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The Tartarus Key

The Tartarus Key combines thoughtful puzzles, engaging writing, and a compelling setting and melds them together inside a PS1 package. It may not create a great deal of horror, but the writing and suspense keep you moving forward.
83%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
grinding
96% User Score Based on 159 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 10 reviews

Platforms

NSNintendo SwitchPCPCP4Playstation 4WinWindowsXOXbox OneXSXXbox Series X|SPlaPlayStationXboxXbox
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About

In "The Tartarus Key," Alex Young finds herself trapped in a mysterious mansion filled with puzzles, traps, and sinister creatures. To escape and save her fellow captives, she must rely on her wits and solve challenges inspired by classic horror games. The game features three distinct endings and a gripping, mysterious story.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
The Tartarus Key screenshot
The Tartarus Key screenshot
The Tartarus Key screenshot
The Tartarus Key screenshot
The Tartarus Key screenshot
The Tartarus Key screenshot
The Tartarus Key screenshot
The Tartarus Key screenshot
The Tartarus Key screenshot
The Tartarus Key screenshot
The Tartarus Key screenshot

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 169 reviews
story27 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game features well-designed puzzles that are engaging and avoid frustrating moon logic, providing a satisfying experience for puzzle enthusiasts.
  • The PS1-inspired retro aesthetic creates a charming and atmospheric environment that enhances the horror elements without relying on jump scares.
  • The characters are well-written and relatable, with a story that encourages players to care about their fates, adding emotional stakes to the gameplay.
  • Some puzzles can feel overly obscure or rely on trial and error, leading to moments of frustration for players trying to progress.
  • The dialogue can be excessive and sometimes detracts from the pacing of the game, making it feel more like a visual novel than a focused puzzle experience.
  • The game may feel short for some players, with a runtime that could leave them wanting more content or deeper character interactions.
  • story
    79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a mix of intriguing premises and lovable characters, set within a spooky mansion filled with puzzles that enhance the narrative experience. However, many players noted a lack of depth and originality in the plot, with some dialogue feeling excessive and not advancing the story. While the atmosphere and character writing are praised, the overall narrative is seen as functional but not particularly groundbreaking, making it enjoyable for puzzle enthusiasts but potentially disappointing for those seeking a more profound story.

    • “The story is so interesting, and the true ending got me sitting here thinking about it for a while.”
    • “The story line is interesting, each character felt distinctive and unique, and I felt driven to help other survivors and get to the bottom of what's happening in this spooky mansion.”
    • “An awesome puzzle game with some of the best character writing I've seen from most video games - I was genuinely invested in the story and enjoyed the gameplay to the fullest.”
    • “As with a lot of intriguing setups, the eventual resolution of the story isn't all that great and in this case, it's rather unoriginal.”
    • “You'll guess very early what's going on and you'll be right about it, because it's the same story you've been told a dozen times before.”
    • “The story is just coherent enough not to bother you while playing, but falls apart as soon as you start thinking about it.”
  • graphics
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's graphics are characterized by a charming retro PS1 aesthetic that effectively creates a nostalgic and eerie atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. While many players appreciate the low-poly art style and its alignment with the horror genre, some critiques mention that the visuals can occasionally hinder gameplay due to their low resolution and detail. Overall, the graphics are well-received by fans of retro styles, contributing significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere and puzzle-solving experience.

    • “The visuals were lovely for people who like PS1 style games.”
    • “Utilizing a low-poly, PS1-inspired art style, the game effectively creates a nostalgic and eerie atmosphere that enhances the horror elements.”
    • “Where the game shines is the presentation, because the graphics style reminiscent of early 3D games combined with satisfying colors and lighting just look stellar.”
    • “The premise of the game is okay, but after less than 20 minutes, I got frustrated with the visuals.”
    • “There are some good puzzles but often they are either way too simple, way too obtuse, or way too reliant on spotting something minuscule (especially given the low fidelity art style).”
    • “The atmosphere set by the graphics is seriously undermined by the 'ironic millennial' attitude of the player character and two-dimensional NPCs.”
  • atmosphere
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "The Tartarus Key" is widely praised for its effective blend of nostalgic, PS1-inspired graphics and a creepy, psychological horror tone that enhances the gameplay experience. While some players noted that the oppressive atmosphere occasionally falters and the reliance on psychological tension may not satisfy all horror fans, the overall ambiance is described as engaging and immersive, complemented by well-crafted puzzles and a strong sense of style. The game successfully creates a spooky yet non-jumpscare environment, making it a compelling choice for fans of atmospheric puzzle games.

