Disminal

About

Disminal is a single player action game. It was developed by Brian Gonnet and was released on May 2, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Disminal is a First Person Exploration/Walking Simulator experience set in the backrooms where you will be able to wonder through some of it's unsettling and vacant places, is there an exit to be found? or will you be staying here forever, lost between two worlds. This game will focus merely on immersion and appreciation of aesthetics. Most zones/sections in the game are greatly influenced b…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 95 reviews

graphics16 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Exceptional atmosphere and immersive liminal space experience with no monsters or jump scares, creating a uniquely eerie and cozy environment.
Beautifully crafted and varied environments with excellent level design that guide players subtly without making them feel lost, complemented by a fitting ambient soundtrack.
Runs well on most platforms, featuring impressive visuals enhanced by a nostalgic VHS-style filter and strong sound design that enhances immersion.

Movement speed is universally criticized as painfully slow, especially on stairs and during running, detracting from exploration enjoyment and pacing.
Lack of a save system or checkpoints forces players to complete the game in one sitting, which many find frustrating given some backtracking and length of exploration.
Some technical issues such as camera sensitivity, flickering and pixelation in darker areas, limited video settings, and occasional bugs impact the overall experience.

graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
20%
13%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their immersive VHS-style aesthetic and effective use of lighting that captures the essence of liminality and atmosphere. While the visuals are generally considered beautiful and distinct across different areas, some users note performance issues at higher resolutions and occasional pixelation. Overall, the graphics are seen as a strong point, enhancing the game's mood and exploration experience.
- “Superb visuals, short and sweet, and absolutely nails the essence of liminality: no monsters, no cheesy jumpscares, nothing but you and a serene environment to take in, explore, and ponder at your own pace.”
- “Great graphics followed by wondrous set pieces that were built by someone who truly understands the feeling of loneliness and familiarity.”
- “The graphics (with their VHS-style camera effects) are great and there's a real diversity in the design of the map, with each section of the liminal space you explore feeling visually distinct from the last.”
- “The way the lighting in the environments has been done, I think it clashes with the visual aesthetic and atmosphere that's already natively present.”
- “Most Unity games have mediocre and unrealistic looking graphics.”
- “The graphics were a little disoriented and too pixilated for my taste.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie, oppressive, and immersive qualities, enhanced by effective lighting, ambient music, and sound design. Many users appreciate the game’s focus on creating a relaxing yet unsettling experience through liminal spaces without relying on jumpscares or aggressive entities. However, some wish the levels were longer to better savor the well-crafted environments.
- “The atmosphere is incredible.”
- “This game absolutely nailed the liminal spaces atmosphere and aesthetic.”
- “The use of sound and music created a great atmosphere in the moments it was used without sticking around to be a distraction.”
- “The way the lighting in the environments has been done, I think it clashes with the visual aesthetic and atmosphere that's already natively present.”
- “Atmosphere is a central focus of the genre, and it's where Dismal shows expertise over its peers.”
- “- On the negative side, given how well laid out things are and how well the atmosphere in the various levels were done, it does leave me wishing that they were longer than they presently are.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
55%
The music, composed by Infinity Frequencies, is widely praised for enhancing the game's atmospheric and immersive qualities with its ambient, vaporwave-inspired sound. It complements the varied environments and subtle, dreamlike moments without overwhelming the experience, making the soundtrack a standout feature that adds depth and relaxation.
- “The music from Infinity Frequencies definitely adds to the atmosphere to make a really solid, if not short game.”
- “Not to mention the great music in the game, Infinity Frequencies was a perfect fit for this game :)”
- “Its inventive gameplay mechanics, subtle nods to internet culture, and amazing soundtrack combine to create an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is immersive.”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
The gameplay offers a unique, atmospheric exploration experience focused on immersion without survival mechanics, though some players find pacing slow and desire features like sprinting and a flashlight. Updates such as the added save system have improved playability, making it a thoughtful and engaging journey, especially appreciated by those seeking a narrative-driven, artful game.
- “The game is just an odyssey through this world that doesn't hamper you down with needless RPG survival mechanics or skips out on you before you've had your fill.”
- “Its inventive gameplay mechanics, subtle nods to internet culture, and amazing soundtrack combine to create an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is immersive.”
- “I got 2 real hours of gameplay because I quit playing on my first attempt because the game was a bit rough and did not have a save system. After some updates and the save system being added, I feel great about my purchase and look forward to more from Brian Gonnet.”
- “I'm discouraged from exploring so many places after 40+ minutes of gameplay because I don't want to spend several minutes slowly walking to a dead end then have to backtrack another several minutes.”
- “For the price, you're getting about an hour of forward-momentum gameplay, but you can easily get lost in here and explore dismal just as a piece of art - of feeling - for as long and as often as you want.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's optimization is impressive, delivering fantastic performance and visuals while keeping PC temperatures low and noise minimal. However, some areas could use slight improvements, such as character movement speed.
- “Overall, incredible performance and visuals (excluding mpeg mode).”
- “The performance is fantastic as well; my PC stayed cool and quiet despite the game having better reflections than most modern AAA games!”
- “Some areas could stand to be optimized a little better, and good God please make your character walk faster than a snail.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers solid replayability, encouraging players to revisit and explore hidden areas they might have missed during their initial playthrough. Multiple sessions reveal new content, enhancing the overall experience.
- “I've only done one full playthrough so far, but from what I can tell, there's definite replay value.”
- “It took me two short sessions to find the exit, and I replayed it over the next few days. Apparently, I missed a few hidden spaces, so this game definitely has replay value.”
- “I believe the game has replayability because there are additional areas you might want to go back and explore.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users appreciate humor that is both audible and visual, often finding that such comedic elements enhance their overall enjoyment and lead to a great experience.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the emotional experience of the game to be a compelling blend of uncanny and cozy, evoking feelings of being both alienated and comforted through its unique visual and audio design. This creates a captivating atmosphere that feels simultaneously magical and unsettling.
- “The visual and audio design made me feel like a voyeur inside a wrong but magical world that was equally uncanny and cozy, alienating and familiar.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences frequent bugs and instability issues, suggesting a lack of polish and intentional design in its performance.
- “Game is very buggy, and seemingly not in an intentional way.”