The shadows in Jack's apartment flickered as Deimos reappeared, his form shimmering with a dark, almost satisfied aura. His eyes gleamed with hunger, but beneath that, a strange calm lingered, like a predator sated but still hunting.
Deimos's voice was smooth, almost playful. "Ah, mortal. I have returned, and your pitiful realm has provided me quite the feast." His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Your fears are delicious, so raw, so genuine. It was... exhilarating to bathe in their darkness."
Jack watched him carefully, trying to mask his unease. He's full, he's satisfied. Now's the moment.
Deimos's form flickered, almost as if savouring the memory. "The screams, the despair, they fuel my power. And your little game? It was a fine vessel for my feast. Truly, it was magnificent."
Jack forced a casual shrug, though his mind raced. The arrogance, the confidence, he's full of himself. But I need to keep him thinking I'm on his side, or at least useful.
He hesitated a moment, then leaned forward slightly, voice calm but edged with subtle manipulation. "You know, Deimos, I've been browsing the forums… after all, I figured if I could see what the players are saying, maybe I could help you make it even better next time."
Deimos's eyes flickered with interest. "Forums? Human chatter? How quaint. Do they praise your work?"
---
The Forums
Wow, I just finished playing Respite after watching Cherry's stream, and honestly, I'm kind of at a loss for words. This game is seriously intense, like stepping into a nightmare you can't wake up from.
The atmosphere is incredibly creepy from start to finish, messing with your head in the best way. The visuals are simple but effective, the cosy inn, endless looping hallways, flickering shadows, and those weird faces that seem to creep in and out of sight. It all makes you feel trapped and uneasy, and it works. The shadows pulse and flicker like they're alive, and the flickering flames and eyes behind objects add to that "something's wrong here" vibe.
The sound design is spot on. The music begins as a lullaby, calming and gentle, but then glitches, distorts, and turns utterly unsettling. Whispers, creaking floors, the oppressive silence, everything ramps up the tension and keeps you on edge. Cherry nailed it when she said the music is "discordant and wrong," because it really feels like the game is messing with your senses.
And the innkeeper, oh, man. That wide, fake smile that never fades, no matter what's happening around you, so deeply disturbing. His constant appearance and disappearance, along with the hints about his past via that old photograph, only add to the creepy mystery. It's less about jump scares and more about that relentless feeling that something truly wrong is lurking behind the scenes.
Gameplay-wise, it's straightforward but effective. The loops, the locked doors, the flickering lights—the feeling of being stuck in an endless cycle, builds a sense of helplessness. Every time you think you're making progress, the environment shifts or resets, as if the game itself is actively messing with your perception. The flickering shadows and faces that move on their own? Yeah, that made my heart pound.
What really stuck with me was the sense of vulnerability. Moments when you're desperately searching for a way out, only to be thrown into more horror. That scene where the mirror pulls you in, showing the player possessed? That one hit hard. It's not just storytelling; it's the game forcing you to feel like you're losing control, and that's what makes it so effective.
Oh, and I found a hidden ending! Survive all the death scenarios, find the hidden pieces, like the postcard behind the picture, a secret letter in the mirror drawer, and the scratched message in the flesh vat room, and you can walk back through the entry door and escape.
But here's the twist: the game reveals that we actually become the driver who delivers people to the inn. Yeah, it's pretty messed up, and definitely not a happy ending. It makes you question whether escaping really frees you or if you're just doomed to be part of the cycle forever.
Honestly, the game isn't perfect, some may find the looping corridors repetitive, and the minimalist visuals might not be everyone's cup of tea. But that simplicity makes everything feel more unsettling. It leaves so much to your imagination, which makes it even worse.
All in all, Respite is more than just a horror game, it's a deeply disturbing experience that messes with your mind. It's visceral, haunting, and sticks with you long after. If you're into psychological horror that's about atmosphere and feeling trapped, give it a try. Just be prepared to feel a little messed up afterward.
---
Pointing at the screen Jack said "As you can see they said it was great, but maybe it could be more immersive, more intense. That's when I thought, without your divine touch, the game was good, but maybe it lacked the spark that only a god of chaos could provide."
Deimos's smile widened, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You suggest that I am the secret ingredient?"
Jack nodded. "Exactly. Think about it, if your chaos weren't in the game, it would just be another boring horror experience. But with you, it's something legendary. I think the players sense that divine chaos behind the scenes, even if they don't realize it's you. They're drawn to it, because it's real, because it's divine."
Deimos chuckled softly. "You flatter me, mortal. Perhaps you understand more about my power than I thought."
Jack pressed on, voice lowering just enough to sound convincing. "It's all about timing, right? The right chaos at the right moment. If you let me help craft the next version, add a little more chaos here, a little more darkness there, you'll see even more."
End of Ch 13: Whispers from the Forums