Visage

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,371 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • gameplay
Visage Game Cover
Even if lacking the slickness of some of its genre forebears, Visage still shocks and entertains once you begin to piece it all together.
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"Visage is a nerve-wracking first-person horror simulation, centering around exploration of a vast, ever-changing house with a dark past. Its intricate story unfolds through surreal visuals and atmospheric details, coupled with exceptional graphics, soundtrack, and an ingenious sense of place. Be prepared for a challenging, highly emotional experience that may contain bugs and requires patience."

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,371 reviews
story493 positive mentions
stability182 negative mentions
  • Incredibly scary atmosphere that keeps players on edge.
  • Well-crafted story with deep themes and character arcs.
  • Beautiful graphics and sound design that enhance the horror experience.
  • Confusing puzzles and lack of direction can lead to frustration.
  • Clunky inventory and control mechanics detract from immersion.
  • Game-breaking bugs and glitches can hinder progress.
  • story1,441 mentions

    The story in "Visage" is a complex and often convoluted narrative that unfolds across multiple chapters, each revealing the tragic backstories of previous inhabitants of a haunted house. While many players appreciate the depth and emotional weight of the themes, such as addiction and mental illness, others find the storytelling vague and difficult to follow, often requiring additional analysis to fully grasp the plot. Overall, the game is praised for its atmospheric storytelling and engaging horror elements, though some players express frustration with its pacing and the lack of clear direction in progressing the narrative.

    • “Each chapter reveals some heavy backstory, and it makes you genuinely care about what happens next.”
    • “Visage tells a tragic story and doesn't hold itself back from sensitive topics.”
    • “The story is captivating.”
    • “The story, likewise, is basically impossible to parse on your first time through and without reading analysis online.”
    • “At the end I didn't even care about the story and only wanted to finish it faster.”
    • “The story is a bit jumpy and hard to follow at times; keeping tabs on who the protagonist is can be a clusterfuck.”
  • atmosphere1,250 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Visage" is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and tension throughout the gameplay. Players note the game's exceptional sound design, lighting, and detailed environments that contribute to a haunting experience, often evoking genuine fear without relying heavily on jump scares. However, some critiques mention that the atmosphere can diminish over time, particularly in later chapters, and that gameplay mechanics may occasionally disrupt the overall experience.

    • “The atmosphere is thick with dread, and the details really draw you in.”
    • “The atmosphere here is superb and scares are easily some of the best I've seen to date.”
    • “The atmosphere is so unsettling and the graphics look really good.”
    • “The second thing I feel I have to mention is that the overall atmosphere, which is established in the beginning of the game, decreases drastically over the course of the second and third chapters.”
    • “The obtuseness of the puzzles just ruins the experience, the creepy atmosphere loses its charm as you get used to it and the creeps trying to hunt you down just become a nuisance.”
    • “After having finished the game, I can still say it's pretty scary, but it loses a lot of effectiveness in terms of what makes it really scary, which is mostly the atmosphere, once you complete one chapter and you start getting used to it.”
  • gameplay966 mentions

    The gameplay of "Visage" is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of atmospheric horror, puzzle-solving, and resource management that can be both engaging and frustrating. While the game excels in creating tension and a creepy ambiance, many players find the mechanics, particularly the inventory system and sanity meter, to be clunky and unintuitive, leading to a tedious experience at times. Overall, the game offers a unique horror experience, but its execution can detract from the enjoyment, making it a challenge to navigate without external help.

