Deathground

About

Deathground is a single player and multiplayer action adventure game. It was developed by Jaw Drop Games and was released on October 7, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Enter the Deathground, a terrifying survival horror experience where you’re hunted by reactive, relentless dinosaurs. Whether you prefer to play solo or in a team of up to 4 players, your survival instincts will be put to the test and teamwork, stealth and strategy are key to getting out alive. Choose your tools, complete mission objectives and successfully extract whilst navigating the once-sec…

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63%

Audience ScoreBased on 678 reviews

story21 positive mentions

gameplay21 negative mentions

The game has a lot of potential and is fun to play with friends.
The atmosphere and sound design create a tense and immersive experience.
The dinosaur models are well-designed and visually appealing.

The AI is often buggy and can be easily exploited, reducing the challenge.
There is a lack of content, with only a few maps and limited dinosaur variety.
Gameplay can feel repetitive, with similar objectives across missions.

story
164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
81%
6%
The game's story aspect is currently underdeveloped, with players expressing frustration over the lack of narrative context and meaningful progression between missions. While the initial mission introduces some engaging elements, subsequent missions feel repetitive and disconnected, lacking variety in objectives and dinosaur encounters. Many reviewers hope for future updates to enhance the story and mission structure, as well as to introduce more diverse gameplay elements and a cohesive narrative experience.
- “I really enjoyed the game for how the tutorial and first mission was, but the servers are just so dead and I wish there was more missions maybe a PvP where one plays as the dino or something, and I get it's supposed to be 'horror', but it didn't really have the intense moments you expect.”
- “The game is in the very early stages of early access (so very new), but the missions (what few there are) are sufficiently varied and enjoyable, the atmosphere is crazy, and the immersion is decent.”
- “I'd like to believe the developers created them purely for the game's launch, and in the future, each mission will feature unique events and contextual tasks.”
- “This game is horrible; easy to do all the missions and bad graphics full of free assets.”
- “The missions, however, are bland and offer little to no insight on how to progress unless you tape down the tab key to see your objective, which some parts cannot be completed unless all players are in the same room.”
- “It's based on timed missions with a score at the end, and apart from a few story items (documents) to collect, the replay value is currently rather low.”
gameplay
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
65%
18%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and lack of depth, particularly in AI behavior and mission variety. While some appreciate the cooperative elements and potential for fun with friends, others criticize the mechanics as clunky and unfinished, leading to a hollow gameplay experience. Overall, the game shows promise but requires significant improvements in mechanics, content, and optimization to fully realize its potential.
- “I'm in love with the raptor models and how there's things that genuinely surprised me in gameplay.”
- “The core gameplay is solid and enjoyable, especially with friends — there's a lot of potential in the tense, cooperative survival experience it offers.”
- “Overall, fun dino co-op game, cool mechanics, and awesome dino designs!”
- “The AI is embarrassing, the gameplay loop is hollow, and the core concept isn’t executed well enough to justify charging money for it yet.”
- “The gameplay loop quickly becomes stale, and the AI is nowhere near as intelligent or dynamic as the game tries to suggest.”
- “The gameplay itself is repetitive and lifted straight from other, frankly better, horror games.”
graphics
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the impressive visuals, atmosphere, and dinosaur models, while others criticize the overall quality, animations, and performance issues. Many users note that the game, being in early access, has potential but requires significant optimization and refinement to meet expectations. Overall, while the aesthetic captures the desired dinosaur theme, there are concerns about graphical fidelity and AI behavior that detract from the experience.
- “The visuals and overall atmosphere are fantastic.”
- “The graphics are awesome.”
- “The graphics look great, and the movement feels smooth and easy to get used to.”
- “This game was nothing like it was advertised; the graphics were bad, there's only like 3-4 dinos, but mainly the same two dinos that stalk you, and the AI for them is really bad.”
- “The graphics just are not there and kind of resemble the old Turok game, and the movements of the dinos are so blocky, jerky, and unrealistic.”
- “Graphics appear to make the game look like it was made in the early 90s, and overall gameplay is bland and very disappointing.”
atmosphere
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
39%
7%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its tension and immersive qualities, with many players highlighting the effective sound design, creepy visuals, and the thrill of encountering dinosaurs. While the overall ambiance captures a sense of fear and excitement reminiscent of a Jurassic Park setting, some reviewers note that the gameplay mechanics and AI could use improvement to fully realize the game's atmospheric potential. Overall, the game is seen as having a strong foundation in atmosphere, with room for enhancement in other areas.
- “The atmosphere is tense, and the dinosaurs are amazing.”
- “The atmosphere, tension, and design all capture that perfect mix of fear and excitement.”
- “Deathground already impresses with its intense, immersive atmosphere and visually striking design of the currently available levels and dinosaurs.”
- “Coming from Phasmophobia especially, I can forgive the janky animations and poor movement, but the lack of atmosphere, bland game loop, and no T-Rex?”
- “Ai dinosaurs are stupid and it just doesn't feel like a horror atmosphere.”
- “This game had zero atmosphere and it didn't even feel like it was properly playtested with the amount of issues within 30 minutes.”
stability
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. While some acknowledge that such problems are typical for early access titles, many express frustration over the frequency and severity of these issues, which can render gameplay frustrating and repetitive. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires substantial refinement before it can be recommended, despite its intriguing concept.
- “The core concept (survival horror with dinosaurs) is genuinely exciting, but the experience is held back by buggy movement and sound issues.”
