Twin Mirror

About

Twin Mirror is a single player action adventure game with drama, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by DON'T NOD and was released on December 1, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Twin Mirror" is a psychological thriller video game where Sam Higgs, a former investigative journalist, returns to his hometown of Basswood, West Virginia, to attend his best friend's funeral. Soon, he gets entangled in the town's dark secrets and must use his intellectual abilities to uncover the truth. The game features a rich, intricate storyline and allows players to explore the unique workings of Sam's mind. However, as the investigation unfolds, Sam will struggle to distinguish between friend and foe, leaving players questioning who to trust.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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73%

Audience ScoreBased on 636 reviews

story236 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

The game features a strong story and atmosphere, drawing players into the emotional journey of the protagonist.
The Mind Palace mechanic is creative and adds an interesting layer to the gameplay, allowing players to reconstruct events and analyze evidence.
The visuals and sound design are well-executed, creating an immersive experience that enhances the narrative.

The game is short, with a playtime of around 5-7 hours, which may leave players wanting more content.
Character development is lacking, making it difficult for players to form emotional connections with the supporting cast.
Many choices feel inconsequential, leading to a sense of linearity in the narrative despite the game's promise of impactful decision-making.

story
641 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
57%
6%
The story of *Twin Mirror* centers on Sam Higgs, a former journalist returning to his hometown to investigate the mysterious death of his best friend, Nick. While the narrative is praised for its emotional depth and atmospheric setting, many reviewers note that it feels rushed and underdeveloped, with limited character exploration and predictable plot twists. The game offers a compelling premise but ultimately leaves players wanting more in terms of story length and meaningful choices, making it a mixed experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “The story follows Sam Higgs, a former investigative journalist who returns to his small hometown of Basswood, West Virginia, for the funeral of his best friend.”
- “The story is well written, sad and disturbing while still feeling cozy and wholesome at times too.”
- “The story is the true standout here, offering a compelling and intricate plot that keeps you guessing until the very end.”
- “Some supporting characters are underdeveloped, functioning more as archetypes than as fully realized individuals, and the final chapters resolve the story more quickly than expected.”
- “The biggest downfall is that the game is extremely short for a story-driven game and when you start getting invested, it ends.”
- “The story suffers from the fact that... just... nothing significant happens.”
gameplay
174 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
63%
9%
The gameplay in "Twin Mirror" is characterized by exploration, investigation, and dialogue, featuring a unique "mind palace" mechanic that allows players to process memories and reconstruct scenes. While some players appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and innovative concepts, many criticize the execution as clunky and the overall gameplay as simplistic and linear, often feeling more like a walking simulator with limited interactivity. The game offers a solid narrative experience but falls short in delivering a robust gameplay experience, leading to mixed reviews regarding its mechanics and pacing.
- “The gameplay structure revolves around exploration, investigation, and dialogue.”
- “The concept of the 'mind palace' is a brilliant touch, adding a unique layer of introspection and strategy to the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay itself is satisfying, offering a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
- “For players drawn to atmospheric storytelling, this may not be an issue, but those expecting a robust detective experience may find the mechanics underwhelming.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly lame, the game progresses slowly, the characters are uninteresting, the rooms are always very limited and yet you're running around in circles the whole time and the plot is the uninteresting classic from every police film/series you've seen 100 times already.”
- “The gameplay consists mostly of exploring small areas, finding clues.”
graphics
130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the stunning visuals, atmospheric art direction, and high-quality textures that enhance the overall experience. However, some critiques highlight issues such as dated animations, stiff character expressions, and a lack of innovation compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, while the graphics are a strong point, they are sometimes overshadowed by narrative shortcomings and technical flaws.
- “The graphics are stunning, the voice acting was on point, and the story was very compelling.”
- “The visuals are fantastic, but they work only with a story epic enough to match what you see, and the plotline here is not as dramatic as I'd like it to be.”
- “The graphics are very decent, and the voice acting is top notch; however, it's the story that keeps these types of games going.”
- “Not even going to talk much about the atrocious animations and graphics in a 2021 game.”
