Dread Delusion

About

Dread Delusion is a single player open world role playing game with horror and fantasy themes. It was developed by Lovely Hellplace and was released on June 14, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Dread Delusion is a first-person, open-world RPG set in a sprawling, procedurally generated fantasy world. Embark on a journey through twisted landscapes, delve into ancient ruins, and engage in strategic, real-time combat against a host of nightmarish creatures. Shape your character through choices, exploring various skills, and interacting with the game's rich, immersive lore.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,754 reviews

story776 positive mentions

stability104 negative mentions

Incredible world-building and lore that keeps players engaged and curious.
Unique art style and atmosphere reminiscent of classic RPGs, creating a nostalgic experience.
Compelling moral dilemmas in quests that challenge players' decision-making.

Combat is simplistic and lacks challenge, making it feel unimportant to gameplay.
Some quests and character interactions feel underdeveloped or repetitive.
Technical issues and bugs can disrupt gameplay, including save file corruption.

story
2,456 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
65%
3%
The story of "Dread Delusion" is widely praised for its depth, engaging writing, and intricate world-building, drawing comparisons to classic RPGs like "Morrowind." Players appreciate the moral dilemmas presented in quests, which often require thoughtful decision-making and have meaningful consequences, although some quests can feel linear or lack impact on the world. Overall, the narrative experience is considered the game's strongest aspect, making it a compelling choice for those who prioritize story and exploration over complex gameplay mechanics.
- “The story is genuinely absolutely incredible and if you are into story games and/or play games for their story, this game is more than perfect for you.”
- “The story and world are so rich they really feel lived in, as if you're seeing a tiny fraction of a much larger world that leaves you interested to find out more and more from the start of the game until the end.”
- “The story, the lore, the world and the character are all so masterfully well done.”
- “The only quest I really have any complaints about was called 'the ethics of eating meat' in which some of the events that played out felt poorly timed; it could have done with a little bit more to it in order to keep the suspension of disbelief, and though I loved the ending of this particular quest as it throws you into an ethical dilemma where both outcomes are terrible, I couldn't help but feel that my choices in this were slightly forced.”
- “The quests provide good lore but aren't really good quests because the major quests always boil down to one of two options at the end, and while they impose interesting moral choices they don't have any real gameplay effects besides maybe a different reward.”
- “The quests are not really 'quests' so much as an on-rails story the game gives you regardless of choice, and there is no flexibility to how they are completed that I experienced running through the game.”
gameplay
1,162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
71%
9%
The gameplay of "Dread Delusion" is characterized by its simplicity and minimalism, often drawing comparisons to classic RPGs like "Morrowind" but lacking their depth and complexity. Players appreciate the focus on exploration and narrative, with many finding the combat and mechanics to be basic and easy, which can lead to a repetitive experience. While the game excels in world-building and storytelling, it is generally viewed as lacking engaging gameplay elements, making it more suitable for those who prioritize narrative over intricate mechanics.
- “A wondrous and melancholic world with simple but solid gameplay, great quests, and excellent exploration.”
- “The gameplay is enjoyable and never boring; it has not that kind of depth that other RPGs might have, but I still loved it and it works pretty well for a game that is 30-35 hours long.”
- “Dread delusion is a captivating game that beautifully merges nostalgic elements with modern gameplay mechanics, making it a must-play for fans of classic RPGs.”
- “The main appeal of this game is the writing, the world building and quests are fantastic from a narrative point, but do falter at times from a gameplay perspective.”
- “The gameplay is very repetitive, locations are pretty empty and battles are really boring.”
- “The combat is so unbelievably bland it ceases to be believed, so shallow and easy that I put 0 points into might and still clubbed enemies to death with a sword because it was still much more effective than spells.”
graphics
1,130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The graphics of "Dread Delusion" are characterized by a nostalgic, retro aesthetic reminiscent of PS1-era visuals, which many players find charming and atmospheric. While some appreciate the unique art style and its ability to evoke a sense of exploration and immersion, others criticize the low resolution and simplistic design, noting that it can sometimes hinder gameplay clarity. Overall, the visuals are a polarizing aspect, appealing primarily to fans of old-school graphics and those who value artistic expression over technical polish.
- “The art style is absolutely beautiful and the lore of the world is fascinating.”
- “Dread delusion doesn't just use low-poly models with lazy filters thrown on top like so many tend to do; instead the models and textures have clearly been designed with the style in mind, while maintaining a high degree of detail, and keeping in mind the effects such a graphical style can have on gameplay.”
