Destined to Die

About

Destined to Die is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by Meowtthews and was released on July 13, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Destined to Die is a task managing game about depression, containing over 1000+ pieces of physical and digital art. What's the point in life, if all paths lead to death. Choose your actions, and learn how to live. All paths lead to death, but how long can you live?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 175 reviews

graphics11 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game features beautiful artwork and a touching soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
It effectively portrays the struggles of depression and the monotony of daily life, making it relatable for many players.
The game encourages introspection and reflection on mental health, providing a unique perspective on life's challenges.

The gameplay can be confusing and frustrating, with unclear mechanics that lead to repeated deaths and a lack of direction.
Many players find the game repetitive and tedious, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and engagement.
The handling of serious themes like depression and self-harm may feel hamfisted or inappropriate to some, leading to discomfort.

graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
22%
17%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful artwork and creative art style, while others criticize the lackluster 2D visuals, arguing that modern gaming should embrace 3D graphics. Despite the visual limitations, many players appreciate the game's aesthetic and how it enhances the overall experience, particularly in conveying themes related to mental health. Overall, the artwork is highlighted as a strong point, even if the graphics themselves are seen as outdated.
- “I really enjoyed this game, the art style is really pleasing!”
- “A deep game, with beautiful artwork.”
- “Amazing game, I love love love the artwork and it's honestly a beautiful game.”
- “The game features really lackluster 2D visuals (does the developer not know 3D graphics became mainstream in the mid-1990s?).”
- “Gamers don't spend thousands of dollars on gaming rigs and the latest 3D graphics cards to play 2D games.”
- “Even mobile phones and game consoles can do 3D graphics now.”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
20%
7%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its beauty and emotional depth, with many players appreciating how it evolves in response to the main character's feelings. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack complements the game's grotesque art style, creating a raw and immersive experience. Overall, the music is described as enjoyable, well-paced, and a standout feature of the game.
- “I loved the music; it's one of my favorite parts about it.”
- “I really like the art and music. The art is very grotesque, and the music is the same throughout the game, but I appreciate the small details about how it changes based on how the main character is feeling.”
- “A raw and beautifully jarring game accompanied by a touching soundtrack.”
- “A raw and beautifully jarring game accompanied with a touching soundtrack.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The game's story is intended to convey a deep and moving message about depression, but many players feel it falls short due to a lack of clarity and substance. While some appreciate the thematic depth and design, others criticize the gameplay mechanics and narrative delivery, which hinder the overall experience and understanding of the protagonist's backstory. Ultimately, the story's potential is overshadowed by its execution, leaving players feeling frustrated and disconnected.
- “The story is so important and it was amazing playing how the devs created this message in their own way.”
- “Once you reach a point where you get over the nonsensical gameplay and find a routine to get yourself through each day, you really see the game for its gorgeous story and incredible design.”
- “It is a moving story.”
- “But they lack substance outside of the grind of getting each image for the gallery wall, which is uninteresting, and doesn't really demonstrate anything when you can't even figure out how to play the game in time to actually experience what the story is supposed to be.”
- “I understand that the repetition/monotony in 'Destined to Die' is meant to simulate depression, but the lack of readable text and backstory for the main character took away what could have been a deeper meaning to the game.”
- “I can't in good faith recommend a game when it feels so half-baked and unfinished in mechanics, story, and design.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay has been criticized for its frustrating mechanics, including a lack of pause options and a repetitive nature that quickly becomes boring. While some players appreciate the game's artistic design and story, many find the core mechanics, particularly the "suicide loop," to be off-putting and poorly executed, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay feels unfinished and fails to provide an enjoyable or engaging experience.
- “In the beginning, I didn't understand the game mechanics well, but after some time, I figured it out.”
- “Once you reach a point where you get over the nonsensical gameplay and find a routine to get yourself through each day, you really see the game for its gorgeous story and incredible design.”
- “Nice graphics and colors, love how it changes as the character becomes depressed, love the kitty, but the core gameplay was confusing and frustrating.”
- “I can't in good faith recommend a game when it feels so half-baked and unfinished in mechanics, story, and design.”
- “But looking at the gameplay, it gets repetitive and boring pretty fast.”
- “The main gameplay consists of a suicide loop, and this mechanic might drive many players away from experiencing the game in its entirety.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight a divide in the emotional impact of video games, with some arguing that addressing serious issues like mental health can be misguided, while others praise titles like "Destined to Die" for their raw honesty and ability to evoke deep feelings. Players find the game touching and relatable, often describing it as heartbreaking yet rewarding, with a powerful soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience. Overall, the emotional depth of such games can lead to a profound and thought-provoking journey for those willing to engage with their themes.
- “If you're looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally impactful gaming experience, 'Destined to Die' is worth playing.”
- “A raw and beautifully jarring game accompanied by a touching soundtrack.”
- “God, this game is so honest and good; it vividly shows the struggles many people experience every day, and the repetitiveness of the game really almost made me cry because of how familiar it feels.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often comparing it to challenging life experiences. Despite the grind, many acknowledge the game's beauty, suggesting that the visuals may help offset the overall tedium.
- “It's a tedious experience for sure, but so is living with depression.”
- “This game is incredibly confusing, tedious, and frustrating almost the entire playthrough, but it is so beautiful.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized as silly and funny, providing an unexpectedly enjoyable experience even for those who typically don't engage with this genre. Players appreciate the lightheartedness, describing it as a refreshing and amusing diversion.
- “Silly, funny games that made me laugh uncontrollably.”
- “This isn't normally the type of game I'm into, but it was a delightful, whimsical experience worth enjoying.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have significant stability issues, including bugs that prevent players from resetting their data, which hinders progress towards achievements.
- “This game is really buggy and it will not let me reset my data so I can get the last achievement I need.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere is described as thought-provoking and eerie, but some users feel it falls short in delivering an engaging life simulation experience or easy achievements.
- “The game creates a thought-provoking and eerie atmosphere that draws you in.”
- “The atmosphere is immersive and captivating, making every moment feel significant.”
- “The haunting ambiance adds depth to the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”