Game Review: Is This Game Trying to Kill Me?

By Al

Players: 1
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, XBox One, XBox Series XS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

It seems like I've been reviewing a lot of horror-themed games lately, and that's surprising considering that we're barely in spring. Is This Game Trying to Kill Me? is a horror-themed puzzle game, that also features escape room elements. It released on Steam last year, and is getting a console release soon by way of publisher Sometimes You. We took a look at the game on the Nintendo Switch, though I think the gameplay experience will be the same across the board. There's really no need for further intro here, so let's dive in!

Is This Game Trying to Kill Me places you into the role of a random guy who wakes up in a cabin in the woods. Next to him is a skeleton, and the room is full of all sorts of strange furniture, including a very retro-looking computer. It doesn't take long for a spooky figure to make himself known to you, and he suggests you play a game to pass the time. That games is played on the computer I mentioned earlier, and it's called Castle Serpentshtain. This game within a game is far more than meets the eye though. On the surface, it's a puzzle-based escape room title, but it's also somehow linked to the world inside the cabin. Certain puzzle elements flow from the cabin to the game, and any harm taken by your in-game avatar is also dealt to you. Though a bit cliché, this is truly a case of "If you die in the game, you die in real life!" Thankfully you can just get good at the game, and not to die, but where's the fun in that? The story never really goes much further than what I just laid out, though it does wrap itself up with another story scene at the end. I personally would've liked a bit more banter from the BBEG who first showed us the game, but there is a supporting cast found both in-game, and in the cabin. Now that we have the story out of the way, let's move on to discussing gameplay.

I've been playing a lot of games recently that feel like escape room simulators, but Is This Game Trying to Kill Me has been the best example of that I've played yet. Exploration in the cabin is done in first-person, and features 3D graphics, while Castle Serpentshtain is a third-person, 2D game. Your task is to make it to the next room, and ultimately out of your current predicament. This is done by solving puzzles in-game, but they also have components within the cabin. I don't want to go too in-depth into the puzzles themselves, as I really think they should be enjoyed by those looking to play the game, but I'll give you a general overview of how they typically work.

Though there is a surprising amount of variety, most puzzles involve switches or tiles. You'll typically hit one of these with your in-game avatar, and then check your cabin surroundings for any changes that might've occurred. These changes are typically clues on how to progress with the puzzle, and sometimes open up even more of the cabin. Though it can sometimes be difficult to spot changes, the game does do a good job of clueing you in on what you're supposed to be looking for. Very often the game will briefly take you back to the cabin, and zoom into an area you'll want to give special attention to. Though most puzzles take place within the confines of the game with the game, there are some that start in the cabin, or even take place there in their entirety. It's a mechanic that keeps all the puzzles feeling fresh, and it's something that I don't think I've seen pulled off in a video game before.

Each puzzle in Is This Game Trying to Kill Me can be quite the head-scratching challenge, but they never feel impossible. Trial and error will get you through some of the more confusing puzzles, and most can be figured out if you just take the time to go over your available options. Though occasionally cryptic, I didn't find any puzzles that had "moon logic" type solutions. They always felt fair, even when they were tough. Be that as it may, the game is prepared for players who are stuck on a particular puzzle. An in-game hint system exists for every puzzle, and up to three pictures can be revealed to help get your brain moving. The final hint typically solves the puzzle for you, but that might be just what you need in some situations. I rarely used this feature myself for fear that it would lock me out of some aspects of the game, but I eventually realized that there are no consequences to using it. I assume they might affect trophies/achievements on other platforms, but Nintendo Switch players are free to use the hints to their hearts content. I will admit that abusing the hint system takes away the sense of accomplishment that comes with beating a hard puzzle, but that’s better than being stuck on one for hours.

It didn't take long for me to fall for Is This Game Trying to Kill Me's gameplay loop, but there are some negative points worth mentioning. I personally found the controls to be a bit wonky in the first-person cabin sections, and I was never really able to get the cursor sensitivity to a point where I felt satisfied. Many puzzles in the cabin require precise movements and actions to complete them, and I often would find myself dropping items, or struggling to find the pixel needed to activate an object. Thankfully there weren't too many times where this affected gameplay, but there's an even bigger issue I had with the game. I'm not a fan of games that toss in action sequences in a puzzle-heavy game, but that's what we get here. Boss battles suddenly turn the 2D sections into an action platformer, and there's a particular part of the game that almost made me rage quit. Why the developers thought that a timed game of hide and seek would make for a good "puzzle" is beyond me, but I hated every second of it. The timed and action-heavy sections are few in number when compared to the puzzles, but they brought about most of the deaths that I had in the game. Thankfully deaths don't affect anything either, and you're tossed back in the game quickly.

