DEATH NOTE Killer Within

About

DEATH NOTE Killer Within is a single player and multiplayer casual strategy game with a mystery theme. It was developed by Grounding Inc. and was released on November 5, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

DEATH NOTE Killer Within is a suspenseful mystery game where you must uncover the true identity of the elusive killer. As tension rises, every choice matters, and trust becomes a fragile currency in a deadly cat-and-mouse game. Can you outsmart your enemies and survive when no one is who they seem?

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88%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,460 reviews

gameplay46 positive mentions

monetization5 negative mentions

The game offers a unique twist on the social deduction genre, combining elements from Death Note with engaging gameplay mechanics.
Playing with friends enhances the experience, making it a fun and strategic game that encourages communication and teamwork.
The game captures the essence of the Death Note series well, with references and character designs that resonate with fans.

The player base can be toxic, with many players using slurs and being disruptive in voice chat, which detracts from the overall experience.
If one player leaves the game, it ends for everyone, which can be frustrating and disrupts the flow of play.
There are technical issues, including crashes and audio bugs, that need to be addressed to improve the game's stability.

gameplay
134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
4%
The gameplay of this social deduction game is praised for its unique mechanics and complexity, offering a more strategic experience compared to similar titles like "Among Us." Players enjoy the thematic integration of the "Death Note" universe, which enhances the deduction and manipulation elements, although the steep learning curve and reliance on voice communication can be challenging for newcomers. While the game is best enjoyed with friends, issues such as abrupt match endings when players leave and a toxic community detract from the overall experience.
- “The mechanics are different and unique, and tasks actually help the investigation instead of being just some random thing you have to do.”
- “The gameplay itself works best on controller, but even on my keyboard it works very well, outside of playing the key roles Kira and L.”
- “Gameplay is simple, but more tense than other social deduction games, leading you to fear anyone near you.”
- “There's no single-player mode or matchmaking safeguards to compensate, and the learning curve is steep due to the unique mechanics and terminology.”
- “Many players report feeling overwhelmed during their first few games, with tutorials failing to adequately prepare them for live gameplay.”
- “Decent gameplay, but however everything else is horrible.”
humor
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting the funny interactions, voice chat moments, and unexpected glitches that lead to hilarious situations. Many reviews note that the game's social dynamics, particularly in multiplayer settings, contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere, making it a fun experience whether playing with friends or random players. Overall, the combination of clever gameplay and comedic elements creates a consistently amusing experience for players.
- “The majority of people in SCP: Secret Laboratory are there to have fun, and are usually chill or funny people to be around.”
- “A lot of funny stuff happens either by someone pulling a 1000 IQ move or by the whole lobby crashing out because they're accusing each other.”
- “The experience is often thrilling, with moments of surprising humor, and a built-in voice chat adds a whole new layer to the gameplay.”
graphics
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
56%
11%
The game's graphics feature a charming chibi, puppet-like aesthetic that diverges from the series' traditional realism, effectively capturing the anime's atmosphere. While the art style is praised for its appeal and creativity, some users find the user interface cluttered and the base character designs lacking compared to premium options. Overall, the visuals are considered enjoyable and easy on the eyes, though there are calls for enhancements like ultrawide support and improved immersion through a third-person view.
- “Visually, the game takes a bold turn from the series’ grim realism by adopting a chibi, puppet-like aesthetic inspired by finger puppets.”
- “The art style, voice acting, and sound design feel like a seamless extension of the anime.”
- “The game has been really fun so far and the cute art style makes the game easy on the eyes.”
- “Very obvious design choice to make the base game/'free' cosmetics in a starkly worse aesthetic/style than the overpriced premium options; it feels like the base characters are placeholder assets and we are being sold the actual character assets separately.”
- “Like...with these graphics, and this simple gameplay, I shouldn't have to be turning everything down to the lowest levels just to keep it from crashing.”
- “The gameplay is quaint and the graphic style is easy on the eyes, but you're bombarded with micro-transaction customizations.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The music in the game has received praise for its quality and ability to capture the atmosphere of the source material, with many noting that it enhances the overall experience. However, some players have expressed frustration with the lack of variety in tracks and issues with audio balance, making it difficult to hear the game over external noise. Overall, while the soundtrack is well-received, the chaotic online environment can detract from the enjoyment of the music.
- “The soundtrack is great.”
- “Even the most minute details, like the eerie atmosphere and thematic music, add to the authenticity of the experience.”
- “Outside of that, including the music, it nails the vibe of the show really well.”
- “Game is ok played for about 8ish hours thinking it would be a fun game but after a while the novelty of the Death Note IP faded and the game became pretty repetitive. Plus, everyone in most lobbies are just people screaming slurs or blasting music, so it’s just an eardrum explosion of bigotry. Would only recommend if bored and like games like Among Us.”
- “If you manage by some miracle to get a group of people who aren't screaming racist stuff, playing loud music, or breathing so loud that you would think that single person is single-handedly taking up 50% of the world's supply of oxygen, then you will end up in a party where people do not discuss and just vote at random.”
- “Good but the game disconnecting whenever anyone leaves a match is annoying. Also, I wish the anime's OST was in the game so I didn't have to play it through Spotify.”
story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
64%
18%
