Dead Take

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 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 play for horror fans.

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

Dead Take is a decent puzzle game, an enjoyable horror title, and an excellent narrative adventure that intrigues us with its characters, all perfectly portrayed in high-quality FMV sequences, and captivates us with a parable about the world of cinema and the pain felt by those who create art, which we all feed on, crying out for more and more, regardless of the cost to those behind the cameras. It's a shame that the puzzles don't hit the mark and that the horror sometimes takes the wrong direction, but considering that it only costs €14 and a few hours of our time, we suggest that anyone who is intrigued give it a try.

Dead Take succeeds in harnessing terror by means of anticipation and stellar environmental horror. The performances of the cast are on point, delivering interesting themes, but that aren’t always tied up in the end. Even with a bit shallow of a narrative, Dead Take kept me on my toes from beginning to end, a commendable effort from Surgent Studios.

Are you willing to tolerate a blatant lack of resources, very 2014 mechanics, and a relatively esoteric narrative? If so, then Dead Take might appeal to you. Surgent Studios doesn't break any new ground, but it does craft a nice little plot by using a few directorial levers wisely, without relying on horrible, hackneyed chase sequences, as is often the case with these types of projects. There's no low-brow monster to get around to prolong the ride. The fact remains that the ending collapses a little on itself, and our benevolence then reaches its limits.

Yes, Death Take has an interesting plot and an excellent cast. However, as a game, it is absolutely mediocre, and what’s more, it can be completed in just two hours.

Fun game with incredible acting from all of the cast. The puzzles are quite simple, but the story kept me hooked until the end. The jump scares feel a bit cheap, but given the narrative focus of the game I found them acceptable.