Descent: Silence of Mind
- August 1, 2017
- Labory
Get on Steam"Descent: Silence of Mind" is a first-person horror game with atmospheric graphics and sound, immersing players in a terrifying world as they explore sinister environments to uncover repressed memories. The game features an exciting mix of puzzles, supernatural events, and jump scares, as the boundary between the character's real and spiritual worlds begins to blur. As you journey deeper, your fears come to life, creating a tense and thrilling experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has an interesting atmosphere and some good jump scares.
- For a low price, it can be an enjoyable experience, especially if you get it on sale.
- The level design is creative and effectively communicates the protagonist's descent into his mind.
- The game is very short, feeling more like a demo than a complete experience, and ends abruptly with 'to be continued'.
- Controls are poorly configured, with issues like non-working mouse control and no option to reconfigure gamepad buttons.
- The gameplay lacks direction, making it confusing and frustrating to progress through the game.
- story20 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story has garnered mixed reviews, with some players finding it intriguing yet incomplete, as it ends abruptly and leaves many questions unanswered. While the narrative is described as tense and potentially engaging, the lack of resolution and clarity has left players feeling unsatisfied, particularly with the "to be continued" ending. Overall, there is interest in the story's direction, but many feel it needs more development to fully resonate.
“The story seems interesting.”
“Solve the puzzle and the story is short, but clear.”
“Kinda tense but amazing; it looks like the story will be very good and I enjoyed it a lot. Basically, I think it's a really good game; can't wait for the next update.”
“The plot ends in the middle of nowhere!”
“Right in the middle of where the plot is supposed to start, and the game takes off.”
“I honestly could not quite explain what I had done to advance the plot, and I think this is the first game I've ever played where, if I'm being honest, if I played it again it would probably take me longer to complete.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by decent graphics and engaging exploration, but it suffers from a short runtime and reliance on predictable jump scares. Players noted inconsistent mechanics and a lack of clear objectives, leading to frustration, particularly at its non-discount price. While there are some redeeming qualities, such as effort in cutscenes, the overall experience is not recommended, especially for those seeking a well-rounded horror game.
“The jump scares were not the best, but the game did have many good mechanics.”
“He also attempts to break the gameplay up, as well as having put in the effort at some cutscenes to tie the game together.”
“Now if you watched my above gameplay footage, you might be confused as to why, as it seems like I am enjoying the game.”
“But the fact that it relies mostly on cheap predetermined jumpscares, has inconsistent mechanics, pads runtime by using poor direction in what the player needs to do to continue, and lacks a real goal in what it wants to be, I cannot recommend it to anyone unless you're a game designer learning what not to do in a horror game.”
“And for this reason, and not reasons related to gameplay, the game is not worth the frustration at its end and certainly not worth its non-discount price, especially for people around the world for whom 100 or 200 units of their currency is not worth so little as 20 euros for a European.”
“One hour of gameplay ending with [spoiler] to be continued [/spoiler].”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally well-received, characterized by effective sound design that transforms ordinary sounds into sources of fear, alongside solid level design. While the atmosphere contributes to an engaging experience with notable jumpscares, some players feel that the overall content does not justify the price. Overall, the atmosphere is described as interesting and immersive, enhancing the gameplay experience.
“Apart from that, the atmosphere is good throughout the game and the jumpscares have been really good in parts.”
“One aspect of this title’s well-executed atmosphere is its sound design.”
“Instead of relying on loud thuds, open and closed doors, or high-pitched string instruments, this title creates atmosphere by making commonplace sounds frightening.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered good, especially given its low price point during discounts. While some users noted that the graphics could be improved, they appreciated the design and the attention to detail in the gameplay, particularly in exploring hidden areas. Overall, the visuals are seen as a strong aspect relative to the game's cost.
“The graphics, of course, lacked a ton, but they were pretty good.”
“I also enjoyed the graphic designs.”
“For the price, the game presents pretty good graphics, and the search and attention needed for the gameplay and the hidden corners of the game are pretty awesome.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has received consistent criticism for its lack of stability, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and an overall unfinished feel, likening it to an alpha or demo version. Basic controls are also missing, further contributing to a frustrating experience.
“The game is buggy, glitchy, clunky, and feels unfinished, like an alpha or demo version.”
“The game is filled with bugs and does not display basic controls, such as crouch.”
“The game is buggy and lacks essential features, making it frustrating to play.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its brevity, which significantly limits its replayability, leaving players with little incentive to revisit it after completion.
“Yes, the game is that short and offers little replayability.”
