Howdy ladies and gentlemen. Summer break is just around the corner, and the best way to enjoy it is by sitting down and playing a Chinese horror game called "Detention". Alright not my best start, and weird time of the year to be playing a horror game but in my opinion, horror is a genre that can be enjoyed no matter what time it is...anyway, Detention is published and made by Coconut games studio. They're an indie game studio located in China and have made quite a few games such as Esports legend (which I might review another time) and Visitor. Detention is a horror 2D puzzle adventure game that is out for both Switch and PC. It was praised for its unique art style and interesting premise which I have to say are very well done from what I've seen when I played the game. I did have a couple of problems with it which I'll get into later, but the overall experience isn't bad. But is it worth it? Well, read on my friend and judge for yourself.
Story
Our story takes place in a school located in Taiwan during the 1960s. Back then they were under martial law and ran the school under a very strict code of ethics. You play as Rey who finds herself trapped in the school after waking up in the Gym under mysterious circumstances. Before that happens, however, you run into a young boy named Wei who woke up from napping in the classroom. When he woke up, he discovered the whole school evacuated due to heavy weather. So far Rey and Wei are the only ones in the entire school as far they know. As you two try to escape outside and through the bridge that connects the town to the school; you find that the bridge has collapsed and the river that flows under it is glowing red. Suddenly, Rey blacks out and discover Wei's hanging upside down corpse swinging right where she woke up. Now alone, Rey explores the school for another way out. This is when she is suddenly met with danger and encounters a "The Lingered", a spirt that...lingers around.
Rey discovers that she can hold her breathe and sneak past the lingered so long as she doesn't breathe a word. Barely escaping with her life, she finds herself back in the Gym left wondering why all of this is happening. This wasn't the time to be thinking about it. She had to find a way out, and the only way to do that is to explore the school. Horror surrounds you as the school begins to change, and lingering spirits can be found at most corners. As Rey continues to explore the school; she discovers that the past has a funny way of catching up and the school reveals her most dreadful memories. Between juggling the hauntings, and the past. Is it possible for Rey to keep her sanity long enough to escape the school, or will she succumb to the horrors and be lost in the dreaded hallways never to be heard of again.
That's pretty much it when it comes to story. It's deeply driven and engaging, but it can wind to be confusing if you're not paying attention. The game also tackles a lot of issues like domestic abuse, and the horrors of war. It can be impactful, but if you're sensitive to the issue I suggest turning away now as Rey's past is a big focus and driving point of the entire narrative. Kind of like how Silent Hill borrows the fears and darkest personalities from its protagonists and making them come to life.
Gameplay and Features
 |
| screenshot of gameplay |
So there isn't a whole lot to talk about when it comes to gameplay. You travel around the school while managing your inventory to solve various puzzles in order to progress the game. Occasionally you'll encounter a spirit in which you can use food to sneak past them or hold your breathe and sneak past them. That's it. There's no combat or anything really innovative here. The puzzles the game offers aren't to difficult to solve. I'd say their the right type of challenging, but none were really memorable except for two that really catches your eye. Because of this, the games main focus is on its story which is really up to personal taste and may not appeal to everyone.
Art and Music
(Detention OST- Launch Trailer Music by Xetro, link to his channel here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--9D5bPP0Sk)
The games unique art style fit its bleak and depressing mood. Colors are dark and bleak, and the background is dirty and gritty...it's perfect. Music and sound are also great. It's creepy and always fits the tone. Most tracks are melodramatic and fit the atmosphere of the situation in both the game's tense and saddest moments.
Conclusion
Let's skip right to the conclusion since this game doesn't have any other additional content besides the base game. Does the review seem short? That's because my only real complaint with the game is its length and replayability. Like most puzzle games, once you solve the puzzle the first time, the game becomes less fun the second time through. It has two endings, but the game isn't worth playing a second time through just to see both of them. Just remember to save near the ending. Did I forget to mention that the game is four hours long? This was with no walkthrough and provided you don't get stuck on any of the puzzles. This wouldn't be so bad if the game wasn't priced at ten dollars. There are games that have twice as much worth for that price. I still recommend playing it for the visuals and story just not at that price. Pick this game up once it hits a sale or if it really catches your interest.
All images and videos are owned by their respective publishers, companies, and uploaders. I don't own any of the content. Please support the official release
Let me know what you think of the game and the review and what else I should review.