    • “Visage was a surprisingly refreshing horror game with an intriguing story and gameplay that, while at first can seem directionless, confusing, or tedious, later becomes quite enjoyable and fulfilling as you use context clues and subtle directions to slowly uncover the narrative thread, piece by piece.”
    • “The gameplay overall is pretty good; the puzzle-solving is really fun and can be very satisfying when done right, however, it can be very vague and difficult.”
    • “The use of audio in this game is excellent and it knows how to drive up the tension alongside very clever use of dynamic lighting and light mechanics; I had a shiver run down my spine a fair few times (and I have a really high tolerance to horror in general!).”
    • “The gameplay loop is tedious.”
    • “The sanity mechanic is pointless, then puzzles don't make sense, and the light mechanics are also pointless as they reset any time you go to other areas of the map.”
    • “The gameplay was often tedious, especially when trying to manage necessary items that teleport to a faraway storage closet when dropped.”
  • graphics811 mentions

    The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning quality and immersive atmosphere, often described as photorealistic and beautifully detailed. Many reviewers highlight the effective use of lighting and sound design that enhances the overall horror experience, although some mention occasional graphical glitches and outdated character models. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's chilling ambiance, making it a standout in the horror genre, especially for an indie title.

    • “Visage is a well-crafted horror puzzle game that succeeds in delivering a chilling atmosphere complemented by its stunning graphics.”
    • “The graphics are stunning and the overall atmosphere of the game is creepy and immersive.”
    • “The graphics, the lighting, the story, the atmosphere are all very well done.”
    • “I have many of my settings set to high but for some reason all the graphics are low poly and bad quality (so bad you can't make out letters in the text).”
    • “It feels like I'm walking around in a Roblox game (most Roblox games have better graphics compared to this when the bug is here).”
    • “This game has poor boring graphics, a lack of anything remotely scary to anyone aged over 12 and an absurd amount of candles and beer.”
  • music222 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the eerie atmosphere and build tension, with many players noting its effectiveness in creating a sense of dread. However, some users reported issues with music bugs and a lack of variety, particularly during chase sequences, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the sound design, including ambient noises and musical cues, is generally regarded as high quality and integral to the game's horror elements.

    • “The music and sound effects are insane.”
    • “The eerie sounds and haunting music must have amplified the atmosphere of dread, leaving you on edge.”
    • “The music is incorporated perfectly into the gameplay as well (something I've rarely seen done right), and seamlessly builds in tension along with the game.”
    • “There was no chase, no music, no tension, and I would simply die after I followed a creature into a room.”
    • “It's a shame because there are a few times where the music doesn't trigger and the scare lands perfectly, but 90% of the time you're going to be scared from the shrill violin sound that plays very loudly and comes across as cheap.”
    • “The music gets a bit repetitive over time, and it can lead to less tension once you get used to it.”
  • stability184 mentions

    The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which significantly hinder the overall experience, with many players reporting frequent crashes, game-breaking issues, and frustrating gameplay mechanics. While some users find enjoyment in the horror elements despite the instability, the consensus is that the game's current state is too buggy to recommend, especially given its long development history. Overall, stability remains a major concern, overshadowing the game's potential.

    • “Runs great on dual cores!”
    • “The game is probably good, but it was way too buggy to play.”
    • “There are also game-breaking glitches that prevent the retrieval of items or the activation of an in-game event.”
    • “Game is pretty buggy, couldn't play anymore than 5 minutes without game-breaking bugs stopping me.”
  • grinding106 mentions

    The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with players frequently noting the slow pacing, convoluted puzzles, and repetitive fetch quests that detract from the overall experience. Many found the gameplay loop to be a chore, often leading to feelings of boredom rather than tension or enjoyment. While some players appreciated the atmosphere and story, the general consensus is that the tedious mechanics significantly hinder the game's potential.

    • “Puzzles were challenging but not tedious.”
    • “The gameplay loop (yes, there's a loop) is tedious.”
    • “If you want a tedious waste of time with average jump scares, then this is the game for you.”
    • “It does not feel suspenseful, it's just tedious and repetitive.”
  • humor80 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding unintentional comedic moments in the gameplay, such as awkward character animations and amusing easter eggs, which can detract from the intended horror atmosphere. While some scenes and character interactions are genuinely funny, others feel dissonant or poorly executed, leading to a blend of frustration and laughter. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the experience, making it entertaining, especially in multiplayer settings, but it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “Kind of funny too how you're literally holding a sledgehammer but stand there and let an old lady kick your ass (though she may be a ghost, but still, lol).”
    • “The easter eggs throughout the game are such a nice touch and the comedy is something not seen in any other horror game and is absolutely hilarious.”
    • “I had a good thrill at the doors opening and closing by themselves and the lights going out, the radio turning on whenever it pleased and other things that may spoil the thrill for some people so I won't mention, but in the end I found myself just laughing because I was basically having a fight with an invisible entity on whether the lights should be on or off.”
  • emotional54 mentions

