Rewind Or Die
- April 14, 2023
- TORTURE STAR VIDEO
- 2h median play time
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Get on itch.io Store"Rewind or Die" is a horror game set in a 90's VHS shop, where you must deal with cranky customers, a suspicious killer, and gory challenges. The game boasts a UK setting, fully voiced co-workers, and dark comedic elements. Survive through taxing puzzles, gruesome enemies, and two endings to uncover the shop's secrets. Will you escape the video rental store alive? NO RELEASE DATE OR DEVELOPER Bolster Games MENTIONED.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features a nostalgic retro aesthetic reminiscent of classic PS1 horror games, enhancing the overall experience.
- Engaging gameplay with a mix of puzzles, chase sequences, and humor, making it a fun and entertaining horror experience.
- The voice acting and soundtrack received praise for adding to the game's charm and atmosphere.
- The sewer level is often criticized for being confusing and tedious, detracting from the overall pacing of the game.
- Some players found the jump scares to be overused and not particularly effective, leading to a lack of genuine fear.
- The game is relatively short, with many feeling it could benefit from additional content or longer playtime.
- music54 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the engaging soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere and complements the gameplay. The chase music, while described as catchy and enjoyable by some, has been criticized for its repetitiveness and tonal mismatch during tense moments, detracting from the horror experience. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for its quality, but opinions vary on its effectiveness in enhancing the game's intended mood.
“The game also features a really nice soundtrack, and some very amusing and tongue-in-cheek voice acting.”
“This game has incredible music that always matches the tone.”
“Loved the presentation of all the scenes and the music fit every scene and sequence like a glove!”
“Perhaps some of the horror in the game could have been done better, like the boss fight, which wasn’t very scary and the music was a bit over-the-top.”
“Every time pig man chases, and that goofy music starts up, it annihilates the vibe.”
“This might not seem like a big issue but the area is huge and you're being chased constantly so the repetitive chase music and the frustration of having to look everywhere and believing you might have missed something is very real.”
- gameplay30 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a blend of exploration, item collection, and puzzle-solving, set in a retro-inspired horror environment that effectively balances challenge and enjoyment. While some players appreciate the innovative mechanics and engaging atmosphere, others find certain elements, like chase sequences and puzzles, to be repetitive or simplistic. Overall, the game offers a captivating experience with a fair checkpoint system and a unique "rewind" feature that enhances replayability.
“A well-made retro PSX horror game with terrifying gameplay complemented by tough-to-make decisions and novel side quests.”
“The British town setting gives it a fun 'video nasty' vibe, and the survival horror gameplay is perfectly tuned to be challenging without being frustrating or overwhelming.”
“The gameplay is challenging, but never feels unfair or frustrating, as you navigate through eerie environments and encounter terrifying enemies.”
“Very annoying chase sequences that devolve into trial and error gameplay.”
“Puzzles were underwhelming, gameplay was simplistic, chases were boring and repetitive.”
“Can't help but feel a silent protagonist might've been better though, and the gameplay is ultimately pretty limited; also, it isn't difficult in the slightest.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their authentic PS1 and VHS aesthetic, which enhances the overall horror experience and evokes nostalgia for classic 80s and 90s films. Reviewers appreciate the retro visuals, noting that they contribute significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere, making it a standout in the indie horror genre. While not slick or modern, the graphics are considered well-executed and fitting for the game's theme, appealing even to those who typically prefer contemporary styles.
“Great indie horror game, love the PSX aesthetic!”
“If you're into this aesthetic, I'd argue that this is probably the best looking game within this style.”
“The game offers the now standard 80's visuals in the PS1 style which work fine here, and some above average voice acting.”
“But, sadly, it ruins the aesthetic a fair amount.”
“The game's retro aesthetic and VHS-style visuals create a truly immersive and nostalgic experience, reminiscent of classic horror films from the 80s and 90s.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its retro aesthetic, engaging sound design, and effective world-building, creating a captivating and often terrifying experience. While many players appreciate the nostalgic and immersive qualities, some note inconsistencies, such as pacing issues and the impact of certain puzzles on the overall atmosphere. Overall, it successfully evokes a sense of dread and intrigue, making it a standout feature for fans of the genre.
