Dread X Collection

About

"Dread X Collection" is a horror game anthology, challenging 10 indie developers to create a game inspired by the concept of "P.T." , the infamous demo of the canceled game Silent Hills. Each game in the collection is a unique, self-contained horror experience, offering a condensed and raw take on the developers' dream horror projects. The result is a diverse collection of terror that pays homage to the classic horror genre while showcasing innovative and original ideas.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 320 reviews

gameplay43 positive mentions

stability21 negative mentions

A diverse collection of horror games, each with unique concepts and styles.
Standout titles like 'Summer Night', 'Shatter', and 'The Pony Factory' showcase impressive creativity and execution.
The collection offers a fun experience for horror enthusiasts, with many games providing engaging gameplay and atmosphere.

Several games, such as 'Rotgut' and 'Carthanc', suffer from poor execution and frustrating gameplay mechanics.
Some titles feel incomplete or like demos rather than fully realized games, leaving players wanting more.
The overall quality varies significantly, with a few games being genuinely unenjoyable.

gameplay
150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
9%
The gameplay across the reviewed titles varies significantly, with some games offering engaging mechanics and unique concepts, such as "Hand of Doom" and "Don't Go Out," which feature interesting spell-casting and card-driven systems. However, many titles suffer from repetitive or simplistic gameplay loops, with several being criticized as walking simulators lacking depth or polish. Overall, while some games provide enjoyable experiences with solid mechanics, others fall short due to technical issues or uninspired gameplay design.
- “The gameplay loop doesn't overstay its welcome; the enemies and scenarios are varied enough not to become boring, despite a quite simplistic premise.”
- “The gameplay was probably the best and most tense, with a flashlight mechanic reminiscent of Doom 3.”
- “Hand of Doom has an interesting and fun gameplay mechanic with a nice story.”
- “The gameplay is slow and monotonous and the survival mechanics are tedious.”
- “The gameplay is near nonexistent, however.”
- “The gameplay is walking down a tunnel and at some point an enemy comes at you very slowly.”
graphics
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
4%
The graphics across the reviewed games are generally praised for their unique aesthetics, with many titles embracing retro styles reminiscent of PS1 and 90s gaming, creating immersive atmospheres. However, some players noted performance issues and unoptimized visuals that detracted from the experience, while others found certain graphical choices, like murky textures or excessive distortion, frustrating. Overall, the visual design is often highlighted as a strong point, contributing significantly to the games' atmospheres and storytelling.
- “The visuals are really unique and great; I thought the method of casting spells was pretty funny. Overall, this is probably the one game I hope most gets expanded as there is a lot of potential.”
- “I loved the graphic styles, and they nailed the PS1 aesthetic.”
- “Shatter -- good world-building and aesthetic leads to a fundamentally well-made game, though the actual content of the game may seem lacking once you complete it.”
- “The graphics are really rough and it’s in black and white so even the art style can’t save it.”
- “The visuals are too murky with too much grain and the overall setting just isn’t scary.”
- “It's very frustrating, especially due to the dark and overly distorted visuals; there is way too much chromatic aberration happening that can't be turned off.”
story
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
53%
9%
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some titles featuring intriguing psychological horror and unique narratives that captivate players, while others suffer from minimal or confusing plots. Many reviewers appreciate the creativity and depth in certain stories, particularly in games like "Mr. Bucket Told Me To" and "Outsiders," but criticize others for lacking coherence or engagement. Overall, the storytelling quality varies significantly across the collection, with some games standing out for their compelling narratives and others falling flat.
- “The story is this game's strongest point with its intrigue, but the world is also a bit interesting to explore.”
- “Mr. Bucket Told Me To: I liked the story and the duality of foraging for supplies on a bright, colorful island during the day and during the night Mr. Bucket forces you to sacrifice something.”
- “The atmosphere is well set and I enjoyed the story of it.”
- “Glitches, no sense of direction, no story at all, no interesting gameplay, literally nothing about this is good.”
- “The pay is nice -- interesting story but a lack of gameplay makes it forgettable.”
- “It felt like a lazy source game with cheap tricks to try to scare me and a story so vague that it appears to be building to something.”
atmosphere
79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
37%
4%
The reviews highlight a strong emphasis on atmosphere across various games, with many praising distinct visual styles, effective sound design, and the ability to evoke feelings of dread and tension. While some games are noted for their unique and immersive atmospheres, others are criticized for being less engaging despite having good atmospheric elements. Overall, the collection showcases a range of atmospheric experiences, from creepy and oppressive to surreal and intriguing, making it a notable aspect of the games reviewed.
- “Additionally, the visuals are very distinct and it successfully creates a scary atmosphere.”
- “The black and white color palette creates an amazing atmosphere, causing enemies to blend easily in the area, which can plunge you into darkness as you switch to your weapon to defend yourself.”
- “What makes this game scary is the atmosphere, which gives this feeling of being unsafe all the time.”
- “Oh also there's these laser enemies making annoying noises chasing after you and they are just frustrating and ruin the atmosphere immediately.”
- “In addition, despite the game's effective atmosphere and intrigue, the payoff is absolute garbage, not only making the whole experience unsatisfying but also retrospectively spoiling the entire experience of the game.”
- “It ruins its own atmosphere almost right away, and holds no emotional investment.”
humor
