Skip to main content

About

"Locked Up" is a narrative-driven psychological thriller game where you play as Emika, a detective investigating a series of mysterious disappearances. The game features a unique choice-based conversation system, with multiple endings determined by your decisions. Explore the dark and challenging mind of a kidnapper, and uncover the truth behind the sinister events unfolding in the small town.

Locked Up screenshot
Locked Up screenshot
Locked Up screenshot
Locked Up screenshot
Locked Up screenshot
Locked Up screenshot
Locked Up screenshot
Locked Up screenshot
Locked Up screenshot
Locked Up screenshot
Locked Up screenshot
+6

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 611 reviews
story79 positive mentions
grinding13 negative mentions

  • The game has a creepy atmosphere with effective sound design that enhances the horror experience.
  • There are some genuinely good jump scares that keep players on edge throughout the game.
  • The story, while a bit confusing, offers an interesting narrative that unfolds as players progress.
  • The gameplay involves a lot of backtracking and can feel repetitive, leading to moments of boredom.
  • The character moves very slowly, which can be frustrating during exploration.
  • Some players may find the story lacking in clarity and coherence, making it hard to fully engage with the plot.
  • story
    256 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with many players finding it intriguing yet confusing, often requiring them to piece together information from environmental cues and notes. While some appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and jump scares, others criticize the plot for being disjointed and clichéd, leading to a lack of engagement. Overall, the narrative can be compelling for those willing to invest the time to unravel it, but it may leave others feeling frustrated due to its vague and convoluted presentation.

    • “The game has an interesting mechanic to advance the story, by walking through the rooms and interacting with items, the scenes around you will change.”
    • “I would highly recommend this to someone who wants a story-driven horror game that you can enjoy over the course of an evening.”
    • “The atmosphere and storyline (which were both bloody brilliant) had me gripped from the moment I pressed play.”
    • “The story was laid out in a confusing way; the game itself is primarily just walking back and forth down a hallway with a few things to inspect/interact with.”
    • “The story made no sense; the different locations had no relation to each other, any sort of puzzle element was severely disappointing, and the scares were entirely predictable.”
    • “The weakest part of 'locked up' is the story for sure.”
  • atmosphere
    116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and tension throughout the experience. Many players highlight the combination of sound design, lighting, and level design as key elements that enhance the overall spooky ambiance, although some note that the pacing can detract from the intensity. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's horror experience.

    • “This game immerses you in an atmosphere thick with dread.”
    • “The atmosphere and story line (which were both bloody brilliant) had me gripped from the moment I pressed play.”
    • “The atmosphere will be thick and oppressive.”
    • “The atmosphere haunts you and with every step it grows heavier and heavier.”
    • “The contrast between the assumingly bought assets and character models is really off-putting and ruins the atmosphere.”
  • graphics
    86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising the unsettling visuals and effective use of retro aesthetics that enhance the horror experience. While some noted that character designs could be less polished compared to the environments, the overall atmosphere, sound design, and graphical quality contribute significantly to the game's tension and immersion. Despite a few criticisms regarding repetitiveness and minor technical issues, the visuals are often described as impressive for an indie title, successfully creating a creepy and engaging atmosphere.

    • “The graphics were great, and I absolutely love the use of the camera to create the different scenes throughout the time periods.”
    • “The aesthetic of the game from beginning to end is spine-tingling, and the aesthetics are hauntingly beautiful.”
    • “The graphics are very polished, and the sound is moody and creepy.”
    • “[b]graphics/visual design:[/b] 2/10 - there is nothing remarkable in this game, and like everything else it is wildly overdone.”
    • “The models are blocky and don't really fit in with the overall graphics.”
    • “I ended up growing numb and losing my immersion because of the overdone audio and visuals, so most of the time you just feel like the game itself is screaming at you (to put it out of its misery?).”
  • gameplay
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by a mix of walking simulator elements and scripted events, where players navigate environments to trigger story progression through audio and visual cues. While some appreciate the atmospheric immersion and clever mechanics, many criticize the repetitive nature and slow pacing, leading to a sense of aimlessness and frustration. Overall, the game offers a blend of engaging scares and intriguing storytelling, but suffers from a lack of dynamic gameplay and meaningful interaction.

