DISTRAINT 2

About

DISTRAINT 2 is a single player casual puzzle game with a horror theme. It was developed by Jesse Makkonen and was released on November 13, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

DISTRAINT 2 is a psychological horror adventure game, where you play as Price, a man seeking to restore hope and find his purpose after selling his humanity. The game features simple yet effective gameplay, with side-scrolling 2D graphics, a dark story, and a mix of dark humor. It has hand-drawn graphics, carefully composed music, and a minimalist interface to keep the focus on the engaging story.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,070 reviews

story258 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

The game features a deeply emotional story that resonates with players, often leading to tears by the end.
The art style and sound design are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience.
Distraint 2 effectively explores themes of hope, redemption, and the complexities of human emotions, making it a meaningful journey.

Some players found the puzzles to be too simplistic and not challenging enough compared to the first game.
The game may feel less scary and more like a narrative experience, which could disappoint fans expecting traditional horror elements.
A few players noted that the dialogue can be heavy-handed and the pacing may feel slow at times.

story
748 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The story of "Distraint 2" is widely praised for its emotional depth and character development, continuing the journey of the protagonist, Price, as he confronts his past and seeks redemption. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, with some even noting tear-jerking moments, while others appreciate its exploration of themes like self-forgiveness and mental health. Although some found the narrative less engaging than its predecessor, the overall consensus is that the sequel effectively wraps up the story introduced in the first game, making it a compelling experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “This was a beautifully told story of a man who just wasn't cut out for the path he chose in his life.”
- “The story is deep and dark, and the way it is presented is done with an amazingly creepy overtone.”
- “The story, the plot, the ending and everyone you meet within the game is just outstanding.”
- “First, the story is borderline impossible to follow, with dozens of characters of little importance.”
- “The art and music are both really nice, but sadly this is a very story reliant game and the story is very weak.”
- “The storyline is abstract, confusing and disconnected, and the logic connecting the plot seems to be a bit inconsistent.”
graphics
164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their unique pixel art style, which has been described as both beautiful and emotionally engaging. Many reviewers noted significant improvements over the previous installment, highlighting the effective use of color to create contrasting atmospheres, from bright and cheerful to dark and gritty. Overall, the visuals are praised for their distinctiveness and ability to enhance the storytelling experience, making them a standout feature of the game.
- “The graphics in the game are good with a great use of color; in one part, we see beautiful bright colors, and in another scene, we see more dark and gritty colors. The game did a good job in balancing dark, brooding, and gritty with more lighthearted, cheery, and happy colors.”
- “The graphics are extremely distinct and detailed; the amount of visual effects and aesthetics placed in the environments give it such a profound thematic tone.”
- “I love the art style of this game; I kept the grain filter at default since it adds to the environment and feel. The overall art style really adds to the beauty and horror aspects of the game.”
- “Looks good and all, still hate the writing, far less gameplay/puzzles and stuff, kinda boring although short enough, visuals and sound design are still very good but I hate the rest of the game.”
- “There are lots of games out there with more sophisticated graphics, smoother controls, and more dramatic soundtracks.”
- “To the creator: you nailed the graphics and art, the music is fine, but your writing is horrible and the puzzles are pointless, the world and interactions are way too linear as well, and quite frankly the story is forgettable without those kinds of plot twists at the end like this one.”
emotional
154 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Distraint 2" is widely praised, with many players reporting profound feelings of sadness and connection to the story, often leading to tears during and after gameplay. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to tackle themes of redemption, mental health, and personal growth, creating a heartfelt narrative that resonates deeply. Overall, the game is described as an emotional roller coaster, with a well-crafted story and impactful ending that leaves a lasting impression on players.
- “Distraint 2 is a life lesson and one of the few games that made me cry.”
- “This is possibly the most emotionally impactful game I've ever played.”
- “The story is very personal, touching, and well-written.”
gameplay
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
73%
9%
The gameplay in "Distraint 2" has received mixed reviews, with many noting improvements such as the addition of a run button and polished mechanics, while others feel it remains simplistic and lacks significant evolution from the first game. Puzzles are generally easy, allowing players to focus more on the story and atmosphere, which some found engaging, while others criticized the gameplay as tedious and lacking depth. Overall, the game is seen as more narrative-driven, with gameplay serving primarily as a vehicle for the story rather than a central focus.
- “The gameplay is very good; for the most part, it's like the first game where you pick up items to use on certain things, but now you have a run button and some segments where you're supposed to hide. I thought them to be a nice surprise, and I especially enjoyed the run button.”
- “This game is a huge improvement over the first in terms of gameplay, tone, and messaging.”
- “The story is so symbolic and relatable; the gameplay is smooth (though the puzzles were challenging at points, it was still fun as hell), the art style works wonders. OMG, I might be in love with this game!”
- “This one is just more of the same, with no real improvements to the puzzles or game mechanics.”
- “The problem is the game is about 2 hours long and there’s no gameplay really.”
- “Thus the process of solving puzzles mostly just feels like filler and chores designed to pad the game out instead of actually giving it real gameplay of any sort.”
music
