DISTRAINT 2

About

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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 831 reviews

story208 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

The game features a deep and emotional story that resonates with players, exploring themes of hope, trauma, and redemption.
The visuals and sound design are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience of the game.
The puzzles, while simple, are engaging and serve to complement the narrative rather than detract from it.

Some players found the gameplay to be too linear and lacking in challenge, with puzzles that were often too easy.
The game may feel repetitive at times, with some mechanics and interactions becoming tedious.
A few players noted that the story could be overly explicit in its themes, lacking subtlety in its delivery.

story
574 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
61%
2%
The story of *Distraint 2* is widely praised for its emotional depth and compelling narrative, continuing the journey of the protagonist, Price, as he grapples with themes of hope, redemption, and self-forgiveness. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, with some even noting it brought them to tears, while others appreciate its connection to the first game, emphasizing the importance of playing it to fully grasp the story's nuances. Overall, the storytelling is considered a significant strength, with a well-crafted plot that resonates with players on a personal level.
- “It is not a lengthy game, but it has a compassionate story about finding hope in the most difficult moments.”
- “The story is fantastic! It made me actually tear up; not the most gameplay-focused game, but I think the story and atmosphere more than make up for it.”
- “The story is deep and dark, and the way it is presented is done with an amazingly creepy overtone.”
- “The story is borderline impossible to follow, with dozens of characters of little importance.”
- “The writing also completely lacks any subtlety or intrigue, which is unfortunate when the story is the only thing that could have made up for the poor gameplay.”
- “The story line is abstract, confusing and disconnected, and the logic connecting the plot seems to be a bit inconsistent.”
graphics
139 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique pixel art style, vibrant colors, and atmospheric design that effectively complements the narrative. Many reviewers noted improvements over the previous installment, highlighting the dynamic visuals and sound design that enhance the emotional depth and horror elements. However, some critiques mentioned technical limitations and a preference for more contemporary graphics, while others appreciated the retro aesthetic as a deliberate artistic choice.
- “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 loved the art style for both the games and I feel that this game is inspiring for every solo indie developer.”
- “The visuals were stunning and grotesque but so entertaining and underneath so much grim was a beautiful story and empowering dialogue.”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “There's no way for gamers to try to improve the low-quality graphics.”
- “The game is just an extremely easy adventure game or rather more of a walking simulator in 2D with trash graphic effects such as blur and bloom everywhere.”
gameplay
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
75%
11%
The gameplay in this title is largely similar to its predecessor, featuring straightforward mechanics focused on exploration, item collection, and simple puzzles, which some players found enjoyable while others deemed repetitive and lacking depth. While the addition of a sprint function and a hiding mechanic were noted as improvements, many reviews highlighted that the gameplay remains basic and not the main draw of the experience, with the story and atmosphere taking precedence. Overall, the gameplay is described as accessible and casual, appealing to fans of narrative-driven games, but may disappoint those seeking more complex mechanics or challenges.
- “The gameplay is simple, yet enjoyable, and the story is short but has deep meaning.”
- “The gameplay is very good; for the most part, it's like the first game, but now you have a run button and segments where you're supposed to hide, which I thought were a nice surprise.”
- “The story is so symbolic and relatable, the gameplay is smooth (though the puzzles were challenging at points, it was still fun as hell), and the art style works wonders.”
- “The gameplay is desperate for variety and what little there is to do is tedious at best.”
- “There's basically no gameplay to speak of, and the boring story is about some basement dweller with a trash job who is sad because he's a failure.”
- “While the gameplay is the same, examining objects and collecting items to use on simple puzzles, it’s not nearly as grounded as before which made it harder for me to invest in the story at first.”
emotional
102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of "Distraint 2" is widely praised, with many players noting its profound storytelling and ability to evoke strong feelings, including tears. Reviewers highlight the game's exploration of themes like redemption, mental health, and personal growth, describing it as a heartfelt journey that resonates deeply and leaves a lasting impact. Overall, the game is recognized for its emotional depth, compelling narrative, and the ability to connect with players on a personal level.
- “Never before has a game's ending scene made me feel that way, and if those seconds were cut, I wouldn't have to think twice about recommending Distraint 2.”
- “Distraint 2 is a life lesson and one of the few games that made me cry.”
- “This game is somehow even better than the first one; it is such an emotional roller coaster, I loved it!”
- “There's basically no gameplay to speak of, and the boring story is about some basement dweller with a trash job who is sad because he's a failure.”
music
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its ability to create an oppressive and melancholic atmosphere, enhancing the overall horror experience. Reviewers noted the soundtrack's emotional depth and variety, effectively conveying the protagonist's feelings and setting the mood for different scenarios. While some found certain tracks a bit loud or cheesy, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's immersive and eerie ambiance.
