Scrutinized

About

Scrutinized is a single player simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by Reflect Studios and was released on August 5, 2020. It received positive reviews from players.

"Scrutinized" is a single-player horror simulation game with a good story and impressive visuals. As Luna Youngman, a Criminal Analyst, you assess reports and determine threats using a simulated computer system with various tools. The game is very atmospheric, but be prepared for lots of grinding and challenging cell phone code-cracking. The true horrors of your town dwell behind seemingly ordinary front doors.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,021 reviews

gameplay33 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

The detective mode offers a unique and engaging experience, allowing players to focus on solving cases without the threat of being attacked.
The game creates a tense atmosphere with well-designed sound cues and jump scares that keep players on edge.
The investigative mechanics are satisfying, with interesting cases that require logical deduction and attention to detail.

The difficulty level can be excessively punishing, with many players feeling frustrated by the RNG elements and the harsh penalties for mistakes.
The rootkit mini-game is often seen as tedious and frustrating, with long cooldowns that disrupt gameplay flow.
Some players report bugs that hinder gameplay, such as issues with interacting with objects or the game freezing.

gameplay
121 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
60%
13%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the challenging and tense mechanics of investigation and survival, while others find it frustratingly shallow and repetitive. Many users noted issues with bugs and unclear mechanics that disrupt the flow of gameplay, leading to a steep learning curve and feelings of unfairness. Overall, while the atmosphere and concept are praised, the execution of gameplay elements often detracts from the experience, making it feel tedious and inconsistent.
- “The combination of detective mechanics and home invasion suspense makes every session feel like a high-stakes balancing act between reason and fear.”
- “I love this game; the jumpscares are good and the gameplay is also very good!”
- “The gameplay loop is very fun and challenging, but the surviving aspects are insanely difficult later in the game, and a little unfair.”
- “Gameplay is unrealistic and lacks depth; cases, while interesting, are simultaneously too easy to solve and do not accept evidence that logically makes sense, which can be very frustrating after spending time analyzing the case.”
- “The balance between investigation and survival can also be frustrating at times; being forced to constantly get up and check for intruders disrupts concentration and can lead to mistakes in both gameplay elements.”
- “The gameplay is tedious, prone to getting stale quickly, and a lot poorer than WTTG 2.”
atmosphere
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
38%
8%
The atmosphere in the game is consistently praised for its intense and immersive qualities, effectively blending psychological horror with a sense of realism that heightens player paranoia. The sound design, featuring subtle noises and clever pacing, amplifies the tension, creating a chilling environment that keeps players on edge. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as both oppressive and engaging, making it a standout in the indie horror genre.
- “The blending of real-world procedures with supernatural dread creates an atmosphere that feels grounded yet uncanny, as if something truly sinister lurks beneath the veneer of rational investigation.”
- “The atmosphere, lore, mechanics, setting, and gameplay in general are well made.”
- “The atmosphere is tense and the killers are terrifying.”
- “The whole atmosphere of this game is very scary too; you're all alone in your house and you are always paranoid of the smallest sounds.”
- “The enemies in question complement each other, so where you might have had some time to relax, you no longer do, and it creates this incredibly tense atmosphere where every muscle of your body is tense, adrenaline is pumping through your body because you feel like you are about to die any second.”
story
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
61%
9%
The game's story explores modern themes such as digital surveillance and the consequences of quick judgments, offering a captivating narrative that engages players, especially horror enthusiasts. While some players appreciate the psychological depth and intriguing case files, others criticize the lack of replay value and the frustrating difficulty spikes that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a strong point, though opinions vary on its execution and impact.
- “The story touches on modern themes of digital surveillance and the power—and danger—of quick assumptions.”
- “Would definitely recommend to horror game fanatics that love good scares and story building.”
- “It keeps the ball rolling on an engaging storyline built upon the last two games.”
- “I watched playthroughs on YouTube of the 'story' party and was very unimpressed with the casual mode ending being a massive letdown to the player. The casual ableism in that ending is quite concerning, and while I knew I would dislike the story part, the detective mode caught my attention. I love that sort of thing, so I got the game to give it a try, and oh boy, it's still not the greatest even in that mode.”
- “Maybe if the game was more linear and story-focused, perhaps with some way to defend oneself, it could be better.”
- “Rootkit timeout ruins immersion in detective mode, restricting a lot of the game story if you aren't lucky.”
