I starter 2022 with one of your games, "Lunic Possession", which I loved and I kept the game on my top list for horror, but somehow, in this universe, you made another, brilliant project and topped your previous work.
The most intriguing and well thought thing about this game is execution. "Elevated Dread" is by far the most stabilized and scripted game I've ever played. Some people might find it "not important", but for me as a developer and a PC owner a great quality is shown by the craftsmanship and this game delivers.
The overall story, atmosphere, stylistic choices and ambience was superb. Every little detail felt genuine, real and creepy. I can't give more than a magnificent praise to this.
Keep going, keep making amazing projects and I will definitely be here to play and support them. Cheers to you!
The apartment complex was indeed a scary setting - constructive criticism below:
Pros:
Good use of sound design - the unnerving lack of any ambient music really immersed this player in the 'real' setting of the apartment complex.
The mechanic of having the player put up flyers gave this user a sense of purpose - most indie horror games have you going to 'place A' for a reason, but that's usually to find a lost brother or sister, etc. The fact that going up every floor had purpose behind it.
As this user ascended each floor, things were starting to go a little 'strange' and the nail head baby and crayon graffiti was a nice touch.
Cons:
Wasn't a fan of the floaty head movement. Understand that this creates a sense of movement without moving and immersion, but this user thinks that the 'bobbiness' could be turned down a few levels. Especially when trying to hit the elevator buttons.
The monster being 'half seen' in the elevator was creepy, but seeing it on the TV brought this user out of the experience. A lot to be said about 'show, don't tell' with this particular instance.
Ambiguous storytelling - It was this user's understanding that the crayon graffiti created a narrative, possibly about a couple who brought their son into the apartment block and ended up throwing him off the roof, but this wasn't really explored. Did the father become the monster after he hung himself? Felt like a few notes alluding to this throughout the character's journey to the 9th floor could have made this narrative a little tighter.
Not a con as such, but I think it would have immersed the user experience by having the main character question why he was still putting up flyers (say around the 5th floor.) If you were in the same situation, would you really still be putting up flyers in a crack house after you'd seen some of the things in that building!?!? Even if there was a throwaway comment it would have immersed the player into the role a little more. Other than that, a great experience and hope to see more in the future!
Thanks a lot for detailed feedback, I really appreciate that you’ve put time and effort into this. It’s refreshing to hear someone not being a fan of this game, thanks for pointing out things you didn’t like!
Thanks, that “definitely one of the best indie horror games I’ve played in some time” feels nice to hear. And I’m glad you liked it considering the fact that you’ve seen this asset in other games, I just suck at 3D modeling
Its been awhile since I've done one of these. Critique Below.
Pros:
- Good Sound Design. This made for a really creepy atmosphere. - The monster was also pretty creepy. bonus props for seeing him on the tv a floor below - The Flyer idea was good. Alot of developers make games but as you play all you do is ask why am I doing this, well in this case to invite people to a party.
Cons:
- Floaty controls. People think the head bob and extra movement adds immersion. In my opinion its just annoying at times. The head bob is bad when you have to hit tiny buttons and the extra movement makes it feel like and ice level. - Big gaps in between scares. Which is ok but in this "short" game the fear went away alot. (I don't know how to word this better)
- The corridor change was cool until it wasn't. Changing corridors were used a bit too much. (Just my opinion)
Overall:
Pretty good experience, with a couple ok jump scares. It also seems like you put time and effort into this game to make it stand out. Keep at it and I can't wait to see what you put out next. GG
I really thought that head bob and extra smooth camera movements add immersion and at the same time I can easily see why they are annoying in that game when trying to hit buttons. I think I just got used to it during the development and didn’t see how weird they might feel.
There are some gaps between what people tend to call “scares” but I guess for each person it felt different. If your fear went away a lot, other people say that they were just paranoid all the time.
I don’t think the corridor change was overused but the main reason I used it that much in the end is that it was the easiest way I came up with to not let the player go back lol
I appreciate that you put time into writing what you liked and what you didn’t about the game, thanks a lot!
no problem i wish to be a game dev too but I'm such a novice that I'm kinda afraid to start something so i really enjoy to play indie games. Thanks for being cool about the critique.
Well I think that’s quite a common problem and probably every game dev had to go through this, I hope someday you will be confident enough to start working on your own project!
An absolute gem in indie horror. When the jumpscares hit, they hit HARD! Very well made and recommended to everybody who loves a little Slice of Horror.
In my YT video, this also received my highest review score so far!
