Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 270 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins Game Cover
A compelling found-phone horror title which demonstrates a real love for and understanding of the Doctor Who universe.
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"Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins" is a single-player horror role-playing game with an excellent story, offering around 3 hours of playtime. In this survival horror, you investigate a chilling disappearance by examining a found phone, solving puzzles, and uncovering hidden clues. The game features mystery, suspense, and cryptic puzzles to solve, partnering with ex-UNIT scientist Petronella Osgood to unravel the truth behind the sinister events.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 270 reviews
story39 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Great for Doctor Who fans, with numerous references and easter eggs that enhance the experience.
  • Engaging story that serves as a sequel to the beloved 'Blink' episode, providing a nostalgic connection for fans.
  • Well-crafted puzzles and immersive gameplay that effectively utilize the found phone format.
  • Short gameplay length, typically around 2-3 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • Limited replay value and linear progression, making it feel less challenging and more like a visual novel.
  • Some players may find the game lacks depth and complexity compared to other titles in the genre, such as Simulacra.
  • story88 mentions

    The story of "Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins" is praised for its immersive and engaging narrative, which serves as a sequel to the beloved "Blink" episode, featuring familiar characters and a sinister plot involving the Weeping Angels. While some players noted inconsistencies and a lack of surprises for those familiar with the original episode, the game is generally regarded as a fun and well-crafted experience that appeals to both fans of the series and newcomers. Overall, it combines nostalgic elements with a compelling mystery, making it a worthwhile addition to the Doctor Who universe.

    • “The game's story revolves around the player character, who discovers a mysterious phone belonging to a missing person.”
    • “One of the strengths of Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins is its immersive storytelling.”
    • “Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins is a fantastic game, providing tons of cool nods to the series, some great gameplay, and an engrossing story.”
    • “The story itself was very bland and kind of ruins the weeping angels since the concept of them is perfect but ruined by later seasons of Doctor Who.”
    • “The problem of this game is if you already watched the 'Blink' episode (which most of you must have watched), there is no plot twist, no surprises, no shocker. From the beginning, you already know what happened and the game is just about uncovering the secret that you already know.”
    • “This 'game' is basically a series of text chats on a mobile phone with a few short video clips to progress the feeble story.”
  • gameplay24 mentions

    The gameplay of this detective game is characterized by its immersive mechanics, primarily involving phone interactions and mouse clicking, which some players find engaging while others consider repetitive and simplistic. While the game offers a charming plot and polished visuals, its linearity and short duration (around 2-4 hours) may leave some players feeling underwhelmed, especially those unfamiliar with the Doctor Who universe. Overall, it balances fun mechanics with a straightforward experience, appealing to both fans and newcomers.

    • “If you want a little who in your phone detective game, then definitely pick this one up; short, sweet amazing plot, neat mechanics, and a lot of charm to boot.”
    • “Fun gameplay and an interesting story which manages to appeal to both newcomers and Whovians at the same time.”
    • “Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins is a fantastic game, providing tons of cool nods to the series, some great gameplay, and an engrossing story.”
    • “Like a lot of visual novel and FMV games, there isn't much in the way of actual gameplay.”
    • “Found this really boring, just keep clicking with slow boring dialogue and little to no actual gameplay and completed in 2 hours. On a plus note, it was cheap but still feel like I paid too much.”
    • “It's also probably a good thing the game is short as the mechanics can be a bit repetitive (opening apps and reading clues, sending them to Osgood).”
  • graphics11 mentions

    The game's graphics are highly praised for their impressive blend of live-action footage and stylized visuals, contributing to an immersive experience. Reviewers note that the graphics, along with sound design, enhance the overall gameplay, making it appealing for fans of the genre. While some mention that the graphics meet expectations for a mobile game, the overall aesthetic is considered engaging and well-executed.

    • “The game's visuals are well-done, with a mix of live-action footage and stylized graphics.”
    • “The game's immersive storytelling, challenging puzzles, and impressive graphics and sound design make it a must-play for fans of the Doctor Who universe and puzzle-solving games in general.”
    • “The game is extremely immersive and I was hooked to the concept and aesthetic.”
    • “I'd say it's a decent price and the graphics are about what you can expect from a phone game.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find value in experiencing different outcomes and storylines, others note its linearity limits replay options. A few users express a desire for additional features, like achievements, to enhance replay value, but the consensus suggests that it may not offer significant replay incentives beyond a single playthrough.

