The Trench

About

"The Trench" is a WW1-themed first-person shooter where players battle in the brutal trenches of the Western Front. With a focus on teamwork and communication, players must work together to capture and hold objectives while fighting off the enemy. The game features a variety of historically accurate weapons and uniforms, and offers a unique and immersive take on the traditional shooter genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 107 reviews

story7 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game has a unique and engaging underwater horror atmosphere that effectively builds tension and fear.
Despite its short length, the game offers some genuinely scary moments and jump scares that keep players on edge.
The father-son development team has created a solid first effort, showcasing potential for future projects in the horror genre.

The game is very short, taking only about 20-30 minutes to complete, which may leave players wanting more content.
Controls can be frustrating and unintuitive, particularly when using the robotic arm to collect items, leading to a clunky gameplay experience.
There is a lack of basic features such as a pause menu or options to adjust settings, which detracts from the overall experience.

story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
62%
12%
The story has an intriguing premise with Lovecraftian elements, but many players find it shallow and predictable, often feeling like a collection of tropes. While some appreciate the spooky atmosphere and brief narrative, the overall execution is criticized for being too short and lacking depth, leaving little room for meaningful engagement. The gameplay mechanics, particularly the controls, detract from the storytelling experience, making it difficult for players to fully immerse themselves in the narrative.
- “I loved the unique story and gameplay.”
- “A great story with some truly spooky elements.”
- “Without giving any spoilers, I'll just say things get rather creepily Lovecraftian and I enjoyed the conclusion of the story.”
- “The story (the entirety of which, by the way, takes 20 minutes to complete) is incredibly shallow and saturated with tropes.”
- “The horror parts are also immensely predictable and the story also sorta just ends on a whim.”
- “The ending could have used just a few minutes more to fully develop the story arc, and not in such an expected-trope way.”
atmosphere
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
21%
21%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised, described as fun, tense, and effectively scary, with many reviewers noting its strong use of jumpscares and immersive settings. Players appreciate the charming and well-crafted environment, which enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature despite some criticisms regarding gameplay and lore. Overall, the game's atmospheric qualities leave a lasting impression, encouraging players to want more.
- “Very atmospheric, well worth the $4 and brief time it will take to play.”
- “They nailed the atmosphere and definitely left me wanting more!”
- “This game is inferior in gameplay, atmosphere, and lore compared to it.”
- “While it relies on jumpscares quite frequently, it is a charming game that does a fine job of building up atmosphere.”
- “Pretty effective tense atmosphere and decent voice acting.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The gameplay involves gathering audiologs by navigating to specific coordinates, but players find it clunky and frustrating due to imprecise controls. While it shares similarities with "Iron Lung," it is considered inferior in terms of gameplay mechanics, atmosphere, and lore. Additionally, there are issues with the mechanical claw's animations and functionality, detracting from the overall experience.
- “If you've played Iron Lung, it's essentially the same core gameplay.”
- “Not that long but that's okay; it does not drag the mechanics out.”
- “While the gameplay of gathering the audiologs by finding the right coordinates was an interesting idea, it was rather clunky and a frustrating experience when having controls that move you a lot, in something where you'd want tiny adjustments.”
- “This game is inferior in gameplay, atmosphere, and lore compared to it.”
- “I'm not a huge fan of this style of gameplay where you go from zone to zone collecting audio logs like a trail of candy.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Overall, the graphics are considered decent and fun, contributing positively to the gameplay experience. While some users suggest that further polishing could enhance the visuals, the current graphics are generally well-received, complementing the game's atmosphere and controls effectively.
- “The controls are simple, the visuals are fun.”
- “The game had good controls and graphics, and plenty of great scares!”
- “Sound is great, and graphics are decent.”
- “Maybe if they came back to it to make it a little bit longer, polish the controls and graphics a bit, and got better audio, I'd recommend it.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers minimal replayability, with users noting that its short gameplay duration of 30-45 minutes does not justify the original price of $4, although the sale price of $1 makes it a more appealing purchase. Overall, it is perceived more as a brief narrative experience rather than a game with significant replay value.
- “There is no discernible replay value, as it should be given the $4 tag, and it is a short story more than anything.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is reported to be stable and free of bugs, contributing to an enjoyable experience for players.
- “The game runs smoothly without any bugs, making it a very enjoyable experience.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it never crashes or glitches.”
- “The overall stability of the game enhances my enjoyment and keeps me engaged.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is noted to be light-hearted and amusing, appealing to players looking for a fun and entertaining experience, particularly in a whimsical ocean-themed setting.
- “For a dollar, this game is like a funny ocean adventure!”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted through the wholesome father-son relationship, which resonates positively with players, even if they don't find the overall emotional depth particularly strong.
- “I love the wholesome father-son development in the game; it adds a heartfelt layer to the experience.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making the story unforgettable.”
- “The game beautifully captures the complexities of relationships, leaving a lasting impact on my heart.”