Dread X Collection 2

I’ve bought the bundle with all Dread X Collection Games in a sale for 90% off (or some value like that) After playing the first one, I thought that this collection may all be kinda bad and didn’t try any other for months. After that, I decided to give this game a shot, it couldn’t be worse than the first… right? Well, I’m glad to say that Dread X 2 is a pretty good collection and, is you are finding it on sale and would like to give it a shot, I would say that Dread X 2 is worth it… as long as not in full price. There are some pretty cool games here… but… it may feel like its not worth your time because some of them are kinda… kinda badly designed. So, just like the first one, let’s give a score to each one of them, so they all can be reviewed (in the order I played): >Squirrel Stapler< 7/10 - I was really happy to start with such a good game, it gave me a great first impression of the collection and got me excited to try them all. The hunting gameplay is great and cool, and the graphics are charming, the slow burn of horror is also very effective, it got me on the edge quite some times. Sadly, I think the main issue comes from the design of the enemies that spawn in day 2 (or 3 I forgot). They are… not scary at all and pose little to no threat. If the enemies had a better AI and a better, more scary design, this would have an even higher score. As it stands, it’s a great experience. The ending is very good, I really liked it. >Sucker for Love< 9/10 - This is the best game in this collection… and it's the joke game. This speaks volumes about the quality of this game… but also says that none of the other experiences crafted to be short horror experiences are that good… and the game kinda peaked in my second choice. However, Sucker for Love is still a great game. It was really funny, the 2D drawings were very high quality, the voice acting was peak, the point and click puzzle gameplay was very simple but the game is so short that they don’t bother you at all. Overall, a very enjoyable and funny experience, I recommend the whole collection for this game alone. >Another Late Night< 6/10 - This one is very short. You take control of someone’s computer, explore their conversation and files, then read some creepy news and are asked some unsettling questions by an unknown entity. Then the plot twists. It’s short and most of what you do is reading, the writing isn’t peak masterpiece literature, but it’s cool. No real gameplay, but I liked it. It’s a worthy experience. I would play this one over 90% of the games in Dread X 1. >The Toy Shop< 3/10 - This game is weird. Like, really weird. The graphics and art direction aren’t bad… but confused. Gameplay and animations are junky and stiff. The objectives are confused. It has multiple styles in gameplay but none are really good. The idea is so nuts, yet… intriguing. I tried really hard to like this game, I was really interested to see what was behind such a bizarre idea. It sticks out along with any other game in all of Dread X purely for its strange vibes. Sadly, I lost my patience during the boss fight and the following segments. I didn’t have fun… but I was intrigued. >The Thing in the Lake< 5/10 - This game is really hard in an annoying way. It’s too easy to die and after death you go back all the way to the beginning of the segment. It’s divided into 4 segments, each longer than the last. I really like the old school vibes and graphics, but the hard elements don’t work very well nowadays. They in fact never did, games were longer this way to justify the price. Artificial difficulty. That being said, it’s not bad. I enjoyed the story and horror. I just wish it was more linear and less artificially difficult. >Solipsis< 8/10 - Very very short, but great and creepy. This is the definition of less is more. Yeah it’s a walking simulator, but it’s charming. It has an amazingly good art direction and a pretty good story. It’s short, like 10 minutes at best, so my review is short because I have nothing left to say. Still… really good. >The Diving Bell< 8/10 - The graphics are really weak, but the art design saves it and makes this game really cool looking. The gameplay is a bit simplistic, just walking and picking stuff… But it’s elevated by an amazing atmosphere, great story telling and cool horror elements. I was really impressed with this one and how hopeless everything feels. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone that buys this game, this is peak writing. My only issue is that the gameplay could be improved and some of the dialogue that comes from the speaker are a little too cheesy. >Arcadletra< 2/10 - Really disappointing game. This has a good art direction, but the graphics feel too shiny and unrealistic. As for the gameplay? Walking simulator. The story? Basic cryptic nonsense. The horror? Jumpscare simulator with loud noises and no real build up. This is a bad game, amateur cheap horror. >Undiscovered< 6/10 - Really good atmosphere and amazing idea for the camera. The art style is great… but I think it would be better with more realistic models for better immersion. It feels too cartoony and fake for what should be a real old recording. The gameplay too is just a walking simulator with basic interaction and nothing much happens. It’s not annoyingly bad tho, it would be the best game if it was part of the first dread x collection, but here is just ok. Great idea, mid execution. >Touched by an Outer God< 8/10 - Incredible art direction, cool graphics, I loved the gameplay feel, really different to everything so far. I think this is a great game, really stands out and could be its own thing rather than being part of this collection. My only issue is that the game is a little bit too easy, too short and has some very cheesy dialogues. However, this is still a peak game that feels very finished and a worthwhile experience. >To the End of Days< 6/10 - Inoffensive runner shooter. It has a strong art direction, the combat is not bad for what is the main focus. But the level design is a bit bland… the story is fun but really is nothing special. I really struggle to review this one because, despite not being bad, it’s really nothing special either. The 40 minutes I spent in this game weren’t bad, I had fun, but nothing too memorable. >Charlotte's Exile< 9/10 - Really cool investigation game, the main goal is to figure out the message left by Charlotte by decoding an old language found in the book you have. I really liked this one, it is my favorite in this collection. But… the horror in it isn’t that strong and… I think this may be a little too niched. I don’t think your average player will be willing to just read and read and pay very meticulous attention to the details of the language to solve the message. This is why I think this isn’t the best game, because it isn’t for everyone. But regardless.. It is my favorite and I really liked it. Great game, just missing more horror. >Dread X 2 Hub World (Puzzle House)< 7/10 - Different from the first game, where you just pick up the games you wanted to play directly, Dread X 2 has a hub world, a house full of puzzles. After each puzzle is beaten, you gain a key and can play another game. You can complete all puzzles at once or do them one by one as you play the other games. The puzzles are all ok (except the piano puzzle, that off key thing sucks) and are a fun little distraction. The artstyle of the hub world is very charming and the overall story being told by the tapes is intriguing. I liked, really liked it. >>>Final review<<< This was a major improvement over the original collection. I had a great time playing it and, despite the bad apples, the game selection was very good this time around. Got me excited for the next one and really glad I gave it a shot. I strongly recommend this game, or at least the ones with scores 7 or higher. If you find it on sale, get it.