- “I can't recommend this game in its current state, although it is fun with friends it gets very frustrating when you are on the final objective and the main item needed glitches through the floor and we can't get it, rendering all our progress useless.”
- “I understand early access but for a game to be this buggy for the price it is makes it just not worth it at all.”
replayability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
61%
27%
Overall, the game's replayability is widely criticized, with many players noting a lack of engaging content and variety in missions and maps. While some express hope for future updates to enhance replay value, the current experience is described as limited and repetitive, with little incentive to revisit completed levels. Many reviewers suggest that the game needs more diverse tasks, randomized elements, and additional content to improve its longevity and player engagement.
- “Very easily replayable!”
- “At $15, this is a great value with a good amount of replay value.”
- “I think once they get side objectives and randomized environment elements then this game will be quite replayable.”
- “Limited replay value: after the initial completion, the novelty wears off.”
- “The main two things holding this game back currently are a lack of a reason for replayability for the three levels and a lack of dinosaur variety (only raptors and compys in multiplayer levels).”
- “Their advertisement says there's replayability, but I see no reason to play the levels again after you've completed them once.”
optimization
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
68%
11%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, crashes, and lag, particularly for non-host players. While some users with higher-end setups, like the Steam Deck and RTX 3060, experienced smoother gameplay, others noted that the game feels unpolished and choppy, especially during map loading. Despite these challenges, a few players found it playable and expressed hope for future improvements as the game progresses through early access.
- “Performance is quite good on Steam Deck, and for this low asking price, you should definitely give it a try!”
- “For a UE game, it's actually pretty well optimized!”
- “Game runs amazing, they did a great job with the optimizations.”
- “Very unoptimized for my GPU.”
- “Severe lag and performance problems that make everything feel unstable and unpolished.”
- “The optimization sucks if you're not the host; the gameplay suffers.”
humor
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently laughing at the game's quirky character animations, unexpected AI interactions, and amusing glitches. Many reviews highlight the joy of playing with friends, where chaotic moments lead to shared laughter and memorable experiences. Despite some bugs, the overall comedic elements contribute to a fun and entertaining gameplay experience.
- “My sister and I found ourselves laughing (and screaming) as we fumbled through encounters with the dinosaur AI, which in our opinion is actually quite competent despite the criticism it has received.”
- “I spent more time laughing watching the horrible animations of the raptor shuffling around like a geriatric in need of a walker.”
- “Would 100% recommend, me and two of my friends had the best night of our lives running, screaming, and laughing.”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to create atmosphere and evoke drama, enhancing the overall experience. However, several users noted that the volume can be excessively loud, particularly during tense moments and at the end of rounds, which can detract from gameplay. While the sound design, including dinosaur noises, is well-received, some players suggest that the music could benefit from adjustments to its intensity and volume.
- “Thinking little of it, I tried again—successfully, this time—and was greeted by an inviting menu and a well-composed, dramatic musical theme.”
- “The good: atmosphere is great, sound is excellent, music and dinosaur noises are really good, graphics are not the best but they are good and you really feel surrounded and hunted by raptors and compsognathus.”
- “But the drama evoked by the music is very successful.”
- “The loud and annoying music does not help, but at least you can turn it off.”
- “The music can be a little loud.”
- “The music that’s a mad dash to the exit is way too loud, and depending on the level can be really irritating and actively hinder you.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to repetitive tasks and a lack of engaging progression systems. The stealth-based gameplay can become monotonous, especially when searching for specific objects or completing missions that feel overly burdensome, particularly in single-player mode. Many reviewers suggest that reducing the number of tasks for solo play could enhance the experience.
- “The tasks in each mission are extremely tedious, making the game feel like an asymmetrical multiplayer title without actually being one.”
- “I played a short amount of time, and discovered a tedious experience.”
- “Movement is stiff and being unable to climb even short boxes or railings makes moving around the already cramped maps a tedious experience.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism, with users perceiving it as a potential cash grab due to misleading advertisements and a lack of promised content. Players feel that the game does not deliver on its replayability claims and is not as polished as showcased in promotional materials, leading to disappointment and frustration. Overall, the sentiment suggests a disconnect between marketing and the actual gameplay experience.
- “It smells of a quick cash grab, but I could be wrong.”
- “Early access or not, this is scamground and is nothing like the advertisement sets it out to be.”
- “Nothing enjoyable; the advertisements and previews on their TikTok looked more enjoyable.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game evokes a mix of nostalgia and disappointment, as players appreciate the fun of engaging with the Jurassic Park theme but feel let down by repetitive gameplay and unmet expectations. The inclusion of a hacking minigame adds a layer of intrigue, yet ultimately leaves players feeling underwhelmed, contributing to a sense of emotional damage throughout the experience.
- “10/10 for emotional damage and unmet expectations.”
- “It made me feel like I was very, very short in the game.”
- “It's not an unplayable mess; it's fun for a while even if it's a bit repetitive, and it definitely touches on the whole 'actually playing Jurassic Park' thing.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Character development in the game is met with mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the engaging and challenging gameplay alongside impressive graphics, others find the character designs to be lacking and unappealing.
- “It's challenging and engaging; the graphics are great and the character design is amazing.”
- “The character designs themselves are also rather tragic; none of them look particularly good.”
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving me disconnected from their journeys.”
- “I expected more depth in the characters, but they all seem one-dimensional and forgettable.”