Derange

About

Derange is a single player survival survival game with a horror theme. It was developed by Dark Gaia Studios and was released on May 28, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Derange" is a retro-style survival horror game, where you must survive a nightmare in a secluded Gothic estate. Play as college student Jessica King or tech whiz Nathan Romero, each with unique abilities, and navigate fiendish puzzles, manage inventory, and confront terrifying enemies in an epic battle to stop an existential evil. This game pays homage to the classic survival horror games of the '90s.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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76%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

story6 positive mentions

The game successfully captures the Resident Evil vibe, with engaging gameplay and atmosphere.
The developer is highly responsive to community feedback, providing quick support and updates.
The puzzles and resource management add a challenging layer to the gameplay, making it entertaining for those who enjoy a challenge.

The combat system can be frustrating and feels limited, often relying on chance.
Navigation within the game can be confusing due to the lack of a map, making it difficult to progress.
Some players found the difficulty spikes and enemy balance to be unmanageable, particularly in later chapters.

gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its Resident Evil-inspired elements, while others criticize it for its poor mechanics and overwhelming inventory management. Many feel that the RPG Maker limitations are evident, leading to a frustrating experience as the game progresses, particularly due to its large environments and unsatisfactory fighting mechanics. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a significant drawback, overshadowed by its aesthetic and design flaws.
- “I really like the Resident Evil feel of the game's gameplay and story, being a RE fan myself!”
- “Now, where it diverges is in the specifics of its gameplay.”
- “Derange is still an RPG Maker title, and boy can you feel that sometimes, but at the end of the day, RE's gameplay didn't need 3D movement.”
- “Like most RPG Maker shovelware and asset flips, the game features extremely low quality copy-pasted 2D retro pixel art, looks awful, and has even worse gameplay.”
- “At first the game was exciting, but as you go on with the gameplay it becomes a headache to play; they give you too many items to carry and the places you go are way too big.”
- “Also, I do not like the fighting mechanics at all.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it as pretentious and poorly written, particularly in RPG Maker titles, while others appreciate its engaging narrative and liken it to the Resident Evil series. Overall, opinions vary significantly, with some finding the story compelling and worth recommending, while others express frustration with its execution.
- “I really like the Resident Evil feel of the game's gameplay and story, being a RE fan myself!”
- “Great story, and decent little RPG game for the price; I recommend.”
- “Great story.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The music in the game is highly praised for its atmospheric quality and immersive soundtrack, drawing strong comparisons to the classic "Resident Evil" series. While the end credits music received some criticism for being unpleasant, overall, the sound design significantly enhances the gaming experience, complementing the jump scares and eerie ambiance.
- “Everything from the atmospheric noises to the actual soundtrack is way better than I was prepared to expect, and it adds a ton to the immersion.”
- “The controls are tight and so far I have really enjoyed the game; good music, okay combat (use a firearm), and fun to boot.”
- “The end credits music is ear-hurting, and a couple of puzzles require absolute moon logic to solve them, but that's pretty much the only critique I have for the game.”
- “The music and gameplay are really reminiscent of Resident Evil 1, which is an obvious influence.”
- “The end credits music is ear-hurting, and a couple of puzzles require absolute moon logic to solve them, but that's pretty much the only critique I have for the game.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The graphics of the game, developed using RPG Maker, are criticized for their low quality, particularly in fullscreen mode, lacking full HD support and customization options, which may deter modern PC gamers. However, some players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of classic survival horror titles, noting its unique visual style. Overall, the graphics may appeal to fans of retro gaming but are likely to disappoint those seeking contemporary visual standards.
- “Graphics 5/5”
- “The game has a classic RE feeling to it with its own unique visuals.”
- “Graphics 5/5”
- “As with all RPG Maker games, the poor quality engine displays badly in fullscreen and doesn't have full HD support or any graphics tweaking options, making this unacceptable for any dedicated modern PC gamer.”
- “Ultimately, if you haven't played classic Resident Evil (or the GameCube remake, or Zero, or the recent 2 and 3 remakes), or if you hate that style of old-school survival horror, or if you hate RPG Maker graphics, or if you hate obscure puzzles (there is a guide online, and you'll pretty much need it for the clock), this might not be a great choice for you.”
- “The game has a classic Resident Evil feeling to it with its own unique visuals.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting that both the ambient sounds and the soundtrack significantly enhance immersion, exceeding their expectations.
- “Everything from the atmospheric noises to the actual soundtrack is way better than I was prepared to expect, and it adds a ton to the immersion.”