Xbox 360

Deadlight

PlatformPuzzleAdventureIndie

Time to beat: about 4.2 hours
Plays offline: Yes

Overview

Deadlight is a side-scrolling cinematic platforming survival horror video game developed by Tequila Works and published by Microsoft Studios for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. It was released for Xbox 360 in August 2012 via Xbox Live Arcade, and for Windows in October via Steam. In 2016, a Director's Cut version was released for Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, published by Deep Silver.

The game is intended as a throwback and homage to classic side-scrolling cinematic platformers of the 1980s and early 1990s, such as Prince of Persia, Another World and Flashback. Set in Seattle in 1986, the game tells the story of Randall Wayne, a former park ranger who embarks to find his family in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. Separated from the group with whom he has joined, Wayne must attempt to traverse Seattle to get to the "safe zone", where he believes his family will be waiting. On the way however, he must avoid both zombie hordes, and a group of vigilantes known as the "New Law", who have established themselves as the de facto authority in Seattle. As he travels across the city, he begins to question his memory of the events during the early stages of the outbreak.

Deadlight received mixed reviews, with critics praising the graphics and atmosphere, but condemning the game's brevity and linearity. The PC version was generally viewed as superior to the Xbox 360 version. The game was nominated for "Best Debut Game" at the 9th British Academy Games Awards, losing to The Unfinished Swan.