“This game has a cool retro atmosphere and is really polished with neat filters to use.”
“It has a great atmosphere, great world-building, and just overall makes you scared, but incredibly intrigued.”
“With its authentic gameplay, retro-inspired graphics, and captivating atmosphere, it's a must-play for fans of the genre.”
“The atmosphere falls flat for me.”
“The atmosphere and setting is there, but there's a lot that brings it down.”
“Obtuse puzzles ruin the otherwise cohesive atmosphere.”
- humor20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its blend of humor and horror, featuring a mix of dark, crude jokes and funny voice acting that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the comedic elements, including quirky characters and clever references, which provide a lighthearted contrast to the game's jump scares and gory visuals. Overall, it successfully balances humor with horror, making it an entertaining and engaging experience.
“The secret ending was also such a classic; I was laughing at how fun that was.”
“There's also quite a bit of humor in this; the Britishness of it all gave me a weird low-rent version of Peep Show vibes, and I found myself laughing quite a bit, especially in the game's excellent first chapter, where you close up the shop.”
“Great sense of dark humor and just wonderfully rancid vibes.”
- story18 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story is engaging, particularly for fans of 80's horror, featuring a mix of intrigue, charm, and brutal violence, though it leans on familiar tropes of the genre. While not groundbreaking, it effectively combines a creepy atmosphere with fun puzzles and a zany plot, making for an entertaining experience. Some players noted a desire for deeper character backstories, but overall, the narrative complements the gameplay well.
“The story is interesting, especially if you are a fan of grimy, gritty 80's horror movies with a lot more gore.”
“It has an intriguing story, with very fun secrets and achievements, along with incredibly fun gameplay, engaging music, and a terrifying atmosphere.”
“The game comes together well to create a good package of fun boss fights, good storytelling, excellent exploration, and is generally a fantastic product that'll set you back 2-3 hours to finish fully.”
“The story itself is standard fare for this sub-genre, wherein the player goes to 'work' or 'school' and then is confronted (or in this particular case kidnapped) by some slasher archetype; padding out the run time (in this case by quite a bit compared to its counterparts) before the actual 'horror' pops off.”
“I would also have liked to see some explanation of the killer's backstory and motives, as whilst he has a strong design, he seems very two-dimensional.”
“Nothing very original, but the story and ride were worth every minute.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a mix of emotions in their experiences, with some feeling frustration from relentless AI in "Stay Out of the House," while others appreciate the suspense and fear in "Rod." Additionally, nostalgic feelings are evoked, reminiscent of childhood memories associated with family outings to movie rentals.
“Where 'Stay Out of the House' left me frustrated with the AI killer constantly searching for you, it made me feel scared that something was going to jump out at any given point, which is what I prefer in a horror game.”
“Made me feel like a kid again going to Movie Gallery with my parents.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly during the second act, which features repetitive chase sequences and a lack of distinct visual cues. While the puzzles are not overly challenging, the monotony can detract from the overall experience.
“It's not overly challenging but can definitely be tedious.”
“There's a mechanic in that section that is downright tedious and everything mildly looks the same, so it was easy to get lost and forget where you were going in the first place.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find that the game, while not lengthy to complete, offers significant replay value, enhancing its overall worth and making it a worthwhile purchase.
“In my opinion, it doesn't take long to beat the game, but it has great replay value, which makes it even better. It's definitely worth the price.”
“The game offers a lot of replayability, with different choices and outcomes that keep it fresh every time you play.”
“I love how each playthrough can feel completely different, thanks to the various paths and decisions you can make.”
“In my opinion, it doesn't take long to beat the game, and while it has some replay value, it ultimately feels lacking.”
“The game is fun at first, but once you finish it, there's little incentive to play again.”
“After completing the game, I found that there wasn't much to draw me back for a second playthrough.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its strong optimization, with users reporting a polished experience free of bugs or performance issues.
“The game feels incredibly polished; I didn't experience any bugs or performance issues, which is great to see.”
“The optimization is top-notch, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it runs seamlessly and enhances the overall experience.”