- “The music, sound, and the darkness is what makes it horror.”
- “The 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 soundtrack coupled with the creepy art makes this game so much more phenomenal.”
- “The music when you are saving the game is a bit too loud.”
- “The music sometimes was a bit spooky and eerie, especially when fear's creature was chasing me; it actually scared me a little bit, not gonna lie.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
34%
4%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and emotional depth, combining oppressive sound design, beautiful visuals, and a haunting soundtrack that enhances both the horror and storytelling elements. Many reviewers noted that the atmosphere effectively evokes a range of feelings, from melancholy to tension, making it a standout feature that compensates for simpler gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's ability to create a captivating and eerie environment is consistently highlighted as a major strength.
- “The sounds that fill the game fully convey the atmosphere of the moment, whether it is a tense scene or a scene of peace.”
- “The atmosphere is absolutely incredible, so sad and scary, yet comforting and warm.”
- “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.”
- “However, the atmosphere and story that Distraint has manages to mostly make up for this below-average gameplay.”
- “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 can come off as extremely cheesy.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely tedious and lacks variety, with many players finding the puzzles vague and the gameplay repetitive. While some improvements over the first game are noted, the overall experience is marred by a sense of monotony and forced mechanics, leading to a frustrating grind for players.
- “A lot of grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
- “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.”
- “Gameplay consists of tediously dragging yourself around various badly drawn gloomy 2D retro pixel environments between being assailed by endless badly written e-book length novelization.”
- “The gameplay is desperate for variety and what little there is to do is tedious at best.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
90%
30%
The humor in the game is described as a mixed bag; while some players found it hilarious and appreciated the comedic moments that provided relief from the darker themes, others felt that the humor fell flat compared to the first installment. The balance between humor and horror is noted, with some funny scenarios present, but overall, the humor is seen as less effective in the sequel.
- “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.”
- “Just as when you need to explain a joke, it becomes unfunny; metaphors lose their entire meaning when the writer constantly explains them.”
- “The humor feels forced and often falls flat, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “Many of the jokes rely on outdated references that don't resonate with today's audience.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The stability of the game is mixed; while some players report a smooth experience with no glitches or save issues, others encounter significant bugs, such as freezing on a black screen after chapter 1 when attempting to replay. Additionally, there are mentions of graphic glitches, though many still find the overall visual experience enjoyable.
- “No glitches at all in my playthrough, no save issues. I beat it in three sittings with no problems whatsoever.”
- “The game ran smoothly from start to finish, with no crashes or bugs to interrupt my experience.”
- “I was impressed by how stable the game was; I never encountered any performance issues during my entire playthrough.”
- “If you finish the game and try to start over (in order to get some missed achievements), you might face a bug where the game freezes on a black screen after chapter 1.”
- “The game offers some pleasant graphics and really vibrant colors, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
- “Loved the soundtrack and the graphic glitches!”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Character development is highlighted as a strong point, with players appreciating the growth and lessons learned by the protagonist throughout the game. However, some criticism arises from the lack of commentary on objects, which detracts from the depth of character interaction. 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.”
- “As the character, you learn to overcome these fears, and that shows the character development.”
- “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.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
The game is noted for its high replayability, particularly in multiplayer mode, allowing players to enjoy endless sessions and varied experiences.
- “The game is infinitely replayable, especially in multiplayer mode.”
- “I love how each playthrough feels fresh and exciting, making me want to dive back in again and again.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more, ensuring that no two sessions are ever the same.”
- “The game lacks any meaningful choices, making it feel like a one-time experience rather than something worth replaying.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to go back and play again; the side quests are repetitive and uninspired.”
- “While the multiplayer aspect is fun, the single-player campaign offers no variety, leading to a lack of replayability.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization of this sequel is perceived as a cash grab, aimed at appeasing dissatisfied fans of the original game, leading to a negative reception regarding its financial motivations.
- “This sequel feels like an unnecessary cash grab, an attempt to assuage the people who couldn't handle the first game's ending, or a combination of both.”
- “The monetization strategies in this game are overly aggressive, making it feel more like a money-making scheme than a genuine gaming experience.”
- “I can't believe how many features are locked behind paywalls; it ruins the enjoyment of the game.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that the game's optimization is generally solid, though some have experienced specific issues, such as audio problems where the volume drops unexpectedly after certain cutscenes.
- “I think the only issue I had performance-wise is that after a certain cutscene, the volume just dies.”