Dead Man's Fault
- November 30, 2022
- Parker Becton
Get on Steam"Dead Man's Fault" is a short first-person psychological horror game set in a detailed hand-crafted cave environment. As part of a rescue effort, players must navigate tight spaces, repel down ropes, and throw flares to discover the fate of the last cave explorer. The game features scary events, suspenseful moments, and four analog horror tapes to discover, all leading to an unsettling mystery.
Reviews
- The game effectively creates a terrifying atmosphere with its sound design and claustrophobic cave setting, leading to genuinely scary moments.
- Despite its short length, the game is well-polished and showcases the developers' potential, with engaging analog horror elements and humor in the voice lines.
- Players appreciated the unique concept and the immersive experience, making it a fun and memorable horror adventure.
- The game is very short, lasting only about 20-30 minutes, which some players felt did not justify the price tag.
- Gameplay can feel monotonous, with repetitive environments and limited interactions that may lead to a lack of engagement.
- The story and horror elements are considered underdeveloped, leaving players with unanswered questions and a desire for more depth.
- story5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's story effectively taps into real-life fears, enhancing its unsettling atmosphere, while some players found the premise somewhat basic. Overall, it is praised for its compelling horror elements and is regarded as an engaging short story experience.
“This story tells a tale of a true fear that can really happen, which makes it even more unsettling.”
“This was a really fun game with compelling horror and story.”
“I thought this game was an amazing short story game, and I loved playing it.”
“I dunno what to make of the story because the premise was fine if not elementary.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed feedback, with some users appreciating the overall presentation while criticizing the lack of customizable graphical options, which they felt was a disadvantage for PC players. Additionally, the game's use of contrasting aesthetics was noted, though some felt it detracted from the experience due to the game's short length and perceived derivative nature.
“No graphical options to tweak; that's PC discrimination right there!”
“I liked the overall presentation, though I felt it inserted an excuse to do some derivative analog horror, which I'm not sure was earned considering the game is so short and it essentially swaps between aesthetic A and aesthetic B roughly 50/50.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for being overly simplistic and monotonous, lacking engagement and depth, which diminishes the overall experience despite the game's short length.
“Gameplay itself is relatively simple and not particularly engaging.”
“Super monotonous gameplay - I know it’s a short game, but that doesn’t justify why it didn’t get the most out of its miles or milked the setting for what it’s worth.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game successfully creates a claustrophobic and oppressive atmosphere that enhances its horror elements, but some players feel that the tension diminishes as the story unfolds, leading to a sense of emptiness and lifelessness in the overall experience.
“They really nailed a claustrophobic and oppressive atmosphere in this short little horror tale.”
“An air of unease that should, in theory, emanate more and more especially as the lore and circumstances surrounding the tapes gradually get revealed; however, nothing remotely resembling that occurred. Even if it did, it landed flat on its face, as I would say that the atmosphere was rather empty and lifeless.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a blend of analog horror elements and humor, with players noting that the surprisingly funny voice lines add an enjoyable comedic touch to the cave-crawling and expedition experience.
“This is a PT-inspired cave crawling/expedition game with some well-made analog horror and surprisingly funny voice lines!”
“The humor in this game is cleverly woven into the gameplay, making even the scariest moments light-hearted.”
“I found myself laughing out loud at the witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions throughout the game.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is criticized for its absence, with long silences and unsettling echoes taking its place, leaving players dissatisfied with the overall auditory experience.
“It seems like the soundtrack must have lost its bearings too; otherwise, I would have heard it by now. Long drawn-out silences and perturbing echoes fill that void nicely, although I can't say I'm too happy about it.”
“The music is forgettable and lacks any real impact, making it easy to tune out while playing.”
“I expected a dynamic soundtrack, but instead, I was met with repetitive and uninspired tracks that do nothing to enhance the gameplay experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express that the game evokes deep emotional connections, likening their experiences to the poignant story of Floyd Collins, suggesting a powerful narrative that resonates on a personal level.
“This game made me feel a deep connection to the characters and their struggles.”
“The emotional depth of the story left me in tears; it resonated with my own experiences.”
“I was completely immersed in the narrative, and it evoked a range of emotions I didn't expect.”
