PGC NEWS

The Vietnamese game development scene, while active, often flies under the radar, particularly in the single-player offline market. The Death (Thần Trùng), a first-person horror game developed by DUT Studio, attempts to break this trend, leveraging familiar Vietnamese settings and folklore to create a unique horror experience. But does it live up to its potential? Let’s delve into this review to find out.

alt: A screenshot from The Death showing a dimly lit alleyway in a Vietnamese setting.

A Familiar Yet Frightening Setting

The Death immerses players in a distinctly Vietnamese environment. From the narrow alleyways and “sôi thịt” shop signs to the iconic patterned floor tiles, the game evokes a sense of familiarity, particularly for Vietnamese players. This familiarity, combined with the game’s unsettling soundtrack, amplifies the horror elements. The inclusion of traditional Vietnamese elements like ancestral altars, coffins, funeral music, and well-known folklore further contributes to the game’s eerie atmosphere. Even the puzzles incorporate cultural elements, featuring traditional toys and games like the Tower of Hanoi.

alt: A screenshot from The Death showing a traditional Vietnamese altar.

The Death effectively utilizes these familiar elements to tap into players’ cultural understanding and create a genuinely chilling experience. However, this strength is unfortunately overshadowed by several significant weaknesses.

A Narrative Lost in the Shadows

The story follows a young man who rents a room in Hanoi, despite rumors of a tragic family death that occurred within its walls. Undeterred, he sets out to unravel the mystery behind the haunted house, which revolves around the legend of “Thần Trùng,” a malevolent spirit that torments the deceased. While the premise is intriguing, the narrative execution falters. The plot feels disjointed and lacks cohesion, with events unfolding haphazardly. Several elements, including items and documents, feel superfluous and contribute little to the overall story.

alt: A screenshot from The Death showcasing the game's graphics.

A key example is a mysterious vial the player finds. Despite its seemingly significant presence, its purpose remains unclear throughout the game, leaving players to speculate about its meaning. The ending, both good and bad, feels abrupt and unsatisfying, with the “good” ending relying on a deus ex machina to hastily conclude the narrative. The titular “Thần Trùng” also makes a disappointingly brief appearance, offering little payoff for the game’s central theme.

alt: A screenshot from The Death showing a dark room in the game.

An Overreliance on Jumpscares

The Death relies heavily on jumpscares to the detriment of its atmospheric horror. While some jumpscares are effectively placed, many feel cheap and unearned, disrupting the tension rather than enhancing it. This overuse diminishes the impact of the scares and makes the game feel reliant on shock value rather than genuine psychological horror.

alt: A dark hallway in The Death, indicative of the game's horror atmosphere.

Simplistic Puzzles

The puzzles in The Death are disappointingly simple, offering little challenge or engagement. Removing them would likely shave only a few minutes off the game’s runtime. For a horror game focused on puzzle-solving, this lack of complexity is a significant missed opportunity.

alt: A screenshot from The Death, showing the player navigating the game's environment.

Subpar Voice Acting and Character Models

While the game’s sound design is generally well-executed, the voice acting and character models detract from the overall experience. The amateur voice acting, while understandable given the studio’s independent nature, often undercuts tense moments, unintentionally creating comedic rather than frightening scenarios. The ghost models also lack visual impact, appearing more like broken dolls than terrifying spirits.

alt: A tense moment in The Death, highlighting the game's atmosphere.

Conclusion

The Death shows promise with its unique Vietnamese setting and folklore-inspired horror. However, its disjointed narrative, overreliance on jumpscares, simplistic puzzles, and subpar voice acting and character models ultimately hold it back from realizing its full potential. While it offers a glimpse into the possibilities of Vietnamese horror gaming, it ultimately falls short of delivering a truly compelling and terrifying experience.

alt: Another screenshot from The Death showing the player interacting with the environment.

alt: A puzzle element in The Death.