Scrutinized

About

"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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 855 reviews

gameplay33 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

The game is incredibly scary with well-executed jump scares that keep players on edge.
The detective mode allows players to enjoy the investigative aspect without the horror elements, making it accessible for those who prefer solving cases.
The atmosphere and sound design are top-notch, creating a tense and immersive experience.

The game can be frustratingly difficult, with some players feeling that the mechanics are unfair and lead to random deaths.
There are bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as issues with the rootkit mechanic and evidence submission.
The lack of clear tutorials or guidance can leave players confused about how to progress, especially regarding the evidence system.

gameplay
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
55%
14%
The gameplay of "Scrutinized" is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics and frustrating elements, with players enjoying the investigative aspects and tense atmosphere, while also noting issues with repetitiveness and poorly explained mechanics. Many find the gameplay loop satisfying, especially for fans of horror and mystery, but some criticize it for being tedious and lacking depth, leading to a steep learning curve and occasional bugs that disrupt the experience. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of detective work and horror, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its inconsistencies and reliance on trial-and-error gameplay.
- “Scrutinized has a fantastic gameplay loop.”
- “I love it because the core gameplay is similar to Papers, Please mixed in with sheer terror and looking over your shoulder.”
- “The atmosphere, lore, mechanics, setting, and gameplay in general are well made.”
- “Terribly repetitive gameplay of having to check windows, lights, switch on Wi-Fi and circuit breaker.”
- “Just overall repetitive and exhausting gameplay that completely takes away any horror aspect after about 20 minutes of playing.”
- “The gameplay is tedious, prone to getting stale quickly and a lot poorer than WTTG 2.”
atmosphere
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
38%
8%
The atmosphere in "Welcome to the Game 2" is widely praised for its intense, tense, and immersive qualities, effectively blending elements of horror and detective gameplay. Players appreciate the ability to customize their experience, such as turning off jump scares, although many feel that this detracts from the overall tension. The game's sound design and environmental details contribute significantly to a sense of paranoia and anticipation, making it a standout feature despite some criticisms regarding gameplay balance and clarity.
- “First of all, the game does have merits, particularly in its one environment which really oozes a lovely spoopy domestic atmosphere, combined with the excellent sound design, honestly gave me a feeling of tension I haven't experienced in any horror title before.”
- “The atmosphere, lore, mechanics, setting, and gameplay in general are well made.”
- “The atmosphere in this game has me paranoid!!”
- “The whole atmosphere of this game is very scary too, you're all alone in your house and you are always paranoid of the most little sounds.”
- “The atmosphere is tense and the killers are terrifying.”
story
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
62%
10%
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it uninteresting or poorly executed, particularly criticizing the casual mode's ending and perceived ableism. Others appreciate the psychological horror elements and engaging detective mechanics, noting that while the narrative can be captivating, the overall execution and replay value may fall short. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a blend of intriguing concepts hampered by gameplay mechanics that detract from the experience.
- “A hard game to play with a few tweaks needed here and there, but the stories in the reports really tell a great story filled with psychological horror.”
- “The jump scares feel natural, the story is captivating, and I love filing the cases.”
- “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 for the player, along with the casual ableism present in that ending. I knew I would hate the story part, but the detective mode got 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.”
- “The storyline is messy and lacks coherence, making it difficult to stay engaged.”
- “Maybe if the game was more linear and story-focused, perhaps with some way to defend oneself, it could be better.”
graphics
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
35%
13%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their realism and quality, with many users highlighting the impressive visual effects, detailed environments, and effective use of lighting and shadows. However, some players noted occasional glitches and rendering issues that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive horror atmosphere.
- “I loved this game, the music, the graphics, the realistic horror, and a lot of other things.”
- “The graphics are also seemingly realistic and good quality.”
- “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
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
7%
86%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and frustrating, often feeling more like a chore than an engaging gameplay element. Many reviews highlight that the detective work and survival mechanics contribute to a sense of monotony, detracting from the overall experience. While some appreciate the learning curve, the general consensus leans towards grinding being a significant drawback.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Just tedious.”
- “The survival mechanics are very tedious and annoying, feels like a chore rather than a game.”
- “The gameplay is tedious, prone to getting stale quickly and a lot poorer than wttg 2.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding moments of levity through wacky text logs and social media accounts, while others feel that the humor detracts from the overall tension. Although there are funny elements, such as a casual ending that some found amusing, the effectiveness of the humor varies, leaving some players feeling underwhelmed. Overall, the developers successfully blend horror and humor, but the execution may not resonate with everyone.
- “These devs know how to mix realism, horror, humor, and fun.”
- “There are some funny moments to be had while playing this game, from wacky text logs to social media accounts.”
- “It saps the tension but is unintentionally hilarious, I guess.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with players praising its quality and catchiness, particularly noting the menu music as a standout feature. While some players had mixed feelings about other aspects of the game, the music consistently emerged as a highlight.
- “I loved this game, the music, the graphics, the realistic horror, and a lot of other things.”
- “(P.S. the menu music is a bop)”
- “I liked very little in this game, but the music, free roam, and house/character design were cool.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
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: I experienced numerous issues with the game stuttering and completely freezing up throughout my playthrough.”
- “Optimization: I encountered significant stuttering and freezing issues during the game, which severely impacted my experience.”
- “Optimization: The game frequently stuttered and froze, making it difficult to enjoy the gameplay.”
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.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is reported to have stability issues, with users noting it can be quite buggy at times. Despite these problems, it maintains a level of playability that allows for speedrunning.
- “A little buggy.”
- “Very hard, somewhat buggy at times, but at least it's speed runnable.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users highlight that the game offers significant replay value, encouraging players to return for multiple playthroughs.
- “The game offers a tremendous amount of replay value, keeping me engaged long after my first playthrough.”
- “With multiple endings and diverse character choices, the replayability is off the charts!”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh and exciting, thanks to the various paths and strategies available.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game received minimal praise, with users expressing a preference for other elements such as music, free roam, and design over the depth or growth of the characters themselves.