Skip to main content

Subject 13

Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
Subject 13 Game Cover
54%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
gameplay, stability
49% User Score Based on 61 reviews
Critic Score 66%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

PCMac OSPhonePlaystation 4Xbox OneiPadXboxMobile PlatformiPhoneWindowsPlayStation
Buy Nowfrom $1.09
Buy NowGet on Steam €9.99Buy NowGet on Apple Store
Subject 13 Game Cover

About

Subject 13 is a single player puzzle game with mystery, thriller and science fiction themes. It was developed by Paul Cuisset and was released on May 28, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and neutral reviews from players.

"Subject 13" is a first-person puzzle-adventure game that follows the story of Franklin Fargo, a physicist who finds himself in a mysterious sea fortress. Players must navigate through a series of complex puzzles and challenges to uncover the truth behind the fortress and its enigmatic origins. With stunning visuals and challenging gameplay, "Subject 13" offers an immersive and engaging experience for fans of the adventure and puzzle genres.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Subject 13 screenshot
Subject 13 screenshot
Subject 13 screenshot
Subject 13 screenshot
Subject 13 screenshot
Subject 13 screenshot
Subject 13 screenshot
Subject 13 screenshot
Subject 13 screenshot
Subject 13 screenshot
Subject 13 screenshot
+9
Skip User Reviews

49%
Audience ScoreBased on 61 reviews
story14 positive mentions
stability6 negative mentions
  • The game features a variety of puzzles that are mostly entertaining and provide a good challenge for players.
  • The graphics, music, and voice acting are serviceable, contributing to an overall enjoyable atmosphere.
  • The game has a hint system that helps players navigate through puzzles, making it accessible for those who may get stuck.
  • The story is weak and often uninteresting, with poorly implemented audio logs that fail to engage players.
  • Controls can be clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration during gameplay, especially with the interaction mechanics.
  • The final puzzle, a large version of Minesweeper, is widely criticized for being tedious and frustrating, detracting from the overall experience.
  • story
    35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it weak, confusing, and poorly implemented, often relying on hidden audio logs that fail to engage. While some appreciate the intriguing sci-fi elements and the potential of the plot, others criticize the lack of character development and unresolved plot points, leading to a disappointing overall experience. Despite its flaws, a few players found the story enjoyable and captivating, suggesting that it has moments of interest amidst its shortcomings.

    • “The game does have an interesting story, compelling mysteries, and an interesting setting.”
    • “Story excellently told gradually and captivating.”
    • “This game started off well: the puzzles were logically consistent, and the 'failed science' plot seemed promising.”
    • “The story is confusing and some puzzles are not intuitive.”
    • “The story was confusing, and did not tie up any of the many loose ends that it left.”
    • “I had high hopes for this game, but the actual story seems deadly boring – it does not inspire me to find the way to resolve certain clues because the clues seemed artificially and forcibly created on the way.”
  • graphics
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game are generally described as serviceable and somewhat dated, with some reviewers noting that they have aged reasonably well. While there are mentions of beautiful visuals and superb graphics, others feel they fall short of modern standards and can be buggy. Overall, the graphics are considered decent but not groundbreaking, with a mix of positive and critical feedback.

    • “Nice looking graphics which aged quite well.”
    • “The graphics are very beautiful but again could be refined somewhat.”
    • “The graphics were not that great even at their best.”
    • “The graphics are just as old as most of the puzzles.”
    • “Graphically, the game is a bit dated, but it looks fine despite its age.”
  • gameplay
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the interesting mechanics and visuals, while others criticize the clunky interaction system and poorly implemented puzzles. The game offers around 5-6 hours of playtime, but many feel the price is too high for the experience, citing issues with buggy mechanics and nonsensical puzzles that detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “The gameplay is good, although interacting with things might feel a bit clunky at first due to how the interaction menu is laid out.”
    • “The game looks good, I enjoyed the story and some of the game mechanics are really neat.”
    • “Gameplay is also kind of a mixed bag.”
    • “The puzzle is randomly generated and the mechanics are essentially like Minesweeper, but it is a large area to completely fill.”
    • “Unfortunately, some of the puzzles don't make any sense, and the only way I was able to get past those was either by brute force (combination locks) or by looking up the mechanics or solution, both of which really spoil the fun.”
  • music
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally described as serviceable, with a standout main violin theme and enjoyable background tracks that enhance the atmosphere. While some players found the music to be pleasant and fitting, others noted that it was not particularly memorable or varied, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Overall, the soundtrack received mixed reviews, with some highlights appreciated, especially by fans of specific genres.