The story aspect of "Death Note: Killer Within" is praised for immersing players in the iconic world of the manga, allowing them to actively engage in a narrative that blends strategy and intellect. Fans appreciate the game's faithful adaptation of the source material, which enhances the social deduction experience, although some note challenges with online play. Overall, it offers a unique opportunity for players to carve out their own stories within the beloved universe.
- “For longtime Death Note fans, the game is a refreshing twist—offering a rare chance to actively participate in the world of the story rather than passively watch it unfold.”
- “It feels like you're truly part of the Death Note world, carving out your own story.”
- “Death Note: Killer Within is a faithful adaptation of the famous manga story, with the ever-popular social party game deduction format spin.”
- “☑ no story”
- “Death Note: Killer Within is a faithful adaptation of the famous manga story, with the ever so popular social party game deduction format spin.”
- “The online experience can be rough with players disconnecting, and you have to be ready for the 'cod lobby experience' that any internet game with voice chat creates, but once you sift out the crybabies and find a good room of people, this is a veritable true crime story generator.”
monetization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
37%
45%
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with players noting that while the microtransactions are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay, the overall pricing feels excessive for what is offered. Some users expressed disappointment over the game's initial marketing efforts and suggested that the high level of monetization detracts from the experience, with calls for a lower price point or a free-to-play model. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, its monetization approach has raised concerns among players.
- “Very fun twist on the Among Us genre; unfortunately, it is riddled with cosmetic microtransactions (thankfully no pay-to-win).”
- “I am extremely relieved to see that the microtransactions in a Bandai Namco published game are purely cosmetic, and given this genre, I don't see any room for them to introduce monetized power creep.”
- “Despite some cool mechanics and references, this really did feel like a cash grab that should be 10 dollars cheaper than it was.”
- “A paid game with microtransactions.”
- “Only problem is the many microtransactions.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
Players consistently highlight the game's exceptional replayability, driven by diverse mechanics and strategic depth that encourage players to adapt and outsmart one another. The unpredictable nature of human opponents and the mental challenge of manipulation tactics contribute to a dynamic experience, making each match feel unique despite limited content. Overall, the game offers a highly engaging and replayable experience that keeps players coming back for more.
- “Every player has their own toolkit—surveillance, deduction, deception, and vote manipulation—which enhances replayability and demands strategic thinking.”
- “This game has nigh infinite replayability due to its vast amount of interesting mechanics and the fact that the more you learn about the game, the more people around you start figuring it out as well, creating a mental arms race of manipulation tactics and skilled deductions.”
- “I also wish there would be more content, but the replayability, as well as the recently added new toy town map, make up for it.”
- “Another thing to remember is the lack of content; there is only one map and 5 command cards total across both teams, but I wouldn't consider that a major problem since the replayability is still there with each match being unique.”
- “Playing against other cunning minds raises the stakes significantly, and the unpredictable nature of human opponents creates endless replayability.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
89%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous glitches, particularly related to voice chat and friend requests. While some players find the game enjoyable and balanced, the overall experience is marred by persistent bugs that disrupt gameplay, including issues with lobby returns when a player leaves.
- “Very fun, very balanced, not buggy, hours of fun, and all roles are easy to understand.”
- “The game is a bit buggy, especially with voice chat.”
- “Very buggy, causing major issues.”
- “I have tried uninstalling, reinstalling, changing the settings multiple times, changing different mics and headphones, literally all forms of troubleshooting.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is multifaceted, eliciting a range of feelings from players, including cleverness and self-awareness, but also frustration and disappointment due to teammate dynamics. While some players find moments of emotional depth through the game's themes of justice and morality, others report negative experiences that detract from the overall enjoyment. The inclusion of impactful death animations and arrests adds a layer of emotional engagement, though reactions vary widely among players.
- “It rewards clever thinking, emotional awareness, and risk-taking, all while staying grounded in the franchise’s core themes of justice, power, and morality.”
- “This game made me feel like Ego from Ratatouille in that one scene towards the end.”
- “Various death animations, arrests that are potentially emotional and pleasing to the eye.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Players express that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of effort akin to having a second life. Additionally, there is a desire for premium skins to be attainable through grinding, even if it demands extensive gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Lastly, it would be making premium skins obtainable somehow, even if it means them grinding their hearts out.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Despite the developers releasing patches, the game continues to experience occasional performance issues that disrupt the overall immersion, particularly noted in reviews regarding its performance on the Steam Deck.
- “While the developers have rolled out patches, the game still suffers from occasional performance hiccups that interrupt immersion.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The game effectively captures the aesthetics and atmosphere of the anime, enhanced by new mechanics and attention to detail. The eerie ambiance and thematic music contribute significantly to the overall authenticity of the experience.
- “The game managed to capture the aesthetics and atmosphere of the anime while introducing new mechanics to the established formula.”
- “The game managed to capture the aesthetics and atmosphere of the anime, while introducing new mechanics to the established formula.”
- “Even the most minute details, like the eerie atmosphere and thematic music, add to the authenticity of the experience.”