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.
Reviews
- The Victorian London setting is beautifully crafted, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the storytelling.
- The writing is strong, featuring witty dialogue and a compelling plot that keeps players engaged.
- The game successfully combines retro pixel art with modern design elements, resulting in a visually appealing experience.
- Puzzles are overly simplistic, lacking the challenge expected from a point-and-click adventure, which may disappoint genre enthusiasts.
- The game is relatively short, leaving players wanting more and feeling unsatisfied with the cliffhanger ending.
- Character movement is slow and can be frustrating, leading to a tedious gameplay experience.
- story60 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, drawing players into a rich narrative set against a historical backdrop. While many reviewers express excitement for future acts and the potential for deeper exploration of the storyline, some note that the plot feels unfinished or occasionally stalls, leaving them eager for resolution. Overall, the storytelling is considered a strong point, appealing particularly to fans of point-and-click adventures and mystery genres.
“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.”
- graphics27 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are primarily characterized by a nostalgic retro pixel art style that effectively complements its point-and-click adventure gameplay. Many reviewers appreciate the aesthetic design, noting that it successfully blends classic visuals with modern lighting and depth effects, enhancing the overall atmosphere, particularly for horror elements. While some players find the graphics to be merely adequate, the consensus is that they contribute positively to the game's charm and storytelling, making it a standout in the genre.
“This game has everything a fan of point 'n' click adventures could ask for: an interestingly well-set plot with graphics that took me back to Monkey Island.”
“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.”
“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.”
- music16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting and charming qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of key scenes, particularly the poignant piano piece at the end. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its fitting thematic elements and high quality, which complements the game's compelling narrative and pixel art style. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's immersive experience, with many players expressing a desire to listen to the soundtrack beyond gameplay.
“The music is 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).”
“Very atmospheric little game - great writing, compelling plot and characters, awesome soundtrack.”
“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).”
“- high quality music and sound effects.”
“The atmosphere, the storyline, the background music, the pixel art - all of it.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by witty dialogue, clever writing, and a mix of dark and lighthearted elements that create an engaging atmosphere. Players appreciate the main character's relatability and the humorous exchanges, which often evoke laughter, while also noting the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic LucasArts adventures. Overall, the humor adds a unique and entertaining layer to the game's narrative and gameplay experience.
“The dialogue is quite good too, with some witty humor and good historical nods.”
“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!”
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 27 % 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 some reviews note that the visuals and animations may feel sparse, 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.”
“The story is nice, the mix with dreams and the sounds give it a nice atmosphere, funny exchanges.”
“Overall, they promote the dreary Victorian atmosphere very well.”
“I felt the art and the sound are used to create a convincing Victorian atmosphere.”
“There is still enough story and atmosphere to entertain more experienced gamers.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is rated 8/10 for its engaging story and emphasis on conversation and object-based puzzles, though some players feel that the 2.5 to 3.5 hours of content is limited for the price. The experience is described as enjoyable but may leave players wanting more, especially with a cliffhanger ending that could be frustrating for some.
“The gameplay focuses on learning things through conversation and object-based puzzles.”
“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.”
“Besides, I'd rather have more gameplay in the story than a pile of puzzles.”
“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 through conversation and object-based puzzles.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect tedious due to the inability to cancel actions once initiated, leading to prolonged animations that disrupt the flow of gameplay.
“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.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again just to progress, which quickly becomes boring.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game maintains good stability, with only minor glitches noted that do not significantly impact gameplay.
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I encountered several bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
“There are constant frame drops and stuttering, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.”
