.redruM

About

.redruM is a horror walking simulator that serves as a work of art to communicate a message, with minimalistic gameplay focusing on realism and visual experimentation inspired by liminal spaces and crime scenes. As a crime scene photographer, you must uncover the identity of a murderer in this disturbing and reflective experience, lasting around an hour and crafted by a solo developer.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 28 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

The game features stunning graphics and a captivating atmosphere that effectively captures the essence of liminal spaces.
The unique gameplay mechanic of taking photos at crime scenes adds an interesting layer to the experience, encouraging players to engage with their surroundings.
The sound design enhances the immersive experience, making it more engaging when played with a good headset.

The gameplay can feel slow and monotonous, with long walking segments that detract from the overall experience.
There is a lack of clear storytelling and direction, which can leave players feeling lost and disconnected from the narrative.
Some technical issues, such as high flashlight exposure and sluggish movement, hinder the gameplay experience.

story
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
73%
14%
The game's story is perceived as fragmented and difficult to grasp, with many players noting a lack of coherent narrative despite attempts to convey themes through environmental storytelling. While some appreciate the artistic choice to avoid dialogue and text, the abrupt transitions and sluggish movement detract from the overall experience, leaving players feeling disconnected from the intended message. Ultimately, the story fails to engage, with an obvious twist that does not resonate with the audience.
- “I liked the use of environments instead of dialogue/text to tell a story.”
- “The dev reached out to me via email to explain the ending of the game and to also explain their intention with telling a story through this form of art.”
- “I did appreciate the stylized choice of not including any text or voice overs to tell a story, and to rely solely on environments and gameplay to tell it instead, but when this happens it forces the player to interpret for themselves whatever it is they are experiencing.”
- “Unfortunately, there is no story, and the twist is obvious from a mile away.”
- “The locations change but... there's nothing connecting a coherent story here.”
- “Unfortunately, I felt your game's story was a difficult one to process and understand for myself in the way it was told.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
The gameplay is centered around the liminal space concept, utilizing light to guide players through levels, which creates a unique atmosphere and encourages exploration. While the absence of text or voiceovers enhances immersion, some players feel that the long stretches of walking and minimal storytelling can lead to frustration. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics and realistic graphics, making it a recommended experience for those who enjoy chill exploration games.
- “The whole gameplay is based on the liminal space concept, so in most of the levels you are somehow guided by brighter lights.”
- “The camera gameplay isn’t perfect, but it effectively encourages players to reflect on the few actions available in the game.”
- “Searching for answers in these desolate landscapes and wondering which mechanics to expect only makes you sink further into the world the developers wished to create, helping you learn how to become part of it, and your discoveries unravel later on.”
- “What little substance I did get to experience in between these long moments of walking simply wasn't enough for me to justify the gameplay choice of endless walking.”
- “I did appreciate the stylized choice of not including any text or voice overs to tell a story, and to rely solely on environments and gameplay to tell it instead, but when this happens it forces the player to interpret for themselves whatever it is they are experiencing.”
- “Personally, I think that the possibility to stop the gameplay and resume it later would be nice to have, and maybe a little more storytelling at the beginning of each 'level' would also be great.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its meticulous crafting, creating a dreamlike experience that oscillates between serene and intensely disturbing scenes. Players appreciate the effective use of a forensic camera and the significant role of audio, recommending headsets for an optimal experience. However, some critiques note that the reliance on loud sounds for scares detracts from the overall atmospheric tension.
- “Incredible how well it nails the atmospheres, especially given how many times it changes throughout the game.”
- “The variation is great too, as it really hits all extremes; from simple, subdued atmospheres where things are relaxing, all the way to super intense ones, where you almost want to exit the area immediately due to the unbearable feeling that comes with it.”
- “The game also uses loud sounds to scare instead of building up atmosphere to something actually scary, which is not a great way to do horror.”
- “The meticulously crafted atmospheres transform the journey into an almost dreamlike experience, where the familiar becomes strange and the mundane turns disturbing.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The graphics of Redrum are praised for their unique adaptation of liminal space aesthetics, featuring hyper-realistic visuals combined with intentionally dusty and grainy effects that evoke an old videotape feel. Players appreciate the stunning color combinations that enhance immersion, although some find the abrupt transitions to backroom-style environments disrupt the narrative flow. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's intriguing atmosphere and enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “Stunning graphics, truly impeccable color combination that makes the gaming experience even more immersive.”
- “10/10 chill liminal space exploration photo game with realistic graphics and extremely fun gameplay.”
- “The entire game strives for hyper-realism, but with purposefully dusty and grainy visuals that make it appear like you are watching an old videotape.”
- “Redrum lies in its aesthetics of liminal spaces and unsettling environments.”
- “While the themes of backrooms and liminal spaces are present, they are not taken literally; instead, the developer has skillfully adapted this aesthetic to create something unique and original.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that using a good pair of headsets enhances the emotional experience of the game, particularly by evoking feelings of fear and tension.