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the games reviewed is characterized by a blend of quirky, unexpected moments and dark comedy, often subverting traditional horror tropes. Titles like "Mr. Bucket Told Me To" and "Outsiders" are noted for their ability to balance funny and spooky elements, with memorable endings that shift the tone from horror to humor. While some players found certain games repetitive or lacking in depth, many appreciated the unique dialogue and absurd scenarios that elicited genuine laughter.
- “It's very funny and a little bit tense, not quite scary, but all of that is relieved at the end when it's actually twisted into just being sad and consistently funny.”
- “Mr. Bucket Told Me To is a cute, funny story about a man stranded on an island.”
- “The only enjoyable part of the game is when stock images of people's unaltered faces will fade in for a few seconds and it's hilarious.”
music
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
33%
10%
The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many players praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the visuals. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack ranges from beautifully composed pieces to unsettling tracks that effectively set the tone for various gameplay experiences. However, some players found the music either forgettable or mismatched with the game's intensity, indicating a mixed reception in certain contexts.
- “The environment was intriguing, the music was really cool, and I thought it was going to be really puzzle-based.”
- “A visually pleasing PS1 era art style that, when paired with the soundtrack, makes for a great atmosphere.”
- “Very fun experience with fantastic music.”
- “I guess the art looked alright, but I can't even remember the music.”
- “You walk slow-as-dirt down a straight, glitchy, flickery tunnel with MS Paint graffiti and no music or ambience while an occasional unedited stock photo of a person fades onto the screen.”
- “Very creepy and there's no music.”
stability
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the games in this anthology is widely criticized, with numerous reports of severe bugs, glitches, and unfinished elements that detract from the overall experience. Many players experienced issues such as incomplete game states, erratic gameplay mechanics, and visual inconsistencies, leading to frustration and a lack of immersion. While a few titles managed to run smoothly, the overwhelming consensus is that the majority are plagued by significant stability problems.
- “Not to mention this is a buggy mess that sometimes doesn't stay crossed off on the main menu.”
- “It's bug-ridden and just a total piece of garbage.”
- “Rotgut: I'm actually surprised this thing is in here; it's an incredibly buggy mess with awfully textured everything where you just walk forward for about 10 minutes and then back, while doing so you might notice blinking textures, the road disappearing under you, getting stuck on the environment, and the 'amazing' ending I won't spoil just not working altogether, and maybe, if you're unlucky, the game won't even get counted as completed.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of these games to be predominantly tedious and monotonous, with many expressing frustration over slow gameplay, unclear objectives, and repetitive tasks. While some elements are appreciated for their creativity or initial intrigue, the overwhelming sentiment is that the experience often devolves into a tiresome exercise in pixel hunting or excessive backtracking, detracting from overall enjoyment.
- “The gameplay is slow and monotonous and the survival mechanics are tedious.”
- “Sadly, it is required to have you go through it in order to finish the collection, per tradition of doing a 100% completion, so be prepared for a tedious, boring journey.”
- “I found it tedious, boring, and the fact that you can’t progress much without pixel hunting is beyond boring.”
optimization
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
31%
46%
The optimization of "Outsiders" has been widely criticized, with many users reporting severe performance issues and poor graphics quality, particularly when shadows are enabled. While some players found enjoyment in the gameplay despite these flaws, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from significant optimization problems, making it one of the least optimized titles they have encountered. Many reviews call for better quality control to address these performance issues, especially given the game's experimental nature.
- “I had read on the official site that this game tended to be 'experimental', though the review I've written here might be just me taking it seriously, but with all the reviews I've written here, the point is pointing out the game's coding and its performance.”
- “It runs a bit poorly performance-wise, but it has nice lighting effects either way.”
- “Needs some optimization though.”
- “Outsiders is not optimized well at all, but if you turn shadows completely off it runs fine.”
- “You play as someone who just woke up with amnesia and is trying to escape from a house (with game assets that all looked like they were bought from a store)... before I continue, I just want to say that this game deserves a very special award: the worst optimized game I have ever played in my life award.”
- “It is poorly optimized with no elements of any kind, horror or otherwise.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is notably impactful, with some players praising its ability to evoke strong feelings and create a memorable experience, despite its low-budget production. However, others felt let down by the gameplay mechanics, which detracted from the emotional engagement and overall atmosphere. Overall, the game demonstrates a capacity to elicit genuine emotional responses, though experiences may vary significantly among players.
- “The emotional drive in this game is well directed, and I think this is one of the best games I've ever played in this collection.”
- “The narrative and horror of this game is an emotional one, without spoiling.”
- “Outsiders, a simple yet very effective game that actually gave me goosebumps and made me feel a sense of panic.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game offers solid replayability due to its multiple modes and straightforward mechanics, encouraging players to revisit it for a better understanding of its complexities. Additionally, the game continues beyond completion, enhancing its replay value. Overall, players find it engaging and quick to pick up, contributing to its replay appeal.
- “There are multiple game modes, lending to replayability.”
- “The game actually continues after you finish it, providing additional replay value.”
- “Certainly has some replay value and is pretty simple to learn.”
- “There are multiple game modes, which contribute to its replayability.”
- “The game continues after you finish it, providing additional replay value.”