D | Game Brain — video game discovery

About

"D" is a horror shooter game with both single-player and multi-player modes, requiring 30 hours to complete. In 1997, Laura Harris rushes to a Los Angeles hospital where her director father, Richter Harris, has committed a mass murder and taken hostages. Upon arrival, Laura is transported to a mysterious mansion and must navigate its terrifying halls to save herself and her father. The game features a thrilling narrative and intense combat sequences.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 86 reviews

atmosphere4 positive mentions

story4 negative mentions

D is a fascinating piece of horror gaming history, showcasing innovative FMV techniques for its time.
The atmosphere and presentation are engaging, providing a unique experience for fans of retro horror games.
The puzzles are well thought out and the game can be completed in under two hours, making it a quick yet enjoyable playthrough.

The gameplay is slow-paced, with frustrating movement mechanics that can detract from the overall experience.
The graphics and presentation feel dated, which may not appeal to modern gamers accustomed to higher quality visuals.
There is no save feature, and players must complete the game within a two-hour time limit, which can be stressful and limiting.

story
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
74%
15%
The story of "D" is often criticized for its strange pacing and lack of depth, with many reviewers noting that it feels poorly constructed and hastily added to the gameplay. While it features some intriguing plot twists and a creepy atmosphere, the dialogue is considered simplistic and the overall narrative lacks coherence. Despite its flaws, the game is recognized for its experimental approach to horror storytelling and its historical significance in video game development.
- “Though it is grossly dated by today's standards of gameplay design, D represented a major leap in what could be achieved in terms of horror storytelling in video games.”
- “The story starts with a mass murder at a general hospital on the outskirts of downtown, caused by Dr. Richter Harris who has shut himself up in the hospital and taken hostages, leaving the police helpless and unable to move in.”
- “But, the hole-filled story does take a couple of unexpected turns, there are two endings, and the overall atmosphere is actually pretty creepy, even now.”
- “The pacing of the story is a bit strange and not entirely satisfying.”
- “The story is kept brief and vague, which is probably for the best as the corny voice acting doesn't help.”
- “The story's coherent, but pretty poorly laid out and what little dialogue there is sounds like it was written by a third grader trying to be scary.”
graphics
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
71%
14%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 1995 origins, yet many players appreciate their nostalgic charm and the unique atmosphere they create. While some criticize the low polygon count and poor quality of full-motion video, others find the visuals contribute to the game's surreal and creepy vibe. Overall, the graphics may not meet modern standards, but they evoke a sense of nostalgia and innovation for their time.
- “That said, the graphics still have a sort of uncanny timelessness to them, adding to the game's surreal atmosphere rather than detracting from it.”
- “D was the first video game to use fully rendered computer graphics; think of it as the Toy Story of video games in a way.”
- “Despite the dated visuals, D is still an extremely creepy game.”
- “The FMV graphics look much worse than I remember, and the voice acting is awful.”
- “The interactivity is barely there, what little voice acting there is does not hold up to today's standards, and the pre-rendered CG graphics are incredibly outdated.”
- “The graphics show their age, but that shouldn't be a problem if you enjoy the now-outdated style.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
71%
14%
The gameplay of "D" is primarily puzzle-based, requiring players to solve environmental challenges to progress, but it suffers from slow movement and tedious mechanics, such as frustrating mini-games and lengthy cutscenes. While it offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of early '90s titles, the overall gameplay is considered dated and lacks the depth and engagement found in modern games, with a total playtime of around 90 minutes but only 30-45 minutes of actual interactive content. Players may appreciate its horror storytelling, but should be prepared for a slow-paced and limited gameplay experience.
- “As you may have figured by now, D's gameplay consists primarily of puzzles - 'use clue x to solve puzzle y to open door z', that kind of structure.”
- “Though it is grossly dated by today's standards of gameplay design, D represented a major leap in what could be achieved in terms of horror storytelling in video games.”
- “Most of the gameplay revolves around simply navigating the castle you're in, finding items, and then using them at the right place.”
- “The fact of the matter is, the creepiness factor that this beloved title once held has basically fallen to the wayside, and the gameplay itself moves so tediously slow that if it were going any slower at all, it would be headed backwards.”
- “If you take out the slow movements, there's probably only about 30-45 minutes worth of real gameplay, including an incredibly awkward boss fight that is finicky on receiving inputs.”
- “10 minutes of gameplay sprinkled over 90 minutes of watching walking animations, actions, and an awful storyline.”
atmosphere
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
