimization is inconsistent, with smooth performance in some areas but noticeable stuttering in others, particularly when settings are higher. While it runs well on lower settings, users report that visual effects can cause performance drops, especially in more demanding environments. Overall, the game shows potential for good optimization, particularly with weapon performance, but still suffers from lackluster performance in certain scenarios.

    • “Weapons are very well optimized; you don't suddenly become a god just because you have the best weapon in the game.”
    • “Performance was good; with only a ~5fps drop in some areas (shadows/water); otherwise 60+ and no stutters or hiccups.”
    • “Walking or running around these environments with the color turned on and the effects all the way up made my machine chug a little, but overall the game is well optimized for the number of moving objects on screen at any given time.”
    • “Not the best performance in certain areas unless most of the settings are on low.”
    • “Just not optimized, I suppose.”
    • “Lackluster performance despite being on the UT3 engine.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game features a blend of humor through its witty dialogue and amusing combat mechanics, with players noting both heartfelt and hilarious moments in the storyline. While some plot elements may feel underdeveloped, the overall narrative and setting are praised for their depth, complemented by self-aware humor that adds to the experience. The combination of great graphics and comedic interactions enhances the enjoyment, despite some repetitive objectives.

    • “Sandbox style world with great graphics and funny combat.”
    • “The dialogue and storyline are solidly written, with some conversations being heartbreaking while others are downright hilarious. The writers have done an excellent job.”
    • “Some of the objectives are a bit repetitive, but this is easily made up for by everything else the game has to offer, including its self-awareness in humorously referencing the fact that you again have to retrieve this wraith's skull.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of DLC and microtransactions, offering substantial content despite its small size, which stands in stark contrast to many recent AAA titles. This approach to monetization is seen as a positive aspect, enhancing the overall experience without the burden of additional costs.

    • “This game is literally tiny, has no DLC or microtransactions, and yet it can deliver a lot more actual content than most of the AAA games we've seen in the last few years.”
    • “The monetization in this game feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on items that should be earnable through gameplay.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that the game locks essential features behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy without spending extra.”
    • “The in-game purchases are overpriced and give an unfair advantage to players who are willing to spend more money.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is minimal, with a lack of detail about the protagonist's identity and purpose, leading to a superficial experience. While the story and character design are criticized for being clichéd and poorly executed, some players still find the gameplay entertaining for a brief period.

    • “The game suffers from poor story writing and stereotypical character design, making it hard to connect with the characters. There's a lack of detail about the protagonist, such as their name, gender, or purpose, which leaves players feeling disconnected.”
    • “Character development is almost non-existent; the game fails to provide any meaningful backstory or depth to the characters, making it difficult to invest emotionally in their journeys.”
    • “The characters are one-dimensional and lack any real growth throughout the game, which detracts from the overall experience and makes it hard to care about the outcome.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

60% average critic score

Buy Betrayer

Play time

10hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
6-16hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 17 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games