Near Death

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 669 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Near Death Game Cover
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Near Death is a survival adventure game set in the brutal Antarctic wilderness. Players must navigate the harsh environment, gather resources, and make tough decisions to stay alive. With a focus on atmosphere and story, Near Death challenges players to confront their limits and morality in the face of survival.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 669 reviews
story63 positive mentions
replayability9 negative mentions
  • The game creates a tense and immersive atmosphere, effectively conveying the harshness of the Antarctic environment.
  • Gameplay focuses on survival mechanics without the need for combat, making the cold the primary antagonist.
  • Crafting and resource management are straightforward and enhance the sense of urgency and strategy.
  • The game is relatively short, typically taking only 2-4 hours to complete, which may not justify the full price for some players.
  • Navigation can be frustrating due to poor visibility in blizzards and a lack of clear markers on the map.
  • Some players experienced bugs, such as clipping issues and difficulty with certain interactions, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • story226 mentions

    The game's story is generally described as simple yet effective, focusing on survival in an unforgiving Antarctic environment after a plane crash. While some players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and straightforward narrative, others find it lacking depth and complexity, often labeling it as linear with fetch quests. Overall, the story serves its purpose in driving the gameplay forward, but it may not satisfy those seeking a more intricate plot.

    • “The loneliness is palpable, the story, delivered in fragments, is full of character and style, the graphics suit the setting perfectly, the sound design is excellent and overall it's a brilliant survival and exploration game with a truly urgent hook.”
    • “The story is simple, yet powerful.”
    • “It's a survival story about not freezing to death.”
    • “Weak story and gameplay without climax.”
    • “The story is bland and uneventful but, for that reason, it's perfect.”
    • “The only thing for me was that the game missed a real story.”
  • gameplay173 mentions

    The gameplay of "Near Death" is characterized by its focus on survival mechanics, primarily centered around managing body temperature while exploring a desolate Antarctic research facility. Players engage in resource collection, crafting, and navigating environmental challenges, which creates a tense atmosphere despite some repetitive fetch-quest elements. While the game is relatively short, lasting around 2-4 hours, its immersive mechanics and solid environmental design keep players engaged throughout the experience.

    • “The gameplay is really quite simple: you explore the facility, loot items, fix some stuff, craft equipment, and try not to freeze to death.”
    • “It's you against mother nature, stranded at a desolate Antarctic facility; you must survive the harsh and frigid surroundings. The gameplay is great and keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The gameplay consists largely of collecting resources and learning your environment to survive.”
    • “Ultimately, I have to say I wouldn't recommend this because $17 CAD for no more than 3 hours of repetitive gameplay with basically no replayability is just too expensive.”
    • “The mechanics are solid, and the game is very immersive; you really do feel like someone trying to survive on this abandoned station.”
  • atmosphere167 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Near Death" is widely praised for its immersive and tense qualities, effectively conveying feelings of isolation and desperation in a harsh arctic setting. Despite its simple graphics, the game excels in creating a chilling ambiance through sound design, music, and environmental effects, making it a standout experience for players who appreciate atmospheric storytelling. Overall, the game's ability to evoke a sense of urgency and dread, combined with its compelling narrative, solidifies its reputation as one of the most atmospheric survival games available.

    • “Fun little indie game that really nails the atmosphere of being isolated in the Arctic against the elements.”
    • “The game builds a strong atmosphere that gave me some sweaty palms even though it's a relatively chill game.”
    • “Nature is your worst enemy in this game as you try to survive alone in the dark and cold research station in Antarctica. It has been a long time since a game captivated me this much with atmosphere alone.”
    • “It helps build a really unsafe atmosphere; it honestly felt really oppressive whenever you wound up going outside, not to mention dangerous.”
    • “Just you, a small gas heater and an abandoned research station in Antarctica and no apparent way out - and that's really all that is needed to keep the atmosphere eerie, lonely and generally desolate.”
    • “Winds howl like the last cries of the dead, eerie teletype keys echo the halls and the overall atmosphere is somewhere between the 1950s version of 'The Thing', Carpenter's version, Cryostasis and even The Long Dark.”
  • graphics70 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players noting significant graphical glitches that hinder gameplay, while others appreciate the atmospheric visuals that effectively convey the game's themes of isolation and survival. Although the graphics are often described as dated or basic, many reviewers find that they complement the overall experience, enhanced by strong sound design and immersive gameplay. Overall, while not visually stunning, the graphics are deemed functional and contribute positively to the game's mood.

    • “The graphics may not be fantastic, but the combination of the audio, pacing, and lighting really draws you in.”
    • “The atmosphere is spot on with a decent mix between graphics, sound effects, and music creating a consistent style.”
    • “Great visuals, sound, music, and neat survival mechanics create a very immersive feeling of loneliness and desperation.”
    • “There are some graphical glitches that make it impossible to see certain options (like when you encounter the first teletype), and also, the controls are not labeled correctly.”
    • “A garbage version of 'The Long Dark', played entirely at night, with a crappy flashlight and horrible graphics that honestly reminds me of something from the early 2000s.”
    • “There's not enough of a story to make me care, the unforgiving wind makes movement in many areas impossible, and the graphics that the weather allows me to see are of such low quality that they're outdone by games from a decade ago.”
  • music68 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, effectively transitioning between intense and soothing tones that reflect the player's journey through a harsh environment. While some users experienced technical issues with the soundtrack, many highlighted its immersive qualities, noting how it contributes to feelings of isolation and tension. Overall, the soundtrack is described as beautifully composed and well-suited to the game's themes, making it a standout feature.

