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Dead Take

Dead Take

PC
Released

Release Date: July 31, 2025

Adventure, FPP, Horror, Indie Games, Singleplayer

A first-person psychological horror with a star cast (including Same Lake, Jane Perry, Alanah Pearce, and Laura Bailey). Dead Take was made by the developers of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. We play as a novice actor exploring a gloomy residence in Hollywood, taken over by strange characters.

8.0

OpenCritic

8.8

Steam

Rate It!
Ratings
[1:17] - Launch Trailer Videos: 2
Screenshot Images: 9
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot

Founded by Abubakar Salim (known for the role of Bayek of Siwa in the game Assassin’s Creed Origins), the Surgent Studios team debuted on the industry map with the game Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.

The next project of this studio is the thematically and generically different Dead Take, which is a psychological horror. The developers have stated that the discussed production was inspired by "real experiences from the entertainment industry".

Gameplay

In Dead Take we watch the action from a first-person perspective (FPP).

Rescuing a friend

During the game, we take on the role of actor Chase Lowry, who ends up in a luxurious Hollywood residence in search of his friend - Vinny Monroe. Upon arrival it turns out that although a lavish party took place here a few hours earlier, there is no trace of the guests, and their place is occupied by mysterious figures resembling people.

Considerate actions

The presence of the mysterious beings means that while exploring the gloomy mansion, we must constantly be on guard and rely on stealth when necessary. The adventure leads us through a lavish lobby, an art gallery, or a room for actors' auditions.

Puzzles and video editing

When exploring various places, we not only avoid dangers, but also solve environmental puzzles. Additionally, we collect damaged video clips, which we then have to edit and arrange in chronological order. All this to discover the truth about the events that took place here.

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Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows

Developer: Surgent Studios

Publisher: Pocketpair

Age restrictions: 16+

Features

System Requirements

System Requirements for Dead Take Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i7-7700K / AMD Ryzen 5 2600, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1060 / 8 GB Radeon RX 580, 15 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.

Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i7-7700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 10 GB GeForce RTX 3060 / 16 GB Radeon RX 6800 XT, 15 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Dead Take Video Game.

8.0

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 79% of Critics. There are 29 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Console Creatures: 8 / 10 by Bobby Pashalidis

Dead Take is a surprise standout experience from Surgent Studios. It's got a stacked cast with a focus on storytelling over anything else, using the allure of Hollywood as the gateway to unconventional horror. While there are some predictable moments, the environment, the performances, and immersion make up for it. It is an emotionally charged horror experience that punches well above its weight and serves as a commentary on ambition and exploitation.

Full Review

Final Weapon: 3.5 / 5 by Estelle Mejia

Dead Take is a unique glimpse into the indie horror genre through the lens of an actor desperate to stay relevant in the ever-changing landscape of the film industry. Its use of atmosphere and film craft drives home a narrative that is both captivating and compelling. However, the combination of poorly lit environments and heavy shadows can make certain puzzles feel cheap, and the lack of clear direction may be too much for some players to overcome.

Full Review

Game Rant: 8 / 10 by Josh Cotts

Dead Take clearly wants players to focus on uncovering its story, and the mansion is built in a way that makes exploration feel rewarding even without much resistance. The atmosphere does a lot of heavy lifting, with sound and lighting creating an ever-present sense of tension that kept me leaning forward the whole time. Dead Take might not break the escape room genre wide open, but it finds a creative way to pull players into its world, and it's worth seeing through to the end.

Full Review
88%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (672)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Strong Performances: The voice acting, featuring a star-studded cast, received high praise for its quality and emotional depth, enhancing the narrative experience.
  • Atmospheric Design: The game effectively creates a creepy and unsettling atmosphere, with sound design contributing significantly to the tension.
  • Intriguing Narrative: The story offers a compelling commentary on Hollywood's darker side, including themes of fame, exploitation, and mental health. Some players appreciated the subtlety and depth of the narrative.
  • Engaging Exploration: The mansion's design encourages exploration, with interesting lore and documents that enhance the storyline.
  • Short Length: Many players enjoyed the game's brevity, finding it suitable for a quick horror experience without feeling overly drawn out.

The main cons of the game

  • Convoluted Narrative: Several reviewers found the story to be scattered and convoluted, with critical themes feeling underdeveloped or overshadowed by less relevant content.
  • Overreliance on Jump Scares: Many players criticized the game for relying too heavily on cheap jump scares, which detracted from the overall horror experience.
  • Simple Puzzles: The puzzles were often described as overly simplistic and lacking in challenge, leading to a less engaging gameplay experience.
  • Technical Issues: Some players reported bugs, including audio glitches and achievement issues, which negatively impacted their experience.
  • Lack of Emotional Depth: Critics noted that the emotional struggles of the characters were not adequately explored during gameplay, leaving players feeling disconnected from the narrative's core themes.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • Depth in Gameplay Mechanics: Players expressed a desire for more complex and varied puzzles that could enhance the narrative payoff and engagement.
  • Enhanced Horror Elements: Many reviewers suggested that the game could benefit from a broader range of horror elements beyond jump scares, such as environmental storytelling or more immersive experiences.
  • Cohesive Narrative Development: Users felt that the narrative could have been more cohesive and better structured, allowing for a deeper emotional connection with the characters' struggles.
  • Toggle for Jump Scares: A common request was for an option to disable jump scares, as many felt they were unnecessary and detracted from the atmosphere.
  • Additional Content: Some players wished for more content or a longer runtime to fully explore the themes and characters introduced in the game.

Summary

  • Overall, while "Dead Take" has several strengths, including its performances and atmosphere, it faces criticism for its narrative execution and reliance on common horror tropes.

Summary generated on: