DERE EVIL EXE

About

DERE EVIL EXE is a single player casual platformer game with a horror theme. It was developed by AppSir Games and was released on July 3, 2018. It received positive reviews from players.

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

Skip User Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 156 reviews

story15 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The game features charming pixel art and a cute aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
The platforming mechanics are challenging yet satisfying, with plenty of checkpoints to prevent frustration.
The game offers a unique blend of horror and meta-narrative elements, providing an engaging story that keeps players intrigued.

The game suffers from repetitive jump scares and a lack of variety in horror elements, which can diminish the overall scare factor.
Some players experienced frustrating controls and hitbox issues that detracted from the gameplay experience.
The story can feel disjointed and relies heavily on prior knowledge of the developer's other games, making it less accessible for new players.

story
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The game's story is a mix of familiar horror tropes, particularly the "haunted girl" theme, but it features some intriguing twists and a meta-narrative that engages players. While opinions vary, many appreciate the story's depth and connection to previous titles in the developer's series, though some find it convoluted or lacking in immersion. Overall, the narrative is seen as a decent complement to the gameplay, which is often highlighted as the main draw of the experience.
- “The storyline and puzzles are very good.”
- “Fantastic platformer game, storyline was compelling and supported by the sounds.”
- “But what really makes the game good is how creepy it is and how it interacts directly with the player while telling a story that the dev has been building throughout different games.”
- “The story is the 'haunted girl' nonsense you've seen in 1,000 games, but there's at least some little twists to it. I like games where if they crash, you don't know if it's a game-breaking glitch or just the developer deliberately messing with you.”
- “The plot is a nonsensical mess.”
- “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 make it not very fun.”
gameplay
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
40%
12%
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of challenging trial-and-error mechanics reminiscent of rage games, which some players find frustrating and detrimental to the overall atmosphere. While certain mechanics, like movable blocks and wobbly platforms, are praised for their creativity, the gameplay can feel repetitive and short, with a balance of satisfying platforming and underwhelming scares. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy difficult gameplay, but may not resonate with players seeking a cohesive narrative experience.
- “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.”
- “I am fully aware and completely understand that the point of the game is to tell a story... but having the method of getting to the end of the game be based around the mechanics of a rage game?”
- “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.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, particularly in later levels. While some noted that the music loops are short and can be repetitive, the overall soundtrack is described as nostalgic and fitting for the game's themes, contributing to a compelling experience. However, a few reviews mentioned that the music was only average in comparison to other aspects of the game.
- “The music itself has that effect in later levels - the developer really nailed the feeling of being watched and panicking about it.”
- “The music was great, and the sound design gave me nostalgia.”
- “Exe games usually do, meta story with a moral to it, good soundtrack, it's amazing.”
- “The music loops are very short, which is very noticeable.”
- “The story was 'meh', the music was 'meh', the gameplay itself was 'meh'.”
- “However, if you like creepy music, being called senpai, eldritch pigs, and girls with broken necks crawling around on the walls, then this is the game for you!”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
39%
23%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming 16-bit pixel art style, which effectively complements the light and fantasy aesthetic of the story. Reviewers appreciate the cute and simple visuals, noting that they enhance the overall experience, while the blend of anime and pixel art adds a unique flair. The horror ambiance, when present, further enriches the visual appeal, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The horror ambiance that was there occasionally was good and the pixel art style is very cute.”
- “I really like it and its light and fantasy aesthetic is great for the tale being told.”
- “I especially like how it merges the anime and pixel art style!”
- “Using outdated graphics.”
- “The 16-bit pixel art is fun enough but where this game really excels is the meta dialogue and visuals.”
- “Let's talk about the visuals.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in the game is generally perceived as weak, with some players feeling that the horror elements feel forced and fail to engage them. Repetitive gameplay and challenging trial-and-error mechanics detract from the immersive experience, making it difficult for players to connect with the intended atmosphere.
- “Moreover, the scary stuff seemed a little bit forced, and the overall atmosphere was a little weak, in my opinion.”
- “Couldn't really get into any atmosphere because I was constantly replaying the same segment.”
- “Because the incredibly hard trial-and-error gameplay completely kills any atmosphere the developers were going for.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent bugs and random sound cutouts that disrupt gameplay, particularly affecting audio-dependent mechanics.
- “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.”
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 difficult 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 frequent repetition of duplicate screens, particularly in the later stages, which can detract from the overall 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%
The game is noted for its strong optimization, running smoothly even under demanding conditions.
- “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 graphics quality.”