Postgame Review: Online Horror Games – Can’t Revert

Last Updated: December 1, 2024

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As an avid horror fan who has played online horror games, I admit that I never played the demo of Can’t Revert. I hadn’t even played P.T. before. I played games like Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Bendy, and Poppy Playtime but missed Can’t Revert’s demo because I replayed Silent Hill Homecoming.

So, when Can’t Revert was released, I decided to check this off my list. I plan to review Indigo Park soon, too, but I thought it was best to push that to later. If you’re curious about how online horror games are made in the indie genre, check it out here.

Overview

Developed by Metaphor, Can’t Revert was released on August 20, 2024. With a slight discount, it is priced at $4.44. This game offers a chilling narrative and environment centered around a character grappling with severe mental illness and a haunting family tragedy.

As an indie horror game, Can’t Revert utilizes psychological horror and sets up a haunted house—well, haunted apartment—scenario. The game lets us experience the troubled psyche of its protagonist, Jonathan, grappling with his family’s mysterious tragedy.

As a heads up, the game does cover themes of domestic violence and drug addiction, which is depicted with some of the environmental clues.

The Story

The narrative is both compelling and harrowing, exploring themes of loss, guilt, and delusion. Each loop peels back layers of the story through environment, dialogue, and notes, offering new clues and deeper insights into the tragic events that unfolded in Jonathan’s home.

From what I could gather, Jonathan worked to support his family—consisting of a wife, a son, and him—and, at some point, was stricken by a mental illness. I could only presume Jonathan developed an anxiety disorder or had alcohol withdrawal, which led to him being prescribed the medication Benzodiazepines.

Jonathan was likely not taking the medicine as prescribed, and either he or his wife tried self-affirmation based on the notes on the fridge. Anyway, over time, he became addicted to the drugs—the self-affirmations likely did not work, or he stopped doing it—and his addiction began to affect himself and those around him.

He started terrorizing his wife and son. This behavior eventually led to him murdering them after his wife called the police for help.

The Gameplay

Can’t Revert is one of several online horror games that primarily uses exploration-based gameplay within a loop mechanic, where the environment subtly changes with each cycle. The puzzles are intuitive and contribute to the unfolding story. For instance, you can spell out the hidden message by finding other messages around the apartment.

Another puzzle involved finding the ripped pages from your son’s journal, which, for me, were quick to find. The straightforward controls ensure your focus remains on the atmosphere and story.

The final segment was excellent and thrilling. The AI’s speed seems to change as you get closer to defeating it. So, expect to move quickly and hope you don’t get blocked by an unforeseen obstacle.

Graphics and Audio

The game boasts high-resolution graphics powered by Unreal Engine, which brings the eerie house to life with striking visual detail. Even adjusting the graphics won’t lessen the experience. The minimalistic interface enhances the immersion, making you feel like you’re genuinely navigating Jonathan’s eerie apartment.

As mentioned, the audio design is effective, with well-timed cues that amplify the suspense and horror elements. The squeaking fan may get a bit repetitive at times, but it will give a jolt after a while.

Performance and Technical Aspects

The game runs smoothly on various systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. I had a minor glitch opening the front door to the apartment using the keyboard or controller. A quick restart fixed the bug.

If you use an Xbox controller like me, it is best to use a controller the game supports or configure the button you want for the left mouse click, as that’s what you’ll need.

Aside from the previously mentioned bug, I encountered no significant bugs during my playthrough. Performance remained stable throughout, implying that the mirror bug issue at the last segment seemed fixed.

Length and Replayability

While the game can be completed in roughly 30 to 60 minutes, its short length might be a drawback for some. However, the dense atmosphere and narrative depth incentivize replayability, particularly for those wanting to explore every nuance and uncover all secrets like I did.

Closing Thoughts

Can’t Revert is an engaging short indie horror game that impresses with its atmospheric depth and psychological storytelling. While it might leave some players wanting more, among online horror games, the quality of the experience justifies a look, especially for horror and psychological thrillers fans.

So, what did you think of Can’t Revert? Was it what you expected? Share your thoughts and comments below!

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