Dead Secret

Robot Invader

Industry	Video game development
Headquarters	Silicon Valley , United States
Products	Dead Secret

Template:Infobox video game

Dead Secret is a first-person horror mystery title developed by Robot Invader, initially launched on 29 October 2015. The narrative unfolds in the year 1965 and centers on the suspicious death of Harris Bullard.

Gameplay

The setting of Dead Secret is a remote two-story farmhouse located in Kansas, featuring two bedrooms, a single bathroom, and a basement. This compact environment is initially restrictive, as numerous rooms remain locked at the start. The game's design employs a recursive unlocking system, where players begin in one area and gradually gain access to additional rooms and pathways connecting different sections of the map. Players assume the role of a journalist seeking a major news story. After Harris Bullard dies under unclear circumstances, the reporter visits the isolated farmhouse with the theory that Bullard was murdered. Harris was an expert in Japanese Mythology and harbored many secrets that died with him. The player's objective is to uncover these secrets and solve the mystery surrounding his death before the murderer strikes again.

Focusing heavily on investigation and exploration, Dead Secret is a narrative-driven murder mystery. Numerous clues are scattered throughout the farmhouse, many of which involve puzzles that require solving. Due to the story’s complexity, collecting all notes and clues is essential to achieve the correct conclusion. The game offers five different endings, several of which result in the player character’s death. Gameplay occurs from a first-person perspective with navigation handled through a point and click interface. During the experience, players are pursued by an enigmatic figure clad in robes and wearing a mask. There is no combat mechanic; when confronted by this antagonist, players must evade and hide. The game's atmosphere emphasizes gradual suspense rather than sudden scares. Total playtime ranges between six and eight hours.

Development

Robot Invader, a game development studio located in Silicon Valley, is responsible for creating this title. The game utilizes the Unity 5 engine as its foundation. Initially launched as a tablet and mobile experience, it was later adapted into a virtual reality format. Designing movement mechanics for VR presented several challenges, particularly due to the risk of motion and simulation sickness. To address these issues, Robot Invader established specific guidelines for in-game movement: only linear motion is permitted, acceleration during movement is avoided, camera rotation is disabled, movement occurs solely along straight paths, motions are kept brief, and a stable frame rate is maintained.

The game's first VR iteration debuted on 29 October 2015 for Samsung Gear VR. Versions compatible with Oculus Rift and Steam were made available on 28 March 2016. An update released on 18 August 2016 introduced support for HTC Vive. Subsequently, the game launched on PS4 and PS VR on 24 April 2018.

Reception

Jayisgames rated the game 3.9 out of 5. XGN awarded it an 8 out of 10 score. VR Focus gave a perfect five-star rating, while VR Giant scored the title at 8.5 out of 10. Similarly, Gear VR News assigned an 8.5 out of 10 rating. Trusted Reviews evaluated the game with a score of 22 out of 25.

Legacy

A sequel titled Dead Secret Circle was launched on May 1, 2018, and became available on platforms including Steam, Oculus Rift, Oculus Go, and Gear VR.