Really loved the atmosphere as it kept me tense and on my toes, this was really fun to get through and the major release of the tension that built up the entire time really got me good haha (I even needed a minute to gather my thoughts) good job on this I can tell there was care put into this.
Wow, this was really good. The tension and fear kept building and building. I was expecting something at any moment and when I let my guard down it smacked me in my face! Well done!
I enjoyed this game a whole lot. So much about this game I just did not expect at all, and the different style of retro aesthetic was refreshing. Well done, dev!
Thanks a lot, I’m really happy that this game exceeded your expectations! Special thanks for putting an emphasis on the art style, I actually was trying to do something unique
If anyone is wanting a perfect template on how to make a perfect short horror then this is it! i absolutely loved this, your use of horror by essentially using no atmosphere other than the strange occurrences around the floors (lights swinging, tv, radio, footsteps) adds to the already unsettling feeling you get playing this, and the build up was spot on all the way through, i also love the reference to the cursed Kleenex commercial being a massive fan of all things horror i noticed it immediately, this is one of my favourite traditional horrors that i have played in a while, no need in unique mechanics or crazy jump scares, but being scary because of great level design and atmosphere, fantastic work! gameplay above hope you guys enjoy!
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate this kind of detailed feedback you’ve provided in text and in the video (it is mainly complimenting stuff I’ve made so yeah).
It is cool that you recognized the Kleenex ad, I guess it made the game more interesting for you to play.
There were no bugs related to the hiding option, all the expectations you’ve had since the third floor were intentional to make you paranoid :)
haha that makes a lot of sense because my paranoia was through the roof and honestly i usually give good feedback and things that could be improved but there was nothing i could think of that i would recommend improving on, its rare to find a game that doesn't have any faults on itch or things to improve on, but this is one of those occasions, i would love to see you bring out a full game on steam etc i think your at that level already you done a fantastic job and i cant wait to see what is next from you!
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Thanks for making a video on this one!
Yo this game got me scared shitless idk why!!
Surprising with a masterpiece, once again!
I starter 2022 with one of your games, "Lunic Possession", which I loved and I kept the game on my top list for horror, but somehow, in this universe, you made another, brilliant project and topped your previous work.
The most intriguing and well thought thing about this game is execution. "Elevated Dread" is by far the most stabilized and scripted game I've ever played. Some people might find it "not important", but for me as a developer and a PC owner a great quality is shown by the craftsmanship and this game delivers.
The overall story, atmosphere, stylistic choices and ambience was superb. Every little detail felt genuine, real and creepy. I can't give more than a magnificent praise to this.
Keep going, keep making amazing projects and I will definitely be here to play and support them. Cheers to you!
Hey, I remember, you were one of the first people to make a video and a comment on “Lunic: Possession” last year, I appreciate that you are here now!
Thanks a lot for the kind words!
Thanks, this just motivated me to take the stairs from now on. 10/10
Pros:
Cons:
Not a con as such, but I think it would have immersed the user experience by having the main character question why he was still putting up flyers (say around the 5th floor.) If you were in the same situation, would you really still be putting up flyers in a crack house after you'd seen some of the things in that building!?!? Even if there was a throwaway comment it would have immersed the player into the role a little more. Other than that, a great experience and hope to see more in the future!
Thanks a lot for detailed feedback, I really appreciate that you’ve put time and effort into this. It’s refreshing to hear someone not being a fan of this game, thanks for pointing out things you didn’t like!
loved the game!
This was a really good game scared the crap out of me at the end keep up the good job
this game gave me hemorrhoids
nice. i enjoyed the game
Respect for "I'ts a fine day" ;)
Спасибо что сыграл, я рад, что тебе понравилось!
У меня дома такой же лифт :)
One of the most tense horror games I've played in a long time. Kept me on edge the whole way through! Really good stuff !!
I made a video on your game if you're interested :)Thanks, that “definitely one of the best indie horror games I’ve played in some time” feels nice to hear. And I’m glad you liked it considering the fact that you’ve seen this asset in other games, I just suck at 3D modeling
The assets are there to downlod. Might as well use them !! 😅
Its been awhile since I've done one of these. Critique Below.
Pros:
- Good Sound Design. This made for a really creepy atmosphere.
- The monster was also pretty creepy. bonus props for seeing him on the tv a floor below
- The Flyer idea was good. Alot of developers make games but as you play all you do is ask why am I doing this, well in this case to invite people to a party.
Cons:
- Floaty controls. People think the head bob and extra movement adds immersion. In my opinion its just annoying at times. The head bob is bad when you have to hit tiny buttons and the extra movement makes it feel like and ice level.