A overall good batch of "game jam" games made in 10 days, this time with a eldritch theme. I have to say that this is probably the best of the first 4 Dread X games (havn't played 5), it also had some decent puzzles in the hub world even if the ending was a bit too obvious. Another Late Night was a bit underwhealming and did not go far enough in what it was attempting, also at first it feels like a weird shoutout to Doomtrooper of all things (but it's made by the same guy, so that makes sense) and The Toy Shop was kind of weak (but it's also the one game you don't actually have to beat to get the achievement, you can start it in free play and it still count towards the "beat all games" achievement.). So if you don't like it you can just do that. To the End of Days was just a shooter, but it's fine for a "10 day game". I also already played and finished the standalone version of Charlottes Exile (still a pretty good game), everything else was interesting in it's own right with the standout titles beeing Sucker for Love for beeing absolutely hillarious in the premise, Solipsis because Daniel Mullins and The Diving bell for how effective it was. But everything in this collection is worth playing.

Despite the increased production value, many of these were still not to my taste, but I knew that going in. Solipsis: Was able to complete it but I don't know what it was trying to communicate. Squirrel Stapler: 10/10, no notes. Touched by an Outer God: Barf Unity Camera, couldn't continue. To the End of Days: I certainly got the end! I'm glad to have been given a chance at revenge on those screaming wire men. Sucker for Love: Nope. Charlotte's Exile: Decent little puzzle game! Undiscovered: Oh my GOD the barf camera. Toy Shop: Similarly, barf camera. If I didn't have a whole bunch more of these to play I might have pushed through. Alas. ArcaDletra: ...what. The Diving Bell: This might be the least compelling out of any of them. Another Late Night: I clicked on things and got an ending, but again, not sure what happened. The Thing In The Lake: Doing half-hearted "retro" style stuff is a surefire way to turn me off.

