Dying Flame

62%
Game Brain Score Based on 13 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Dying Flame Game Cover
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Welcome to Dying Flame.  James is trapped in an unknown mansion. As he desperately searches for a way out, he finds that his wife, Mary is trapped there as well. Lurking in the darkness is a monster that’s hunting you. Untangle the riddles that bar your path, and uncover the truth behind this deathly nightmare. Update Log 22 March 2021! Dying Flame has released on STEAM! purchase your copy via …

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

62%
Audience ScoreBased on 13 reviews
story4 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • The game features well-executed jumpscares that effectively enhance the horror atmosphere.
  • Exploration is encouraged, allowing players to navigate the house in any order and discover multiple endings based on their choices.
  • The sound design and visuals create a tense and immersive experience, with darkness playing a crucial role in gameplay and storytelling.
  • Saving is limited, which can lead to frustration when players are forced to replay sections after dying.
  • Puzzles can be overly difficult and lack clear direction, making it challenging for players to progress without external help.
  • The gameplay often requires traversing in complete darkness, which can be disorienting and detracts from the overall experience.
  • story18 mentions

    The story of "Dying Flame" unfolds through the perspective of James, a man searching for his missing wife in an abandoned house, with themes of devotion and addiction woven throughout. Players must explore the environment and collect journals to fully grasp the narrative, which is enhanced by clever puzzles and atmospheric audio design. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging, haunting storyline that effectively combines horror elements with deep emotional undertones.

    • “A haunting story about one man’s devotion...and his demons.”
    • “After finding his wife’s journal, James sets off on a desperate quest to find her.”
    • “The story pulls you in as you try and figure out what is going on.”
    • “This also means that you will only understand the whole story if you fully explore the house and collect all journals.”
    • “I know that it has a certain significance to the story, but the fact that you are forced to finish the game without saving too much isn't fun.”
    • “Dying Flame is heavily a story-driven game with horror elements.”
  • graphics9 mentions

    The game's graphics effectively blend retro pixel art with a haunting atmosphere, creating a sense of vulnerability and fear. Despite the limited visibility due to darkness, the detailed shading and realism of the pixel graphics enhance the overall experience, earning a solid 8/10 rating. Players are pleasantly surprised by the emotional impact of the visuals, which contribute to the game's unsettling tone.

    • “The game does a good job of incorporating the game's title into the visuals.”
    • “Don't let the adorable retro graphics fool you; this game gets really dark, really fast (pun intended).”
    • “Ever-present darkness conceals detailed pixel graphics.”
    • “Moving around a black screen with only a lighter to guide you doesn’t afford many opportunities to show off the developers’ artwork, but it does evoke a powerful sense of vulnerability as you traverse the largely unseen expanse of the mansion.”
    • “I have never felt so scared playing a retro-graphic game.”
  • gameplay6 mentions

    The gameplay is praised for its clever mechanics that effectively convey the struggle of resisting nicotine, enhanced by impressive visual and audio design. Players find the combination of unique gameplay elements and a compelling narrative to create a memorable and immersive experience. Overall, it receives a strong rating of 8/10.

    • “The unique mechanics work perfectly with the game story, and the star of the show would be the audio design.”
    • “Given the mechanics of DFM and the tongue-in-cheek title, I really should've seen it coming.”
    • “This clever mechanic lets the player get a sense of what it must be like to resist the nagging need for nicotine.”
    • “Dying Flame’s visual mechanics, realistic characters, and fantastic sound design create a creepy and memorable experience.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Dying Flame" is characterized by its dark visuals and subtle background sounds that heighten tension and suspense, keeping players on edge. The game's design effectively creates a sense of panic, especially during moments of darkness, while its storytelling and puzzles further immerse players in a haunting experience. Overall, the developers successfully deliver an unsettling ambiance that aligns with their motto of creating games that keep players awake at night.

    • “Everything looks dark, and the subtle sound in the background does a good job of increasing the overall atmosphere in the game.”
    • “The motto of Roundtable Games Studio, 'make games to keep you awake at night,' is exactly what the Malaysian developers achieved with their debut, Dying Flame (DFM), a horror RPG Maker game with a huge emphasis on storytelling, puzzles, and antsy atmosphere.”
    • “I have streamed this game for about 14 hours now, and having never played any RPG Maker horror games before (unless one counts Lisa: The First), I really got into the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The lack of light and the tense atmosphere from the monster's appearance keeps the suspense going, and you'll be constantly on high alert, panicking whenever the lights go out.”
    • “[Roundtable Games Studio] motto 'make games to keep you awake at night' is exactly what the Malaysian developers did with their debut [Dying Flame (DFM)], a horror RPG Maker with a huge emphasis on storytelling, puzzles, and antsy atmosphere.”
    • “I have streamed this game for about 14 hours now and never played any RPG Maker horror games before (unless one counts Lisa: The First). I really got into the atmosphere of the game.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is noted for its impressive scores that enhance the atmosphere, particularly during key moments and puzzle-solving scenarios. While some tracks, like the music box tune and ballroom waltz, contribute to the tension rather than relaxation, the overall use of music is sparse, primarily appearing in significant scenes.

    • “The beast monster is so scary, by the way, the music scores were amazing.”
    • “It took me 6-7 hours to complete my first playthrough, and that's because I was stumped by the wonderfully variable puzzles; ranging from Morse code, musical statues, to even a game of hangman.”
    • “There was the music box tune and the ballroom waltz piece, but they're more stressful than relaxing because of the way they're worked in.”
    • “Music is mostly absent except during important scenes or when it plays a role in solving puzzles.”
    • “There was the music box tune and the ballroom waltz piece, but they're more stressful than relaxing because of the way they're incorporated.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the exceptionally crafted plot, particularly the touching and believable relationship between the characters James and Maria, which resonates deeply with players.

    • “The plot is exceptionally done, especially the relationship between James and Maria, which is so touching and believable.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters really draws you in and makes you feel their struggles.”
    • “I was genuinely moved by the story; it left a lasting impact on me long after I finished playing.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The game offers a rich multi-ending narrative that emphasizes deep character development, providing players with a compelling and engaging experience as they explore the protagonist's growth.

    • “If you enjoy multi-ending narrative games with a heavy focus on main character development, this game offers plenty of interesting experiences to explore.”
    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to see their choices shape the protagonist's journey in meaningful ways.”
    • “Each decision feels impactful, leading to a deep and immersive character arc that keeps you engaged throughout the game.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way.”
    • “Despite the potential for rich storytelling, the characters remain one-dimensional and fail to grow throughout the game.”
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