Detention 返校 Reviews
Although brief, the game's flow meanders as sluggishly as its central characters.
Despite everything that goes against this game’s favour, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to almost anyone who wants a new horror game. It is very short but it’s definitely worth it – Snuggling up in bed late at night and playing this in handheld mode was like telling myself a scary story in the dark; the story is fantastic and the way the whole game ties in the historical and cultural aspects of Taiwan into it is really interesting and unique. The game boasts some of the coolest puzzles I’ve seen in a game in a long ass time and overall I was scared… Which is what this game needed to do first and foremost.
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 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
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
Its story, visuals, and sound flawlessly accomplishes what (I think) the game is trying to convey. At the same time, these things are experienced through slow, somewhat dull adventure gameplay. It does hinder the game somewhat, but despite this caveat, I still think Detention is absolutely a game—if not story—worth experiencing.
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.
Detention stands as one of the creepiest games available on Steam, all while being a textbook example of how atmosphere is the king of horror.
Detention is a game that deserves your attention. It may not be the most gripping gameplay wise, but everything else that encompasses it is undoubtedly top-class. The chilling atmosphere and just overall tension the game presents to you, coupled with the excellent and original story helps eliminate its overly simple gameplay problem. It seems like horror games are finding its feet on the Switch now, so if you have finished Layers of Fear and The Coma and are itching for more top-notch horror experiences, then you need to play Detention.
Detention is an indie game which can hold it's own with the best. If you enjoy horror games then this is an essential addition to your collection. A good story steeped in history, great audio, visuals and gameplay where you will enjoy solving puzzles and avoiding ghosts. It does miss that action element some will crave and it's not the longest or most challenging game in the world but if you're after horror then turn the lights down, the sound up, and enjoy this dark and twisted horror experience.
Detention likely will not win over many people who aren't already fans of either survival horror or adventure games, and that's a damn shame. While the game has some pacing issues, and a few puzzles can only be described as having illogical solutions you'll mostly come to simply through attrition, this game is a triumph.
A little indie horror that no one noticed. Give Detention a chance, because its story will leave a mark on your soul, if you let it.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Hopefully Red Candle Games announces their next project soon enough. With the creative potential they've showcased here, they could go pretty much anywhere next.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.