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D

D Game Cover
79%Game Brain Score
atmosphere, humor
story, gameplay
88% User Score Based on 103 reviews
Critic Score 56%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

LinuxPCSega SaturnMac OSWindowsPlayStationMs Dos
D Game Cover

About

D is a single player and multiplayer survival shooter game with horror and science fiction themes. It was developed by WARP and was released on October 27, 2016. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"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.

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88%
Audience ScoreBased on 103 reviews
atmosphere4 positive mentions
story4 negative mentions

  • D is a fascinating piece of gaming history, showcasing early FMV technology and horror storytelling.
  • The atmosphere and visuals, while dated, still manage to create a unique and eerie experience.
  • The game offers a nostalgic trip for fans of retro horror and point-and-click adventure games.
  • The gameplay is slow-paced, with cumbersome controls and a frustrating lack of saving options.
  • The graphics and FMV quality have aged poorly, making it difficult for modern players to appreciate.
  • The two-hour time limit can be stressful, and the puzzles are often too simplistic or tedious.
  • story
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its atmospheric horror elements and unexpected plot twists, while others criticize its pacing, coherence, and simplistic writing. Initially lacking a storyline, the narrative was developed after gameplay, leading to a disjointed experience that feels dated by modern standards. Despite its flaws, the game is noted for its experimental approach to horror storytelling and remains a notable entry in the genre.

    • “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.”
  • gameplay
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "D" is characterized by its slow-paced FMV puzzle mechanics, which many players find frustrating and dated compared to modern standards. While it offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of early 90s titles, the gameplay primarily consists of tedious item navigation and simplistic puzzles, resulting in a short overall playtime of about 90 minutes with minimal engaging content. Despite its historical significance in horror storytelling, the sluggish mechanics and lack of depth may deter contemporary audiences.

    • “D is a short game with FMV puzzle gameplay.”
    • “Most of the gameplay revolves around simply navigating the castle you're in, finding items, and then using them at the right place.”
    • “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 game didn’t shine for its gameplay even back then, and nowadays it’s downright sluggish and painfully slow.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its chilling, surreal quality, reminiscent of Italian cult classics, and is enhanced by a haunting soundtrack that contributes to a thick, foreboding mood. While some find the slow pacing and cheesy elements detract from the horror, many appreciate how it builds tension and creates a unique, nostalgic experience. Overall, the game successfully delivers a compelling atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre, despite its flaws in gameplay mechanics.

    • “The atmosphere is thick and foreboding, and the music does well to fit said atmosphere.”
    • “It's kinda slow, but it really helps build the atmosphere.”
    • “The game shows no signs of its Japanese origins; it bathes in that surreal, strange, and occasionally clumsy atmosphere found in Italian cult classics like 'Phenomena', 'The Sect (La Setta)', or 'The Beyond (L’aldilà)'... everything reeks of graphic violence, a desire to shock, and bold ideas executed with limited means, even if it sometimes falls flat or ends up looking a bit silly.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game, released in 1995, are often described as dated yet nostalgic, reflecting the limitations of early 3D technology and full-motion video (FMV). While some players appreciate the unique atmosphere and artistic style reminiscent of Italian cult classics, others note that the visuals can appear clumsy and less impressive by today's standards. Overall, the game's graphics evoke a sense of nostalgia, contributing to its surreal and creepy ambiance, despite their clear age.

    • “The graphics still have a sort of uncanny timelessness to them, adding to the game's surreal atmosphere rather than detracting from it.”
    • “D: the game really had a lot going for it back in 1995; it had incredibly innovative graphics for its time, and it managed to be a more animated, interactive, horror-themed Myst-style game.”
    • “This game has a special place for me - a time when I saw graphics take on a new direction.”
    • “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.”
  • music
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is noted for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience, particularly in creating a foreboding ambiance. While some find the minimalist approach to music engaging, it can also lead to moments of boredom if players become stuck. The legacy of composer Kenji Eno is highlighted, with his innovative contributions to both music and gaming being respected by influential figures in the industry.

    • “The atmosphere is thick and foreboding, and the music does well to fit said atmosphere.”
    • “D isn't a jumpscare game at all, but the atmosphere combined with the very quiet but absolutely brilliant soundtrack helps make this place even scarier.”
    • “Although he left us at a very young age, he was an unorthodox visionary not only in the world of games, but also in music, visual arts, and technology as well who also pushed boundaries for the new techniques to gain traction in the gaming industry.”
    • “Though not as influential as Doctor Hauser, D's music especially feels like a Silent Hill precursor.”
    • “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.”
    • “It’s occasionally hilarious: opening a plain old door with a suspenseful and overly dramatic music cue is a guilty pleasure that always brought a smile to my face.”
  • humor
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of absurdity and unintentional comedy, with moments like overly dramatic music for mundane actions and amusing animations that evoke laughter. Players find the low-budget dialogue and goofy sound design to contribute to its charm, making it a fun experience, especially when shared with friends. Overall, the game balances its horror elements with a lighthearted, humorous tone that resonates with players.

    • “It’s occasionally hilarious: opening a plain old door with a suspenseful and overly dramatic music cue is a guilty pleasure that always brought a smile to my face.”
    • “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.”
    • “One of Kenji Eno's beginnings as head of Warp, it's a fun, slightly scary (funny if you ham it up with a bunch of friends) horror title from back in the early days of FMV-based games.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game has limited replayability due to its short duration and straightforward gameplay, allowing players to complete it in about an hour. While there are two endings and collectible "memories" that could encourage multiple playthroughs, their inconsistent triggering diminishes this potential. However, some players may still find value in revisiting the game occasionally, likening it to a good scary movie.

    • “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.”
    • “There is little to no replayability once you know what to do and can easily beat the game within an hour.”
    • “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

    The monetization of the game is criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users feeling that it lacks effort and innovation, merely repackaging an old title without meaningful updates.

    • “This is a lazy cash grab... just throw the game on DOSBox and call it a day.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively slow and tedious, detracting from the overall experience. Many feel that improvements in writing, engine, and puzzle design could significantly enhance the game's appeal and pacing.

    • “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, it would probably age much better in the long run.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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.”
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56%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
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2h Median play time
15h Average play time
2-40h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

D is a survival shooter game with horror and science fiction themes.

D is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows, Linux and others.

On average players spend around 15 hours playing D.

D was released on October 27, 2016.

D was developed by WARP.

D has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its atmosphere but disliked it for its story.

D is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include The 7th Guest, Tomb Raider, Alone in the Dark, Realms of the Haunting, Sanitarium and others.