- Big gaps in between scares. Which is ok but in this "short" game the fear went away alot. (I don't know how to word this better)
- The corridor change was cool until it wasn't. Changing corridors were used a bit too much. (Just my opinion)
Overall:
Pretty good experience, with a couple ok jump scares. It also seems like you put time and effort into this game to make it stand out. Keep at it and I can't wait to see what you put out next. GG
Finally some critique, thank you!
I really thought that head bob and extra smooth camera movements add immersion and at the same time I can easily see why they are annoying in that game when trying to hit buttons. I think I just got used to it during the development and didn’t see how weird they might feel.
There are some gaps between what people tend to call “scares” but I guess for each person it felt different. If your fear went away a lot, other people say that they were just paranoid all the time.
I don’t think the corridor change was overused but the main reason I used it that much in the end is that it was the easiest way I came up with to not let the player go back lol
I appreciate that you put time into writing what you liked and what you didn’t about the game, thanks a lot!
no problem i wish to be a game dev too but I'm such a novice that I'm kinda afraid to start something so i really enjoy to play indie games. Thanks for being cool about the critique.
Well I think that’s quite a common problem and probably every game dev had to go through this, I hope someday you will be confident enough to start working on your own project!
This is a fantastic short horror game! Such a great horror atmosphere and jump scare! Awesome job!
At least in the top 10 scariest games ever made, up there with wrong floor.
That’s quite cool to hear, thanks a lot! Your reaction to the baby head was outstanding
Very unsettling and creepy, jumpscare got me XD (keep up the good work!)
In my YT video, this also received my highest review score so far!
Really enjoyable and unsettling game! It felt a little slow at parts, but altogether a good game!
Thanks a lot for feedback!
One of my favorite newer games! Game 3 :)
Thanks! I’m happy that it was your favourite out of these three
Thanks for feedback! The fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck part is my favourite part of the video!
Haha yeah I was kind of paranoid something would jump out at me at any second
Wow, this was really good. The tension and fear kept building and building. I was expecting something at any moment and when I let my guard down it smacked me in my face! Well done!
Thanks a whole lot, that’s exactly what I was trying to achieve!
You achieved it!
I enjoyed this game a whole lot. So much about this game I just did not expect at all, and the different style of retro aesthetic was refreshing. Well done, dev!
Thanks a lot, I’m really happy that this game exceeded your expectations! Special thanks for putting an emphasis on the art style, I actually was trying to do something unique
Nice reaction to the ending! Thanks for playing
yeah, thanks for making it impossible to get on an elevator
Interesting game, had fun playing!
Fantastic
That baby JumpScare Really Got Great Game
Damn the baby thing really got you and I like that, thanks for playing!
You got my girlfriend good with the "surprise", if you catch my drift, haha.
Your girlfriend’s reactions were priceless, thanks for putting up this video!
Damn, this game is creepy! I loved every minute of it. Thanks for the fun!
Thanks for making a video!
Excellent!
Interesing gameplay.
might want to find some friends who live at a better apt building :)
NO Commentary
UN JUEGO INCREIBLE DEMASIADO BUENO ESPERO PUEDAN DARSE UNA VUELTA GRACIAS ESPERO SU APOYO AMIGOS SOY NUEVO ESTO
Muchas gracias afición, esto es para vosotros Siuuu
I know this is a terrible pun, but this truly gave me a sense of elevated dread. Really well done, I haven't been this on edge in a while!
It’s great that this game gave you that sense, thanks for playing!
Of course, thanks for making it!
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate this kind of detailed feedback you’ve provided in text and in the video (it is mainly complimenting stuff I’ve made so yeah).
It is cool that you recognized the Kleenex ad, I guess it made the game more interesting for you to play.
There were no bugs related to the hiding option, all the expectations you’ve had since the third floor were intentional to make you paranoid :)
haha that makes a lot of sense because my paranoia was through the roof and honestly i usually give good feedback and things that could be improved but there was nothing i could think of that i would recommend improving on, its rare to find a game that doesn't have any faults on itch or things to improve on, but this is one of those occasions, i would love to see you bring out a full game on steam etc i think your at that level already you done a fantastic job and i cant wait to see what is next from you!
Well placed jumpscares, love it.
Thanks a lot!
This was not too bad. Loved how as you got to higher floors it got more and more creepier. Made a video on it.
Thanks a lot, I’m happy that you liked it! Watched your video and I appreciate all your remarks about how good this game actually is