    • “I really liked the music.”
    • “The outro song was a nice surprise for metal fans with a hint of a French charm.”
    • “The graphics, music, and the voice acting were all serviceable.”
    • “Serviceable graphics, music, and voice acting – but it won’t knock anyone’s socks off.”
    • “There is not much music, but the main violin theme is pretty good, and I like the little sting that plays at significant moments.”
  • stability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting various glitches, particularly with auto-saving and delayed responses during gameplay. While some issues are minor and easily rectified, others, such as a 10-minute action limit and problematic puzzles, significantly detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as buggy, impacting its functionality and enjoyment.

    • “The game is buggy.”
    • “It also seems to be buggy and has a 10-minute time limit after which actions that you do don't work right (without any warning).”
    • “In fact, many puzzles had problems with just buggy functionality.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that while the story is well-developed, the characters lack significant growth or depth, leaving players wanting more in terms of character development.

    • “While the story was fleshed out, there wasn't really any character development, and oh, could there have been!”
    • “The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked any meaningful growth throughout the game.”
    • “Despite the intriguing premise, the character arcs were predictable and failed to engage me emotionally.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users highlight that the humor in the game is engaging and complements the post-apocalyptic narrative, maintaining a fast-paced experience similar to that of "Portal 2."

    • “The humor in this game is reminiscent of Portal 2, where the witty dialogue and post-apocalyptic story keep you engaged at a fast pace.”
    • “The comedic elements are cleverly woven into the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable and often hilarious.”
    • “I found myself laughing out loud at the quirky characters and their absurd interactions throughout the game.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers highlight that the music effectively enhances the game's atmosphere, creating an immersive experience that complements the overall setting and mood.

    • “The music perfectly complements the atmosphere, enhancing every moment of the game.”
    • “The immersive sound design creates a captivating atmosphere that draws you into the world.”
    • “The atmospheric visuals and ambient sounds work together to create an unforgettable experience.”
    • “The music doesn't fit the atmosphere at all, making it feel disjointed.”
    • “The overall ambiance is lacking; it fails to immerse you in the game world.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, leaving little to engage with.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers a straightforward experience that is easier to engage with than many adventure titles, but it lacks sufficient content to encourage repeated playthroughs.

    • “It's more playable and less convoluted than many adventure games, but this one just doesn't have enough going for it.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and experience it again.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices and branching paths makes replaying feel like a chore rather than an adventure.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be long and tedious, often leading to a lack of enjoyment due to repetitive tasks that feel more like a chore than a challenge. The necessity of redoing puzzles diminishes the fun, as players frequently encounter familiar and frustrating scenarios.

    • “It's rather a long and tedious puzzle, so a do-over isn't quite like your character dying and respawning in a Lego Marvel or Batman game.”
    • “You'll almost certainly recognize it, and that takes whatever fun it might have been utterly away, since you'll be doing something you've most likely done before and may have found tedious, partly due to the inescapable guessing and losing aspect of it.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is hindered by flat voice performances that detract from immersion, as characters fail to convey emotions effectively. Additionally, the stilted dialogue suggests issues with translation, further impacting the overall experience.

Skip Critic Reviews

66%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Subject 13

6h Median play time
6h Average play time
6-6h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Subject 13

Games Like Subject 13

The Testament of Sherlock Holmes Image
77%2.1kreviews

The Testament of Sherlock Holmes

2012Puzzle
Playstation 3Nintendo SwitchXbox 360+5
The Guest Image
69%433reviews

The Guest

2016Puzzle
PCMac OSSteam Deck+1
The House of Da Vinci Image
84%4.4kreviews

The House of Da Vinci

2017Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 4+14
Still Life 2 Image
42%418reviews

Still Life 2

2011Action Adventure
PCMac OSWindows
Aura: Fate of the Ages Image
54%126reviews

Aura: Fate of the Ages

2010Arcade Puzzle
LinuxPCWindows
More games like Subject 13
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Subject 13 is a puzzle game with mystery, thriller and science fiction themes.

Subject 13 is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Subject 13.

Subject 13 was released on May 28, 2015.

Subject 13 was developed by Paul Cuisset.

Subject 13 has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Subject 13 is a single player game.

Similar games include The Testament of Sherlock Holmes, The Guest, The House of Da Vinci, Still Life 2, Aura: Fate of the Ages and others.