Daemon_9

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 78 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Daemon_9 Game Cover
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Daemon\_9 is a single-player, 2-hour long game that combines full-motion video, graphic images, and brain teasers to create an immersive horror experience. As you delve into the backup of an anonymous friend's hard drive, you'll unravel the mystery of Morgan Shane, a possible victim or perpetrator of supernatural forces. The game's success lies in its storytelling, as it cleverly positions you at the heart of the narrative, merging film and gameplay for a unique experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 78 reviews
story12 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • Unique blend of FMV and ARG elements, creating an immersive experience that engages players in a modern horror narrative.
  • High production values with decent acting and well-crafted videos, enhancing the overall storytelling.
  • Interesting puzzles that require players to explore both in-game files and real-world websites, adding depth to the gameplay.
  • Game relies heavily on external websites that are no longer functional, making it mostly unplayable and frustrating for players.
  • Short playtime of around 2 hours, which may leave players wanting more content and replayability.
  • Technical issues such as lack of manual saving, no subtitles, and broken mechanics can hinder the overall experience.
  • story43 mentions

    The story of *daemon_9* is a captivating blend of horror and interactive investigation, centered around the mysterious disappearance of a girl named Morgan Shane. While the narrative is engaging and immersive, with a mix of video storytelling and puzzle-solving, some players found it to lose momentum towards the end and felt that certain elements detracted from the overall experience. Despite its shortcomings, the game is praised for its intriguing premise and the effective use of multimedia to enhance the storytelling.

    • “I was actually playing the part the devs would want me to play and eagerly awaiting the story to unravel.”
    • “This interactive thriller brilliantly weaves horror live action scenes and content whilst involving the players themselves in the story.”
    • “I won't say much about the story as I wouldn't want to spoil it; however, it was pieced together very well with great atmosphere and the FMV video segments really sold the experience.”
    • “The writing is okay, the acting fair, the story fairly routine.”
    • “The latter seems completely unnecessary as it does not add to the story in the slightest and is a confusingly bad addition to an otherwise well-crafted game.”
    • “I think this game could've been longer and had a deeper storyline, maybe more obstacles in the way before receiving the pay-off.”
  • gameplay14 mentions

    The gameplay of Daemon_9 is primarily focused on a computer interface, where players engage with video clips, personal files, and real websites, creating a unique but passive experience that lacks traditional action elements. While some users found the mechanics intriguing and the story captivating, others criticized the execution, noting issues like a broken mechanic and a poorly designed user interface. Overall, the game offers a blend of interactive storytelling and horror elements, though it may not satisfy those seeking more dynamic gameplay.

    • “Daemon_9 perfectly integrates real websites into its gameplay and will automatically alt-tab your game to load the website.”
    • “It is a state of the art ARG with a lot of intricate details (videos, chats, newspaper clippings, webpages to browse, etc.) and a clever mechanic to just freak you out.”
    • “It's a lot of fun - the story is well crafted and the gameplay is great!”
    • “It was unfinishable for me without going to an online walkthrough, due to a broken mechanic.”
    • “The entirety of the gameplay takes place on a computer screen and there is no walking around or choosing dialogue options; it is all purely watching video clips and reading personal files on a hard drive.”
    • “Gameplay: with the UI being poor, the gameplay is mostly reading, watching a mixture of good to mediocre videos, and... well, that's about it.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    Overall, the atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with many reviewers noting its strong sense of legitimacy and immersive qualities, reminiscent of found footage films. While some criticize the horror elements for lacking depth, the game successfully avoids cheap jump scares, instead creating a well-crafted environment that enhances the storytelling experience. The combination of effective acting and well-executed video segments contributes to an engaging and memorable atmosphere.

    • “It really adds to the atmosphere.”
    • “The acting, the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is A+.”
    • “Now that does give it an atmosphere of legitimacy, but at the same time, it makes me question how long the game will remain playable when over 50% of its content is hosted externally.”
    • “The acting and the atmosphere were lacking.”
    • “It gave off a very found footage movie vibe at times and had a well-done atmosphere without relying on cheap jumpscares, which I personally very much enjoyed.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, ranging from feelings of inadequacy to empowerment, as players navigate complex psychological themes. The narrative explores deep personal conflicts, such as the struggle for independence, which resonates with players on a profound level, suggesting a need for more titles to delve into similar emotional experiences.

    • “Much like the far more up-market title 'The Infectious Madness of Dr. Dekker', this concept of subjective psychological horror presents a means through which a developer can re-connect with its audience on an emotional level, and this is a concept that needs to be explored in future titles.”
    • “In an emotional confrontation recorded by Anna without Morgan's consent, Morgan demands more space from her because she feels like she wants to become her own independent woman.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Players have reported experiencing significant bugs and glitches that can detract from the overall gaming experience, potentially discouraging engagement. However, some glitches also serve to enhance the narrative by introducing elements of ancient Chinese culture.

    • “When you have a game this involved and something glitches, it can really discourage a player.”
    • “Bugs and glitches can significantly detract from the overall experience.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is hit-or-miss, with some users finding it reminiscent of b-movie charm, despite the overall mediocre acting. Additionally, there are mentions of technical glitches adding an unintended layer of humor.

    • “The acting is pretty mediocre, but there are some funny parts, like a B-movie.”
  • graphics2 mentions

    The game's graphics feature a b-movie horror aesthetic that enhances its immersive experience, allowing players to explore the dark and twisted world of the fictional conglomerate, Gui Microsystems. However, potential players should be aware of the graphic violent scenes and disturbing references present in the visuals.

    • “With its B-movie horror elements and down-the-rabbit-hole aesthetic, you can easily spend an afternoon or evening delving into the secrets of the Chinese-run conglomerate Gui Microsystems.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, creating an immersive atmosphere that pulls you into the game's eerie world.”
    • “Every detail in the environment is meticulously crafted, enhancing the overall experience and making exploration a visual delight.”
    • “The graphics look outdated and lack the polish you'd expect from a modern game.”
    • “Character models are poorly designed and animations feel stiff and unnatural.”
    • “The environments are bland and repetitive, making exploration feel tedious.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Reviewers generally feel that the game lacks significant replayability, as the experience is largely predictable after the initial playthrough. While some find it enjoyable to revisit occasionally, the overall consensus is that the game's replay value is minimal.

    • “The game offers a variety of choices that lead to different outcomes, making each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
    • “With multiple endings and character paths, I find myself coming back to explore all the possibilities.”
    • “The dynamic gameplay mechanics and random events keep me engaged, ensuring that no two runs are ever the same.”
    • “For me, there is no replay value, but none was expected.”
    • “It will be good to revisit every once in a while, but since you know everything after the first experience, the replay value diminishes.”
  • music2 mentions

    The game's music is notably minimal, creating an eerie atmosphere that enhances focus but also results in significant stretches of silence. While some players appreciate the lack of intrusive music for immersion, others find it unsettling and lacking in engagement.

    • “The minimal background music is both a good and bad thing; it helps you to focus while also leaving lots of stretches of silence.”
    • “The music creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “It's scary as hell, and the biggest issue is that there is no music at all.”
    • “Very minimal background music, which is both a good and bad thing; it helps you focus but also leaves long stretches of silence.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with users noting that the voice acting and performances are of decent quality, contributing positively to the overall experience.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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