    The game elicits a profound emotional response, with players reporting intense feelings of dread, sadness, and empathy, often leading to tears during pivotal moments. Its grimly realistic story, combined with disturbing visuals and effective voice acting, creates a deeply immersive experience that resonates with players, reminiscent of classic horror titles. Despite some criticisms regarding writing and voice delivery, the emotional impact remains a standout feature, making it a compelling recommendation for horror fans.

    • “The storyline is very deep and all equally disturbing but in their own way; I found Dwayne's the most emotional, and I really felt for his family at the end of the game.”
    • “An emotional roller coaster the whole way through; I certainly recommend this game to any and all horror fans.”
    • “As terrifying as it is heartbreaking.”
  • optimization46 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as jittery framerates and freezing during cutscenes, while others report smooth gameplay even on lower-end hardware. Although many appreciate the graphics and overall performance, there are calls for optimization patches to address various gameplay issues and improve stability. Overall, while some users enjoy a seamless experience, others face frustrating technical problems that detract from the game's enjoyment.

    • “As for performance, I had no problems running the game maxed at 1440p on a 2080.”
    • “It is also really well optimized, running 70-100+ fps with a GTX 1050 Ti and i5 7500.”
    • “That said, the optimization is pretty great; I have an average-at-best build, and it ran smooth as butter on the highest of settings, with only slight fps drops that I didn't even really notice.”
    • “A bit unoptimized; jittery framerate and freezing at cutscenes.”
    • “Nothing game-breaking, but sometimes you'll crash on retry, things won't activate, and other small optimization issues.”
    • “The scariest part about this game; it's poor optimization causing my CPU to overheat then shutting my computer off because it's too hot...”
  • replayability28 mentions

    Overall, the game has limited replayability, with many players noting that once completed, there isn't much incentive to return, despite some randomness and hidden secrets that could encourage multiple playthroughs. While some aspects, like collectibles and easter eggs, offer slight replay value, the consensus leans towards it being a one-time experience rather than a game worth revisiting frequently. Players suggest waiting for a sale due to the short playtime and minimal replay incentives.

    • “Due to some randomness in the game, it actually has some replay value.”
    • “Huge replay value; you always miss some easter eggs, doors, scares, and other secrets.”
    • “Replayability: 9/10”
    • “However, I will say that once you've beaten the game, there is not much replay value, and the chapters that were added to the game for full release are pretty lackluster.”
    • “Isn't worth it for the money ($35 for ~10 at best of playtime? No. And little replayability save for the collectibles.) - try to get it on a deep sale ($15-20) if you want it.”
    • “Final thoughts; a good way to kill a couple of hours and get a cheap thrill, but otherwise, not really replayable... yet?”
  • monetization6 mentions

    Overall, the monetization strategy of the game is viewed positively, with players noting that it does not feel like a cash grab despite the presence of a season pass and microtransactions. Reviewers appreciate the effort and quality put into the game, suggesting that the developers prioritized content over profit.

    • “The monetization strategy feels excessive, with numerous microtransactions that detract from the overall experience.”
    • “The presence of a season pass and microtransactions makes it hard to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend more money.”
    • “While the game has potential, the monetization model is frustrating and feels like a cash grab.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Players are deeply immersed in the character development, often becoming so engaged that they forget they are playing a game. This strong emotional connection enhances the overall gaming experience.

    • “You lose yourself in the character development and forget it's just a game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

Buy Visage

Play time

7hMedian play time
17hAverage play time
4-12hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 62 analyzed playthroughs

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