65%
15%
The atmosphere of Kenji Eno's *D* is characterized by a thick, foreboding ambiance that effectively combines elements of cheesy horror with gothic undertones, creating a unique and surreal experience. The game's seamless animation and haunting soundtrack contribute to its tension, while its slow pacing enhances the overall mood, reminiscent of classic atmospheric horror games. Despite some criticisms regarding its story and gameplay mechanics, the atmosphere remains a standout feature that captivates players with its eerie charm.
- “D isn't a jumpscare game at all, but the atmosphere and the very quiet but absolutely brilliant soundtrack help make this place even scarier.”
- “The atmosphere is thick and foreboding, and the music does well to fit said atmosphere.”
- “For all of the atmosphere this game provides, nothing can save the fact that you can't really die in this game, and that really dampens any chance for this game to really scare the player.”
- “It's kinda slow, but it really helps build the atmosphere.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and unintentional comedic elements, such as goofy animations and low-budget dialogue that evoke laughter. Players find the blend of horror and humor, particularly in the game's cutscenes and sound design, to be entertaining, especially when experienced with friends. Overall, the game delivers a mix of hilarity and charm, despite its frustrating design and simplistic story.
- “It was so absurd it made me laugh.”
- “The cutscenes are admittedly blurry but follow through with some funny looking animations, mostly revolving around Laura screaming silently but with her mouth open like an old 'Whitest Kids U' Know' skit that made me unintentionally giggle.”
- “The story is simple even if I can poke holes through it, the sound design is goofy and graphically/atmospherically it’s this unintentionally funny horror game with frustrating game design.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The music in the game is praised for its atmospheric and foreboding qualities, reminiscent of Silent Hill, enhancing the overall immersion and tension. While the minimalist approach contributes to a chilling experience, it can also result in slower pacing that may feel tedious if players encounter obstacles. Kenji Eno's composition is highlighted as a standout element, adding depth to the game's narrative.
- “D isn't a jumpscare game at all, but the atmosphere combined with the very quiet yet absolutely brilliant soundtrack helps make this place even scarier.”
- “Kenji Eno made the music for the game, and you should check the story of the life and death of this developer.”
- “Very little to no music with a minimalist interface allows for a very immersive experience; however, this can also lead to a very slow and very boring experience if you get stuck.”
- “Though not as influential as Doctor Hauser, D's music especially feels like a Silent Hill precursor.”
- “The atmosphere is thick and foreboding, and the music does well to fit said atmosphere.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game offers limited replayability, primarily due to its short length and the inconsistent triggering of memories across playthroughs. While there are two endings to explore, the overall experience may not encourage frequent revisits, though some players might enjoy returning to it occasionally like a classic horror film.
- “It's short, easy, and may have low replay value, but like a good scary movie, it's something you might want to come back to every few years.”
- “Not much replay value.”
- “There is the chance for replayability since there are two endings and four 'memories' to find, but the latter don't always trigger every playthrough anyway.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The monetization of the game is criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users feeling that it lacks effort and quality, suggesting it could have been easily emulated on DOSBox instead.
- “This is a lazy cash grab... just throw the game on DOSBox and call it a day.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see a game I was excited about turn into a pay-to-win model.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is characterized by a slow and tedious gameplay experience, which detracts from its overall enjoyment. Many players feel that improvements in writing, engine, and puzzle design could enhance the game's appeal and pacing.
- “The fact of the matter is, the creepiness factor that this beloved title once held has basically fallen to the wayside, and the gameplay itself moves so tediously slow that if it were going any slower at all, it would be headed backwards.”
- “If they remade this game with decent writing, a new engine, more puzzles that aren't so tedious and boring, and a better fleshed out story (not unlike Amnesia: The Dark Descent), it would probably age much better in the long run.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game has been criticized for prioritizing content quantity over quality, resulting in slow-paced gameplay and a lack of engaging environments. Players feel that the experience is stretched thin, with minimal substance overshadowed by lengthy, uninteresting segments.
- “Sadly, they forgot that games are supposed to be about content and not just three CDs filled with slow walking through a small environment at a proudly-presented standard framerate. Unlike those silly western pre-rendered adventure games with all the frame cutting and optimization, you are going to get 10 minutes of meat stretched over a 90-minute plate, with a story that was slapped in at the last minute.”