The Hanged Man

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 98 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • emotional
The Hanged Man Game Cover
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In "The Hanged Man" , you play as William Morton, a young boy who enters an abandoned building to find his missing mouse friend, Pop. This 2D horror-adventure game features exploration and action elements, with a wide range of violent expressions and multiple endings. Special additions in the Steam version include achievements and multi-language localization. This is the final installment in the Strange Man series.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 98 reviews
story32 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The Hanged Man serves as a compelling conclusion to The Strange Man series, tying together characters and storylines from previous installments in a satisfying way.
  • The game features improved voice acting and a strong atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience and emotional depth of the narrative.
  • The puzzles, while sometimes challenging, are generally well-designed and contribute to the engaging storyline, making for a rewarding gameplay experience.
  • Many players found the game to be overly reliant on backtracking and vague objectives, leading to frustration and confusion during gameplay.
  • Some puzzles were criticized for being illogical or requiring players to use guides, detracting from the immersion and enjoyment of the game.
  • The voice acting quality varied, with some players finding it distracting or poorly executed, which affected their overall enjoyment of the game.
  • story78 mentions

    The story in this game series is generally praised for its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and emotional depth, with many reviewers highlighting the continuity of characters across titles as a standout feature. However, some players noted issues with illogical story progression and random puzzle triggers that detracted from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the writing quality and voice acting received positive remarks, making the series a recommended play for fans of horror RPGs.

    • “The fact that the former protagonists (but not only them) reappear in each game and have an impact on the story is genuinely so cool and is probably my favorite thing about this series.”
    • “It's beautifully eerie and suspenseful with enough horror to keep you feeling uneasy throughout, and the story is simply fantastically written.”
    • “But the cherry on top for me was the story; while I was skeptical at the beginning if I'd like it, it took a moment to get me hooked when the story began to unfold with each new piece of information.”
    • “My biggest problem with the game is that the story progression is sometimes really illogical and counterintuitive.”
    • “The story is honestly so boring that I can't even recall anything else from that apart from the rat seeking and how all over the place it is.”
    • “I don't recommend this game since the plot doesn't make any sense.”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as immersive and engaging, with a strong emphasis on mood-setting elements like seasonal settings and sound design. While some players find the execution messy and the environments repetitive, the overall ambiance—enhanced by notes and diaries—successfully creates a spooky and captivating experience that keeps players on edge. Despite its flaws, the atmospheric qualities are a standout feature, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

    • “I always like Uri's characters and their design, and I find their games to be very atmospheric.”
    • “The falling snow added some extra atmosphere to the game.”
    • “The atmosphere and the sounds are fantastic too.”
    • “The last entry of the series is much more of a slow burn than the rest - it takes its sweet time and the plot's execution and general atmosphere is sort of messy. The main mystery is still somewhat interesting but doesn't really manage to live up to the previous entries outside of further expanded gameplay.”
    • “It truly stands out from the rest of the Strange Man anthology in that it focuses purely on atmosphere.”
    • “Not to forget the riddles and the atmosphere.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the games is highlighted by their compelling storytelling and character development, particularly in "the crooked man" and "the sandman," where players experience touching moments and significant character arcs. The portrayal of Will, a troubled teenager, resonates deeply, evoking empathy and understanding of his struggles. Overall, the narratives are praised for their emotional depth, though some critiques mention issues like voice acting and pacing.

    • “Uri's biggest strength is writing a good and touching story, with the best stories being in 'The Crooked Man' and in 'The Sandman'.”
    • “Okay, let’s talk about the likes. Like the previous games, the story in this game is really good with plenty of twists and very good emotional moments. Also, like the previous games, we find out what the characters in the previous games have been up to.”
    • “Will almost always felt believable; even if I didn't know his motivations at first, I understood that he was a confused and frightened kid who didn't have the emotional bandwidth to deal with anything going on in his life at that point.”
    • “Unless you want to listen to some horrible voice acting and endure the most boring story to play through, then go for it.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters is non-existent, making it hard to connect with their struggles.”
    • “I felt no attachment to the storyline; it was predictable and lacked any real emotional impact.”
  • gameplay8 mentions

    The gameplay in the latest entry of the series is described as a slower experience compared to its predecessors, with a messy execution of the plot but still engaging enough to explore its endings. While it retains familiar mechanics, the absence of a traditional boss fight and the introduction of varied perspectives and puzzles contribute to a more streamlined experience. The addition of a torch/flashlight mechanic enhances the gameplay, adding a unique touch despite some drawbacks in lighting.

    • “Every game has a different perspective, with a different character, in a different place, with different mechanics and puzzles.”
    • “I really liked how this game worked, even more than the first three, which surprised me since the first game was probably my favorite gameplay-wise.”
    • “+torch/flashlight mechanic is really cool and adds a nice touch to the game (though it does make bright rooms dark when you use it).”
    • “Gameplay-wise, I find the games in this series leave much to be desired.”
    • “The gameplay is mostly the same as the previous three games, except for one big difference: we don't have a boss fight at the end. In fact, we actually run away from the antagonist. I'll get my thoughts on it in the dislikes.”
    • “Making the gameplay a lot easier (not like in the Crooked and Boogie Man, where half of my playtime is wandering around, questioning my existence and not knowing how to progress further).”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The game's pixel graphics are praised for their detail and quality, featuring appealing scenery and well-executed cutscene art. Reviewers highlight the graphics as a standout aspect, contributing to an overall immersive experience, particularly in the horror genre.

    • “The pixel graphics for the game are still very good, pretty detailed with plenty of nice scenery, and the cutscene art is still very good too.”
    • “If horror is your thing, I seriously recommend 'The Hanged Man.' Good graphics, decent music, and a lovely story (multiple endings!) 9.5/10.”
    • “This one especially, the graphics are very comfy and fit well together.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised, particularly the track for the bonus good ending, which complements the gorgeous visuals and spooky ambiance. Additionally, the voice acting, especially for the characters Young Will and Older Will, received positive feedback, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere and storytelling.

    • “The music for the game is really good; I especially liked the track for the bonus good ending. The game also has voice acting, which I enjoyed. I particularly liked young Will and older Will; both voice actors did a really good job.”
    • “Gorgeous townscape, wonderful spooky ambience enhanced with music.”
    • “If horror is your thing, I seriously recommend 'The Hanged Man.' Good graphics, decent music, and a lovely story (multiple endings!) 9.5/10.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as 95% of the gameplay occurs within the same building, leading to a repetitive experience.

    • “95% of the game takes place in the same building, and it gets tedious.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I found myself doing the same tasks over and over, which really drained my enjoyment of the game.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Users find humor in the game's quirky interactions, noting amusing moments when they encounter items they can't interact with, leading to a playful sense of absurdity.

    • “The funny thing is, I've actually interacted with that item already, but there was no option to pick it up.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game's replayability is highly praised, with many players noting the variety of choices and outcomes that encourage multiple playthroughs. Additionally, the presence of unlockable content and different character paths adds to the overall experience, making each session feel fresh and engaging. Overall, players find themselves returning to the game to explore new strategies and storylines.

    • “The game offers a multitude of choices that significantly alter the storyline, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back to this game time and again to try something new.”
    • “The dynamic world and random events ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the experience exciting and unpredictable.”
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