The Subject

About

The Subject is a single player survival puzzle game with horror and science fiction themes. It was developed by DarkStone Digital and was released on July 28, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Can you survive the experiment? The Subject is a Sci-Fi horror game from DarkStone Digital. Play as a prisoner sold off to a deep-space testing facility. Navigate the maze-like complex and solve various puzzles while a strange creature hunts the next subject forced into its halls. You.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 48 reviews

atmosphere7 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

The game features solid graphics and a captivating atmosphere, enhanced by great audio design and lighting effects.
The puzzles are challenging and rewarding, providing a sense of accomplishment when solved, especially in a horror context.
Casual mode allows players to enjoy the game without the constant threat of the monster, making it more accessible for those who prefer a less intense experience.

The navigation is frustrating due to the maze-like design and lack of a functional map, leading to confusion and aimless wandering.
The monster mechanics can be annoying, as it frequently interrupts puzzle-solving, detracting from the overall experience.
Many puzzles lack clear direction or visual cues, making them feel obscure and tedious, which can lead to player frustration.

atmosphere
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
29%
21%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its combination of sound design, claustrophobic environments, and a dark, dystopian theme, creating an intense and unsettling experience. While the graphics and puzzle design contribute positively to the atmosphere, some players feel that navigation issues can detract from the overall horror experience. Overall, it is recommended for those who enjoy immersive horror games with a strong atmospheric presence.
- “The combination of sound, claustrophobic environment, dark areas, and dystopian theme make for a great atmosphere throughout the game.”
- “If you enjoy horror games with incredible atmosphere and music, this is one to pick up.”
- “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.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The gameplay is generally praised for its fluid mechanics and well-designed environments, reminiscent of titles like Alien: Isolation and Amnesia. However, some players criticize the pacing, noting that the game artificially prolongs playtime with repetitive tasks and poorly integrated monster mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While the puzzles and ambiance are highlighted as strong points, there is a desire for more freedom in solving them without the pressure of the monster's presence.
- “The gameplay was fluid, and the mechanics worked well.”
- “Its design, art, gameplay, and puzzles are all top notch, and I wouldn't expect any less from an ex-Disney artist.”
- “As far as gameplay, it flows smoothly.”
- “While I have a lot of praises for 'the subject', with how my gameplay went I just cannot recommend it.”
- “The game artificially prolongs its gameplay by making you run in circles without a clue.”
- “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?”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
37%
27%
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their solid quality, particularly the impressive lighting and atmospheric design that effectively evoke a sci-fi space station setting. Reviewers note the unique art style reminiscent of titles like "Alien: Isolation," which enhances the overall immersive experience alongside the sound design. The visuals contribute significantly to the game's ambiance, making it appealing for fans of walking simulators and atmospheric gameplay.
- “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.”
- “Not only do the visuals aid in that damp, dark sci-fi experience, but the audio really immerses you into 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 subject indeed has a traditional sci-fi feel but manages to keep its unique atmosphere and aesthetic.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The story is intriguing, featuring a compelling backstory that sets the stage for the player's experience on a biomass ship. While the narrative unfolds subtly and provides contextual depth, it tends to take a backseat to the puzzle-solving elements, leaving some aspects open to player interpretation. Overall, the storyline is well-received, enhancing the gameplay experience.
- “The backstory of why I was on a biomass ship is very interesting!”
- “But then the story basically stops there, and it's time to bang your head against puzzles!”
- “Its story elements provide a contextual background of the main character's (your) situation while leaving many aspects up for interpretation by the player.”
- “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.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with puzzles often described as overly difficult and requiring brute force to solve. The lack of clear guidance and a useful map contributes to a sense of aimlessness, making the overall experience feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge. While the concept has potential, the execution leads to a repetitive and annoying gameplay loop.
- “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.”
- “When the game takes off in terms of action, it made trying to do everything else on the ship much more difficult and much more tedious.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The music and ambience in the game are highly praised for creating an intense horror atmosphere, effectively signaling impending danger and enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate how the sound design contributes to the game's eerie and suspenseful tone.
- “If you enjoy horror games with incredible atmosphere and music, this is one to pick up.”
- “You know that things are going to go wrong for you pretty quickly from the bloodstains, spooky music cues, and steam everywhere.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The game offers high replayability due to procedurally generated codes and permadeath mechanics, ensuring that each playthrough presents new challenges and prevents players from memorizing solutions. Players appreciate that the experience remains fair and engaging, encouraging multiple attempts.
- “The codes you need to discover generate per playthrough, so if you survive to the end, there is replay value, and you can't just memorize every puzzle answer.”
- “The codes you need to discover do generate per playthrough, so if you survive to the end, there is replay value, and you can't just memorize every puzzle answer.”
- “It never feels unfair, and because of permadeath, the replayability is very high.”