Detention

The gameplay of "Detention" is primarily a straightforward point-and-click adventure, featuring simple mechanics and puzzles that serve to enhance the storytelling rather than challenge the player. While the game effectively creates an eerie atmosphere and integrates unique horror elements, many players noted that the gameplay becomes less engaging as the narrative unfolds, shifting focus from interactive mechanics to a more linear storytelling approach. Overall, the experience is enriched by its compelling narrative and artistic presentation, making it a worthwhile play for those who appreciate story-driven games, despite its gameplay limitations.

The music in the game has been widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience and contributing to the game's tension and emotional depth. Many reviewers noted its similarity to the iconic soundtracks of the Silent Hill series, with a blend of traditional Taiwanese elements that enrich the cultural context. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, elevating the storytelling and immersive qualities of the game.

The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with players describing it as a deeply moving experience that intertwines horror with a poignant narrative rooted in Taiwanese history. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, often leading to tears, as it explores themes of trauma, oppression, and personal relationships through a haunting atmosphere and compelling storytelling. Overall, it is praised for its emotional depth, leaving a lasting impression that resonates long after gameplay.

The game's replayability is generally viewed as limited, primarily due to its linear story structure and short playtime of around 4 hours. While there are multiple endings that encourage some replay, many players feel that once the story is known, there is little incentive to replay, aside from collecting achievements or experiencing the narrative again. Overall, the game offers a unique experience but lacks significant replay value.

Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with many noting that while the story and atmosphere are engaging, the gameplay can become tedious due to slow character movement, excessive backtracking, and some frustrating puzzles. Although some players appreciate the challenge of the puzzles, others feel that the gameplay mechanics detract from the narrative, leading to a sense of boredom as the game progresses. Despite these issues, the game is still considered worth playing for its intriguing story and artistic elements.

Character development in the game received mixed reviews, with some players praising its depth and integration into the narrative, particularly in the second half, while others criticized it as minimal or lacking entirely. The art style and aesthetic were frequently highlighted as strong points, but many felt that the overall character engagement and dialogue were underwhelming. Overall, while some found the character arcs compelling and well-crafted, others were disappointed by their simplicity and lack of meaningful progression.

The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd mechanics and comedic elements, such as the amusing "holding breath" feature and the ridiculous movements of ghostly enemies. Players find themselves laughing at both their own reactions and those of others, particularly in tense moments, while the game's quirky warnings and the juxtaposition of horror and humor add to the overall comedic experience. Despite some genuinely scary moments, the game manages to evoke laughter, making it a unique blend of fear and fun.

Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many users reporting flawless performance and low system requirements. However, some players experienced occasional stuttering on high-end PCs and expressed frustration with certain gameplay mechanics related to save points and trial-and-error deaths.

Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with most users reporting a smooth interface and no significant glitches. However, some players noted minor bugs and confusion during gameplay, suggesting that while the experience is mostly stable, there are occasional issues that could be improved.

The monetization of Detention has been criticized as a cash grab, with users noting that it feels more like a mobile app than a legitimate PC game. The simplistic gameplay and horror theme do not justify its pricing, leading to disappointment among players.