Destined to Die

About

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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 172 reviews

music11 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game effectively portrays the struggles of depression and encourages introspection, making players reflect on their own experiences.
The artwork and music are praised for their beauty and emotional impact, enhancing the overall experience.
Despite its confusing mechanics, many players found the game engaging and rewarding once they figured out the routines and strategies needed to progress.

The gameplay can be repetitive and tedious, leading to frustration as players often feel stuck without clear guidance on how to progress.
Many players reported bugs, such as the reset button not working, which hindered their ability to achieve 100% completion.
The game's approach to depicting self-harm and death was considered too graphic or unnecessary by some, detracting from the overall experience.

music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
20%
7%
The music in the game has received high praise for its beauty and emotional depth, with many players appreciating how it dynamically changes based on the main character's feelings and actions. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack is among the best they've experienced, enhancing the overall atmosphere and complementing the game's grotesque art style. Overall, the music is described as enjoyable, well-paced, and integral to the gaming experience.
- “The music is amazing.”
- “I've played quite a lot of games, but the soundtracks in this game are some of the best I've heard.”
- “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 is undermined by poor mechanics and a lack of clarity in the narrative. While some appreciate the thematic depth and artistic design, others criticize the repetitive gameplay and insufficient backstory for the protagonist, which detracts from the overall experience. Ultimately, the story's potential is seen as unfulfilled, leaving players divided on its impact.
- “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.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
85%
15%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style and pleasing visuals, enhancing the overall experience. Many players appreciate the intricate artwork and how it reflects the game's themes, although some note that certain graphic depictions may be distressing. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and emotional depth.
- “I really enjoyed this game, the art style is really pleasing!”
- “Amazing game, I love love love the artwork and it's honestly a beautiful game.”
- “This game has a lot to say about how you manage your work, mental health and relationships with friends and family, and it does all of this with beautiful artwork and sound design.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay has been criticized for its lack of solid mechanics and repetitive nature, leading to a monotonous experience that some players find boring. While the game attempts to simulate themes of depression, it often feels unfinished and confusing, with a controversial "suicide loop" mechanic that may alienate many players. Despite its beautiful visuals and intriguing story, the gameplay ultimately fails to engage, leaving players questioning its purpose.
- “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
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Destined to Die" is highlighted by its thought-provoking narrative and raw portrayal of personal struggles, which resonates deeply with players. The game’s repetitive nature enhances its impact, evoking strong feelings and even tears, while its touching soundtrack complements the experience. Players note that persevering through the challenging moments leads to a transformative conclusion, making it a profoundly moving journey.
- “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.”
- “It can be heartbreaking and rough to play, but if you hang in for long enough... if you finish it... it's a whole other game.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often comparing it to the challenges of living with depression. While the game's beauty is acknowledged, the overwhelming difficulty and confusion detract from the overall experience, making it feel excessively laborious.
- “This game is incredibly confusing, tedious, and frustrating almost the entire playthrough, but it is so beautiful.”
- “I get it's supposed to be hard to simulate depression, but the difficulty of the game quickly becomes tedious.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the humor in the game to be delightfully silly and unexpectedly enjoyable, even for those who typically don't gravitate towards such titles. The comedic elements are described as refreshing and capable of eliciting genuine laughter.
- “Silly, funny games that made me laugh uncontrollably.”
- “This isn't normally the type of game I'm into, but it was a nice psychological fruit loop worth enjoying.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has significant stability issues, with users reporting numerous bugs that hinder gameplay, including problems with resetting data necessary for completing 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
100%
The atmosphere is described as thought-provoking and eerie, but some players feel it detracts from the game's intended focus on easy achievements and engaging life simulation elements.
- “It's thought-provoking and has a great eerie atmosphere.”