Nightmare of Decay

About

Nightmare of Decay is a single player survival shooter game with a horror theme. It was developed by Checkmaty and was released on May 3, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Nightmare of Decay" is a first-person action horror game set in a nightmarish manor, where you must fight for survival after awakening trapped inside. Explore an expansive, multi-level manor and face various enemies including zombies and cultists, with limited resources creating a more hardcore survival experience. The goal is to escape the nightmare, or die trying. Note: The above summary is based on the game's self-description and my knowledge cut-off of 2021-09. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to visit the game's Steam page or the official website.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,848 reviews

gameplay203 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

Great homage to classic survival horror games, particularly Resident Evil.
Fun gameplay with satisfying gun mechanics and resource management.
Short but sweet experience with additional modes for replayability.

Game is very short, taking only about 2-3 hours to complete.
Some boss fights can feel frustrating and unbalanced.
Limited enemy variety and simplistic puzzles.

gameplay
648 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
5%
The gameplay of "Nightmare of Decay" is a nostalgic homage to classic survival horror, particularly reminiscent of the Resident Evil series, blending first-person mechanics with traditional puzzle-solving and resource management. While the game offers a short but engaging experience of about 2-3 hours, it features additional modes for replayability, though some mechanics, like stamina management and combat controls, can feel clunky or frustrating at times. Overall, players appreciate the polished mechanics, atmospheric design, and the balance of challenge and fun, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
- “Probably one of my favorite indie action horror games, Nightmare of Decay perfectly translates Resident Evil 1's atmosphere and gameplay into an original first-person experience.”
- “The gameplay takes a lot from Resident Evil 4 but in first person, and includes a lot of homages like a shooting gallery minigame.”
- “The gameplay is challenging but fun, with classic Resident Evil style puzzles to complete to progress through the game and will reward you for scouring the environments for all the supplies you can, and dispatching enemies as efficiently as possible, or avoiding them if you can.”
- “I tried to keep going afterwards, and every room I entered, every mechanic I encountered, every enemy I faced felt like an AI stole these ideas from someone who actually wanted to make a fun and atmospheric experience.”
- “The game's sprint mechanic, though well-intentioned, mostly serves to punish players attempting to flee from combat; combined with some slightly clunky implementation, it never felt good to use and led to combat that was more needlessly punishing than called for.”
- “The only negative things about this game for me are the reload time of the weapons, the accuracy of the weapon related with the fire rate, and the sprint mechanics.”
story
561 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
71%
6%
The story of "Nightmare of Decay" is generally considered short and simplistic, often described as cliché and lacking depth, with many players noting its resemblance to classic survival horror tropes. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements and the atmosphere, others feel the narrative is weak and could benefit from more development and coherence. Despite its shortcomings, the game offers engaging gameplay and additional modes that enhance replayability, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
- “Nightmare of Decay is nothing like that - it is a well-told, exciting story with different settings and some ideas that always surprise you.”
- “The story was fantastic and really surprised me.”
- “Without a doubt, one of the best survival horror experiences I have had in a long time... the game does have an old school Resident Evil vibe to it yet effectively becomes its own story once you start picking through notes left behind by people who were claimed by 'the nightmare.'”
- “Nightmare of decay is a mediocre horror-like game with no story where you just navigate through rooms and clear zombies and monsters, which can easily be predicted.”
- “The story is very cliché and generic.”
- “The story's practically nonexistent and goes off the rails towards the end, but the gameplay is very faithful.”
graphics
461 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
69%
2%
The graphics of "Nightmare of Decay" are characterized by a nostalgic, retro aesthetic reminiscent of early PlayStation titles, particularly the "Resident Evil" series. While some players appreciate the low-poly, pixelated style for its charm and atmospheric contribution to the horror experience, others find it basic and lacking in detail. Overall, the visuals effectively capture the essence of classic survival horror, appealing to fans of the genre despite their simplicity.
- “The graphics are fantastic for what it's doing; the story is basic, but again for being a throwback, it fills in that role of being a 90s horror game.”