- “Aside from the writing, the graphics are also a downgrade from 'Tell Me Why', which baffles me because they came out in the same year. While 'Tell Me Why' looks gorgeous, 'Twin Mirror' looks boring and even low-poly at times with some objects.”
- “Graphic fans will be very disappointed and the lack of SUW, HDR, and RT is disheartening in a world where some walking simulators such as 'Observer: System Redux' have best-in-class graphics.”
emotional
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
7%
The emotional aspect of "Twin Mirror" is characterized by a blend of poignant storytelling and moral introspection, though it struggles with uneven pacing and character development. While some moments resonate deeply, particularly in the protagonist's internal conflicts and relationships, the overall emotional impact is often undermined by predictable plot twists and a lack of depth in character interactions. Despite its flaws, the game offers a thought-provoking experience for those who appreciate narrative-driven adventures, though it may leave players with a sense of emotional ambiguity rather than closure.
- “It's a setting perfectly suited for Dontnod's signature blend of emotional storytelling and moral introspection.”
- “Sam Higgs' journey back to his hometown of Basswood is more than just a reluctant visit — it's an emotional reckoning with grief, guilt, and identity.”
- “The scene where you have to definitively choose between a logical way of thinking and separating yourself from your 'mind palace' partner's emotional side was one of the most incredibly powerful and beautiful scenes I have ever seen in media.”
- “Great game if you want to go to sleep; I had to launch this game four times on different days to make it to the end. Unbelievably boring story, extremely slow pacing, and even the climax of the story was underwhelming.”
- “Boring story, poorly written characters.”
- “Too short with a mediocre, occasionally boring story.”
atmosphere
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
42%
7%
The atmosphere in "Twin Mirror" is consistently praised for its melancholic and immersive qualities, effectively evoking a sense of detachment and psychological depth. Players appreciate the beautifully crafted environments, detailed graphics, and strong sound design that enhance the narrative experience, although some find the overall atmosphere can feel drab or uninviting at times. While it may not reach the heights of similar titles, it successfully creates a reflective journey that resonates with fans of atmospheric storytelling and emotional nuance.
- “From the very beginning, the game draws you in with its beautifully crafted environments and lifelike character designs, creating an immersive atmosphere that perfectly complements its mysterious tone.”
- “The atmosphere is nailed down perfectly.”
- “The game immediately establishes an atmosphere of melancholy and detachment—Basswood feels like a place left behind by time, filled with empty streets, fading friendships, and quiet resentment.”
- “Additionally, the game's often drab atmosphere creates an uninviting world that many players simply won't enjoy immersing themselves in.”
- “The atmosphere is alright and some parts of the game are engaging but it's not worth paying for at all, and as I reached the end I just wanted it to be over.”
music
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
40%
11%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth, while others find it bland or forgettable compared to previous titles from the studio. While there are mentions of good soundtracks and effective sound design, several players express disappointment, noting that the music lacks memorability and impact. Overall, the soundtrack is described as decent but not exceptional, contributing to a generally mediocre impression of the game's audio experience.
- “The music and the atmosphere of this game is pretty nice; I really enjoy the dead-end little town vibe.”
- “The music does an excellent job of supporting the atmosphere, creating drama where appropriate, but never pushing into the foreground.”
- “Music and sound effects: Twin Mirror offers a fine assortment of good music and tunes which definitely impacts the immersion and replayability of the game, as the game comes with multiple endings.”
- “Music was a bit boring!”
- “It's just mediocre, with a short, somewhat chaotic story and a boring soundtrack.”
- “The story, the characters, the music, etc. are much more important, but in this game, we have nothing really memorable.”
optimization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
53%
21%
Overall, "Twin Mirror" is generally well-optimized, particularly for users on Steam Deck and high-end PCs, with many reporting smooth performance at high settings. However, some players noted that the game could benefit from further optimization, especially on lower-end systems, where significant performance drops were experienced. While the graphics are praised for their visual appeal, there are mixed opinions on the quality of animations and voice acting, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “Just a couple of tweaks to make it run smoothly on Steam Deck.”
- “Also, I wish most games today had such a commendable visual-to-performance ratio.”
- “Excellent game, well optimized with amazing graphics!”
- “Finally there's the performance impact of a game not designed/optimized for SUW - we're talking a drop to 10fps average from a 160fps average at 'standard' resolutions.”
- “Performance is terrible.”
- “Also, to end this short review off, one will note when playing Twin Mirror that the graphics look dated, and could use better overall optimization.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
