Devil's Hideout

I actually like it.

A short and simple game. For fans of point and click games, but get it on sale

Quaint point and click with fun atmosphere

[i]Devil’s hideout[/i] is an „old school” pixel-point-and-click pixel adventure game that has a cosmic-horror-setting, which makes it quite unique. It is short (around 2,5 hours) and not without flaws, but it is well made, and the atmosphere is quite interesting. Story wise there is not much one can say without spoiling game content: You play as Lauren, a woman that comes to believe that her younger sister Beth is still alive after a car accident. Suspecting foul play and the involvement of a sinister cult you return to the hospital where Beth supposedly died with your friend Atticus to get some answers. But it soon turns out that there is something very abnormal with the hospital as well as with the whole town, that seems to go mad while the night drags on… As mentioned, the atmosphere is excellent, everything is voiced and the artwork is gorgeous as well as fitting IF you like pixel-art. There are a several references to the horror genre I caught (most likely there are a lot more), most pleasant for me the references to [i]In the Mouth of Madness [/i(1994) directed by John Carpender with an impeccable Sam Neill as protegaonist. The idea of “invisible guardians on your neck” one can overcome with getting drunk is something I know form Babylon 5 – they might have borrowed it somewhere else though – and there for was a reference which also put a smile on my face. The clown that clearly is the new Version from [i]It[/i] (2017) is a nice idea, personally I would have argued that short nod with a poster or so and inventing another gatekeeper “monster” would have been better for the game. While there is a lot to praise, the game also has its flaws. There is the common problem of point-and-click adventures that most riddles are very clear and obvious, but some are “out there”. [spoiler]Like when you must blow up a ballon with your breath to let it go to get a scroll that is lying on a windowsill on the second floor. This does not work physically on so many levels that I never would have guessed it. [/spoiler] As often this is combined with not real tips though comments by the character if you are trying something in the right direction but not quite there… So personally, I would recommend not to hesitate to look up solutions if you are stuck for a while. But by far the biggest issue for me is, that that the creators did not frame the game well. This might have to do with budget reasons but there are no real cut scenes at the beginning or the end of the game, which is a pity and robs a lot of the atmosphere and potential. In my eyes this is a hug flaw since the beginning could have been done very stylish and minimalistic and at the end a minute or so of animation showing/hinting at the consequences of that night for the town (or even the world at large?) would have been a must with all the things implied throughout the game. Generally, I would recommend the game if you like pixel-art and/or (cosmic) horror. But do not expect the greatest experience ever and get it at a discount. PS: [spoiler] And I really wonder whats the deal with Atticus and Lauren. Is he a fatherly friend? A siuitor? Or the guy in the friendzone...? its not important for the story but i wonderd the whole time while they interact... Any ideas?[/spoiler]

not worth the time or money. shallow, lacks any logic. a disapointment.

Alright horror point and click game with some really weird moon logic in places that would make Roberta Williams proud. There are only a few areas and screens to move around on and not that many inventory objects, and from what I saw, no fail state, so it's not that much of an issue. There is also a very strict order you have to do things in, even if you know what you have to do, if you havn't done one other thing before, the game sometimes doesn't let you do it. It's a bit frustrating, but I asume it's a way of preventing soft locks. The puzzle design is not the best, there really is no rhyme and reason to a lot of puzzle solutions. Basically just use everything on everything, even if it makes no sense, and you beat it in 3 hours or so (accidentaly left the game running so, my playtime is inflated. The story, characters and setting is very cliche, and quite predictable but it works well as a b-horror. If that was what the devs where going for they definitly naild the mood of some weird 80:s horror movie you found in a dusky corner of the video store that turned out a lot better than it had any right to be. It's not a strong recomendation, but for what it is, it's pretty alright.

A cool game that feels like it came out of an early 90s shareware CD (if it wasn't for the voice acting). Amazing atmosphere with the right amount of weirdness. Some puzzles were confusing, especially those that demanded a specific event to be triggered. Story-wise, you get dropped right into the middle of it, it's all a bit ridiculous and disjointed and I can't say it showed me an interesting perspective on anything. But it works as a sort of fever dream, it's unpretentious, and has a perfect length for what it's doing. Also got it extremely cheap. Curious about their other games now,

