The Derailed

About

The Derailed is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by Deformed Dreams Studio and was released on September 11, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"The Derailed" is a first-person psychological horror walking simulator that immerses you in a haunting, abandoned depot filled with eerie sounds and atmospheric detail. Explore, interact, and solve puzzles to uncover the dark secret hidden within while navigating unsettling environments that warn you don’t belong. Its brief, suspenseful experience keeps tension high until the very end.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews

story7 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The game features a creepy atmosphere with effective jump scares that keep players on edge.
The visuals and sound design are well-executed, enhancing the overall horror experience.
Despite some optimization issues, the game offers an intriguing story and engaging puzzles that make it enjoyable for indie horror fans.

The game suffers from significant performance issues, with many players experiencing low frame rates even on high-end hardware.
The narrative can feel disjointed and confusing, leaving players overwhelmed rather than intrigued by the story.
There are complaints about poor optimization, including long shader compilation times and lack of control remapping options.

story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
41%
18%
The game's story is a complex and intriguing blend of horror elements, with players piecing together a narrative through notes and subtle hints reminiscent of titles like Silent Hill. While many found the atmosphere and character design compelling, some noted that the overarching plot could feel disjointed and difficult to follow at times. Overall, the story is seen as a highlight of the game, offering a unique and eerie experience that keeps players engaged.
- “If you like an intriguing story, creepy world design, great sound design, jump scares, and the possibility of future games in the same universe, then check out this game.”
- “The story behind seeing things—are they real, are they part of the 'great departure', is it alien, do you turn into one of them, is there a 'them', was it all started by the psycho lurking around the plant, is it a biblical prophecy?”
- “It has a pretty unique story to tell, and the notes and diaries laying around in the game made the lore behind it much more fun to learn about.”
- “The overarching story had nothing to do with the events of the game from what I could tell.”
- “I feel like I missed quite a bit of the storyline along with my viewers.”
- “With a bit more attention to story structure and pacing, I think their next project could really shine.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their stunning visuals and realistic aesthetics, particularly in the depiction of environments like abandoned depots. While some players experienced minor graphical issues and frame rate drops, these did not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment. The combination of impressive imagery and effective sound design contributes to an engaging atmosphere, enhancing the game's horror elements.
- “Just played this and wow the imagery and visuals of this game were insane!”
- “The game offers nice visuals, with a mix of jump scares and subtle horror moments; I recommend paying attention to the environment as you play through the game.”
- “The visuals, especially the abandoned depot interiors, are beautifully done.”
- “I was getting constant frame rate drops in 4K resolution with an RTX 4080 no matter what I selected in the graphic options.”
- “---{ graphics }---”
- “Had some very minor graphical issues but it didn't prevent me from having fun and I completely forgot about it as I kept playing the game.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
60%
30%
The game's atmosphere is consistently described as creepy and tense, effectively keeping players on edge with a mix of beautiful settings and gritty environments. Reviewers appreciate the strong build-up of suspense, complemented by jump scares and tricky puzzles, which enhance the overall eerie storytelling. The developers are praised for their technical skills in creating a solid and immersive atmosphere that captivates players throughout different chapters.
- “The atmosphere is tense and it keeps you on edge the entire time as you try to figure out the secrets of the train depot.”
- “First, the peaceful train ride in a beautiful setting, then followed by the dream state drive with jump scares, to the gritty cold atmosphere of the plant.”
- “The intense atmosphere in the different chapters really tells an eerie story.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The gameplay of the horror puzzle game is described as somewhat obtuse, requiring players to consult guides for certain sections, though it is generally considered decent. However, it suffers from issues such as cheap jump scares and lackluster puzzles and dialogue, which detract from the overall experience.
- “An obtuse horror puzzle game; I had to look up a guide for a couple of parts, but the gameplay was not bad.”
- “Gameplay issues include cheap jumpscares and uninteresting puzzles and dialogue.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with users reporting inconsistent frame rates ranging from 88 to 155 fps even on high settings, indicating performance issues. Additionally, the game's large file size of over 40 GB further suggests poor optimization. Despite these concerns, players still find the gameplay enjoyable.
- “There were a lot of issues early on with optimization, but outside of that, the game was a lot of fun.”
- “How is a game like this so terribly optimized?”
- “To begin with, it's terribly optimized.”
- “This game also takes up over 40 GB, so that is another indication of how poorly optimized it is.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music and sound design in the game received high praise, with users highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing the atmosphere through various elements like eerie sounds and jump scares. Overall, the audio experience significantly contributes to the game's immersive quality.
- “The sound design was great, from the music to the footsteps, eerie sounds, and jump scares!”
- “The music perfectly sets the atmosphere, enhancing every moment of the gameplay.”
- “I loved how the soundtrack evolved with the game, making each scene feel more immersive.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of effort akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its unexpected jump scares, which many players found to be hilariously executed, particularly the appearances of screaming figures and covered bodies. Overall, the game offers a wealth of funny moments that contribute to a uniquely entertaining experience.
- “Some of the jump scares were frickin' hilarious, especially the random hanging screaming dudes popping up and the random dead bodies covered with sheets everywhere.”
- “A ton of content and funny moments, jump scares, and a hell of a magnificent experience! :D”