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Devotion

Devotion is a story about a deeply personal tragedy made both more horrific and familiar with its carefully recreated 80s setting of a Taiwanese household that successfully draws on the feelings of nostalgia of its target audience.
Devotion Game Cover
82%Game Brain Score
story, music
monetization, grinding
78% User Score Based on 586 reviews
Critic Score 89%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

PC
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Devotion Game Cover

About

Devotion is a single player puzzle game with a horror theme. It was developed by Red Candle Games and was released on February 19, 2019. It received positive reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

‘Devotion’ is a first-person atmospheric horror game set in the 1980s Taiwan. The story centers around a seemingly ordinary family of three that lived in an old apartment complex. Explore the nostalgic house in the 80s where religion plays a significant role in their daily life. When one day the same house that once filled with joy and love had turned into a hell-like nightmare, and by venturing …

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Devotion screenshot
Devotion screenshot
Devotion screenshot
Devotion screenshot
Devotion screenshot
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78%
Audience ScoreBased on 586 reviews
story143 positive mentions
monetization3 negative mentions
  • Devotion features a deeply emotional and tragic story that resonates with players, exploring themes of family, superstition, and mental health.
  • The game excels in its atmospheric design, with stunning graphics and sound that effectively create a sense of dread and immersion in 1980s Taiwanese culture.
  • Players appreciate the unique storytelling approach, combining horror elements with cultural references, making it a memorable experience.
  • The game is relatively short, lasting only about 2-3 hours, which some players feel does not justify the price.
  • There are complaints about the pacing, particularly in the latter part of the game, where some players felt it became rushed or less engaging.
  • The inclusion of political metaphors and hidden jabs at Chinese leadership has led to significant backlash and review bombing from some players, overshadowing the game's quality.
  • story
    319 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Devotion" is a poignant exploration of a family's tragic struggles set against the backdrop of 1980s Taiwan, intertwining themes of love, superstition, and societal issues. Players are drawn into a deeply emotional narrative that, while short, is rich in detail and atmosphere, often evoking strong reactions and reflections on cultural and familial dynamics. The game is praised for its artistic storytelling, immersive environment, and the ability to convey horror through its heartfelt plot rather than relying solely on traditional scare tactics.

    • “The story is captivating, though I feel that (if I understood the story correctly) the main expedient that serves as a foundation to the plot is a bit overused in the genre nowadays.”
    • “Devotion is a story about a deeply personal tragedy made both more horrific and familiar with its carefully recreated 80s setting of a Taiwanese household that successfully draws on the feelings of nostalgia of its target audience.”
    • “The story is amazing, about a failed writer unable to support his family and his ill daughter, turning to a Chinese cult for support and slowly descending the whole household into madness is absolutely terrifying.”
    • “The story is short and has an open end, which makes me feel a little unsatisfied.”
    • “Red Candle Games tried, but this game fails to express its story and horror compared to their predecessors.”
    • “The game itself is good, but considering the political objective, the whole plot seems aggressive and disturbing.”
  • music
    99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and atmospheric integration, with standout tracks like "Lady of the Pier" and the theme song by No Party for Cao Dong resonating deeply with players. Reviewers highlight the effective use of traditional instruments and the overall quality of the soundtrack, which enhances the game's storytelling and immersive experience. Many players recommend purchasing the soundtrack, noting its ability to evoke strong feelings and memories, particularly for those familiar with Taiwanese culture.