Devil's Hideout is a retro-styled horror adventure developed and published by Cosmic Void that successfully captures the spirit of classic point-and-click games while weaving an unsettling supernatural tale. Built around a first-person perspective and richly detailed pixel art, the game places players in the role of Lauren, a woman whose life is turned upside down after learning that her younger sister may not be dead after all. What begins as a deeply personal search gradually evolves into a disturbing confrontation with cult activity, hidden truths, and forces that have remained buried for years. The premise immediately gives the experience a strong emotional foundation, making Lauren's journey feel more meaningful than a standard horror setup. The narrative is one of the game's strongest assets. Lauren's quest is driven by grief, hope, and a determination to uncover what really happened to her family. Guided by cryptic information from a mystic and aided by her trusted friend Atticus, she ventures into an abandoned hospital and neighboring areas that are steeped in dread. Cosmic Void does an admirable job of revealing its mysteries piece by piece, encouraging players to pay attention to environmental details and dialogue. The story balances its horror elements with moments of introspection, ensuring that the central mystery remains engaging from beginning to end. While the plot occasionally moves at a predictable pace, it consistently maintains enough intrigue to keep players invested in uncovering the truth. Visually, Devil's Hideout embraces a nostalgic aesthetic without feeling outdated. The pixel art is remarkably atmospheric, with dim corridors, forgotten medical equipment, and ominous locations creating a sense of isolation throughout the adventure. Every environment feels deliberately crafted to reinforce the game's themes of loss and hidden evil. The first-person viewpoint further enhances immersion, allowing players to absorb the subtle details scattered across each area. Rather than relying exclusively on graphic imagery, the game uses lighting, composition, and sound to establish tension, proving that effective horror often comes from what is implied rather than what is shown. Gameplay follows a familiar adventure game formula, focusing on exploration, item collection, and puzzle-solving. Fortunately, the puzzles strike a satisfying balance between challenge and accessibility. They require observation and logical thinking without resorting to frustrating or arbitrary solutions. A useful hotspot indicator helps streamline exploration, preventing players from becoming stuck searching for tiny interactive objects. This quality-of-life feature makes the experience more approachable while preserving the sense of discovery that fans of the genre appreciate. The addition of multiple endings also adds replay value, encouraging players to revisit the game to uncover alternate outcomes and fully explore the consequences of Lauren's actions. Audio plays a major role in shaping the game's atmosphere. Fully voiced dialogue gives the cast additional personality, helping players connect with Lauren and the supporting characters. The soundtrack complements the experience with haunting melodies and ambient effects that constantly remind players that something sinister lurks nearby. From creaking floors to distant noises echoing through empty hallways, the sound design consistently reinforces the feeling of vulnerability. Mature themes involving occult practices, violence, and disturbing imagery further cement Devil's Hideout as a horror experience intended for players who enjoy darker subject matter. Despite its many strengths, Devil's Hideout is not without limitations. Its relatively brief length means that some aspects of the story and certain supporting characters could have benefited from further development. Players hoping for a sprawling adventure may find themselves reaching the conclusion sooner than expected. Likewise, while the ending provides closure, it may not fully capitalize on the tension established during the game's strongest moments. Nevertheless, these shortcomings are minor in the context of an indie title that clearly understands its goals and executes them with confidence. Devil's Hideout stands as another solid entry in Cosmic Void's growing catalog of adventure games. It successfully blends classic mechanics, compelling storytelling, and an oppressive atmosphere into a memorable package that will appeal to fans of both horror and traditional point-and-click adventures. Its emphasis on narrative, thoughtful puzzle design, and immersive presentation makes it easy to recommend to players seeking a concise but engaging descent into the unknown. Rating: 7/10

This game is a mixed bag. The strongest part is the graphics - solid pixel art resembling the old Amiga games. Not comparable in quality to Wadjet Eye Games, but servicable and atmospheric. The soundtrack is nice and appropriate, and the voiceovers contribute to the overall mood nicely (they are cetainly not the standard of indie games). However, the story and writing is nothing special. Playing the game resembles being a government paid House of Horror inspector - the regulation-approved jumpscares slowly trod by, while you checkmark the required components. Scary faces in the dark, check, horror clown, check, cosmic horror, check, Silent Hill-like town, check, cults, zombies, everything is there, but it's a total cliche-fest. I did enjoy playing, though, and I am happy these games are being created. They are warm and comforting, like hot buttered rum on a winter day. Please, keep them coming!

Jumpscares are not especially well done and the voice acting is a wee bit hit or miss, but overall the presentation is pretty nice and has good moments. Puzzles are moon-logicy at times, but they're not so obscure you wouldn't be able to figure them out with some good old pixel hunting, which I enjoyed. Story is a little all over the place, and the tone felt really all over the place, but it was serviceable and gave good excuses for the really wonderful art, which is absolutely the high point. Overall, fun game, but probably won't take more than an hour - maybe wait for a sale.