Nightmare of Decay
- May 3, 2022
- Checkmaty
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam"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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Great homage to classic survival horror games, particularly Resident Evil.
- Fun gameplay with satisfying gun mechanics and resource management.
- Offers replayability with extra modes and challenges after completing the main story.
- Short campaign length, taking only about 2-3 hours to complete.
- Some boss fights can feel unbalanced and frustrating.
- Limited enemy variety and simplistic puzzles may not appeal to all players.
- gameplay325 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Nightmare of Decay" is a nostalgic homage to classic survival horror, particularly reminiscent of the Resident Evil series, featuring a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat mechanics. While the game offers a solid and polished experience with engaging mechanics and a tense atmosphere, some players find the combat and enemy AI to be simplistic and occasionally frustrating due to clunky controls and stamina limitations. Overall, the game is praised for its tight gameplay loop and replayability, especially with additional modes unlocked after completing the main story.
“The gameplay is fantastic.”
“The puzzles are so satisfying to complete and the gameplay style is just excellent.”
“The game strikes a great balance of action, horror, goofs, and gameplay that is satisfying.”
“The combat isn't fleshed out enough to require much more skill or strategy than that, and therefore I feel as if the combat should have either been made more interesting or many of these encounters should have been removed to let the exploration and puzzle solving shine.”
“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 gameplay felt modern and fluid for the most part despite being modeled after these older games, which was great because having any sort of major clunkiness would have made Nightmare of Decay feel like less of a tribute and more of a cheap knock-off.”
- story281 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in "Nightmare of Decay" is generally considered weak and clichéd, often described as basic or forgettable, with many players noting its lack of depth and coherence. While some appreciate the nostalgic homage to classic survival horror games like Resident Evil, others feel it fails to engage or provide a satisfying narrative experience. Despite its brevity, the game offers additional modes that enhance replayability, allowing players to enjoy the gameplay even if the story itself does not leave a lasting impression.
“The story was fantastic and really surprised me.”
“Hearing the disappearances of people going through these nightmares and never coming back felt pretty unique from a storytelling perspective (I don’t know any game that really does this yet).”
“The story, while rather basic, is very much enjoyable.”
“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.”
- graphics231 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are intentionally retro, reminiscent of the PS1 era, effectively capturing the aesthetic of classic survival horror titles like Resident Evil. While some players appreciate the nostalgic low-poly visuals and their contribution to the game's atmosphere, others find them basic and lacking in detail. Overall, the graphics serve the game's purpose well, enhancing the horror experience 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 enhance 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 are important in this genre, and this game is just far too basic to really take hold of my imagination.”
“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.”
“The graphics are poor and pixelated, but the gameplay and story are what really matter.”
- atmosphere172 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
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 sound design, retro aesthetics, and immersive environments. Reviewers highlight the game's tension and creepiness, noting that while it may not rely heavily on jump scares, it effectively creates a haunting and engaging experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay and drawing players into its unsettling world.
“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, sound, and music are all top notch.”
“Not much atmosphere, only a handful of creepy moments.”
“The visuals are basic, and animations convey the intended atmosphere, while the sound could be better.”
“Even RE1 back in the day did a better job creating atmosphere.”
- replayability122 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
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 playstyles, 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.
“A short love letter to Resident Evil that streamlines everything that made that series so good, while cutting back on the more dated/annoying mechanics, and offers a surprising amount of extras that gives a lot of replayability.”
“The main story is somewhat short, took me a little over 1.5 hours to complete it on a blind playthrough, but there's replayability in the extras you unlock afterwards, including a procedurally generated dungeon escape mode and a horde survival mode.”
“Add to that an extra mode with procedurally generated dungeons to escape from, a horde survival mode, and even a campaign mode with randomized items and enemies for replayability, and honestly the amount of content included in this game makes it well worth more than the $5 it costs.”
“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.”
- music54 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise the effective use of sparse but impactful tracks that enhance the atmosphere, others criticize the overall lack of music and ambiance in many areas, suggesting that more consistent soundscapes would improve the experience. The standout moments, particularly in key locations like the main hall, are noted for their quality, but many players feel that additional music could further elevate the game's eerie tone and immersion. Overall, the soundtrack is described as fitting and atmospheric, yet its limited presence leaves some players wanting more.
“The atmosphere, sound, and music are all top notch.”
“The music is simple, but really fitting.”
“The music that plays in the foyer of the mansion is second to none.”
“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.”
“Solid survival horror game, though the lack of music is my biggest complaint.”
“The only feedback I can give is that I was missing music for different sections (like Resident Evil had), which would have given it even more atmosphere and character.”
- humor44 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 resulting in genuine laughter through clever cameos and humorous scenarios. Overall, the game successfully balances nostalgia and humor, making it an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
“Great mix of horror and funny moments, with some Resident Evil and Silent Hill references scattered throughout.”
“The game is awesome, inspired by the original Resident Evil that doesn't take itself too seriously and even has some funny unexpected cameos here and there, which I loved.”
“It's simultaneously funny, horrifying, and compelling.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many users reporting great performance and minimal bugs. However, some players noted slight stuttering and frame rate issues, particularly in hard mode, suggesting that while it runs well on lower-end systems, there are areas for improvement. Despite these concerns, the game is considered impressive for its small budget, with most players enjoying a smooth experience.
“Great performance with no noticeable bugs or technical issues.”
“The movement is smooth and the game is optimized so that any old potato can run this game!”
“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 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!”
- grinding10 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 70 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is often described as tedious and monotonous, with players feeling that it can become a chore, especially when dealing with repetitive enemy encounters and limited mobility. However, some users find the grinding enjoyable and rewarding, particularly when it leads to unlocking new content, suggesting a mixed experience depending on player preferences.
“Features like unlimited inventory and sprint, as well as level design and 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.”
- stability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
Overall, players report a generally stable experience with minimal bugs or glitches, with many noting smooth gameplay and no significant issues during their sessions. However, a few users mentioned occasional minor glitches that could disrupt immersion, and one player experienced a single crash. Despite some imperfections, the game is largely considered stable and enjoyable.
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs.”
“I haven't encountered any stability issues; everything works as intended.”
“The performance is consistent, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
“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 is self-aware about it and plays fine with glitches; only crashed once on me.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes a warm and nostalgic emotional response, reminiscent of classic titles, providing a sense of value and satisfaction. While it leans more towards comedy than horror, its atmospheric elements and unique visuals create a persistent feeling of anxiety throughout the campaign. Overall, it serves as a heartfelt tribute to gaming's past, leaving players with a mix of comfort and tension.
“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.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy primarily revolves around microtransactions, which have received mixed feedback from users. While some appreciate the optional nature of these purchases, others feel they create an imbalance in gameplay and can detract from the overall experience.
