Self-Delusion

About

Self-Delusion is a single player survival action adventure game with horror, fantasy, mystery and dark fantasy themes. It was developed by RollingBread and was released on August 17, 2022. It received very positive reviews from players.

Self-Delusion is a first-person survival horror. The game based on an original setting of Slavic myths. The Player will faces with such unique enemies like: Kolobok, Leshy, Boggart, Lapot and other characters of grim tales.

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews

gameplay5 positive mentions

Unique horror game based on Slavic mythology featuring creative and diverse monsters with distinct mechanics.
Engaging and challenging gameplay with increasing difficulty, combining survival elements and puzzle-like management of threats.
Strong atmosphere supported by detailed sound design, effective tutorials, and a well-crafted spooky environment.

Visuals are somewhat simplistic with occasional clunky animations, reflecting its indie development.
Some text elements like notes can be hard to read due to inconsistent formatting and could benefit from voice acting for immersion.
A few players find the pacing uneven initially and some bonus content less impressive, with the multiplayer mode not yet available.

gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
69%
12%
The gameplay is praised for its variety and depth, featuring multiple unique enemies with distinct mechanics that interconnect, creating a solid and challenging loop beyond typical horror tropes. Players appreciate the blend of different level types, an effective tutorial, and the progressive increase in complexity, making it engaging and replayable. Although movement feels slightly floaty and some minor issues existed early on, overall the gameplay offers a fresh, fun, and well-designed experience that stands out in the horror genre.
- “This is where the game shines - there are like 10 different enemies with rather original mechanics (I mean no 'it only moves when you don't see it' or other overused stuff).”
- “While many other games in the genre feel like copy-pasted, generic clones of 'find this many things and don't die' gameplay, Self-Delusion jam-packs the experience with a variety of different challenges and objectives.”
- “Gameplay, while seemingly deceptively simple at first, rises in complexity and difficulty at a nice rate, and in the end I found it definitely replayable, and the challenges of going onto harder game modes pretty great.”
- “The movement/momentum felt a little floaty, and I initially disliked the look into every nook and drawer on the map mechanic, though it started to grow on me.”
- “If you go into it bashing your head into the wall barely getting past the mechanics, it only gets more difficult as it progresses.”
- “The tutorial was a little longer than I think necessary, as the way they introduce mechanics as you play was more than sufficient.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The graphics feature a retro, simplistic style with some janky animations, which fits the indie nature of the game. The Slavic-inspired art and detailed monster designs effectively convey the game's eerie atmosphere, though the visuals occasionally feel inconsistent between polished and cheesy. Overall, the aesthetic and design contribute well to the game's unique vibe.
- “The visuals gave the game a retro feel with a square ratio, and the sound effects bring true terror at times when teamed with headphones for maximum effect.”
- “Love the Slavic aesthetic, which provides some truly memorable monsters and an in-depth look at some lore you may not have ever heard of!”
- “The graphics get across the vibe of the game really well, and you can see the level of work that went into most of the monsters.”
- “Of course the visuals are rather simplistic and some animations are honestly pretty janky, but I don't really care about it considering it is a small indie.”
- “The graphics conflict sometimes between polished and kinda cheesy.”
- “Graphics get across the vibe of the game really well, but some aspects feel inconsistent.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The story is widely praised for its originality and depth, incorporating intriguing Slavic folklore and unique, terrifying creatures that enhance the horror experience. Players find the narrative engaging and filled with memorable scares, with multiple endings encouraging replayability. Overall, the story stands out as a compelling element that elevates the game beyond typical jump-scare horror.
- “I picked out Self Delusion from the Steam horror page not expecting much, just a small game filled with cheap jump scares, and what I got was a truly extraordinary game with one of the best storylines I've ever played through.”
- “The visuals gave the game a retro feel with a square ratio and the sound effects bring true terror at times when teamed with headphones for maximum effect. The story was great and now that I've finished the game, I'll be diving back in for those alternative endings.”
- “The story was interesting, especially around the Slavic folklore, and the creatures themselves were creepy and unique.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game features a well-crafted, spooky atmosphere with detailed locations and fitting ambient sounds, including intense music during chase scenes. Its unique setting and challenging gameplay contribute to an engaging horror experience. Overall, the atmosphere effectively enhances the game's mood and tension.
- “Locations are few, but they are made very nicely, with lots of attention to details, creating a really nice and spooky atmosphere.”
- “It has a unique setting, fun and challenging gameplay, and a nice spooky atmosphere, which makes for a great horror experience.”
- “The game is really difficult but interesting and atmospheric.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game boasts excellent optimization, delivering smooth and reliable technical performance.
- “Technical performance is really damn good.”
- “Performance”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay offers a well-paced increase in complexity and difficulty, making it engaging and replayable. Players especially appreciate the added challenge of harder game modes, enhancing long-term enjoyment.
- “Gameplay, while seemingly deceptively simple at first, rises in complexity and difficulty at a nice rate. In the end, I found it definitely replayable, and the challenges of going onto harder game modes are pretty great.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music effectively enhances the atmosphere with spooky ambiance and intense chase themes, contributing well to the overall mood of the game.
- “In terms of atmosphere, it's pretty fine with a bit of spooky ambience here and there and some intense music for chase scenes. It did the job.”