Beyond The Gates
- July 22, 2021
- Chonky Games
Get on SteamBeyond The Gates is a 1-4 player online co-op horror which mainly focuses on the storyline. Discover the truth behind a dark mystery that has been hidden until now.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The film captures the nostalgic 80's atmosphere well, appealing to fans of retro horror.
- Barbara Crampton's performance as the game master is a highlight, adding charm to the film.
- The concept of a VHS board game with real-life consequences is intriguing and offers a unique twist.
- The pacing is extremely slow, with long stretches of dialogue that detract from the horror elements.
- Character development is lacking, making it hard to connect with or care about the protagonists.
- The execution of the premise is muddled, leading to confusion about the game's rules and objectives.
- story18 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story of the film is noted for its unique and intriguing premise, reminiscent of '80s horror, but suffers from pacing issues and a lack of cohesion, leading to a drawn-out experience that feels like it could have been better suited for a shorter format. While the characters and nostalgic elements are appreciated, many reviewers point out that the plot is bogged down by unnecessary subplots and lacks the tension needed to maintain engagement. Overall, the film has potential but ultimately falls short due to its execution and pacing.
“Gordon's back story is particularly interesting because he's decided to tamp down all his flaws and appear perfect because of his own shortcomings.”
“The story is a bit of fun as the VHS game draws them in and traps them, and there is a bit of blood and gore shown from fairly early on.”
“For a small budget movie, this is a very entertaining horror and quite original in some ways, the story has a good cheesy '80s vibe to it with a pretty decent cast, some bloody practical gore effects.”
“But the pacing and story jump around so much... one minute they're playing this game and realize their missing dad is trapped within, the next minute they're making dinner.”
“It's as if they shot every scene without a script or storyboard and then just sort of pasted them together - and somehow made everything about it incredibly drawn out and intensely boring, having an effect that feels as though they just were trying to stretch the scenes out to make it feature-length.”
“On the other hand, there's nothing special about the story and there wasn't enough tension to fully keep my attention.”
- music12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its engaging and nostalgic synth-inspired soundtrack, which effectively enhances the creepy atmosphere and overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the artistic integration of the score with the game's visuals, noting its fun and memorable qualities, particularly for fans of 80s music. Many recommend exploring the soundtrack further, highlighting its significant role in the game's appeal.
“I think overall it had cool music, an interesting concept, and was just a fun watch.”
“Really fun creepy atmosphere, loved the musical score.”
“That, and the music score's synth inspiration starts and ends with the intro credit's song.”
“Aside from that sweet synthesizer soundtrack, for the 30s and up, Stewart chose to hit you right in the nostalgias.”
“If you've read the box art you'll know this is a horror film shot with a touch of 80's style (and certainly with an 80's soundtrack).”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is viewed as a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the depth and growth of characters, others feel it is hindered by budget constraints and subpar writing. Overall, while character development may not be the most critical aspect of the experience, it is still recognized as a positive element by some players.
“I actually enjoyed the character development in this game more than anything, and that's not necessarily the most integral part of a good horror game (although it is always a good trait to have).”
“This was a great premise that probably suffered due to budget and certainly suffered due to lackluster writing and character development.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is praised for its fun creepiness and effective musical score, successfully evoking an 80s vibe reminiscent of 'Evil Dead' with its engaging blend of horror and gore.
“Really fun creepy atmosphere; loved the musical score.”
“Really captures the 80's atmosphere with a good bit of 'Evil Dead' style gore.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game's narrative and character performances is lacking, as poor writing undermines the abilities of experienced actors, resulting in a disjointed and unenjoyable experience.
“Despite this cast of horror-experienced actors, once the 'horror' begins, the poor writing hamstrings their performance.”
“It could have been saved with a little convincing acting, but when there isn't a single strong performance, it is really hard to even sit through.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the film is widely appreciated, with users finding it genuinely funny and entertaining.
“That was a hilarious film!”
“The humor in this game had me laughing out loud!”
“I love how the game incorporates witty jokes and clever puns!”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the film is characterized by a tedious and poorly written narrative, which detracts from the overall experience, despite some standout gory scenes.
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers an engaging experience that keeps players entertained, but ultimately lacks significant replay value, as it does not provide enough incentive to revisit after the initial playthrough.
“It is watchable and shouldn't have you pulling your hair out from boredom or anything, but with that said, it also has no replay value once you've seen it once.”