- “The visual aesthetic of the game is very reminiscent of a mid-to-late '90s PS1 or Dreamcast game, and although many areas look a little empty and sparsely decorated, there's a whole bunch of little details like gun smoke and subtle lighting effects that really punch up the game's visual style.”
- “The graphics and art style are an absolute killer, and the game itself is very fun if you're into this genre of survival horror shooting and puzzling.”
- “The game gets all the basics of Resident Evil right, but it really goes to show how much audio/visuals/presentation is important in this genre, and this game is just far too basic to really take hold of my imagination.”
- “The visuals are basic, and animations convey the intended atmosphere, while the sound could be better.”
- “Graphically, the game does not look all that well from the get-go, neither in fidelity nor in style; things are pixelated to a degree where sometimes it's either fine or cool, but often also makes it so you cannot make something out at range.”
atmosphere
344 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
41%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke the classic horror vibes reminiscent of early Resident Evil titles, combining eerie visuals, effective sound design, and a haunting ambiance that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers note that while the game may not rely heavily on jump scares, it successfully creates a tense and immersive environment filled with creepy moments and nostalgic charm. Many appreciate the retro aesthetics and attention to detail, which contribute to a rich, atmospheric experience that resonates well with fans of the survival horror genre.
- “The game does an excellent job of creating a haunting atmosphere that evokes the best moments of early horror games, while also bringing in fresh ideas.”
- “The atmosphere is consistently scary, with some deeply eerie moments broken up by little bits of silliness and some peaks of fear.”
- “The atmosphere, the level design, the weapons, the enemies... everything is absolutely bang on and I expect to see more from this dev in a similar vein or perhaps even a sequel!?”
- “Not much atmosphere, only a handful of creepy moments.”
- “Atmosphere and scariness are quite muted.”
- “Rough draft of a horror game with a decent atmosphere, but awful combat and terrible encounters in the second half of the game really turn me away.”
replayability
244 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
72%
1%
The game offers significant replayability despite its short main campaign, which typically lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours. Players can unlock various extra modes, including horde and procedurally generated dungeon escape modes, as well as challenges that encourage different play styles, enhancing the overall experience. While some players feel the game could benefit from additional content, the existing unlockables and modes provide ample incentive for multiple playthroughs.
- “If you love replay value, when you beat it you unlock a horde mode and a procedural dungeon escape mode.”
- “Despite its short length, it has tons of replayability and extra modes after your first playthrough.”
- “The final cherry on top is the huge replay value, with achievement challenges, extra game modes, and unlockables.”
- “The main campaign took me less than 2 hours on my first playthrough and although there are a couple of game modes and achievements to get that will add to replayability, I can't see me getting much more than 10 hours out of this game.”
- “The game loses a lot of potential replayability without a real randomizing logic system.”
- “I personally found it too short, even for the price; it does contain extra modes and replay value... but all of these complaints are because I like the core of what the game does so much that I wish it was actually bigger.”
music
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
61%
9%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the effective use of sparse but impactful tracks that enhance the atmosphere, particularly in key areas like the main hall. However, many players noted a significant lack of music throughout most of the game, suggesting that additional ambient sounds or music could greatly improve the overall experience. Overall, while the existing soundtrack is appreciated for its creepiness and fitting tone, a more varied and frequent musical presence is desired to elevate the game's ambiance further.
- “The atmosphere, sound, and music are all top notch.”
- “The music is simple, but really fitting.”
- “Love the art style, soundtracks were creepy as hell and the gameplay was perfectly polished.”
- “This very well could just be a budget thing; I know the game is only $5 at full price, but there is a noticeable lack of music and ambiance throughout much of the game.”
- “A survival horror game without music is like having pizza without cheese.”
- “Music is mostly non-existent outside of a few rooms and boss fights, but depending on how you look at it, that could serve to enhance the atmosphere.”
humor
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending well with its horror elements and drawing on numerous references from classic survival horror titles like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Players appreciate the self-aware, tongue-in-cheek moments that provide comic relief without detracting from the eerie atmosphere, often leading to genuine laughter through clever cameos and humorous scenarios. Overall, the game is seen as a nostalgic tribute to the genre, successfully balancing humor and horror.