Discussing the visual style of Is This Game Trying to Kill Me is a bit difficult, since this game tackles two completely different visual styles. The monochrome 2D sprites of Castle Serpentshtain are quite cool in their own way, even if they often lack detail and variety. I get the retro computer aesthetic they're going for though, and I can say that it's captured perfectly. By contrast, the 3D IRL sections look very detailed, and sometimes are even colorful. I was also surprised by how many in-game objects and models were clearly made specifically for this game. I've played many indie first-person horror titles that go for the asset-flip route, and that's not the case here at all. I'm not saying that no store bought assets are used, but this is a great looking game that punches far above its roots. I should also remind everyone that I played the game on the Nintendo Switch, and it ran perfectly without a hitch.

Sound is another odd topic, as I came to change my mind as to how I felt about it. I'm not sure if the game features more than one track, but it felt that way after hours of playing. That's a shame too, as I went into the game thinking that the synth-heavy music felt like a long lost John Carpenter score from the 1980s. That's a huge compliment I know, but it's how I truly felt at the time. Then the monotony set in. If the game actually has several tracks, they all sound so alike that they might as well just be one long piece of music. What I originally found to be cool and spooky, turned into generic and silly by the end. I don't think I've ever had another game's soundtrack wear me down quite like this one did, but at least it fit the game's aesthetic. This isn't a deal breaker by any means, nor am I saying that music is horrible, but I find myself wishing that the game hadn't dropped the ball so hard on the sound front. So many other aspects of the game shined brightly, and I had high hopes for the soundtrack.

I was able to clear Is This Game Trying to Kill Me in about three hours, and I think that's more or less what most players can expect. Some may speed through puzzles, while others will take their time, but this is relatively short game overall no matter how it's played. It's quite the journey, but it isn't a long one. Part of me is glad that the game wrapped itself up before becoming stale, but a bigger part of me longed for more. The developer does seem to have other similar games in their portfolio, but I wanted more of this one because of its unique game within a game concept. Short or not, there are three endings to see, and which one players get is determined by a late game choice. Sadly, those who want to see all of the endings must complete the game three separate times, as the autosave feature locks you into the endgame choice once you've made it. Though I personally have no desire to replay the game in its entirety any time soon, I'm sure others will jump at the chance to go for optimal runs. All that is fine and good of course, but I can't help but feel that its current asking price is a bit much considering the amount of content. $19.99 might not seem like all that much, but I think it is for a game that will last an afternoon at best. I don't want to harp on this point too much, but I was seriously expecting it to cost about half of what it actually does.

Issues with pricing aside, I'm still of the mind that this is a must-play title for puzzle game fans. Is This Game Trying to Kill Me? is one of the most unique games I've ever played, and it really makes me wonder what the developers will give us next. It's fun, it's quirky, it's challenging, and there are several moments that will stick with me for some time. I'm willing to bet that there are other titles like this out in the world, but this has earned a spot on my favorite games of 2025 list. I had a blast playing it, and I think you will too. Pick it up on whatever platform you can, and thank me later. See you in the next one!

Check Out Is This Game Trying to Kill Me? on Nintendo Switch:
https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/is-this-game-trying-to-kill-me-switch/

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Story: A
Gameplay: A-
Graphics: A
Music/Sound: B-
Value: C

Overall: A-

Pros:
+ A unique take on the puzzle game formula.
+ The concept of a game within a game, and puzzles that cross between two planes, are so unique that it makes this a must-play.
+ Though the puzzles can be difficult, the included hint system keeps players from getting stuck.
+ Each puzzle feels well-crafted, and there isn't any "moon logic" here.
+ The game is a bit light on plot, but the set-up, the quirky characters, and even the low-key humor, make this a very memorable game.
+ Both graphic styles feel spot on, and the synth-heavy soundtrack is cool for the most part.

Cons:
- The controls leave a bit to be desired, and this affects some of the action and timed sequences.
- The inclusion of action and timed sequences shocked me. This game would've been so much better if it simply relied on puzzles.
- While I enjoyed the music at first, I found it to be repetitive by the end.
- It's current asking price of $19.99 feels a bit too high for the amount of content you get.

A copy of this game was provided to us free-of-charge by the publisher for the purpose of this review. This did not affect our review in any way.

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