    • “The music, especially the ending credit and theme songs, fits the atmosphere so well that I couldn't stop looping it in my head.”
    • “The soundtrack is equally as impressive as it is gorgeous.”
    • “The music is also the best, such as 'Lady of the Pier', it's a lovely song that I cannot stop listening to again and again.”
    • “The presentation, music, pacing, and the overall execution of this game is something that I feel is severely lacking in a lot of games these days.”
    • “You are on the edge of tears, knowing the fate of Mei Xin while witnessing the father will soon face his biggest regret... then a guy starts singing with band music and everything.”
    • “It feels like I've been playing the last 5 hours to watch a music video; if I said I wasn't disappointed at this decision, then I would be lying.”
  • atmosphere
    93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and emotional depth, effectively capturing the essence of 1980s Taiwanese culture. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a creepy, unsettling environment that enhances the horror experience, with many noting that the atmosphere is its strongest aspect, often overshadowing traditional gameplay elements. Overall, the combination of detailed visuals, haunting music, and a compelling narrative contributes to a deeply atmospheric and engaging experience.

    • “The eerie atmosphere is so well done it makes me feel uneasy and unsettled throughout the game.”
    • “The attention to detail, the music, the atmosphere, and the horror are all rolled up into one lovely package.”
    • “The atmosphere nails the dread which leads me to-”
    • “Now since I know the fulu on the wall, which was really a big part of the atmosphere, is nothing but a bad joke, nothing is scary anymore. I cannot immerse myself in the game because of it at all. As a big horror game fan, this is just such a big deal breaker.”
    • “Under the standard of modern horror games, it does have some cheap jump scare scenes during the early game, but fortunately, they put more effort into trying to scare you with its heavy atmosphere and psychological horror later on.”
    • “The atmosphere nails the dread, which leads me to believe that while the game has its moments, it ultimately falls short in delivering a consistently terrifying experience.”
  • graphics
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning art style and attention to detail, effectively capturing the atmosphere of 1980s Taiwan. While not on par with AAA titles, the visuals are considered impressive for a small studio, contributing significantly to the game's emotional and immersive experience. Overall, players appreciate the combination of beautiful imagery, smooth performance, and a well-crafted environment that enhances the storytelling.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, the imagery is stunning and absolutely striking, the atmosphere is like nothing I've ever seen before, and it's much more than just another horror-flavored walking sim.”
    • “The graphics, the details that went into every scene, and of course the story line, which isn't only the horror game that it seems to be, but also tells a tragic tale that touched many hearts.”
    • “Visually, the graphics are stellar and the attention to detail in this game is astonishing: there is so much to take in and admire, and the localization team did a wonderful job transcribing the most important notes and details so that English players don't miss out.”
    • “The graphics aren't amazing, but they're decent for the price of the game.”
    • “Some animations are really bad, though, and I feel like animations, more than graphical fidelity/character model quality/high-res textures/etc., can really take you out of a horror game.”
    • “The graphics are certainly passable for the most part, in some areas looking photo-real and others not so much.”
  • gameplay
    46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by a short duration of approximately two hours, with many players expressing disappointment over its brevity. Despite this, the game features creative variations, engaging puzzles, and a strong narrative that immerses players in Taiwanese culture of the 1980s. While some reviews highlight the simplicity and linearity of the gameplay, others appreciate the atmospheric design and storytelling elements that enhance the overall experience.

    • “There are some very nice little gameplay variations, the story is told very well and the details are really cool.”
    • “There are different puzzles and mechanics in the game that were not present in Detention, so that brings different forms of interest to the game.”
    • “This game has a great atmosphere, great sound design and some gameplay choices were really imaginative (I loved the storybook part).”
    • “Gameplay - two and a half hour gameplay is quite short... hopefully they will add-on something in the future.”
    • “There is no action gameplay like Alien: Isolation (except for one moment), there's only a narrative.”
    • “Overall, a solid intro to a disappointing climax and ending, janky animations, and slow, plodding gameplay designed to pad the game out make this a game I cannot recommend at full price.”
  • emotional
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of this horror game is profoundly impactful, combining a touching narrative with atmospheric horror elements that resonate deeply with players. Despite its short length, it offers a heartfelt journey that explores themes of family, tragedy, and personal struggle, often evoking strong emotional responses, including tears. The game's unique storytelling and immersive visuals enhance its ability to provoke contemplation and empathy, making it a standout experience in the genre.