[h2] Слабый наборчик, играл в свободном режиме [/h2] [u]8.5/10[/u] - [b]Charlotte's Exile[/b] - простая игрушка, но при этом все есть, чего нет у других: атмосферный хоррор, с реально пугающим скримером; интересный геймплей - разгадка шифра и пазлов; нет ничего хуевого, чтобы тригерило. Все время держит в трепете либо от страха, либо от разгадки. [u]7/10[/u] - [b]Squirrel Stapler[/b] - атмосферная и нагнетающая, но не дожал разраб в конце, ♥♥♥♥ я белок и их медведей. [u]4/10[/u] - [b]SOLIPSIS[/b] - атмосферненько, как всегда не обычное от этого автора, но скучненько, без какого-никакого сюжета. [u]3/10[/u] - [b]To the End of Days[/b] - "сюжетный" экшен, враги, локации, текстуры, звуки - поинтересней, по сравнению с другим, но все также не оч, из-за механик. [u]2/10[/u] - [b]Touched by an Outer God[/b] - типо, кривой экшен рогалик, мб ток апгрейды интересные, а так, локации, враги и т.д. - ♥♥♥♥♥♥ (не прошёл). [u]2/10[/u] - [b]The Diving Bell[/b] - сюжетная про Ктулху и одиночество, 0 хоррора, пара механик. [u]1.5/10[/u] - [b]THE THING IN THE LAKE[/b] - что-то странное, не страшное, а сложное и непонятное, саунд прикольный (не прошёл). [u]1/10[/u] - [b]The Toy Shop[/b] - выглядит как техническая демка игры, которой не выделили бюджет, потому что получилась бы ♥♥♥♥♥, если не считать баги, то визуал прикольный(не прошёл). [u]0/10[/u] - [b]Arcadletra[/b] - максимальна тупая хоррор бродилка, скучная и даже не стремная, + растянутая, + не оптимизированный - просто бесящий получается. [u]0/10[/u] - [b]Another Late Night[/b] - я промолчу просто. [u]0/10[/u] - [b]UNDISCOVERED[/b] - бродилка, на первый взгляд атмосферная, от 2-го лица, на другой взгляд ♥♥♥♥♥ багованная, с кривой камерой от 3-го лица. [u]?/10[/u] - [b]Sucker for Love[/b] - это ♥♥♥♥♥♥ (не прошёл). По факту хорошие игры только от Джона и Давида (первые две игры), они продаются отдельно, лучше их просто купить, чтобы именно им деньги ушли, а не другим бездарным или слишком простым/недоработанным играм. [spoiler]Насчет бездарности - видел еще, что последняя игра в списке довольно популярная, хз[/spoiler]

Another awesome collection of short indie horror games

In its second outing, the Dread X Collection found its stride with a wild variety of experiences many of which will stay with you for quite a bit, whether your in it for the squirrel stapling or the eldritch dating sim. Or any craziness in-between.

A lot of good games here, some absolute bangers, and a few duds. They have also progressed from just choosing games from a menu to a "hub" house with puzzles and interaction, which overall made it a much cooler experience (I also loved the little comic side story). "Another Late Night" - Rather underwhelming tbh, I did like the aesthetic & humor in the filesnames/photos though. 3/10 "Arcadletra" - This one felt sorta Lynchian/Twin Peaks S3 to me actually (maybe because of electricity focus?), liked it a lot (wish there was a bit more to the endings tho). 8/10 "Charlotte's Exile" - Finally, a point & click! A wonderful puzzle-solving experience with a nice lil lorebook, and a few scares. 10/10 "Solipsis" - Extremely short, but brilliantly effective. 10/10 "Squirrel Stapler" - A little slow and frustrating at times, but overall a very twisted & wacky horror experience. 8/10 "Sucker for Love" - Good mix of horror and romantic silliness. 8/10 "The Diving Bell" - They really nailed feelings of anxiety/guilt/insanity in this one. 8/10 "The Thing in the Lake" - A really cool style & aesthetic, but the gorilla and controls made this pretty frustrating to play. 6/10 "The Toy Shop" - Starts as a walking sim, then becomes a platformer, then a shooter. Also there's a giant photorealistic dude that stares you down. I didn't hate this game, but let's be honest it's kind of a mess xD. 6/10 "To the End of Days" - BANGER ALERT (and it's so funny I liked this one so much, because I hated Carthanc in the previous Dread collection (same devs))! 10/10 "Touched by an Outer God" - Super meh for me personally (boring maps, boring gameplay) 4/10 "Undiscovered" - Dumb characters but "camera" perspective was kinda unique though. 6/10