    • “The music is perfectly suited, transitioning from dark and menacing while fighting the elements outdoors to soothing and beautiful as you find shelter and warmth.”
    • “Incredible atmosphere with an understated but effective soundtrack.”
    • “The music alone was enough to give me the creeps sometimes.”
    • “The score soundtrack downloaded as one zip file, so the music didn't work in-game, and it didn't show up in Steam soundtracks.”
    • “The only complaint I have is that certain soundtracks have a really heavy and annoying amount of bass, but nothing the volume adjustment couldn't fix.”
    • “Audio clues, the protagonist's voice, even certain sections of the soundtrack were ripped directly from The Long Dark.”
  • replayability43 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, with many reviewers noting its linearity and short playtime as significant drawbacks. While there are some opportunities for replay through higher difficulty settings and achievement hunting, most players feel that the experience is largely a one-time playthrough. A few users express personal enjoyment in replaying for speedruns or challenges, but this sentiment is not widely shared.

    • “Has some replayability for completionists to get all the achievements and for the challenge of harder difficulties.”
    • “Short but sweet, great replayability.”
    • “It will be eminently replayable for me, but I'm the kind of person who can read a good book several times over.”
    • “There are difficulty settings, but I can't see there being much replay value as the game is fairly linear.”
    • “Ultimately, I have to say I wouldn't recommend this because $17 CAD for no more than 3 hours of repetitive gameplay with basically no replayability is just too expensive.”
    • “Finished the game from start to credits in about 3 hours of gameplay, so that makes the price tag a little pricey, as the game isn't really replayable as the map and objectives don't change.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with numerous users reporting various graphical glitches, control issues, and bugs that can hinder gameplay, such as falling through the map or encountering invisible barriers. While some players noted that the autosave and quick save features mitigate the impact of these issues, others found the game unplayable due to the frequency and severity of the bugs. However, a few users experienced a smooth performance, particularly on Linux, indicating that stability may vary across different platforms.

    • “The game is bug-free and runs perfectly.”
    • “It runs great on Linux.”
    • “I'll try it again later to see if they fixed the graphical glitches, but for the moment, I find it unplayable.”
    • “This is a piss poor bug-ridden game with so many bugs it becomes unplayable after a few hours; I would recommend anyone to get a refund for this game before it's too late.”
    • “An interesting game, but it is a bit short and has quite a few glitches that allow you to walk through places you aren't supposed to go, including under the map and through the rocks.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed; while some players note a significant amount of grinding that can feel tedious, others appreciate the streamlined tasks that keep the experience engaging. Many agree that the game's relatively short length prevents grinding from becoming overly frustrating, and some players specifically praise its lack of tedious micromanagement typical in other survival games. Overall, the game manages to balance grinding with enjoyable gameplay, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

    • “The heating mechanic is repetitive but not tedious.”
    • “A lot of grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's not really enjoyable, so much as it is tedious and frustrating.”
    • “If you like single-player survival games without any grinding nonsense, this is for you.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised for its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from stress and empathy to humor and warmth, all while immersing players in the protagonist's harrowing survival experience. Reviewers note that the game's narrative and gameplay effectively create a sense of urgency and connection, making them feel as if they are truly living the character's struggles. Overall, it stands out for its capacity to elicit strong emotional responses in a relatively short playtime.

    • “Whilst the game is relatively short, it really keeps you on the edge of your seat with its subtle narrative and immersive gameplay that really puts you in the shoes of the main character and encourages you to empathize with their situation, mainly the stress and emotional drain they are going through.”
    • “I have rarely played a game that made me feel so many different emotions in such a short time span, but this one takes the cake.”
    • “The story combined with the gameplay made me feel for the character, as if I was in her position (I'm never going to Antarctica after this haha).”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by clever and well-executed dialogue between characters, often eliciting genuine laughter. While some players find the humor to be corny, it adds a lighthearted touch to the otherwise straightforward mission objectives. Overall, the comedic elements enhance the experience, making it memorable and enjoyable.

    • “The typed dialogue between the two characters is very well done and humorous many times.”
    • “It made me laugh out loud, it was touching, it was clever, and I'm going to play it again on higher difficulties for sure.”
    • “My favorite part about this game was probably the conversations back and forth between your character and McMurdo that were full of humor!”
  • optimization5 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally positive, with smooth performance on Linux and decent playability on lower-end hardware. However, players have reported occasional framerate dips, stuttering, and mini-freezes in specific scenarios, indicating some areas could benefit from further refinement.

    • “I played it on Linux; it runs smoothly on my Debian.”
    • “This is one of the better Unity games out there. The developer(s) put some real effort into the game; it has a great atmosphere, good performance, and it's fun.”
    • “Good performance & minimum requirement: I was running this game at 720p on an Intel i7-6500U and its onboard HD520 graphics card, yet the game was still playable.”
    • “Performance was okay, although I had a few recurring framerate dips due to the weather and loading certain areas.”
    • “There was also an issue with stuttering and mini-freezes when using the teletype machine.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that it is unfinished and abandoned, suggesting a lack of value for players.

    • “Another unfinished and abandoned cash grab on Steam.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

65% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
3-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 17 analyzed playthroughs

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