The Slaughter: Act One
- January 28, 2016
- Brainchild
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"The Slaughter: Act One" is a horror-themed puzzle game that takes place in a creepy, abandoned slaughterhouse. Players must navigate through the dark and twisted environment, solving puzzles and avoiding grotesque monsters in order to uncover the truth behind the slaughterhouse's dark past. With atmospheric visuals and challenging gameplay, this game is a must-play for fans of the horror genre.
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Reviews
- The Victorian London setting is beautifully crafted, enhancing the game's atmosphere.
- The writing is engaging, featuring witty dialogue and a compelling plot that keeps players interested.
- The music is haunting and well-composed, adding to the overall immersive experience.
- The puzzles are overly simplistic, lacking the challenge expected from a point-and-click adventure.
- The game is relatively short, leaving players wanting more without a clear resolution.
- Character movement is slow, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- story120 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its atmospheric writing, compelling plot, and well-developed characters, particularly within the context of a 19th-century murder mystery involving Jack the Ripper. While many players express excitement for future acts and the potential for deeper exploration of the narrative, some note that the first act feels incomplete, leaving them eager for resolution. Overall, the storytelling is considered engaging, with a nostalgic point-and-click adventure feel, though a few critiques mention moments where the plot stalls or lacks originality.
“Very atmospheric little game - great writing, compelling plot and characters, awesome soundtrack.”
“I loved being immersed in the storyline of London in the 1800s amid the Ripper's field day.”
“The story is well developed and will hopefully develop even more in the following 'acts'.”
“I could overlook all that but not the frustration of being left hanging without any resolution of the plot - especially since it’s a murder mystery!”
“I knew something was up, the story stalled, there was no direction, I ended up at the right location only out of a process of elimination.”
“Story screeches to a dead halt with a tortuous mini-game that comes out of nowhere and doesn't appear to serve any purpose since there is no context to why you are wasting your time with it.”
- graphics54 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic retro pixel art style that effectively complements its point-and-click adventure gameplay, evoking memories of classic titles like Monkey Island. While many players appreciate the charming aesthetics and atmospheric design, some note that the graphics could be improved slightly without losing their retro appeal. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong asset, enhancing the game's storytelling and immersive experience.
“The graphics and style bring back nostalgia from the LucasArts era, and the dialogues are just as or even more funny.”
“Aesthetic design is a stylistic blend of retro pixel graphics on a modern engine that allows for lighting and depth effects.”
“I felt that everything about this game was solid: pixel art graphics, sound, user interface, writing, etc. Definitely one of the better point & click games that I've played lately.”
“If you are a gamer that needs new tech, high-end graphics, and very fast-paced gameplay, then this game isn't for you.”
“The graphics are okay but not really a joy to watch, especially not the main character's moonwalking.”
“The graphics could be a shade better and still keep the retro feel.”
- music32 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting and charming qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact, particularly noted in the final scene's piano piece. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, complementing the compelling narrative and pixel art graphics, with many expressing a desire to listen to it repeatedly. Overall, the music is described as high-quality and thematically fitting, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“Very atmospheric little game - great writing, compelling plot and characters, awesome soundtrack.”
“The music is also quite haunting and charming, which took me by surprise a few times (especially the very last scene of the game before the credits roll has some really nice piano music).”
“Though the game is act one, I don't feel let down by the story arc and am happy I got to experience it (I've also been listening to the soundtrack on loop).”
“The atmosphere, the storyline, the background music, the pixel art - all of it.”
- humor26 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by witty dialogue and clever writing, often blending dark themes with lighthearted moments, reminiscent of classic LucasArts adventures. Players appreciate the main character's relatability and complexity, as well as the entertaining mini-games and nostalgic atmosphere that enhance the comedic experience. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with intriguing storytelling, making it both funny and engaging.
“Cool game with brilliant writing; the witty dialogue had me laughing out loud a lot.”
“This little point-and-click is dark and adorable, funny and unique, and super entertaining!”
“The slaughter is like playing a LucasArts adventure because it is funny, but it's also really dark at the same time.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its compelling writing, engaging plot, and effective use of sound, which together create a convincing Victorian setting. While the background art and animations may feel sparse to some, the overall ambiance, including humorous dialogue and surreal dream sequences, contributes to a rich and immersive experience. Players appreciate the blend of atmospheric elements, making it enjoyable for both casual and experienced gamers.
“Very atmospheric little game - great writing, compelling plot and characters, awesome soundtrack.”
“Overall they promote the dreary Victorian atmosphere very well.”
“Overall, they promote the dreary Victorian atmosphere very well.”
“I felt the art and the sound are used to create a convincing Victorian atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere, the storyline, the background music, the pixel art - all of it.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is rated 8/10 for its ease, featuring a mix of conversational learning and object-based puzzles. However, players note that the 2.5 to 3.5 hours of gameplay feels short for the price, especially since the game ends on a cliffhanger, which may frustrate some. Overall, while the story is engaging, there is a desire for more substantial gameplay content.
“Even if it isn't on sale, $6.99 is like a fast food meal or a couple of coffee drinks for 2.5-3.5 hours of gameplay with an interesting story. I will warn you though - the ending is a cliffhanger, and if that sort of thing makes you crazy, just get it on sale.”
“Ease of gameplay: 8/10”
“2.5 hours of gameplay is a little steep for an 'unfinished' point-and-click game.”
“I'd rather have more gameplay in the story than just a pile of puzzles.”
“The gameplay focuses on learning things through conversation and object-based puzzles.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect tedious due to the inability to cancel actions once initiated, forcing them to endure lengthy animations that disrupt gameplay flow. This lack of control contributes to a frustrating experience, particularly during repetitive tasks.
“Once I click an item, there is no way to cancel my action. For example, if I click once, I'm forced to see the whole animation, and that is really tedious.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game exhibits very minor glitches, but these issues do not significantly impact gameplay or cause any major disruptions.