I love these games

有趣且独特的恐怖游戏合集第二季

Dread X Collection 2 is an inventive horror anthology developed through a collaboration between DreadXP and a diverse lineup of independent creators including David Szymanski, Daniel Mullins Games, Torple Dook, panstasz, Lovely Hellplace, Secret Cow Level, Scythe Dev Team, Wither Studios, Akabaka, Vidas Salavejus, Bathysfear Labs, Wayward Preacher, Abbey "Scruncho" Smith, Mahelyk, John Szymanski, and others, with DreadXP serving as the publisher. Instead of focusing on a single lengthy campaign, the game offers twelve self-contained horror experiences connected through an atmospheric central storyline. Players find themselves trapped inside a strange room where mysterious videotapes serve as gateways to different nightmares, gradually uncovering hidden truths as each tape is completed. This framing device gives the anthology a stronger sense of continuity than most collections of short games, making every new discovery feel like another piece of an unsettling puzzle. The anthology revolves around the concept of "Lovecrafting," encouraging each participating developer to interpret the theme from their own creative perspective rather than simply recreating familiar cosmic horror. As a result, the collection constantly shifts between psychological terror, surreal storytelling, survival horror, retro-inspired adventures, eerie exploration, and experimental gameplay. Every episode introduces its own tone, mechanics, and narrative style, ensuring that no two experiences feel alike. This unpredictable structure is one of the game's greatest strengths, as players are continually surprised by fresh ideas instead of encountering repetitive scares or familiar horror formulas. The variety extends beyond storytelling into gameplay itself. Some entries emphasize tense exploration and environmental puzzles, while others feature stealth, combat, resource management, or narrative-driven progression. The collection embraces experimentation, allowing each developer to showcase their own design philosophy without being constrained by a unified gameplay template. Naturally, the quality varies from one game to another, but even the less polished entries contain creative concepts that make them worth experiencing. Their relatively short length also prevents weaker episodes from overstaying their welcome, while the stronger ones leave players wishing they could continue beyond their brief running time. A particularly memorable aspect of Dread X Collection 2 is the interactive hub that links every story together. Rather than functioning as a traditional menu, the room itself becomes another layer of the horror experience. Players investigate their surroundings, unlock containers, solve small environmental mysteries, and gradually reveal more about the strange circumstances surrounding the videotapes. This approach adds a welcome sense of progression between individual games and rewards curiosity with additional lore and narrative revelations. It transforms the anthology into a cohesive adventure instead of simply presenting a list of separate titles to launch. Visually, the collection celebrates the artistic freedom of indie development. Every game features its own graphical identity, ranging from deliberately retro low-polygon visuals to pixel art, stylized environments, and more modern presentation techniques. This constant shift in visual direction reinforces the feeling that each videotape represents an entirely different nightmare. Audio design also deserves praise, as unsettling ambient music, disturbing sound effects, and carefully timed moments of silence work together to create memorable tension across nearly every experience. Despite the modest production values of many entries, the creativity displayed through atmosphere and presentation often proves more effective than expensive visual effects. Because the anthology was built around an accelerated development challenge, some games inevitably feel more refined than others. Certain entries introduce fascinating mechanics that conclude just as they become truly engaging, while others could have benefited from additional polish or expanded storytelling. However, these inconsistencies are balanced by the collection's constant willingness to experiment. Instead of playing it safe, Dread X Collection 2 embraces unusual ideas that many larger horror productions would never attempt, making it an exciting showcase of emerging talent within the independent horror scene. The anthology also highlights the impressive creativity of its contributors, many of whom have become respected names in indie horror. Their willingness to explore unconventional themes and gameplay concepts gives the collection a distinctive identity that separates it from more traditional horror games. Rather than relying solely on jump scares or graphic violence, many of the stories create fear through mystery, psychological tension, unsettling imagery, and imaginative world-building. This emphasis on originality makes each completed tape feel like discovering a different horror short film with its own personality and style. Dread X Collection 2 is best suited for players who appreciate experimental horror and enjoy seeing a wide variety of creative approaches packed into a single package. Those looking for one continuous storyline or consistent gameplay may find the anthology format somewhat uneven, but players willing to embrace its diversity will discover an impressive range of memorable ideas. The combination of an engaging meta-narrative, inventive gameplay concepts, and strong atmospheric design makes the collection an outstanding celebration of independent horror development. It succeeds not because every individual game is flawless, but because together they create a compelling showcase of creativity, imagination, and passion that keeps players eager to uncover the next terrifying surprise. Rating: 9/10