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its ability to create an emotional and atmospheric experience, effectively enhancing the narrative and gameplay. Reviewers noted the variety and quality of the soundtrack, which ranges from eerie to beautiful, although some tracks were criticized for being too loud or not fitting the atmosphere perfectly. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that complements the game's visuals and storytelling, contributing significantly to its psychological horror elements.
- “Music is absolutely amazing, and there's a good variety to it considering that all of it has to feel like it's of the same world; it all has to be creepy.”
- “The music in every level was up to the mark and it conveyed the emotions that the protagonist felt.”
- “The music is lovely and disconcerting at times and fits perfectly in the world.”
- “The art and music are both really nice, but sadly this is a very story reliant game and the story is very weak.”
- “To the creator: you nailed the graphics and art, the music is fine, but your writing is horrible and the puzzles are pointless, the world and interactions are way too linear as well, and quite frankly the story is forgettable without those kinds of plot twists at the end like this one.”
- “The music sometimes was a bit spooky and eerie, especially when fear's creature was chasing me; it actually scared me a little bit.”
atmosphere
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
32%
3%
The atmosphere in *Distraint 2* is widely praised for its emotional depth and immersive qualities, blending elements of psychological horror with a unique art style and sound design that enhances the eerie tone. Reviewers note that while the sequel may be less oppressive than the original, it successfully creates a captivating and sometimes quirky environment that draws players into its story. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to evoke a range of feelings, from sadness to comfort, making it a standout aspect of the experience.
- “The atmosphere is absolutely incredible, so sad and scary, yet comforting and warm.”
- “The sound effects are really good and help build an amazing atmosphere, which will creep you out, relax you, and maybe make you cry.”
- “The way Distraint 2 molds sound and environment to create whatever atmosphere it needs at the moment is masterful.”
- “The gameplay is nearly the same, the puzzles are equitably simplistic, and the soundtrack does a terrific job in creating an oppressive and melancholic atmosphere.”
- “Distraint 2's soundtrack is great, but sadly it suffers from the same issues as the first game, where sometimes the tracks don't fit the atmosphere and sometimes come off extremely cheesy.”
- “Serves no purpose and just drags the player out of the immersion by not allowing them to just sink into the actual game and atmosphere itself.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
22%
67%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely viewed as tedious and unnecessarily prolonged, with many puzzles being vague and requiring guides to navigate. While some improvements over the first game are noted, players still find the experience to be a slog, particularly due to slow mechanics and forced stealth encounters that contribute to the overall grind.
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “A lot of grinding.”
- “You don't even need to have played the first, which is fantastic because the first 'Distraint' was a miserable uniform slog, more Kropotkinite agitprop in visual novel form with an ultimate message of grinding despair than actual game.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Perhaps most inconceivable of an addition is the 'hide' (barely) mechanic that becomes tedious early on and then more with each painfully slow, forced stealth encounter.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as hilarious and engaging, particularly in its predecessor, where it provided a welcome contrast to the darker themes. However, many reviewers note that the sequel, *Distraint 2*, has seen a downgrade in humor, lacking the same level of comedic relief and character development that made the first game enjoyable. While there are still some funny moments, the overall tone is more creepy and serious compared to the original.
- “It's a beautiful short game that continues off from where the first one left and has the same narrative full of emotion, interesting engaging visuals, awesome music, and funny moments.”
- “I found this feature of the first game funny and I felt that it added more character to Price but also gave some humor to this depressing game.”
- “One of the most enjoyable moments from the first was how every item obtained could be purposely used on another to some hilarious result or remark from Price as relief from his misery.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
Character development is highlighted as a strong aspect of the game, with players appreciating the growth and overcoming of fears demonstrated by the protagonist. However, some criticism arises from the lack of commentary on objects, which detracts from the depth of character interaction and development. Overall, the character and creature designs are well-received, adding to the game's appeal.
- “There was incredible character development from the first game, and I hope to take these lessons forward and be the reason for my own peace.”
- “I love all the creature and character designs, especially the monster designs.”
- “The negative is that Price no longer comments on the objects that he sees, which takes away some attention to detail and some character development.”
- “As the character, you learn to overcome these fears, and that shows the character development.”
- “The negative is that Price no longer comments on the objects that he sees, which takes away some attention to detail and some character development.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is noted for its high replayability, particularly in multiplayer mode, allowing players to enjoy an infinite number of playthroughs.
- “Infinitely replayable with multiplayer options that keep the experience fresh.”
- “The game offers endless replayability, especially in multiplayer mode.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience with no glitches or save issues, others have encountered occasional graphical glitches that detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “No glitches at all in my playthrough, no save issues. I beat it in three sittings with no problems whatsoever.”
- “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
- “The game has frequent crashes that ruin the experience.”
- “I encountered several bugs that made it difficult to progress in the game.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The optimization of the game has been noted to have some issues, particularly with audio performance, as users reported that the volume completely cuts out after specific cutscenes.
- “I think the only issue I had performance-wise is that after a certain cutscene, the volume just dies.”