Dead Take

"Dead Take is a commendable attempt at psychological horror games, seemingly born from genuine passion and a desire to deliver a distinctive experience with a unique visual style and vivid storytelling. The involvement of well-known actors from the gaming world …"

"Dead Take combines stellar acting and a sharp, satirical script to create a memorable, if short, psychological horror experience. While the puzzle mechanics and video editing features can feel shallow, the atmosphere and visual presentation are top-tier. It is a …"

"A well-executed psychological horror game that looks beyond the glossy surface of the film industry to reveal its compromises."

"This short jaunt through a haunted mansion leads you through entertaining puzzles, even if you&s;re not quite sure why you&s;re there, but will entice you further with a deeper mystery about the abuse of power in the entertainment industry."

"Dead Take is a sharp turn for Surgent Studios after Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. But the developer&s;s attempt at first-person narrative horror via escape room is a bold jab at Hollywood&s;s dark underbelly, helmed by some incredible performances."

"Dead Take is a surprise standout experience from Surgent Studios. It&s;s got a stacked cast with a focus on storytelling over anything else, using the allure of Hollywood as the gateway to unconventional horror. While there are some predictable moments, …"

"Dead Take is a game about actors, made for actors by actors. While the plot and mystery surrounding the narrative turns shoulder the burden of keeping up interest throughout, sound puzzle design and a blanketing atmosphere make it a worthwhile …"

"Dead Take is a solid adventure for the FMV genre that provides an eerie and moody atmosphere set in the Hollywood hills. What&s;s there is an intriguing exploration of the powers that be and the dog-eat-dog nature of the film …"

"Dead Take is a fantastic psychological horror that pulls no punches, delivering superb acting and some great puzzles that keep you engaged until the very end."

"Dead Take is a unique glimpse into the indie horror genre through the lens of an actor desperate to stay relevant in the ever-changing landscape of the film industry. Its use of atmosphere and film craft drives home a narrative …"

"While the atmosphere is good, and the puzzles are logically structured, they don&s;t reinvent the wheel in any way. While everything is well integrated into the setting, it&s;s not enough to distinguish it from the rest of the genre. Anyone …"

"I can’t fault Dead Take. The acting in this game is jaw-dropping and seen from a perspective we very rarely get in this medium. Dead Take made me feel things that AAA games often fail to, and I was kept …"

"A fantastic cast brings a very real light to harsh realities of the entertainment industry, accompanied by some brilliantly realised puzzle/horror gameplay that oozes tension and atmosphere throughout the entire story."

"Dead Take stands out in the genre of horror walking sims with its intriguing story, talented cast and FMV elements. Unfortunately its horror aspects are where it falls flat, as it tries to cram itself into the genre with the …"

"Dead Take is a solid four or five hours of classic horror puzzle fun, mixed with some excellent (and some mediocre) live-action scenes. It isn’t looking to break any ground, instead targeting a good, scary time, and nailing it."

"Dead Take is a sublime horror game filled with some phenomenal performances expertly heightened by the live-action nature. It&s;s unique, fun, and fantastically paced."

"Dead Take‘s phenomenal, haunting, and mesmerizing FMV performances deserve every bit of the praise they’ll receive and more. They wash away almost every other sin by the end."

"Dead Take too often dips into the surreal but is otherwise an authentic and terrifying view into the trauma of being an actor."

"Dead Take clearly wants players to focus on uncovering its story, and the mansion is built in a way that makes exploration feel rewarding even without much resistance. The atmosphere does a lot of heavy lifting, with sound and lighting …"

"Dead Take has got some great atmosphere, wonderful voice acting, and a real creepy story, slightly hampered by simple puzzles and an over-use of jumpscares."

"For me, Dead Take was a unique and haunting psychological experience that stayed with me for a long time, even after completing it, while also being an enjoyable puzzle-solving escape room-like game filled with mystery and intrigue that had me …"

"Dead Take understands that true fear comes not from monsters, but from the reflection of our own doubts and desires. It’s elegant, unnerving, and utterly captivating. With its breathtaking visuals, emotionally charged performances, and a story that prioritizes slow-burn tension …"

"Dead Take is a short yet strikingly original experiment, weaving a disturbing story through a strong cast and inventive use of the medium, where atmosphere and writing outshine its technical flaws."

"For players who prefer more atmospheric and narrative-driven horror experiences, Dead Take could be one of the standout titles of the year. Distinguished by its flawless acting and compelling storytelling, Dead Take leaves a lasting impression thanks to its puzzle …"

"The worldbuilding, the performances of the actors and the story itself create a damn good symbiosis of escape room, story, and FMV serving as the perfect playground for psychological horror and making Dead Take a truly special experience. The fact …"

"Dead Take isn&s;t trying to out-monster anyone. It&s;s interested in something scarier: how performance and power warp people, and how easy it is to mistake a good cut for the truth. The house is empty, but the screens are crowded …"

"Dead Take is a horrifying game that uses its short run time to create a memorable time. The way Surgent Studios uses surrealistic architecture, creepy atmosphere, and real-life videos to tell its disturbing story is wonderful. While some puzzles can …"

"With its atmospheric setting and gripping gameplay, Dead Take lays a very good foundation for a new horror experience. The oppressive atmosphere combined with the innovative narrative style using live-action videos gives the genre a new dynamic."

"Dead Take has the potential to be a strong psychological horror puzzler, but its scattered direction, lack of suspense, and unclear narrative thread hold it back from standing out in a crowded genre - despite solid acting and a haunting …"

"Think of Dead Take as a short, sharp theatre piece you play. Live-action clips led by Neil Newbon and Ben Starr steal the show, and the supporting cast supplies texture worth hunting for."

"Dead Take is a very good cinematic escape room with elements of psychological horror. Great acting, a well-crafted atmosphere, and interesting puzzles make for an interesting departure from Surgent Studios&s; first title. I hope the creators don&s;t abandon this direction …"

""A profound and elegant horror experience" Dead Take delivers a psychological horror experience characterized by deep narrative, realistic performances, and a bold combination of cinematic acting and in-game interaction. While some elements lack depth and direction, the sound, visuals, and …"

"A short first-person psychological horror game, Dead Take cleverly incorporates full motion video footage to explore the lengths that some will go to in order to achieve success. It&s;s not particularly scary but it does go to some dark places, …"

"Dead Take is a very solid experience with a strong narrative weight, both in development and theme, and although the lack of combat or escape may put off more hardcore players, the plot and the actors&s; performances leave a mark …"

"Dead Take isn’t just a horror game; it’s an immersive psychological experience revealing the darker side of entertainment--harsh and shadowed. It’s a journey into the human psyche, between ambition and fear, truth and illusion. Strong performances, clever puzzles, and meticulously …"

"If you enjoy psychological horror and escape room games, Dead Take is a title you definitely shouldn’t overlook."