DERE EVIL EXE

About

DERE EVIL EXE is a unique pixelated horror platformer with puzzle elements. You play as a game developer testing a new game, but it turns out to be a trap set by a deranged programmer. The game twists and turns as you experience two alternate realities: a peaceful game development office and a disturbing, surreal world filled with deadly traps and monstrous creatures. Your goal is to survive and uncover the dark secrets behind the game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 137 reviews

story15 positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

The game features a compelling storyline and engaging puzzles that keep players hooked.
The art style is lovely, and the sound design effectively enhances the horror atmosphere.
It's a challenging platformer that offers a satisfying gameplay experience for its low price.

The controls can be frustratingly unresponsive and lead to a lot of trial-and-error gameplay.
Some players experienced bugs that hindered their ability to progress, such as crashing or control issues.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content.

story
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
58%
7%
The game's story receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its compelling and warm narrative, particularly in the context of a horror-themed platformer, while others find it lacking depth or coherence. Many appreciate the meta elements and plot twists, though some criticize the story for being short, nonsensical, or overshadowed by gameplay. Overall, while the story may not be groundbreaking, it adds an enjoyable layer to the gameplay experience for those who appreciate narrative-driven games.
- “I highly recommend what I refer to as the Appsir series; the games are always cheap and well worth the price for the ever-expanding story.”
- “The story of the game kept me on my toes and got to a satisfying conclusion.”
- “It starts off just like any other platformer, you run, jump, and platform your way through the stage, but there is something sinister lying just below the surface... before you know it, you're drawn into this deep story you never even knew existed, and best of all, the fate of the game lies in your hands.”
- “The story is kind of meh.”
- “Overall for myself, I'd give this a 5/10. It could be a really good game, but the difficult level design, short playthrough time, and an underwhelming story makes it not very fun.”
- “The plot is a nonsensical mess.”
gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
12%
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of challenging trial-and-error mechanics that can frustrate players, yet also features well-implemented platforming elements that provide satisfying moments. While some players appreciate the smooth controls and rewarding difficulty, others find the gameplay undermined by poor design choices and a lack of depth. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy skill-based challenges, but may leave others feeling that it detracts from the intended atmosphere and narrative.
- “Some of the game mechanics are pretty well implemented and could easily have been exploited more with longer and more intricate level design: the moveable block which you have to 'ride' to overcome hazards and the wobbly platforms attached to springs are simply brilliant but unfortunately appear only a few times in the game.”
- “The gameplay, when it's not too annoying, is actually pretty fun if you like a challenge.”
- “Gameplay is stable and challenging enough to feel rewarding, plenty of surprises; it's a little cheesy but in my opinion, that's the fun of meta-horror.”
- “Because the incredibly hard trial-and-error gameplay completely kills any atmosphere the devs were going for.”
- “The gameplay is complete bullshit. I know it's a highly difficult type of rage game, but when the controls are the most difficult part of the game and not your actual skill as a player, it just becomes painful to play.”
- “The gameplay completely undermines the story.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
29%
21%
The music in the game has received positive feedback for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, particularly in creating a sense of tension and nostalgia. Players appreciate the cool soundtracks and effective sound design, although some note that the music loops are short and can feel repetitive. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, opinions on its integration with the story and gameplay vary.
- “The music itself has that effect in later levels - the developer really nailed the feeling of being watched and panicking about it.”
- “Exe games usually do, meta story with a moral to it, good soundtrack, it's amazing.”
- “The music was great, and the sound design gave me nostalgia.”
- “The music loops are very short, which is very noticeable.”
- “The story was 'meh', the music was 'meh', the gameplay itself was 'meh'.”
- “The soundtrack in general.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
55%
9%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming 16-bit pixel art style, which complements the light and fantasy aesthetic of the story. Reviewers appreciate the blend of anime and pixel art, noting that the visuals enhance the overall experience and fit well within the game's concept. While some mention the use of outdated graphics, they agree that the stylized visuals contribute positively to the game's appeal.
- “I really like it and its light and fantasy aesthetic is great for the tale being told.”
- “The graphics are amazing and they fit perfectly with the other games.”
- “I especially like how it merges the anime and pixel art style!”
- “Using outdated graphics.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in the game is perceived as weak, with some players feeling that the horror elements come off as forced. Additionally, the challenging trial-and-error gameplay detracts from the intended immersive experience.
- “Moreover, the scary stuff seemed a little bit forced, and the overall atmosphere was a little weak, in my opinion.”
- “Because the incredibly hard trial-and-error gameplay completely kills any atmosphere the developers were going for.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent bugs and random sound cutouts that disrupt gameplay and hinder the understanding of essential audio-based rules.
- “It's also buggy as hell, with sound cutting out at random intervals, making it impossible to continue as many of the game's rules are only delivered via audio.”
- “The game crashes frequently, leading to lost progress and frustration.”
- “I experienced constant lag and freezing, which ruined the overall gameplay experience.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a profound emotional impact from the game's endings, particularly highlighting feelings of confusion and introspection when faced with significant choices, such as the decision not to delete a character named Yanna. This suggests that the game effectively evokes complex emotions and encourages players to reflect on their decisions.
- “I only got the ending where I don't delete Yanna, and honestly, it made me feel... well... I don't really know how to describe it.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious due to the presence of multiple duplicate screens, particularly in the later stages, which can lead to a monotonous experience.
- “There's often several duplicate screens, especially later on, that get tedious.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over, which really drains the fun out of the game.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly, even under demanding conditions, indicating effective optimization.
- “The game runs smoothly despite everything.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I appreciate how well the game is optimized; it maintains a steady frame rate without sacrificing visual quality.”