Rewind Or Die

About

Rewind Or Die is a single player survival simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by TORTURE STAR VIDEO and was released on April 14, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

In "Rewind or Die," a horror game set in a 90's VHS store, you're tasked with managing irate customers, a difficult boss, and a serial killer on the loose. Features include fully voiced co-workers, gory environments, taxing puzzles, and dark comedic elements. Surviving your shift may lead to one of two endings and unlockable character models. But watch out – one wrong move could make you the next victim of the infamous Slaw.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 313 reviews

music34 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

The game features a charming and nostalgic atmosphere, reminiscent of classic horror films and video rental stores.
The voice acting and humor add a fun layer to the gameplay, making it enjoyable and engaging.
The puzzles and gameplay mechanics are straightforward and entertaining, with a good balance of tension and humor.

The sewer level can be tedious and confusing, detracting from the overall experience with its maze-like design.
Some players found the chase music to be jarring and not fitting for the horror atmosphere.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content.

music
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
6%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the engaging soundtrack and its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, particularly during chase sequences. While some players enjoyed the heavy metal chase music for its fun, B-movie vibe, others found it repetitive and mismatched to the tension of being pursued. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment, despite some critiques regarding the chase music's fit and repetitiveness.
- “The game also manages to have a nice soundtrack without sacrificing any of the spook factor, which can be hard to pull off.”
- “This game has incredible music that always matches the tone.”
- “The voice acting was fantastic, comedy on point, soundtrack incredible, and the graphics were amazing!”
- “The music during chase scenes is awful; it completely ruins the experience.”
- “The repetitive music is very, very bad.”
- “The chase music is a metal or rock tune that I honestly wish was a bit longer; the loop is a bit weird.”
gameplay
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
62%
8%
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of linear puzzle-solving and exploration, with some players appreciating the tight mechanics and engaging atmosphere, while others criticize repetitive chase sequences and simplistic puzzles. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to balance challenge and enjoyment, particularly through innovative mechanics like the "rewind" feature, though some found the overall experience limited or marred by technical issues. Overall, the gameplay offers a blend of fun and frustration, appealing to fans of the survival horror genre.
- “The gameplay is challenging, but never feels unfair or frustrating, as you navigate through eerie environments and encounter terrifying enemies.”
- “A well-made retro PSX horror game with terrifying gameplay complemented by tough-to-make decisions and novel side quests.”
- “The gameplay is a first-person narrative perspective and for the most part mostly linear until you get kidnapped and brought to the slaughterhouse.”
- “The problem is I don't think I've ever played or seen a game that handles boss or unkillable enemies chasing you that well, and this one falls into having all the issues that come with the mechanic.”
- “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.”
story
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
50%
8%
The game's story, while short, is engaging and filled with nostalgic references to classic horror films, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre. Players navigate a tense narrative involving a serial killer while solving puzzles and experiencing a mix of humor and horror, though some feel the plot lacks depth in character backstories. Overall, the combination of voice acting, atmosphere, and multiple endings contributes to a fun and memorable experience, despite its straightforward nature.
- “The story was great, I loved the voice acting, the music was fire, the tension was high, the scares were frightening, the gore was visceral, and it was disturbing!”
- “Although short, it had a great story with multiple endings and some pretty fun puzzles and scares.”
- “The story is interesting especially if you are a fan of grimy, gritty, 80's horror movies with a lot more gore.”
- “The story is cheesy and straight to the point.”
- “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 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 2D.”
graphics
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
50%
9%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic PS1 and VHS aesthetic, effectively capturing the essence of low-budget horror films from the 80s and 90s. Reviewers appreciate the grainy visuals and retro design, noting that they enhance the overall experience, despite some opinions on the optional VHS filter. Overall, the game's art style and visual presentation are considered standout features, making it a top contender in the retro horror genre.
- “The graphics and style are on point.”
- “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.”
- “I love the PS1 graphics with VHS filter and effects; they create the perfect visual tone.”
- “I think my main issue with graphics is something that you can turn off at any point: the vhs filter.”
- “But, sadly, it ruins the aesthetic a fair amount.”
- “Found this one to be shorter though, and somewhat different from other games; it feels more aesthetically leaned toward the early 2000s instead of the 80s, which is a good thing for a change of pace.”
humor
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever dialogue, dark comedic elements, and nostalgic references to classic films, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere. Players appreciate the blend of horror and humor, with memorable voice acting and quirky character interactions that enhance the overall experience. The game successfully balances jump scares with comedic moments, making it a refreshing take on the horror genre.
- “The game is pretty nostalgic of when Blockbuster used to be around with funny references to Titanic, Godfather, Indiana Jones, Toy Story, Halloween, and other classic movies as you try to work as a clerk dealing with rude customers, a rude boss, and a killer on the loose.”
- “This is an incredibly punchy, consistent, and funny horror game that doesn't fall into the trap of being far too difficult, which is an issue that plagues certain PSX horror games, but it has a well-designed chapter system that makes backtracking a joy.”
- “Great sense of dark humor and just wonderfully rancid vibes.”
atmosphere
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
47%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its retro aesthetic and engaging sound design, creating a nostalgic and immersive experience reminiscent of '90s B-movies. While the initial chapters deliver a strong sense of tension and world-building, some players feel that the atmosphere diminishes in later sections due to pacing issues and less effective humor. Overall, the game is noted for its captivating atmosphere, though certain gameplay elements can detract from the overall experience.
- “The atmosphere is deliciously retro, and let’s be honest—where else can you get a pixelated slasher experience that wraps up faster than a ‘90s b-movie?”
- “It has a great atmosphere, great world-building, and just overall makes you scared, but incredibly intrigued.”
- “The sound design in 'Rewind or Die' is also worth mentioning, as it adds to the game's overall atmosphere and sense of dread.”
- “Sadly, the dumb jokes ruined the atmosphere and tension on several occasions for me.”
- “The atmosphere falls flat for me.”
- “The atmosphere and setting is there, but there's a lot that brings it down.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mix of tension and tedium, particularly during linear chase sequences that can become repetitive and confusing due to similar environments. While the challenges are not overly difficult, the lack of variety and the potential for getting lost contribute to a sense of monotony in these segments. Overall, the experience is enjoyable but marred by moments of frustration.
- “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.”
- “I will say that the second chase with Slaw can be a bit tedious as he's always hot on your trail as you find the pressure release switches.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it limited, particularly noting that only the final chapter offers a brief return, others appreciate its potential for replay, suggesting it adds value despite the game's short length.
- “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.”
- “Even though the game is short, there is a good amount of replay value.”
- “And because of that, there is no replay value besides the final chapter, which is only about 10 minutes of the game. I say the game doesn't justify the price to me.”
- “Even though the game is short, there is a bit of replay value to it.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the movie "Pig," starring Nicolas Cage, resonates deeply with viewers, evoking nostalgia and strong feelings that can lead to tears. Many find it reminiscent of childhood experiences, enhancing its emotional impact.
- “Made me feel like a kid again going to the movie gallery with my parents.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with most players reporting a polished experience free of significant bugs or performance issues. However, some users on the Steam Deck noted minor texture flickering and occasional performance stutters that briefly impacted gameplay.
- “The game seems pretty polished; I didn't experience any bugs or performance issues, etc. Love to see it.”
- “On the Steam Deck, I had some flickering textures and minor performance stutters, but they only affected my experience for a few seconds each time it happened.”
- “The Steam Deck had some flickering textures and minor performance stutters, which affected my experience for a few seconds each time it happened.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praised the character development for its exceptional atmosphere and high-quality design, highlighting how these elements enhance the overall experience.