Dead Take pulls players into a tense psychological horror set in Hollywood’s darkest corners. Instead of fighting monsters, you explore a lavish but unsettling mansion owned by powerful producer Duke Cain. You are searching for your missing friend Vinny Monroe, and every step leads to ominous discoveries, live-action sequences, and puzzles that reveal the cutthroat nature of the film industry.
Story and Setting: Hollywood Horror Story
You play as Chase Lowry (voiced and performed by Neil Newbon), an actor searching for his missing friend Vinny Monroe (Ben Starr), last seen at a party hosted by the influential producer Duke Cain. What begins as a simple visit to check on a friend quickly spirals into a descent through the twisted corridors of power, manipulation, and ambition that define this fictional Hollywood.
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The mansion itself is the heart of Dead Take’s tension. Dark hallways, flickering lights, and subtle environmental shifts make exploration unnerving. It feels like a classic horror setting, similar to Resident Evil’s Spencer Mansion. Every creaking floorboard and sudden silence hints that something is wrong.
As you go deeper, the atmosphere grows heavier. The line between cinematic fiction and horrifying reality begins to blur.
Gameplay: Exploration and Puzzle-Solving
Dead Take’s gameplay leans into exploration and environmental storytelling rather than intense combat. Players navigate the three-story mansion, unlocking rooms, discovering collectibles, and piecing together the larger mystery.
The puzzle design is approachable but satisfying:
- Splicing Video Footage: A standout mechanic where players combine audition and behind-the-scenes clips to reveal new context and story layers.
- Environmental Puzzles: Simple memory and logic challenges, like arranging props on a set or aligning symbolic objects, keep progression engaging.
- Escape Room Influences: Progress often involves gaining access to deeper areas of the mansion rather than escaping it, heightening the dread of venturing further in.
While most puzzles aren’t overly difficult, solving them often leads to rewarding story revelations and subtle scares.
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A Psychological Horror Experience
Where Dead Take truly shines is in its psychological horror and cinematic presentation:
- Live-Action Storytelling: The game blends in-engine exploration with live-action sequences, featuring an impressive cast including Neil Newbon, Ben Starr, Jane Perry, and Laura Bailey. These performances bring emotional weight to the mystery and make each discovery feel personal.
- Sound and Lighting Design: Low-frequency hums, distant footsteps, and sudden silences craft a sense of dread that’s best experienced with headphones.
- Creeping Fear over Jump Scares: While a few jump scares are present, the real horror comes from the mansion’s shifting environment, disturbing imagery, and the morally decayed world it portrays.
Themes like power abuse, coercion, ritualistic behavior, and career desperation give the game a mature edge, making it linger in players’ minds long after the credits roll.
Is Dead Take Worth Your Time?
Dead Take is short but impactful, with an average playtime of 4–6 hours.
Completionists can uncover hidden clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and optional lore, which encourages second playthroughs. Achievements and exploration rewards give the game more replay value than its short runtime suggests.
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At $14.99, the game delivers a cinematic horror experience at a fair price.
Should You Play Dead Take?
Dead Take is a memorable psychological horror that blends exploration, puzzles, and cinematic storytelling into one tense package. While its puzzles are simple and the ending a bit vague, the atmosphere, acting, and horror design make it a standout experience. Play Now!
Pros:
- Excellent live-action performances
- Immersive atmosphere and sound design
- Engaging video splicing and environmental horror
Cons:
- Short runtime
- Some puzzles are very simple
- Ending leaves certain story beats open to interpretation
Score: 8.5/10 – Haunting and unforgettable.
