Skip to main content

The Zhukov Line

98%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
grinding, stability
98% User Score Based on 176 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindowsMac OSMac OS
Buy NowGet on Steam Buy NowGet on itch.io Store

About

In "The Zhukov Line," you are a transport supervisor for a dystopian Soviet state, overseeing a special livestock specimen on a train. Maintaining industrial systems is crucial for survival, as an aberrant monstrosity lurks, threatening to derail your escape in this short, one-room horror experience.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
The Zhukov Line screenshot
The Zhukov Line screenshot
The Zhukov Line screenshot
The Zhukov Line screenshot
The Zhukov Line screenshot

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 176 reviews
gameplay10 positive mentions
stability2 negative mentions
  • The game offers a solid concept with engaging gameplay that keeps players on their toes, especially in the endless mode.
  • Great atmosphere and sound design enhance the tension, making it an enjoyable short horror experience.
  • It's free and provides a quick, fun distraction, making it worth trying for anyone interested in horror games.
  • The game is quite short, leaving players wanting more and feeling like it ends just as they get into it.
  • Some mechanics can feel repetitive, and the random jump scares may detract from the overall experience.
  • The difficulty can be inconsistent, with some players finding it too easy or reliant on luck, especially in the harder modes.
  • gameplay
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring a simple yet engaging loop that maintains tension and offers a unique horror experience. Players appreciate the atmospheric elements and the depth of mechanics, particularly in the endless mode, although some have noted minor bugs and issues with specific features. Overall, the game provides a good balance of challenge and accessibility, catering to a wide range of players.

    • “Also, the endless mode has a surprising amount of mechanical depth to it.”
    • “Great atmosphere, simple structure, nerve-wracking gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay loop is easy to understand, and flows well to keep the train running.”
    • “The sedative deployment screen seems a little buggy; I have to spam click it, and this might just be me not understanding the mechanics, but the creature hits doors randomly and there is no sedative option, which means it just gets a free pass to move forward. This also happens with the other two tasks.”
    • “Gameplay impressions: https://youtu.”
    • “Gameplay loop is easy to understand, but it lacks depth and can become repetitive quickly.”
  • story
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is described as simple yet compelling, though many players find it lacking depth and detail, with minimal dialogue and a short narrative. While some appreciate the interesting premise and visuals, others express confusion and a desire for more substantial storytelling. Overall, the story mode is seen as enjoyable but could benefit from further development.

    • “Simple yet compelling story.”
    • “A cool idea with good visuals and a nice story, would recommend!”
    • “The story wasn't heavily worked on, minimal text dialogue and no audio dialogue; however, with the information given, you can't help but desire more. It makes you think about what's going on in this world after finishing the game, and where did this biohazard come from?”
    • “What story?”
    • “Twilight was a better love story than this.”
    • “The story wasn't heavily worked on, minimal text dialogue and no audio dialogue; however, with the information given, you can't help but desire more. It makes you think about what's going on in this world after finishing this game. Where did this biohazard come from?”
  • atmosphere
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its tension, intrigue, and spookiness, effectively immersing players in a nerve-wracking experience. Reviewers highlight the impressive sound design and visuals that contribute to a sense of impending doom, making it a standout feature, especially for a free title. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as powerful and engaging, drawing clear inspiration from classic horror games.

    • “A fantastic little horror game that accomplishes so much so quickly, this game effectively and efficiently offers a powerful atmosphere filled with tension, intrigue, and dread.”
    • “Very atmospheric, definitely clear inspirations from Resident Evil and FNAF, has some very intense moments as the ambience increases the longer a day goes on. The loud banging noises, the constant alarms, and the sound of the steam from the burst pipe all build up the feeling of impending doom and entrapment.”
    • “Cool short horror game, the atmosphere is actually spooky and the game does a good job of being fun and tense at the same time - definitely recommended especially for a free game.”
    • “A short horror game with the atmosphere of the USSR.”
    • “A fantastic little horror game that accomplishes so much so quickly; this game effectively and efficiently offers a powerful atmosphere filled with tension, intrigue, and dread.”
  • graphics
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game are generally praised for their quality and immersive atmosphere, with many users highlighting the appealing visuals and minimalist design. While some find the horror elements visually engaging, they note that they lack true scare factor, describing them as more annoying than frightening. Overall, the combination of strong visuals and sound engineering contributes to an enjoyable and atmospheric gaming experience.

    • “I like the graphics and the environment the game sets you in; it reminds me of 'the other side' with the gameplay as well.”
    • “Great minimalist visuals, and the lore is interesting.”
    • “The visuals pop and the atmosphere is really good!”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat excessive, with many describing it as "a bit grindy" and suggesting that it may require significant time investment, possibly even the use of macros, to manage effectively. Overall, the consensus indicates that while grinding is a part of the experience, it can be tedious and demanding.

    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but it adds to the overall experience.”
    • “I find it a little grindy, yet it keeps me engaged and motivated.”
    • “While it can feel a bit grindy at times, the rewards make it worthwhile.”
    • “You'll need a second life, maybe some macros, and a will to live for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “A little grindy.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report stability issues, particularly with the sedative deployment screen, which appears buggy and requires excessive clicking. Additionally, there are concerns about the creature's unpredictable behavior, as it can bypass obstacles without the option to deploy sedatives effectively.

    • “The sedative deployment screen seems a little buggy; I have to spam click it. This might just be me not understanding the mechanics, but the creature hits doors randomly and there is no sedative option, which means it gets a free pass to move forward. The same issue occurs with the other two tasks.”

Buy The Zhukov Line

Videos

Games Like The Zhukov Line

Missing Hiker Image
86%3.9kreviews

Missing Hiker

2023Action
PCPCWindowsWindows
Shadow Burglar Image
98%1kreviews

Shadow Burglar

2022Action
PCPCWindowsWindows
Enter The Backrooms Image
88%1.2kreviews

Enter The Backrooms

2021Action
PCPCWindowsWindows
I Won't Forget Hue Image
92%224reviews

I Won't Forget Hue

2023Action
PCPCWindowsWindows
Cave Crawler Image
95%2kreviews

Cave Crawler

2022Casual Platformer
PCPCXboxXboxWeb BrowserWeb Browser+5