    • “The atmosphere is thick with sinister undertones, but it's not trying to jumpscare you.”
    • “The atmosphere’s on point and that is in no small part due to the game’s fantastic art direction, music and sound design as well as its writing.”
    • “Very fun and very atmospheric puzzle game!”
    • “The atmosphere set by the graphics is seriously undermined by the 'ironic millennial' attitude of the player character and two-dimensional NPCs.”
    • “Unfortunately, the story was less interesting than expected, and the constant chatter between Alex and Torres sometimes hurts the atmosphere.”
    • “I do feel though that at times the creepy atmosphere falters in being sufficiently oppressive, and I wish there were more interactions with the characters.”
  • music
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack for enhancing the atmosphere and fitting well with the visuals, particularly in evoking a nostalgic PS1 vibe. However, some players find the music either mediocre or not well-integrated with the gameplay, with a few noting that it can create an unsettling feeling when muted. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally appreciated, its effectiveness varies among players.

    • “Very good atmosphere, I loved the soundtrack.”
    • “The atmosphere’s on point and that is in no small part due to the game’s fantastic art direction, music, and sound design as well as its writing.”
    • “The art direction makes the PSX style stand out, and the music is really on point.”
    • “The soundtrack is completely mediocre.”
    • “Music itself is fine, but it doesn't work with the game for some reason.”
    • “Also, the ambient music felt too low in volume even with the settings being pushed up by me.”
  • gameplay
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is centered around exploration and puzzle-solving, offering a mix of engaging challenges that require careful attention to detail. While some interactions may feel superfluous, the game excels in its puzzle design and character writing, creating a compelling atmosphere that maintains tension throughout. Players can expect a non-linear experience with multiple endings, though certain mechanics may not fully realize their potential.

    • “Gameplay consists of exploring and a lot of puzzle solving, and while they don't reinvent the wheel, they're done pretty well. The main puzzles require you to pay a lot of attention, or you'll think you found the correct solution only to learn better when it's too late.”
    • “I recommend this game to those who enjoy 'escape the room' mechanics and prefer a horror story without excessive gore or jump scares.”
    • “I'm less wanting to interact with your environment knowing that a majority of interactables will result in 'witticisms' that serve no purpose to the story or gameplay.”
    • “The focus of the gameplay is on the puzzles, but despite knowing that there weren’t any chase sequences waiting for me, the tension was so high that I was still double-checking every corner as I progressed further into the game.”
    • “There is a 'radio' mechanic which seemed like it could have been a cool Metal Gear Solid type thing, but it winds up just being kind of pointless.”
  • humor
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting the witty and sarcastic dialogue of the characters, particularly the main character, Alex. The writing is noted for its charm and ability to keep the narrative engaging, although some players wished for a stronger focus on horror elements in the endings. Overall, the humor adds a refreshing layer to the gameplay, making the characters and their interactions enjoyable.

    • “I liked the character I played and thought she was funny and sarcastic despite the dire circumstances.”
    • “Alex (the main character) has some hilarious dialogue and commentary on her situation that keeps things fresh.”
    • “The writing in this is so friggin good, filled with humor and charm and characters you can't help but grow to love.”
    • “That's not funny.”
    • “The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
    • “I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple endings influenced by player choices, prompting players to explore different narrative paths. However, some users feel that outside of pursuing these alternate endings, the game lacks additional replay value.

    • “The game features multiple endings based on player choices, encouraging replayability and exploration of different narrative paths.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes makes each playthrough feel unique and rewarding.”
    • “With so many different paths to explore, I found myself coming back to the game to see how my decisions could change the story.”
    • “Some may not like that there isn't any replay value outside of going for the various endings.”
    • “The game has essentially no replay value as well, unless you want to get the other endings.”
  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is often criticized for its sparse narrative depth, with players feeling that the storyline, although intriguing, does not provide enough depth to fully engage with the characters, leaving them wanting more.

  • grinding
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players appreciate the clever puzzles in the game, though some find certain puzzles to be tedious, contributing to a mixed experience with grinding.

    • “The game has a lot of clever puzzles, but some of them feel tedious and overly repetitive.”
    • “Grinding becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
    • “The constant need to grind for resources takes away from the overall experience.”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game demonstrates excellent stability on the Steam Deck, with users reporting smooth performance during gameplay.

    • “It runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
    • “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”

70%Critics’ scoreBased on 10 critic reviews

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