Decay: The Mare
- February 12, 2015
- Shining Gate Software
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Decay: The Mare" is a psychological horror adventure game, inspired by classics such as Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Phantasmagoria. Players control Sam, an addict in rehab who becomes trapped in a nightmarish world. This complete package includes an exclusive third chapter that concludes Sam's harrowing journey.
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Reviews
- Atmospheric and creepy, with a good soundtrack that enhances the horror experience.
- Puzzles are generally well-designed, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult.
- The story ties together well by the end, offering a satisfying conclusion to the narrative.
- Navigation can be confusing, as entering rooms sometimes results in disorienting camera angles.
- The game is quite short, with a playtime of around 2-3 hours, which may not justify the full price.
- Some puzzles feel illogical or frustrating, leading to moments of unnecessary backtracking.
- story229 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging and creepy narrative that unfolds through puzzles and atmospheric elements, while others criticize it for being shallow, confusing, or poorly presented. Many appreciate the twists and the overall horror theme, but some feel that the storytelling lacks depth and coherence, leading to a less satisfying experience. Overall, the story is seen as a key aspect that can either enhance or detract from the gameplay, depending on individual player expectations and preferences.
“A gripping horror story in three parts, all unique, but following the storyline.”
“The story is crazy engaging, and even if at first you struggle to follow it, there are many 'oh dang!' moments later on.”
“The atmosphere was well crafted, and the story around all the puzzles was really good.”
“A chore to play, a story that makes even the cringiest creepypasta look like a Stephen King masterpiece.”
“The storytelling just fell flat.”
“The story is a complete mess.”
- atmosphere119 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its creepiness and unsettling qualities, effectively immersing players in a horror-themed experience. While some reviews note that the atmosphere can occasionally be undermined by jump scares or a lack of narrative depth, many agree that the combination of sound design, visuals, and storytelling creates a compelling and eerie environment that enhances the overall gameplay. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, drawing players into its dark and mysterious world.
“The atmosphere is unnerving.”
“The game creates a nice creepy atmosphere with well-timed scares and a brilliantly creepy soundtrack.”
“The atmosphere was well crafted, and the story around all the puzzles was really good.”
“The atmosphere is creepy but everything is so distant from the player that it feels more like watching a set of still images you randomly click your way through.”
“Any creepy atmosphere the game might have generated was ruined by the horrible navigation mechanism.”
“The atmosphere was generally creepy, but there was too much reliance on jump-scares, and the 'locked in a blood-splattered institution of some kind' setting felt a bit juvenile, and only got worse as the story progressed.”
- graphics79 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are below average, reminiscent of late 90s or early 2000s titles, and often lacking detail. Some appreciated the atmospheric design choices, such as the use of blurry visuals to enhance creepiness, while others found the overall aesthetic unappealing and poorly executed. Despite the criticisms, a few players acknowledged that the graphics were acceptable for a low-budget indie game, contributing to the game's eerie atmosphere.
“The 3D graphics are well done, and the triggers feel really crafted and realistic.”
“The graphics were more than good.”
“Nice artwork and graphics, yes.”
“The mediocre graphics make it hard to see some details necessary for solving puzzles and earning achievements.”
“The graphics themselves are laughable, lower resolution than late 90's/early 2000's graphic adventure titles and the bare minimum of creativity.”
“The graphics are visually cheap and make me wonder why they decided to port it on Steam.”
- gameplay49 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Decay: The Mare" is primarily a point-and-click adventure, featuring simple mechanics that some players find nostalgic while others deem outdated and clunky. While the game includes a mix of puzzles and exploration, opinions vary widely, with some praising its unique elements and atmosphere, while others criticize it for being boring and lacking depth. Overall, the gameplay is seen as straightforward and accessible, appealing to indie game enthusiasts but potentially disappointing for those seeking more innovative mechanics or engaging horror elements.
“I loved the game; it was the perfect mix of puzzles and adventure, and the gameplay was so unique compared to what I was used to.”
“Decay: The Mare is the kind of game I am talking about when I say point-and-click, especially Myst-styled ones, which are near-perfect gameplay styles to tell horror stories through.”
