DON'T FACE UP

About

DON'T FACE UP is a single player and multiplayer simulation game with horror and thriller themes. It was developed by tesakiza and was released on February 2, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

DON'T FACE UP is a first-person horror game.Story You wake up in a building you don't recognize. No, you can't remember who you are, let alone the building. You have lost your memory. The words "DON'T FACE UP" are left at your feet. Unsure of what it means, you proceed to explore the building. You will have to find out what happened to you and what happened to this place.Rule They will …

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83%

Audience ScoreBased on 64 reviews

story9 positive mentions

Unique and innovative puzzle-horror concept with smart puzzles and an intriguing SCP-like lore.
Engaging and mysterious atmosphere enhanced by good audio design and a gripping story that unfolds through in-game clues.
Free game with decent length and replay value; accessible for players interested in puzzle-solving and indie horror experiences.

Puzzles can be overly complex, vague, or frustrating, sometimes requiring external guides to solve.
Translation and writing quality issues lead to confusion in understanding story and hints.
Gameplay is occasionally hindered by awkward controls, bugs, and some unfair or unclear mechanics that detract from the horror experience.

story
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
52%
12%
The story received mixed but generally positive feedback, praised for its intriguing SCP-like lore, mysterious elements, and puzzle integration. While some players found it complex and occasionally confusing, many appreciated piecing together the narrative through in-game lore and optional content. Minor issues with clarity and language were noted, but overall the story was considered engaging and a strong point of the game.
- “Has a pretty cool, interesting lore and story about an SCP-like facility with anomalies, a local analog of MTF, and some smart puzzles with spooks.”
- “The relatively complex story elements you pick up piece by piece really go a long way.”
- “The lore behind it and the story is great!”
- “The plot felt kind of all over the place, filled with supplemental material that gives context on tesakiza’s Patreon and gameplay that while it succeeded in its goal of providing a tense experience did get kind of tiresome on certain occasions.”
- “The plot with the phones and text messages made no sense.”
- “The story line makes no sense and mostly just confuses the player.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The gameplay is engaging and revolves around solving progressively challenging puzzles while avoiding a patrolling antagonist, creating a tense atmosphere. Although some sequences can be confusing and repetitive, the mechanics are clever and offer a unique, rewarding challenge. However, the threat element feels somewhat weak, and certain aspects like dialogue and hints can detract from the overall experience.
- “From here I’ll get into the actual gameplay section: you solve puzzles and try not to look up as you go from room to room, with each puzzle increasing in difficulty.”
- “The mechanics are clever, and the mystery unfolds in a way that feels both rewarding and haunting.”
- “Unique concept for gameplay that creates a new and innovative challenge.”
- “I feel like the rest of the actual gameplay gets kind of frustrating when they introduce 'the scientist' with the weird glasses who patrols the halls and will keep you locked in a room nearby if he catches you.”
- “The plot felt kind of all over the place, filled with supplemental material that gives context on tesakiza’s Patreon, and gameplay that while it succeeded in its goal of providing a tense experience did get kind of tiresome on certain occasions.”
- “All the dialogue feels terribly translated, the hints are just 'look around a bit more and don't face up', the gameplay is extremely repetitive but the monster is caked up so 10/10.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The game's atmosphere is effectively crafted through its dark, drab office setting and intense audio design, with eerie sounds enhancing the creepy, suspenseful mood despite the absence of music or voice acting. This blend of environment and sound keeps players on edge, although some elements, like the alien monster, detract from the overall atmosphere.
- “The game masterfully blends puzzle-solving with an eerie, mysterious atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
- “The audio design enhances the creepy atmosphere significantly, with every door creak and every Sadako-like scream from the creatures when they see you.”
- “The combination of total darkness and the drab office setting effectively contributes to the game's atmosphere, making it easier to avoid enemies lurking in the dark.”
- “Also, the weird alien monster doesn't add anything to the atmosphere and is more of a nuisance.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
The graphics are distinctive and contribute to the game's unique visual identity, evoking an engaging and sometimes unsettling atmosphere. While initially perceived by some as low-quality or simplistic, many come to appreciate the style as fitting and effective within the game's overall experience.
- “Engaging visuals and gameplay.”
- “It’s a really solid game in these regards and gave me a few creeps.”
- “At first I was a bit mixed on the graphics, thinking that it felt like a cheap asset flip, before I eventually kind of embraced it as a part of this game’s strange visual identity.”
- “If people don’t care for the graphics themselves, I would understand.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game lacks music and voice acting, but its audio design, including creaking doors and creature screams, effectively enhances the intense and creepy atmosphere.
- “Finally the audio design: whilst there’s no music or voice acting, the actual noises in the game add to the intensity of the atmosphere with every door creak, every Sadako-like scream coming from the creatures when they see you.”
- “The audio design on the other hand helped enhance the creepy atmosphere a decent bit without the addition of voice acting and music.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is generally stable with minimal glitches, which are often enjoyable rather than disruptive. Despite minor language issues, the overall experience remains smooth and engaging.
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor, highlighted by a hilarious monster and a consistently entertaining jumpscare, is a standout feature that greatly enhances the overall experience.
- “The monster is hilarious and the jumpscare makes the whole game worth it, never gets old.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers solid replay value, encouraging players to revisit it multiple times for continued enjoyment.