- “The deliberately-retro graphics work really well for the setting, letting the mind fill in the details and making the uncanny horrors that much more uncanny and horrible.”
- “This game is more or less Myst meets Morrowind, with PS1 era graphics.”
- “But the graphics, omg, how anybody can look beyond them is unbelievable to me.”
- “The problem with this is that bad graphics is still bad in a rawer pixel form.”
music
480 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
54%
9%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the game's eerie setting. However, a common criticism is its repetitiveness, as players often find themselves hearing the same tracks loop for extended periods, which can detract from immersion. Overall, while the soundtrack is appreciated for its fitting ambiance, there is a strong desire for more variety and additional tracks to enrich the experience.
- “The music and melancholy weirdness of the setting is haunting and the character writing is excellent.”
- “The music perfectly complements the game's eerie and otherworldly aesthetic, enhancing the overall experience and drawing players deeper into its mysterious world.”
- “The music creates a unique alien atmosphere, and although it can be repetitive, it certainly adds personality to the game world.”
- “The music is very repetitive and droll.”
- “Music is looped over and over and it becomes incredibly repetitive, and there's just not enough music to go around.”
- “You'll spend tens of hours in the same places and it's one soundtrack per area essentially.”
atmosphere
448 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised as its standout feature, described as immersive, unique, and reminiscent of classic RPGs like *Morrowind*. Reviewers highlight the game's rich world-building, haunting visuals, and atmospheric music, which together create a sense of exploration and intrigue that captivates players. While some note that the gameplay mechanics may be simplistic, the overall experience is elevated by the game's compelling atmosphere and storytelling.
- “At every turn, it blasts you with creativity and uniqueness; its world feels lived in, and the dread and atmosphere it carries is strangely cozy even if quite bleak.”
- “The atmosphere of every different area is spot on and really makes for a great time playing, especially for a blind first-time playthrough.”
- “Through its awesome music, beautiful art style, strange world, intriguing story, and characters, it creates such a dense atmosphere, which to me is the most important thing in a game.”
- “It loses its haunting atmosphere and becomes nauseatingly grating fast.”
- “If it was an actual hostile and dangerous world where I would need to avoid certain enemies and be more careful, then it would add so much to the overall atmosphere and feeling of the game that it would be more fun and engaging overall.”
- “Tl;dr: combat is too easy and drags down the atmosphere of the game and makes most rewards you can find in the world useless.”
stability
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The game is widely reported to be quite buggy, with numerous players experiencing issues ranging from minor visual glitches to more significant gameplay-affecting bugs that can disrupt quests and mechanics. While some users found the game enjoyable despite these problems, many expressed disappointment in its current state, suggesting it requires further polishing and bug fixes. Overall, players recommend caution and patience, as the developers appear to be actively working on improvements.
- “Not to mention it runs great on my Steam Deck.”
- “Quests seemed to be mostly bug free, but in one quest I killed the mercenaries; annoyingly, the side quest remained active despite being unable to give anyone the requested stolen item.”
- “It's a little rough around the edges; don't expect a super polished or bug-free game.”
- “It is simply too buggy and sometimes fatally so.”
- “Really disappointing, game looks great but in reality it's just a buggy mess. I really wanted to like this game, sorry.”
- “The game is very buggy in its current state as well, so it's probably best to wait until it gets further patched.”
humor
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending dark wit with absurdity, and is often highlighted through clever dialogue and quirky character interactions. Players appreciate the mix of surreal and goofy elements, which enhance the engaging world-building and narrative. While some jokes may feel out of place, the overall comedic tone, combined with the game's retro aesthetic, creates a uniquely entertaining experience.
- “Take some time to read the descriptions of potions and magic spells and you'll find humorous and thought-provoking descriptions.”
- “Witty, funny writing and solid gameplay.”
- “It's engaging, it's funny, and it's weirdly melancholy.”
optimization
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
67%
15%
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting performance issues such as lag, stuttering, and choppy gameplay, particularly during transitions between regions. While some users noted acceptable performance on certain platforms, others, especially on the Steam Deck, experienced severe frame rate drops and overall poor optimization. Overall, the game requires further optimization to enhance the experience across all systems.
- “As a side note, I played the game on my Steam Deck, and I didn't notice any huge problems performance-wise.”
