Halt

About

Halt is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Nightmare Ink Publishing and was released on November 19, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

"Halt" is a survival horror game where you play as a detective investigating mysterious disappearances tied to nightmares. With detective gameplay, impactful decisions, and pixel art inspired by HELLOWEIS, you must conserve ammo, hide, and escape this terrifying realm. The game features detective action, decisions with consequences, and pixel art.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 41 reviews

atmosphere8 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

Halt masterfully builds atmosphere through minimalistic pixel art and effective sound design, creating a deeply immersive horror experience.
The gameplay emphasizes slow, investigative progression, rewarding players for exploration and careful decision-making in a tense environment.
The narrative unfolds in fragments, inviting interpretation and enhancing the psychological horror, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.

The game has limitations in scope and replay value, which may disappoint players looking for more complex mechanics or a dramatic conclusion.
Pacing can feel uneven at times, with sections where tension lessens, potentially detracting from the overall experience.
Some players may find the mechanics too simple or the game too dark, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment.

atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
8%
25%
The atmosphere in "Halt" is a standout feature, characterized by its unsettling minimalism and immersive design that effectively evokes dread and tension. Players appreciate the haunting pixel art and the game's ability to draw them into a world rich with mystery and investigative horror. While some feel the atmosphere could benefit from a darker tone, the overall experience is highly recommended for fans of atmospheric and slow-burn horror games.
- “Halt, developed and published by Nightmare Ink Publishing, is a compact yet unsettling indie horror experience that understands the weight of atmosphere better than many larger productions.”
- “For fans of slow-burn, investigative horror—those who appreciate dread more than adrenaline—Halt offers a thoughtful, atmospheric experience that settles deep and refuses to leave quickly.”
- “The atmosphere is immersive, drawing players into a world filled with tension and unexpected twists.”
- “Play in the evening and at night; do not regret, do not spoil the atmosphere of spending time in this game.”
- “Exciting game with a horror and survival atmosphere.”
- “The minimalism extends to music and interface design, letting the atmosphere take the lead.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag, with some praising the thoughtful design and pixel art that effectively convey themes of tension and isolation, while others criticize them as mediocre or terrible. Despite the modest visuals, many players appreciate the overall aesthetic and how it complements gameplay, particularly in genres like racing and survival. Overall, the graphics are seen as a blend of simplicity and effectiveness, enhancing the gaming experience for some while leaving others wanting more.
- “The art style may appear simple at first, but the framing, color choices, and environmental textures are thoughtfully designed to evoke claustrophobia and isolation.”
- “It’s a visual philosophy that proves small graphical details can still deliver enormous tension.”
- “The visuals are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The most stupid game; the graphics are terrible, the sound is terrible, the lack of a plot is terrible, and so on.”
- “Graphics are mediocre, and the level design is too, but for this price, it's a good choice.”
- “While the graphics are modest, fans of realistic racing enjoy the game's focus on precision and control.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
27%
The gameplay across various titles emphasizes a balance between simplicity and immersion, with mechanics designed to enhance tension and strategic decision-making. Games like "Halt on Steam" showcase challenging driving and investigative elements, while others focus on survival and resource management, creating a fresh and engaging experience. Overall, players appreciate the intuitive yet challenging mechanics that keep them on edge, complemented by stunning visuals.
- “The mechanics are intuitive yet challenging, making each encounter feel fresh and engaging.”
- “The gameplay reinforces that tension through slow, investigative progression.”
- “The mechanics are intentionally simple, prioritizing tone and immersion over complexity.”
- “Tense gameplay keeps you on edge as you conserve ammo and hide from terrifying monsters.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The game's story is characterized by a tense and engaging narrative that revolves around themes of disruption and helplessness, blending elements of survival horror with a detective storyline. Players face not only monstrous threats but also puzzles and choices that significantly impact the plot and its conclusion. While some reviews criticize the graphics and sound, many praise the compelling storyline and immersive gameplay.
- “This is a genuinely tense survival horror with a great detective story.”
- “Halt on Steam is an excellent detective game that combines a compelling storyline with immersive gameplay.”
- “It’s a story about disruption rather than explanation, about the terror of realizing something is happening and being powerless to stop it.”
- “The most stupid game; the graphics are terrible, the sound is terrible, the lack of a plot is terrible, and so on.”
- “A dark horror story where we have to survive in a limited visibility environment.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The music in the game complements its minimalist design, enhancing the atmospheric experience. Players appreciate the cool and immersive soundscapes, which contribute to the overall ambiance, reminiscent of an alien shooter set in near darkness.
- “The game is just cool, similar to Alien Shooter, only in almost complete darkness. The graphics are better, and the music is cool.”
- “The minimalism extends to music and interface design, letting the atmosphere take the lead.”
- “The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The music doesn't match the game's tone, often feeling out of place and distracting.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's sound design significantly influences its emotional impact, prioritizing emotional precision over grand spectacle, which reflects its core identity. While there are some shortcomings, they are intentional choices that enhance the overall emotional experience.
- “Sound design plays a crucial role in shaping the game’s emotional rhythm.”
- “These shortcomings are tied to the game’s identity rather than negligence—it chooses emotional precision over spectacle.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's replayability is limited due to its small scope and the resolution of its central mystery; players' enjoyment of revisiting the atmosphere or discovering missed details will largely determine their desire to replay it.
- “The scope is relatively small, and once the mystery is unraveled, the replay value depends on how much you enjoy revisiting the atmosphere or searching for missed details.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively blends humor with suspenseful elements, featuring amusing and eerie sound effects that enhance the overall experience, though it may require a significant time investment.
- “A good game with funny and scary sounds at the same time takes a lot of your time, but overall it's good.”