    • “However, the game's replay value helps to offset this, as players can replay the game to experience different outcomes and storylines.”
    • “+high replay value.”
    • “Overall a really great way to spend an evening and it seems like there's some replay value, which I look forward to.”
    • “Very short game with no replay value unless you somehow fail to do the optional objective.”
    • “I don't know how much replayability there is.”
    • “It felt pretty linear, so not really any replayability (unless you want the one extra clip), but in my opinion it's still worth it.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is a mixed bag; while it effectively enhances the horror atmosphere and evokes nostalgia for long-time fans, it largely fades into the background and lacks the iconic themes from the original show, aside from the opening track. Overall, the sound design, including voice-overs and ambient noises, contributes positively to the immersive experience.

    • “The game's sound design is also well-done, with a mix of ambient noises and music that adds to the game's horror elements.”
    • “This one pulled me right in instantly, and I can't lie: I was grinning like an idiot when the theme song started and I knew I was going to solve mysteries with none other than my childhood (and, okay, adulthood, too) hero, the doctor!”
    • “The voice-overs, music, and sound effects built a creepy atmosphere.”
    • “Music, on the other hand, melts into the background, so you don’t even notice it.”
    • “Sadly, it doesn’t feature any of the great themes from the show except the opening music.”
    • “Maybe there is some music.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is described as a mix of spookiness and heartfelt storytelling, though some players may struggle to connect with the characters if they are not familiar with the source material. While the game is fun and engaging, it seems to rely on prior emotional investment in the characters from the show to fully resonate with all players. Overall, it successfully evokes feelings of dread and enjoyment, particularly for fans of the original series.

    • “Very spooky, heartfelt (in its making and its story) and really, really fun.”
    • “Honestly, I would recommend this; it's a fun little horror puzzle game, which genuinely made me feel dread.”
    • “I bought the game because it was from the devs of Simulacra and Sara is Missing, which I loved, but here, I think the game assumed that you'd be emotionally connected to the characters in advance because it features the characters from the show, you know.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The optimization of the game is praised for its impressive performance, highlighted by strong contributions from characters like Osgood, Lawrence, and Ingrid Oliver, as well as the support from Natasha. Overall, players report a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “Awesome returns by Kaigan and outstanding performance by both Osgood and Lawrence with the help of Natasha.”
    • “Incredible game and phenomenal performance by Ingrid Oliver.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be more tedious than challenging, as puzzles often lack difficulty and solutions are easily accessible. This leads to a sense of monotony rather than engagement.

    • “Puzzles are tedious instead of challenging.”
    • “But it feels more tedious than challenging, since you can easily find the information you need.”
    • “Tedious.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its creepy and immersive qualities, enhanced by effective writing, character development, and strong audio elements like voice-overs and sound effects. Players find it addictive and accessible, making it a perfect fit for both fans of the Doctor Who franchise and newcomers alike.

    • “Easily the best video game I've ever played with the Who license - good writing and characters, genuinely creepy atmosphere, and as my first found-phone game, it is worryingly addictive snooping through someone else's phone!”
    • “The atmosphere is great and it's a perfect fit into any Whovian's dream.”
    • “The voice-overs, music, and sound effects built a creepy atmosphere.”
    • “Easily the best video game I've ever played with the WHO license - good writing and characters, genuinely creepy atmosphere, and as my first found-phone game, it is worryingly addictive snooping through someone else's phone!”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users have reported significant glitches affecting stability, even on newer computers, which can lead to frustrating troubleshooting experiences. While some players noted multiple endings, the overall experience may feel underwhelming due to these technical issues.

    • “However, the glitches in the game were well-reported, and I'm sorry to say that, even though my computer is relatively new, it kept glitching as well.”
    • “The ending felt a tad underwhelming, but I think there are multiple endings. In fairness, that may just be because I had to wait a while and do a lot of troubleshooting to get there!”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Many users feel that the game should have been offered for free, viewing it primarily as a promotional tool for the associated show rather than a standalone product worth its price.

    • “This game should have been free and basically just a form of advertising for the show.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a lighthearted approach that diminishes any horror elements, transforming potentially frightening scenarios into comedic moments. This choice to give characters a voice adds to the overall comedic tone, making the experience more amusing than terrifying.

    • “They decided to give them a voice (sort of), which takes away all the horror and makes it just funny, not scary.”
    • “The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud throughout the game.”
    • “The humor is so cleverly woven into the gameplay that it keeps you entertained even during the toughest challenges.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Buy Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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