Detention 返校 Reviews
If it weren’t for a final act that stretched itself a little too thin for my liking, spooling out the denouement for longer than necessary, I’d have enjoyed almost every minute of Detention.
Hot off the heels of Layers of Fear: Legacy, Detention is yet another horror classic that deserves a place on your Nintendo Switch. Its story has an important message behind it as it introduces themes that seem almost unfair when viewed through the eyes of a child, but that only helps to escalate the horror. Through a terrifying atmosphere, chilling ghouls, and a soundtrack that will sink its teeth into you, Detention is a suitably horrifying title that needs to be experienced first-hand.
Despite a disappointing final act, this chilling horror story set in 1960s Taiwan burrows its way into your skull and, brilliantly, makes you anticipate the worst around every corner.
A horror game that is not as deep as we would have liked, but manages to scare you while it lasts.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
This isn't a horror game in the purest sense of the word. There aren't any jump scares, yet there is a very real sense of dread as you chip your way through the story. It never fully lets up and, instead, allows itself to build until you're almost used to the oppressive paranoia.
This is pure psychological terror. Detention comes to Nintendo Switch with the goal of hooking the player in its intense, but short, story. Its plot and context are the best aspects of this game by far.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
After spending many hours in the explosive world of Destiny 2, Detention's simple but horrific tale has reminded me just how affecting video games can be. A game based on the oppressive regime of 1960's Taiwain may not be for everyone, but if you fancy a break from head shots and kill streaks then this debut title from Red Candle games comes highly recommended.
An intelligent, thought-provoking, and extremely creepy adventure, that proves that survival horror can be more than just shooting zombies.
Detention has something to say. It has something to say about the sweeping themes of militant government regimes. It has something to say about each one of our personal hells and the journey towards even the smallest bit of redemption. It has something to say but it never shouts. It slides its message in silently like a blade into your gut. Even with some of the miscues in storytelling, Detention never lets up on making sure that players feel uneasy and uncomfortable, pressing you until that final twist of the knife. It's not a difficult game. It's not a long game. But it's a game that will stick with you well after the credits have rolled.
An extremely well done story crafted inside a psychological horror game that nails its terrifying atmosphere. It might not be the longest game or even the best horror game, but it truly got under my skin at times, and that's one of the highest accolades I can give any title in the genre.
The most telling thing to say about Detention is that it carves its own niche into the videogame horror genre. It shows a maturity and storytelling finesse for much of its brief run that eludes many within its medium. Despite a slump in the final act, and a couple of coldly logical puzzles that feel out of place with the story, Detention is a smart and sophisticated survival horror that draws from reality to fuel fear.
Detention brings back elements that will quickly make players reminisce about the first console horror games. Its plot-based design, with an involving audiovisual component and laudable art style makes the player feel wonderfully immersed in the game's atmosphere and creates one of the finest experiences available in the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Detention intelligently mixes the traditional point and click mecanics with the anxious ambiance of the survival horror genre. Ta'wan-based Red Candle Studios delivers a clever lightning on a very dark period of its country history, which gives the game quite some originality.
Review in French | Read full review
Detention’s only real drawback is its length. Most of the puzzles are pretty straightforward, and I completed my initial playthrough in just over two hours; that said, they were two very well-spent hours, and the game’s unique setting, gorgeous aesthetic, and emotional story were more than enough to make the experience worthwhile.
Although brief, the game's flow meanders as sluggishly as its central characters.
Detention featured cool, dark artwork, very creepy animation, and a spooky, well thought out soundtrack. For an independent game, I was quite impressed with the gameplay and the depth of the story. This game will make you jump a few times and could definitely lead to some nightmares. If you want to have some fun and get scared this fall season, definitely check out Detention.
Detention preserves the historical memory of Taiwan, showing the bloody roots of a country oppressed by the martial law for over 38 years. It is a unique and precious survival horror that knows how to tell an important, crucial and painful story that belongs to us all.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Grammar and graphical issues aside, Detention is still a game that is easily digestible, but will still leave a lingering aftertaste once its tragic tale reaches its course. The bar for storytelling in videogames continues to be set higher with every new title, be it Indie or Triple A, and the horror genre continues to innovate in new and exciting ways.
Detention is an astonishingly well-put together game that understands how brooding horror is more effective than mere jump-scares.
Detention is a haunting and thrilling experience that's worth checking out, and is one of the scariest titles I've played in years. Those who dig horror and adventure games are in for a real treat.