Overall, "Twin Mirror" offers limited replayability, primarily due to its short length and the nature of its endings, which are largely determined by player choices but do not significantly alter the overall experience. While some players appreciate the potential for different outcomes, many feel that the game lacks substantial replay value and could have benefited from a longer narrative to enhance character and plot development. Ultimately, the game may appeal to perfectionists seeking to explore all endings, but for most, the replay incentive is minimal.
- “I love what this game did, and all in just 2 short sittings making it replayable, for sure.”
- “Important: the game's replayability is excellent, as players can make different choices on subsequent playthroughs, resulting in different outcomes (some don't even reveal the real bad guy).”
- “There is somewhat of an interesting story to be told here and the game lends itself to some replayability as the endings do play out differently among one another; however, it could have benefitted a lot if the story was a bit longer to make more room for character and plot developments.”
- “However, the game lacks replayability options.”
- “Choices matter and story-rich games are a lot of what I play and love, but this one just doesn't make the cut for me and doesn't have any replay value in my eyes.”
- “Despite having the potential to make more significant choices and diverging paths along the way, as a way to promote replayability, the game ultimately opts for a mostly streamlined main story that, no matter the choices, will end up in the same situations at the end of the day.”
character development
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
Character development in the game is largely criticized, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth beyond the main character's minimal choices regarding their abilities and relationships. While some appreciate the immersive environments and narrative pacing, the overall consensus is that NPCs and secondary characters lack meaningful development, resulting in a shallow emotional experience. Despite some positive remarks about the story and voice acting, the brevity of the game further limits character growth opportunities.
- “From the very beginning, the game draws you in with its beautifully crafted environments and lifelike character designs, creating an immersive atmosphere that perfectly complements its mysterious tone.”
- “It's a decent story-based experience with nicely paced narrative beats and good character design.”
- “The story, character development, voice acting, and anything pertaining to that stuff is definitely on point and really good.”
- “There was 0 character development beyond your character deciding to keep his ability to use the mind palace, or continue to have his imaginary friend speak to him, and even that aspect isn't built to like there's any emotional consequences, for you or the main character.”
- “Twin Mirror involves your typical cast of characters, but unlike some other games, there's really very little NPC character development.”
- “Character development is non-existent.”
grinding
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
20%
70%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, often feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Many express frustration with the slow pace and repetitive tasks required to progress, leading to a lack of motivation to continue. While some players eventually become invested in the story, the initial grind can be a significant barrier to enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It's a very dull story and the game just feels tedious halfway through.”
- “I just want a good story I can enjoy and no game mechanics that make getting through that story tedious.”
- “It's a tedious task; you basically try different things until you get it right.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by witty and thought-provoking dialogues, particularly in the interactions between the protagonist and his double, though some find the protagonist's inexpressiveness amusing rather than annoying. While the game features caricatured characters and binary gameplay choices that can elicit humor, it lacks a consistent comedic tone, with few attempts to incorporate lighthearted moments beyond a nostalgic mini-game. Overall, it offers a mix of humor that may appeal to players looking for a narrative-driven experience, albeit with a slower pace.
- “Sam’s conversations with his double are funny and thought-provoking.”
- “I half expected him to quote Nietzsche then fall into a puddle of self-pity because someone looked at him funny in the diner.”
- “Everyone is a walking caricature, and the gameplay itself is the most binary you've ever seen, which is kinda funny, considering how much Don't Nod prides itself on diversity.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
71%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report a smooth experience with no significant bugs or crashes, some have encountered audio glitches and UI issues, particularly towards the end. Despite these problems, the game is visually impressive and runs well on various platforms, including the Steam Deck. Players recommend it for those who enjoy visually engaging experiences, especially if purchased at a lower price.
- “It's very obvious that it's not AAA in many ways, but regardless, the game runs great, looks great, the voice acting is good, and the story is very good.”
- “No glitches, bugs, or crashes shall deter you.”
- “Towards the final act, there were some annoying and frustrating audio glitches such as random crackling that happened for about 15-20 minutes.”
- “Meh, low-end be human, predictable, nothing unique in the story, buggy UI when accessing hot spots.”
- “Yes, there are visual glitches and some button malfunctions, but it is easily fixable.”