Dead Secret Circle

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 54 reviews
  • story
  • stability
  • graphics
Dead Secret Circle Game Cover
Play in Arcadia
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"Dead Secret Circle" is a first-person psychological horror game where players uncover the dark secrets of a small town in the 1970s. As reporter Beth Hammond, investigate a series of grisly murders and expose the supernatural forces at work. With a focus on exploration, puzzle-solving, and a chilling atmosphere, unravel the mystery before becoming the next victim.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Virtual Reality
  • Web Browser
  • Windows
  • Oculus VR
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 54 reviews
story13 positive mentions
stability14 negative mentions
  • The game features a captivating story with a darker tone, improved writing, and a haunting atmosphere that keeps players engaged.
  • Voice acting and character interactions are significantly better than in the original, adding depth to the quirky cast.
  • The introduction of WASD movement enhances exploration and immersion, making the gameplay feel more dynamic compared to the point-and-click style of the first game.
  • The game is plagued by numerous bugs and technical issues, including game-breaking glitches that can prevent progress and require restarts.
  • The pacing is inconsistent, with a second half that drags on and an abrupt, unsatisfying ending that leaves many plot points unresolved.
  • The VR implementation is particularly problematic, with controls and interactions that are clunky and often unresponsive, making it frustrating for players using VR headsets.
  • story45 mentions

    The story of "Dead Secret Circle" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its intriguing narrative, character development, and atmospheric horror elements, while others criticize its pacing and occasional nonsensical plot points. The sequel builds on the original's charm, offering a more straightforward whodunit experience, but some players found it less engaging and riddled with bugs that hindered their enjoyment. Overall, while the story captivates many, it suffers from inconsistencies and technical issues that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The story held my interest and I would love to see Patricia back solving another mystery in a third game now that she is able to begin writing again.”
    • “A tense, suspenseful, grim detective story filled with secret collectibles and visual tricks that will leave you terrified to continue.”
    • “It carries a lot of the same charm: enticing story, interesting characters, encouraging you to explore and read everything.”
    • “And then there are issues with story and pacing.”
    • “That's where the cracks in the story start to show, too; and it stops making sense.”
    • “95% of all story is delivered via random diary pages you find everywhere.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, visual glitches, and technical issues that significantly hinder the experience. Players have encountered game-breaking bugs, particularly towards the end, as well as persistent problems with the inventory and interaction systems, leading to frustration and a lack of polish. Overall, the game's stability issues overshadow its positive aspects, making it feel like a "buggy mess."

    • “Vr adaptation rears its ugly head yet again, with an inventory and interaction system that is somehow even more clunky and buggy than in the first game.”
    • “There are loads and loads of visual glitches, especially with textures and shading; many assets look charred with baking errors, and the shadows of the characters seem to have a life of their own.”
    • “Good story and setting plagued by visual, control, and quest glitches, culminating in a game-breaking quest bug leaving me unable to finish the game right before the end with no option other than to erase the playthrough (and probably get the same bug again in case I retry).”
  • graphics9 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews; while some players praise the crisp visuals, clean geometry, and impressive environmental scale, others point out significant graphical bugs and issues with shadows. Additionally, the lack of customizable graphical settings has been noted as a drawback. Overall, while the visuals are generally well-received, there are notable inconsistencies that detract from the experience for some players.

    • “The graphics were crisp, the scale and look of the environments was perfect, and I felt a significant presence.”
    • “VR developers take note of how well the game looks and runs; with its simple, clean geometry, it never drops a frame. You can super sample the visuals, and the lighting is good. I have no complaints at all about the visuals.”
    • “The sound and visuals change just like the first game, but you don't see the hidden visuals.”
    • “There are no graphical settings, and you can't force the settings dialog window to appear anymore.”
    • “One real downside, which doesn't truly affect your enjoyment, is the absolutely horrible graphics.”
    • “There are also some graphical issues involving shadows that are out of place.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily a point-and-click adventure with simple puzzles, but it suffers from significant mechanical issues, including poor control and movement mechanics. While the death mechanic is praised, players report frustrating glitches such as disappearing objects and visual artifacts, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “I also really think highly of the death mechanic in this game.”
    • “The first game had simpler control/movement mechanics, but it was an Oculus API game, and Revive handled everything perfectly.”
    • “Gameplay is mostly the same, point-and-click adventure-esque mystery with simple puzzles.”
    • “Just be prepared for ropey mechanics.”
    • “Mechanically, though, it's a mess.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its spooky and immersive qualities, enhanced by strong storytelling, evocative music, and effective voice acting. Reviewers highlight the tension and memorable moments that contribute to a captivating experience, often comparing it favorably to its predecessor. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that significantly enriches the gameplay.

    • “Thumbs up for spooky atmosphere, memorable characters, and a lot of wonderfully creepy moments.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible.”
    • “It builds a really tense atmosphere and is seldom cheap with it.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its atmospheric quality and effective callbacks to the first title, enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight its ability to create a spooky ambiance that complements the story and voice acting. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, significantly contributing to the game's immersive environment.

    • “The story, music, and ambience create an immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The music was more prevalent, and I enjoyed the callbacks to the first title.”
    • “The combination of the blue haze and spooky music sets a haunting tone.”
    • “Only the blue haze and spooky music results.”
    • “The music, Jesus, is terrible.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its hilariously uncanny facial animations and strong voice acting, which significantly enhance the comedic experience. Players find themselves laughing at the eccentric characters and their interactions, particularly in the context of the quirky mystery-solving narrative. Overall, the blend of oddball characters and witty dialogue contributes to a memorable and entertaining atmosphere.

    • “Their facial animation is hilariously uncanny, and their (and the protagonist's) voice acting is really good, a vast improvement from the original.”
    • “She made me laugh (audibly) on a number of occasions.”
    • “Though both games involve solving a mystery, Dead Secret Circle is more of a whodunnit and has an oddball cast of characters that you will meet and investigate in order to solve the case of the laughing man serial murders.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartbreak and intrigue, engaging players on a deep, resonant level.

    • “It's simultaneously heartbreaking and intriguing.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters left me in tears.”
    • “I felt a profound connection to the story that resonated with my own experiences.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers high replayability, particularly for VR headset users, as it is designed to enhance the immersive experience and encourage repeated playthroughs through its tailored features.

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

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Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
6-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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