“The gameplay is simple, as a point-and-click, but there are some interesting elements that this game has, and just enough jump scares to periodically break the tension.”
“Clunky mechanics... why this has mostly positive reviews I do not understand.”
“Just another game that appeals to be something terrifying, but has nothing to fear but a continual and nonsensical exploration of the scenario, stupid puzzles, and boring gameplay...”
“Decay: The Mare is a very simple point-and-click adventure in three episodes, most noteworthy being that it looks worse than a mobile game and features close to no meaningful gameplay as well as completely and entirely non-scary horror content, which is truly sad for a horror game.”
- music48 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a polarizing aspect, with many reviewers praising its eerie and atmospheric qualities, often describing it as haunting and beautifully composed, particularly the piano pieces. However, some criticize the sound design for being minimalistic and repetitive, with a reliance on stock sound effects that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's creepy atmosphere, opinions vary on its execution and memorability.
“The music and sound effects are rather eerie and emotional.”
“The game creates a nice creepy atmosphere with well-timed scares and a brilliantly creepy soundtrack.”
“The music plays well with this, predominantly consisting of forlornly beautiful piano pieces.”
“The sound design, much like the art style and graphics, has the bare minimum of effort, with plenty of stock sound effects and minimal audio cues and a background soundtrack that consists of low hums and vibrations.”
“If you've ever sat in your basement for 14 minutes, you know what it's like to sit in your chair and play through this game for 14 minutes, and I had no reason or clues given to me that this would change any time soon. I'd much rather endure Chinese water torture than the mind-gnawing experience of sitting through this game with its tedious soundtrack eating away at my sanity.”
“There are much better or more entertaining point-and-click puzzle games and adventure games out there; I see no reason to recommend this one, even because it is highly overpriced (low budget game, cheap soundtrack, no voice acting almost at all).”
- grinding7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overwhelmingly tedious and frustrating, often comparing it to a mind-numbing experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment. The repetitive nature of exploration and puzzle-solving leads to feelings of annoyance rather than engagement, making the gameplay feel more like a chore than an adventure.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The very process of exploration is tedious and maddening.”
“If you've ever sat in your basement for 14 minutes, you know what it's like to sit in your chair and play through this game for 14 minutes. I had no reason or clues given to me that this would change any time soon, and I'd much rather endure Chinese water torture than the mind-gnawing experience of sitting through this game with its tedious soundtrack eating away at my sanity.”
“Any feeling of fear was quickly replaced with annoyance by not figuring out the tedious puzzles.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while the eerie music and atmospheric visuals evoke a sense of intrigue and psychological depth, many players feel that the gameplay mechanics, such as pixel-hunting, detract from the overall emotional impact. Despite the game's dramatic themes of murder and self-discovery, some reviewers believe it lacks sufficient emotional investment and depth in its storytelling, leaving many questions unanswered. Overall, the game succeeds in creating an intriguing atmosphere but falls short in fully engaging players on an emotional level.
“The music and sound effects are rather eerie and emotional.”
“I felt the atmosphere and scenes were illustrated by artists with some understanding of psychology and advanced awareness of emotional empathy, and its romance with locations and lighting; all miraculously delivered well despite the older graphics engine.”
“Emotionally - this game kept me intrigued, although there is a lot left unanswered for me.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is limited, primarily hinging on the completion of achievements and the exploration of multiple endings. While some players find value in hunting for collectibles and unlocking extras, many agree that the core experience offers minimal incentive for repeated playthroughs.
“The finale is completed by multiple choices, which adds replayability by showing 2 endings. Throughout the 3 episodes, there are coins to hunt that unlock extras in the form of artwork - some very graphic and dark!”
“Great little game, quite quick to complete, but the achievements offer good replay value.”
“There's really no replay value unless you didn't get all the achievements through the first playthrough.”
“Little to zero replay value.”
“Minimal replay value.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, with smooth gameplay and minimal issues such as graphical glitches or crashes. While occasional freezes may occur, they can typically be resolved by restarting the program.
“So whenever the game breaks or freezes, restarting the program will already fix the problem.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Many users feel that the game lacks sufficient character development, expressing a desire for deeper exploration and growth of the characters throughout the story.
