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Dead Secret

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation VR, PlayStation 4, Android, Oculus Rift • 2016

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Quick resume

Dead Secret is a first-person horror mystery set in rural Kansas in 1965. A reclusive professor is dead and it’s up to you to crack the case before you become the next victim. Investigate the murder and explore the story Time Magazine called “captivating” and “deeply creepy” .

Global score

82/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging mystery story
    • Immersive atmosphere and sound design
    • Multiple endings
    • Accessible puzzles
    • Vr support enhances immersion

    Cons

    • Short game length
    • Limited replay value
    • Clunky point-and-click movement
    • Dated graphics and voice acting
    • Some bugs and control issues in vr

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Exploration. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Creativity, Expression.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      3

      "Players have freedom to explore and investigate at their own pace, but movement is limited to point-and-click hotspots, restricting full free movement."

    • Competence
      2

      "Puzzles are straightforward and not very challenging, allowing players to focus on story and exploration rather than complex skill tests."

    • Competition
      -5

      "No competitive elements or player comparison; focus is on personal investigation and story progression."

    • Continuation
      1

      "Players are engaged to complete multiple endings and explore clues, but the game is short with limited replay value."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    • Creativity
      -3

      "Gameplay involves using predefined clues and solving set puzzles with minimal player modification or creation."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is solitary and investigative."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Strong immersive atmosphere and story provide effective escape from real life, enhanced by VR support."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in mystery and horror; no obligation or external pressure noted."

    • Experimenting
      2

      "Encourages exploration and piecing together clues, though puzzle solutions are guided and straightforward."

    • Exploration
      4

      "Game motivates players to explore environments thoroughly to find clues and uncover story details."

    • Expression
      -5

      "Limited customization; players use preset character and environment without personalization."

    • Fantasy
      2

      "Story includes some supernatural or sci-fi elements blended with realistic murder mystery, creating a partly imaginative experience."

    • Fellowship
      -5

      "No social or community features; strictly single-player."

    • Growth
      2

      "Players learn story details and develop understanding through investigation, though gameplay skills are minimal."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires focused attention and deliberate exploration; not suited for background or casual play."

    • Intimacy
      -5

      "No social or emotional relationship building; solitary experience."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; single-player narrative."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players collect clues, documents, and unlock multiple endings, showing narrative progression."

    • Relaxation
      1

      "Atmosphere creates tension and suspense with some jump scares, but pacing allows moments of calm."

    • Sensation
      3

      "Creepy sound design, music, and visual effects provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    • Status
      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems present."

    • Story
      5

      "Strong narrative focus with immersive mystery, multiple endings, and detailed lore."

    • Strategy
      1

      "Some logical puzzle solving and clue analysis required, but overall gameplay is simple and guided."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Jump scares and tense moments create suspense and excitement, though not overwhelming."

    • Value
      0

      "Mixed opinions on price versus length; generally considered good value on sale but short playtime."

    • Violence
      1

      "Game involves investigation of a murder and some chase sequences, but no direct combat or graphic violence."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players must avoid a stalker and survive tense moments, adding light survival elements."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026