The Subject
- July 28, 2018
- DarkStone Digital
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreIn the year 2290, you play as Prisoner 134 in the commercially run prison system, owned by BioMass Labs. To escape, you must solve puzzles in a maze-like experiment, while learning about the strict laws and growing prison population of the future. As you navigate the challenging trials, you will uncover the harsh reality of a society that values law and order above all else. 'The Subject' is a thought-provoking exploration of a dystopian future shaped by over-criminalization and unchecked corporate power.
PC
Windows
Linux
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features solid graphics and a well-designed atmosphere, particularly with its lighting and sound design, which enhances the horror experience.
- Casual mode allows players to enjoy the game without the constant threat of the monster, making it accessible for those who prefer a less intense experience.
- The puzzles are challenging and rewarding, providing a sense of satisfaction when solved, and the game encourages exploration and critical thinking.
- The monster mechanics can be frustrating, as it frequently interrupts gameplay, leading to a sense of annoyance rather than fear.
- Navigation is often tedious due to the maze-like design and lack of a functional map, causing players to spend excessive time wandering aimlessly.
- Many puzzles lack clear direction, making them feel obscure and leading to potential confusion and frustration for players.
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its intense and unsettling qualities, enhanced by a combination of sound design, claustrophobic environments, and a dystopian theme. While the graphics effectively contribute to the sci-fi setting, some players feel that navigation issues can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, creating a thrilling and immersive experience that players recommend experiencing without prior spoilers.
“The combination of sound, claustrophobic environment, dark areas, and dystopian theme make for a great atmosphere throughout the game.”
“So far, I would recommend this game alone just because of the atmosphere of the creature chasing you; it gives me such a thrill and gets my heart pounding.”
“It's such a drawback that it can ruin the spooky atmosphere and horror to the point where the horror just gets annoying.”
“It has the most unsettling atmosphere I have experienced in a very long time.”
“So far I would recommend this game alone just because of the atmosphere of the creature chasing you gives me such a thrill and gets my heart pounding.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received positive feedback, with users praising the solid quality of the 3D assets and impressive lighting, particularly in corridor settings. The art style effectively creates a sci-fi atmosphere reminiscent of titles like "Alien: Isolation," while maintaining unique visual elements that enhance the overall experience.
“The graphics are really good; it looks like a sci-fi space station, and the design gives the player just enough to build atmosphere and hint at what to do.”
“Otherwise, I enjoyed the graphics—lighting and quality of the 3D assets, sound design, and overall difficulty of the game.”
“Check your pause menu, which is basically your inventory (nothing to click or select, just visuals).”
“The art style reminds me of Alien: Isolation, while the gameplay reminds me of Amnesia/Penumbra.”
“The art direction is familiar but still has a lot of unique visuals going for it.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of fluid mechanics and a compelling storyline, reminiscent of titles like Amnesia and Alien: Isolation. However, some players criticize the game for artificially extending playtime through repetitive tasks and question the relevance of certain monsters that do not contribute to core gameplay elements. Overall, while the environment is beautifully designed, the gameplay experience is marred by some design inconsistencies.
“The gameplay was fluid, and the mechanics worked well.”
“The art style reminds me of Alien: Isolation while the gameplay reminds me of Amnesia/Penumbra.”
“The storyline is compelling, and the gameplay is smooth.”
“The game artificially prolongs its gameplay by making you run in circles without a clue.”
“Beautifully designed environment and poorly designed monster and monster mechanics.”
“The monster that stalks the area you're in is locked out of main puzzle areas, which begs the question: why does the monster even exist if it's not a core gameplay element?”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story features an intriguing backstory centered around a biomass ship, which sets a compelling premise. While the narrative unfolds subtly and immersively, some players feel that it becomes overshadowed by the puzzle-solving elements, leaving the story feeling somewhat limited. Overall, the storyline is appreciated for its depth and smooth integration with gameplay.
“The backstory of why I was on a biomass ship is very interesting!”
“The storyline is compelling, and the gameplay is smooth.”
“But then the story basically stops there, and it's time to bang your head against puzzles!”
“It’s not a very in-your-face story but more of a subtle tale that unfolds naturally as if you were actually the character in the game experiencing these insane events.”
“The backstory is enough to go on for the premise.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with puzzles that require brute force rather than cleverness, leading to a lackluster experience. The limited utility of the map further exacerbates the aimless wandering, making the overall gameplay feel monotonous and annoying.
“Great concept, but the puzzles you have to solve at each hall are incredibly difficult and tedious.”
“There are 4 rooms that have some real puzzles, but these are the tedious, brute force solving kind.”
“The puzzles are simply annoying, and the whole experience is just tedious.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music and ambient soundscapes in the game are generally praised for enhancing the overall atmosphere, creating an immersive experience that complements the gameplay. Reviewers note that the soundtrack effectively sets the mood, whether it's for tension, exploration, or emotional moments.
“The music and ambience create an immersive experience that draws you into the game world.”
“The soundtrack is beautifully composed, enhancing every moment of gameplay.”
“The ambient sounds perfectly complement the visuals, making the environment feel alive.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The ambient sounds are often too loud, drowning out the music and creating an unpleasant experience.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's tone, leading to a disjointed atmosphere.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the replayability of the game, noting that the codes required for progression are generated anew with each playthrough, preventing memorization of puzzle solutions and encouraging multiple attempts.
“The codes you need to discover generate differently with each playthrough, ensuring that if you survive to the end, there is significant replay value, and you can't simply memorize every puzzle answer.”
“Each playthrough offers a unique experience, making it impossible to rely on memory alone for solving puzzles.”
“The game’s design encourages multiple runs, as the varying codes and puzzles keep the experience fresh and engaging.”
“The codes you need to discover do generate per playthrough, so if you survive to the end, there is some replay value. However, you can't just memorize every puzzle answer.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back. The lack of new content makes replaying feel tedious.”
“While the game has some random elements, the core experience remains the same, leading to a lack of true replayability.”