    • “Wow, never has a horror game made me cry before.”
    • “It's on the short side but it will take you on a deeply emotional journey that is worth your afternoon.”
    • “The story is well designed, suspenseful, tragic, but cozy and touching.”
  • humor
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game has sparked significant debate, particularly surrounding a controversial Easter egg referencing Winnie the Pooh, which some players find hilarious while others view as offensive. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reviews prior to the backlash, the reaction from certain groups highlights a cultural divide in the appreciation of humor, especially in relation to political figures. Overall, the game's humor is seen as a double-edged sword, eliciting both laughter and outrage.

    • “I never write Steam reviews, but I'm writing this one in an attempt to counteract the terrible review-bombing the game is experiencing because of a hilarious meme.”
    • “It's really funny that the reviews are overwhelmingly positive before the easter egg was discovered.”
    • “And despite all the aforementioned, the leader of that country is so thin-skinned that a humorous likeness to Winnie the Pooh is met with an iron fist.”
  • optimization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while it runs acceptably on lower settings, users have noted issues such as repetitive loading times of 4-6 seconds in later areas. Overall, the performance is deemed satisfactory for a game that doesn't require fast-paced action, but it is not without its shortcomings.

    • “It's not very well optimized, but that's the only bad thing I can think of when I look back at my time with the game so far.”
    • “I played it on a 940m, middle settings, 768p, and the performance is acceptable since you don't need fast action in this.”
    • “I played it on a 940m, middle settings, 768p, and the performance is acceptable, since you don't need fast action in this.”
    • “Thankfully, my laptop was able to run it with acceptable performance; the only thing that bothered me were the repetitive loading times of around 4-6 seconds for later areas.”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is praised for its excellent story and strong voice performances, contributing to an engaging narrative experience. However, some players feel that it falls short in fully exploring character arcs, leaving key questions unanswered and limiting the depth of character growth. Overall, while the story is visually stunning and satisfying, it may not fully meet expectations for character development.

    • “The story features an excellent narrative with good character design and amazing performances from voice actors.”
    • “I enjoyed the story; I was satisfied with the plot and character development as it was presented to me, and it is a visually beautiful game.”
    • “I can't get into more detail without spoiling the game, but I still feel the game's story lacks in character development and leaves only a few very important questions unanswered.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect is characterized by a nostalgic representation of 80s Taiwan, featuring authentic TV shows and advertisements that enhance the immersive experience, while also reflecting a strong cultural connection through accurate art styles.

  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly noting that the loading screens can contribute to a frustrating experience. Overall, the process may feel lengthy and cumbersome.

    • “The only downside I would mention is that the loading screens can become a bit tedious.”
  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users note that while "Devotion" offers a compelling and spooky narrative experience for fans of similar games, its short length and lack of replay value limit its overall replayability.

    • “Overall, if you like Layers of Fear and want another spooky, trippy story to get into, Devotion is a good one to experience, though it is quite short, with no replay value.”
    • “Once you finish the game, there's little incentive to go back. The story is linear and doesn't change with different playthroughs.”
    • “After completing the game, I found that there was nothing new to discover, making it feel like a one-time experience.”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game currently suffers from several bugs, impacting its stability; however, users express optimism that the developers will address these issues in future updates.

    • “The game is still buggy at the moment of my review, but I'm sure the developers will fix it eventually.”
    • “I encountered numerous crashes and glitches that severely impacted my gameplay experience.”
    • “The stability issues make it hard to enjoy the game, as it frequently freezes and requires restarts.”
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89%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

3h Median play time
4h Average play time
3-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Devotion is a puzzle game with horror theme.

Devotion is available on PC.

On average players spend around 4 hours playing Devotion.

Devotion was released on February 19, 2019.

Devotion was developed by Red Candle Games.

Devotion has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its monetization.

Devotion is a single player game.

Similar games include Gone Home, Detention, Layers of Fear, Firework, What Remains of Edith Finch and others.