graphics
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
46%
11%
The graphics in the game receive high praise for their quality and detail, with options ranging from low to ultra settings to accommodate different hardware capabilities. Many players appreciate the artistic design and realism, particularly in horror elements, although some report minor glitches and performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience significantly.
- “I selected the 'beautiful' option in the 'graphics' tab because I am genuinely sick of how today's graphics are complicated and configured straight from the factory. This game genuinely has great options and will suit you no matter what.”
- “Really good graphics, really scary.”
- “Graphics 10/10, I love the way they made the windows kind of dirty so you can see what's going on outside, but not clearly.”
- “The only redeemable qualities this game has going for it are its graphics and voice acting, but you will soon forget about those things while you are busy slamming your head on your desk out of frustration.”
- “There are a few bugs with how some of the graphics are rendered: sometimes receipts have the lines overwriting each other, sometimes you can't close a driver's license or search box.”
- “I didn't really know how well it would run on my PC so I got it and tested it out but it didn't really play out well, only 10+ fps on potato graphics.”
grinding
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
82%
Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with many noting that the repetitive tasks and mechanics detract from the overall experience. The detective work is often seen as boring, while survival elements can feel like a chore, leading to a sense of monotony that hampers enjoyment. Overall, the grinding is viewed as a significant drawback, making the gameplay feel stale and less engaging.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Some reports feel too similar, and the process of sifting through documents may grow tedious for players who crave faster pacing.”
- “The survival mechanics are very tedious and annoying, feels like a chore rather than a game.”
- “You have a detective horror game where the detective work is broken and often boring, and the horror part is just tedious and frustrating (and sometimes kind of bugged).”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is a mixed bag, featuring moments of genuine comedy through wacky text logs and social media interactions, as well as unintentional hilarity in its casual ending. Players appreciate the blend of horror and humor, though some feel that certain comedic elements detract from the overall tension. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay experience, even if it occasionally falls flat.
- “These devs know how to mix realism, horror, humor, and fun.”
- “Funny at times (from some wacky text logs to social media accounts to the reports of some of these people, there are some funny moments to be had while playing this game).”
- “I bought this game because it looked funny.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and ambient qualities, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate both the in-game soundtrack and the menu music, describing it as enjoyable and a standout feature. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.
- “It makes the game so relaxing, and the great addition to it is the paused menu music — lovely ambient.”
- “I loved this game, the music, the graphics, the realistic horror, and a lot of other things.”
- “The menu music is a bop.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players report that the game exhibits significant stability issues, including frequent glitches and bugs that hinder gameplay and interaction. While the enemy design is praised, these technical problems can disrupt long play sessions and affect the overall experience.
- “The game constantly glitches and stops you from being able to interact with the options on the screen, completely halting your ability to play.”
- “The enemies are very well designed, but their gameplay can be a bit buggy at times, which is frustrating for long runs.”
- “Very hard and somewhat buggy at times, but at least it's speedrunnable.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The optimization of the game has been criticized by users, with many reporting frequent stuttering and complete freezes during gameplay. While some suggest it may be an individual issue, the recurring nature of these problems indicates a broader optimization concern.
- “Optimization: This might be a problem on my end, but throughout the game, I had lots of issues with the game stuttering or just completely freezing up.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the emotional depth provided by a captivating slideshow that introduces the main character and key figures, enhancing their attachment to the story. This thoughtful approach is seen as a refreshing addition to the genre, fostering a strong emotional connection with the game.
- “And before you even jump in, a nice slideshow of artwork plays and gives an emotional, in-depth introduction to the main character and other important characters that motivate her.”
- “It's a breath of fresh air for the genre, and games that I'm emotionally attached to.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users highlight that the game offers significant replay value, encouraging players to return for multiple playthroughs.
- “And to top it all off, there is a lot of replay value.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game received minimal praise, with users expressing a lack of engagement or depth in the characters, despite appreciating other elements like music and design.