DEATH NOTE Killer Within
- November 5, 2024
- Grounding Inc.
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam"DEATH NOTE Killer Within" is an online social deduction game for up to 10 players, who are divided into two teams with different objectives. Play as Kira and his followers or as L and the investigators in this battle of wits, where the goal is to figure out each other's identities and control the game. Each role has unique characteristics, leading to a deep sense of strategy and tactical play. The game supports cross-play for large groups and allows customization.
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game offers a fun and engaging social deduction experience, especially for fans of Death Note.
- Unique mechanics, such as the ability to pass the Death Note and the different roles, add depth and strategy to the gameplay.
- The built-in voice chat enhances player interaction and makes for hilarious moments during gameplay.
- The game ends for everyone if any player leaves, which can be frustrating and disrupts the flow of play.
- There are frequent bugs and crashes, particularly on PlayStation, affecting the overall experience.
- The community can be toxic, with many players using offensive language and not taking the game seriously.
- gameplay104 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its complexity and engaging mechanics, offering a fresh take on the social deduction genre reminiscent of "Among Us," but with unique elements inspired by the "Death Note" universe. Players appreciate the diverse roles and strategies available, which enhance the experience, especially in multiplayer settings with friends. However, some criticisms include a lack of player base, issues with online lobby mechanics, and the need for further balancing and updates to improve overall enjoyment.
“The game's core mechanics revolve around deception, deduction, and outsmarting your opponents, which makes every match thrilling and unpredictable.”
“The developers really took their time making it feel like you're in the Death Note universe but have really fun, replayable gameplay.”
“Takes the foundational gameplay loop from Among Us and adds lots of super thematic Death Note mechanics which lead to fascinating scenarios with lots of deduction and counter-play.”
“Decent gameplay, but however everything else is horrible.”
“This game will not survive with the cancelling lobby mechanics.”
“Criticisms; I’m hoping that the devs continue to develop and polish the gameplay - it could be a bit more strategic and also games abruptly end when any player leaves.”
- humor29 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the comedic interactions and unexpected moments that arise during gameplay, particularly in voice chat. Many find the combination of strategic gameplay and funny glitches or player antics to be entertaining, creating a lively atmosphere whether playing with friends or randoms. Overall, the game is described as a hilarious experience that enhances the fun of multiplayer sessions.
“The game also is a fun and nice way to have a good and funny time with friends.”
“Funny when you're Kira and get everybody, and how they yell at the end is pure gold.”
“The experience is often thrilling, with moments of surprising humor, and a built-in voice chat adds a whole new layer to the gameplay.”
- graphics25 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many praising the unique art style and aesthetic that effectively captures the essence of the anime. While the 3D models are described as simple, they are considered visually appealing, and the integration of various visual elements, including 2D cut-ins and character designs, enhances the overall experience. However, some users note limitations such as the need for improved graphics options and the impact of microtransactions on character aesthetics.
“The art style, voice acting, and sound design feel like a seamless extension of the anime.”
“The aesthetic and flavor is so dead on, I love it and it really feels like it was made by people who love 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.”
“While the current graphics are decent, switching to a 3rd-person view could make the game more immersive.”
- story16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game "Death Note: Killer Within" is praised for its faithful adaptation of the original manga, allowing players to immerse themselves in a unique social deduction experience that feels personal and engaging. Players appreciate the strategic elements that echo the themes of the source material, particularly the moral complexities and high-stakes decisions reminiscent of the protagonist Light Yagami's journey. While the online experience can be marred by connectivity issues, the core narrative and gameplay create a compelling environment for fans of the franchise.
“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.”
“I love that anime; I relate deeply to the protagonist Light Yagami. We both have very high IQs, and his nihilistic view of the world in the first episode was on point. It felt like the story was about me, as if the authors were making a manga out of my life.”
“☑ no story”
“☐ no story”
“Death Note: Killer Within is a very enjoyable social deduction experience that every fan of the story should try at the very least once.”
- music15 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback for its quality and ability to capture the atmosphere and themes of the associated anime, despite the absence of licensed tracks. While the original soundtrack is praised for fitting well with the show's vibe, some players express a desire for more tracks and better audio balance. Overall, the music enhances the gaming experience, though technical issues like low volume and disconnections have been noted.
“Even the most minute details, like the eerie atmosphere and thematic music, add to the authenticity of the experience.”
“As for the contents of the game, there is no licensed music but the OST is actually pretty good and has similar vibes to the one heard in the anime.”
“The game has great soundtracks.”
“Not the same composer, sadly, but whoever did the music for this did a really good job fitting it with the music in the show.”
“Good but the game disconnecting whenever anyone leaves a match is annoying, also wish the anime's OST was in the game so I didn't have to play it through Spotify.”
“Music options, rarer rewards, or a random queue would also be a nice addition in the future, even though I'm glad they aren't in there now.”
- stability8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous glitches and bugs, particularly related to multiplayer features and in-game interactions. While some players find the game enjoyable and balanced, the overall experience is marred by technical issues that disrupt gameplay. Many hope for improvements in future updates to address these stability concerns.
“Very fun, very balanced, not buggy, hours of fun, and all roles are easy to understand.”
“Very buggy, causing major issues.”
“Pretty buggy on PC.”
“The game is very buggy.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game is a paid title that includes numerous cosmetic microtransactions, which some players find excessive. However, many reviewers appreciate that these microtransactions do not affect gameplay balance, as there is no pay-to-win element. Overall, while the monetization model has drawn criticism, it is largely seen as acceptable within the context of the game's genre.
“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.”
“A paid game with microtransactions.”
“Too much monetization.”
“Only problem is the many microtransactions.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's exceptional replayability, driven by the engaging dynamics of competing against other players and the strategic depth required in each match. Despite some concerns about limited content, such as a single map and few command cards, the unpredictable nature of human opponents and the recent addition of new features keep the gameplay fresh and exciting. Overall, the experience remains highly replayable, with each session offering unique challenges.
“Playing against other cunning minds raises the stakes significantly, and the unpredictable nature of human opponents creates endless replayability.”
“It has endless replayability; in really good lobbies, you have to think about each one of your steps when stealing IDs and/or killing players/criminals and see how each player is playing in order to find L.”
“The replayability is insane!”
“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.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a mixed emotional experience with the game, noting that it can evoke feelings of intelligence or discomfort, depending on the context. The presence of varied teammate qualities adds to the emotional rollercoaster, while certain visual elements, like death animations, are described as both emotionally impactful and aesthetically pleasing. Overall, the emotional responses range from negative to surprisingly engaging, highlighting the game's complex emotional landscape.
“This game made me feel something; but it wasn't good.”
“Various death animations, arrests that are potentially emotional and pleasing to the eye.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players express that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring an unrealistic commitment akin to having a second life. Additionally, there is a desire for premium skins to be attainable through grinding, even if it demands significant effort.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Lastly, it would be making premium skins obtainable somehow, even if it means them grinding their misa off.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game effectively captures the aesthetics and atmosphere of the anime, enhanced by new mechanics and meticulous 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.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization for the Steam Deck has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its ability to run games smoothly at lower settings, while others report performance issues and stuttering in more demanding titles. Overall, the device shows promise but may require further updates to enhance stability and performance across a wider range of games.
