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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game effectively creates a terrifying atmosphere with its sound design and visuals, making players feel genuinely scared.
- Despite its short length, the game offers a unique and engaging experience, reminiscent of classic horror titles.
- The developers show promise with their creative vision and attention to detail, particularly in the analog horror elements and the use of flares.
- The gameplay can feel monotonous and repetitive, with limited interactions and similar-looking environments throughout the short runtime.
- Many players felt the story was underdeveloped and left too many unanswered questions, detracting from the overall experience.
- Some reviewers criticized the pricing, suggesting that the game's length and content do not justify the cost.
- story11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as a compelling and unsettling short narrative that effectively taps into real fears, enhancing its horror elements. While some reviewers found the premise somewhat basic, many appreciated the engaging and spooky atmosphere, making it an enjoyable experience overall.
“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.”
“This story tells a story of a true fear that can really happen, which makes it even more unsettling.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game received mixed feedback, with users appreciating the overall presentation but criticizing the lack of customizable graphical options, which they felt was unfair to 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 reliance on derivative analog horror elements.
“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.”
“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. It essentially swaps between aesthetic A and aesthetic B roughly 50/50.”
“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. It essentially swaps between aesthetic A and aesthetic B roughly 50/50.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for being overly simplistic and monotonous, failing to fully utilize its potential or the game's setting, which detracts from the overall engagement despite its 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.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game successfully creates a claustrophobic and oppressive atmosphere that enhances its horror elements. However, some players feel that the intended sense of unease fails to build as the story unfolds, resulting in an overall atmosphere that can feel empty and lifeless.
“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 and even if it did, it landed flat on its face; the atmosphere was rather empty and lifeless.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a blend of analog horror elements and humor, with players noting the surprisingly funny voice lines that add a lighthearted touch to the cave-crawling experience.
“This is a PT-inspired, cave crawling/expedition game with some well-made analog horror and some surprisingly funny voice lines!”
“This is a PT-inspired, cave crawling/expedition game with some well-made analog horror and some surprisingly funny voice lines!”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is criticized for its lack of a coherent soundtrack, resulting in long silences and unsettling echoes that fail to enhance the experience. Overall, players express dissatisfaction with the audio design, feeling it detracts from the game's atmosphere.
“It seems like the soundtrack must have lost its bearings too; otherwise, I would have heard it by now. But oh well, long drawn-out silences and perturbing echoes fill that void nicely, although I can't say I'm too happy about it. But I digress—more on that later.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % 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 and resonant narrative that elicits strong feelings.
“This game made me feel like Floyd Collins.”