    • “The game has an interesting mechanic to advance the story; by walking through the rooms and interacting with items, the scenes around you will change.”
    • “The gameplay here is linear, and it's your job to wander around and find the triggers that cause progression and spooky events to happen.”
    • “The developer has done an amazing job to provide us with some of the creepiest gameplay I've ever played.”
    • “This game is very well thought out, but the pacing is terribly slow, and the gameplay is mindbogglingly boring.”
    • “The gameplay consists of walking back and forth through the area you are currently allowed to use and witnessing things happen, which becomes repetitive.”
    • “Not trying to be mean, optically it is great and it has quite some work and thought put into it, but almost everything of the gameplay is nothing more than going from A to B to A to B again until you find something to click on.”
  • music
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and create a spooky vibe. While some found certain tracks, particularly those with 80's influences, to be out of place, the overall soundtrack is described as eerie, suspenseful, and effective in building tension during gameplay. However, a few users noted issues with repetitive ambient loops and a lack of variety in certain sections.

    • “Great story that unfolds as you play, plenty of jumpscares, fantastic music and atmosphere.”
    • “Amazing soundtrack.”
    • “The atmosphere is great with its eerie ominous soundtrack.”
    • “In fact, he ran from the room with his hands covering his ears so he could not hear the 'creepy music.'”
    • “Very quiet, I even hear the ambient music go on a loop and it's just not well done.”
    • “The music cues and stings are suited for a mainstream audience.”
  • grinding
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the early levels, which can detract from the overall experience. Many reviewers express frustration with the slow pace and the need for numerous back-and-forth trips, leading to a sense of monotony that hampers enjoyment. While some note that the game improves later on, the initial grind remains a significant point of contention.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grindy (60 - 100 hours).”
    • “This game was tedious to get through.”
    • “The scariest thing was how slow you move and the tediousness of the tasks.”
    • “The game forces you to go back and forth into rooms and corridors so many times -- making it way too repetitive and tedious.”
  • humor
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as unintentional, with players finding themselves laughing at the awkward animations and repetitive jump scares rather than feeling scared. While some enjoyed the comedic elements, others felt that the lack of genuine scares made the experience more amusing than thrilling. Overall, the humor seems to stem from the game's shortcomings in horror execution.

    • “I was laughing at the end.”
    • “After a while it's not even scary anymore, it is actually funny.”
    • “I found myself laughing at most of them.”
  • stability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some users reporting a bug-free experience while others encounter minor glitches that are not game-breaking. Overall, it appears to be mostly solid, though comparisons to notorious buggy releases like Cyberpunk and Saints Row suggest that some players may experience significant issues.

    • “The game is completely bug-free, providing a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
    • “I haven't encountered any issues; the stability is impressive.”
    • “The game runs flawlessly without any crashes or glitches.”
    • “Very buggy, like Cyberpunk or Saints Row reboot.”
    • “If it was a buggy mess, then yes, refund it.”
    • “For instance, most of the time you will see a person or shadow, walk over to it until the camera glitches it away, and then carry on.”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a strong emotional response to the game, highlighting feelings of fear and anxiety, particularly in tense moments that evoke tears and panic. The exploration aspect, while initially aimless, contributes to a sense of immersion and emotional engagement as players interact with the environment.

    • “Moving in the house without a purpose and touching everything.”
    • “Locked up made me cry many times; it was scary, and the lady is so tall and frightening. Also, what's up with all the candles?”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers limited replayability, with players noting that while the initial experience is enjoyable, it lacks elements that encourage repeated play. Many feel that the short duration of the game, around two hours, contributes to its low replay value.

    • “I cannot see the game offering any replayability; the almost 2 hours I got out of it were slightly short, but thrilling nonetheless.”
    • “Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to play it again. The lack of different endings or choices makes it feel final.”
    • “After finishing the game, I felt no urge to replay it. The experience was enjoyable, but it didn't leave me wanting more.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    While some users express a desire for more character development, they still appreciate the overall impact of the game.

    • “The character development in this game is truly impressive, with each character evolving in meaningful ways throughout the story.”
    • “I loved how the characters grew and changed based on the choices I made, making the experience feel personal and engaging.”
    • “The depth of the characters and their backstories added so much to the overall narrative, making me care about their journeys.”
    • “I would have liked to have seen a bit more character development, but the overall effect of the game was really awesome.”

Buy Locked Up

2h Median play time
3h Average play time
2-4h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Games Like Locked Up

Summer of '58 Image
Madison Image
This game contains adult content
Find Yourself Image
Visage Image
This game contains adult content
God's Basement Image
Infliction Image
This game contains adult content
Layers of Fear Image
This game contains adult content
We Went Back Image
The Convenience Store | 夜勤事件 ImageThe Convenience Store | 夜勤事件 ImageThe Convenience Store | 夜勤事件 Image
The Beast Inside Image
This game contains adult content