- “Great mix of horror and funny moments, with some Resident Evil and Silent Hill references scattered throughout.”
- “It's essentially an indie Resident Evil clone that's very self-aware and often quite funny.”
- “The game does not take itself too seriously; it was fun, funny, and very nostalgic.”
optimization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
35%
15%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for delivering great performance with minimal bugs, allowing it to run smoothly even on low-end systems. However, some players noted slight stuttering and frame rate issues, particularly in hard mode, suggesting that while the game is generally well-optimized, there are areas for improvement. Despite these minor complaints, it stands out as a commendable effort for a small budget indie title.
- “Great performance with no noticeable bugs or technical issues.”
- “Notable for a small budget indie game, this game has almost no bugs or performance issues.”
- “Not a bad game, some slight stuttering but still playable with a nice frame rate.”
- “2 complaints: hard mode has some frame rate performance issues, and I wish the campaign was longer.”
- “So many references directly to Silent Hill and Resident Evil and others... the movement is smooth and the game is optimized so that any old potato can run this game!”
grinding
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
20%
70%
The grinding aspect of the game is often described as tedious and frustrating, with players feeling that it can become a monotonous chore, especially when dealing with zombies that hinder movement. However, some users appreciate the grinding as a fun way to unlock content, noting that it avoids the pitfalls of other games in the genre. Overall, while grinding can be a significant time investment, opinions vary on whether it enhances or detracts from the overall experience.
- “Qof features like unlimited inventory and sprint, as well as level design/puzzles that aren't tedious or brain melting.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Tedious, unimaginative, put-you-to-sleep-paced drudgery.”
- “You can only sprint for 5 seconds and it becomes very tedious to move around and backtrack everywhere.”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
89%
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting no significant bugs or glitches during their gameplay. However, some users noted minor glitches that affected immersion and described combat mechanics as occasionally finicky. A few players experienced crashes, but these instances appear to be rare.
- “Why can't more developers realize their limits and stop biting off more than they can chew with these grandiose, elaborate games that amount to nothing more than buggy, unfocused, 30 hour+ slogfests.”
- “The game is flawed sometimes by slight glitches that take out the immersion for me.”
- “About time someone gets what the old RE/SH fans want. Sure, it's not the best game, but I had fun playing it. It is a short game with no deep story, but it's self-aware about it and plays fine with glitches; only crashed once on me.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes a warm and nostalgic emotional response, reminiscent of classic titles, providing players with a sense of value and satisfaction. While it leans more towards comedy than horror, its atmospheric elements and unique visuals create a blend of anxiety and comfort throughout the experience. Overall, it serves as a heartfelt tribute to gaming's past, leaving players feeling fulfilled.
- “Made me feel warm and fuzzy inside and I'm not even joking.”
- “It's a heartfelt love letter to the days of original Resident Evil and those zombie Half-Life mods we all played.”
- “While not exactly a scary game, in fact, at times it's positively comedic, the slow movement of the character, grainy and stained visuals, and the atmosphere made me feel anxious throughout the campaign.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy primarily revolves around microtransactions, which have been a focal point in user reviews. Players express concerns about the prevalence of these transactions, suggesting they may detract from the overall gaming experience.

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68%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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3h Median play time

3h Average play time

2-3h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 26 analyzed playthroughs

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Nightmare of Decay is a survival shooter game with horror theme.

Nightmare of Decay is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing Nightmare of Decay.

Nightmare of Decay was released on May 3, 2022.

Nightmare of Decay was developed by Checkmaty.

Nightmare of Decay has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Nightmare of Decay is a single player game.

Similar games include Crow Country, Tormented Souls, Alisa, My Friendly Neighborhood, Flesh Made Fear and others.

Nightmare of Decay

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