- “The game's performance is smooth, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience without any hitches.”
- “During my playtime, I experienced no bugs or crashes and excellent performance.”
- “This game has a lot of lag for me; it needs further optimization.”
- “The game has optimization issues leading up to some major stutters (especially at region seams) that were resolved by the industry (by easily implementable solutions) good two decades ago (but are not used here).”
- “Do not purchase this if you are playing on Steam Deck, the performance is woeful and the game is CPU throttled; you will get as low as 32fps in the tutorial area, potentially lower in the main game, and no setting you change can fix this.”
grinding
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some elements, like crafting and exploration, are appreciated for their lack of traditional grinding, many reviewers noted that tedious mechanics such as backtracking, inventory management, and dialogue can disrupt the flow of gameplay. Despite these frustrations, the game is generally seen as enjoyable, with an emphasis on exploration rather than mindless grinding.
- “Swapping equipment in and out in order to get the right bonuses for each situation can be tedious.”
- “It seems like the tedious travel mechanics are a cover-up to hide the fact there is not a lot of content in the game, and by having the player spend more time on mapping, memorizing, and covering the same ground a lot, they can stretch out a short game and make it longer.”
- “Because 4 of those 5 hours were spent backtracking, crossing empty fields and hills, battling the same 5 enemies, grinding for the last pieces of ore to finish that disappointing home quest line, and hearing the same 3 songs.”
emotional
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes a strong emotional response through its imaginative storytelling and heartfelt narratives, with many players reporting moments that made them cry or feel deeply invested in the characters and choices. While the philosophical themes and emotional dilemmas add depth, some critiques mention that the lack of real repercussions for choices can diminish their impact. Overall, it is praised for its ability to elicit genuine feelings and a sense of wonder, making it a memorable experience for those seeking emotional engagement in gaming.
- “The part of the main quest set in the eternal realm actually made me cry a little.”
- “An incredible and imaginative world, awesome storytelling, and some genuine emotional moments.”
- “This is the first game in years that I've been genuinely invested in emotionally and actually care about the story and my choices.”
replayability
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
72%
9%
The game offers decent replayability, primarily due to its engaging story, meaningful choices, and varied play styles that encourage players to explore different outcomes. While some players feel that the replay value is limited, the presence of multiple factions and potential endings enhances the overall experience, making it worthwhile to revisit. However, the lack of extensive content and the ability to save across multiple files may restrict replayability for some.
- “It's definitely got replayability value, so I'll probably pick it up again in a few months.”
- “Variety of factions to work for, and seemingly multiple endings; plenty of replayability.”
- “Additionally, the multiple play styles provided within the game allow players to tailor their experience to their preferences, thus enhancing replayability.”
- “I wouldn't say there is much replay value, but the fact that you cannot really level up everything makes it interesting to try different things and find different solutions and outcomes for some of the quests.”
- “Replayability + longevity 6/10 - you'll be able to complete everything in one go except for plot choices, so you may want to replay once or twice to see the effects of your choices.”
- “This is a story and world to experience and see, to be immersed in, and to be grateful for the relatively short but easily replayable experience that it is, because choices you make that are important do actually change things, even if slightly, and you can't save across multiple files to roll back.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
22%
7%
Character development in the game is noted to be minimalistic, lacking depth and visual customization, which disappointed some players expecting more traditional RPG elements. However, the game offers several background options that influence stats, and while the character designs and world are praised for their beauty and artistic quality, the overall character development experience does not meet the expectations of those seeking a more immersive RPG experience.
- “Dread Delusion is an action RPG with strong exploration and excellent writing. Although the character development system is minimalistic and there is no visual customization, there are still several options for the avatar's background, which affect the stats.”
- “A wonderful old-school RPG that gives so many Oblivion vibes in all the best ways. There are so many little secrets hidden all over, and it has an interesting world with wonderful art and character design, creating a unique and magical feel to everything.”
- “The character designs are beautiful, and so is the world.”
- “I expected deep RPG elements and character development, but it didn't provide that depth.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews do not provide any information regarding the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on the positive impact of PS1-style graphics on the game's atmosphere and uniqueness.