Dead Secret: Circle

Dead Secret: Circle is a first-person horror mystery adventure and sequel to Dead Secret. Five years after the original events, protagonist Patricia Gable—now suffering from PTSD and possessing the eerie ability to enter a ‘Dreamworld’ during full moons—becomes obsessed with solving a string of brutal murders known as the Laughing Man Murders. Her investigation leads her to a decaying apartment building, where she uncovers dark secrets among its residents while navigating psychological terror, puzzles, and supernatural elements. Set in contemporary North America, the game blends graphic adventure gameplay with immersive storytelling and atmospheric dread.

Dead Secret: Circle: A Haunting Descent Into Madness and Murder

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Introduction

In the shadow-drenched corners of indie horror, few sequels dare to deepen their mysteries while confronting the psychological scars of their protagonist. Dead Secret: Circle (2018), developed by Robot Invader, is more than a follow-up to 2016’s Dead Secret—it’s a chilling evolution. This review posits that Circle refines its predecessor’s formula with richer narrative ambition and atmospheric storytelling, even as it stumbles under the weight of technical limitations and uneven pacing. For fans of slow-burn psychological horror and detective noir, Circle is a labyrinth worth navigating—if you can stomach its unsettling depths.

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Development History & Context

Studio Vision & Constraints
Robot Invader, a small but passionate studio, leveraged the success of Dead Secret to expand their vision. Built on Unity Engine, Circle faced the dual challenges of optimizing for VR (Oculus Go) and traditional platforms (PC, Mac, Switch). The team aimed to blend classic adventure mechanics with modern horror sensibilities, inspired by Japanese auteurs like Seishi Yokomizo and Nobuhiko Obayashi, as noted by SWERY (White Owls).

Gaming Landscape in 2018
Released amid a surge of indie horror titles (Amnesia: Rebirth, Layers of Fear), Circle stood out with its focus on detective work over jump scares. The 2022 remaster addressed critiques of its dated visuals, overhauling shaders, lighting, and character models—a COVID-era labor of love, per the developers.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot & Characters
Set in 1971 Chicago, Circle follows Patricia Gable, now a PTSD-ridden recluse haunted by her encounter with the first game’s killer, Josie Herrera. Obsessed with the “Laughing Man” murders, she infiltrates a crumbling apartment building teeming with suspects: the alcoholic Bram, the secretive Harriet, and the enigmatic Edmund, each hiding grotesque truths.

The story intercuts Patricia’s reality with surreal dream sequences—snowy vistas and masked apparitions—that mirror her fractured psyche. Unlike the linear first game, Circle weaves a nonlinear narrative with branching dialogues and multiple endings, though its conclusion feels abrupt, per Adventure Gamers.

Themes
– Trauma & Obsession: Patricia’s investigation doubles as self-destruction, echoing Silent Hill 2’s James Sunderland.
– Social Marginalization: The tenants’ poverty and desperation reflect 1970s urban decay.
– Reality vs. Delusion: The “Dreamworld” mechanic blurs lines between Patricia’s visions and the killer’s identity.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Loop & Innovation
– Exploration: Freely navigate the apartment complex (a leap from Dead Secret’s point-and-click corridors).
– Puzzles: Simpler than its predecessor—lock combinations, item fetching—but grounded in environmental storytelling (e.g., decoding tenant diaries).
– Stealth: The Laughing Man’s sporadic hunts force players into closets or alternate routes, though AI patterns are predictable.

Flaws
– UI Issues: The inventory system is clunky, and interaction prompts sometimes falter (Gold-Plated Games noted vanishing ceilings).
– Combat Absence: Pure evasion may frustrate players seeking agency.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Visual Direction
The remaster’s grimy 1970s aesthetic—peeling wallpaper, dimly lit hallways—evokes The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Character portraits (Montgomery Kane) drip with personality, though animations remain stiff.

Sound Design
Ben Prunty’s (FTL) score oscillates between eerie silence and discordant crescendos. The Laughing Man’s laugh—a guttural, looping taunt—anchors the horror, while voice acting (Gwen Loeb as Harriet, Clifton S. Romig as Bram) elevates the script.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical Response
– Mixed Reviews: Steam users rated it 67% positive (65 reviews), praising atmosphere but panning bugs.
– Acclaim: Adventure Gamers lauded its “immersive atmosphere” but critiqued its “confusing story.”

Influence
Circle’s detective-interview mechanics and VR integration paved the way for titles like The Inpatient and Phasmophobia. Yet its niche appeal limits its recognition beside giants like Resident Evil 7.

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Conclusion

Dead Secret: Circle is a flawed gem—a game that dares to interrogate its protagonist’s trauma while delivering a murder mystery steeped in dread. While its puzzles lack challenge and its finale underwhelms, its world-building and psychological depth mark it as a standout in indie horror. For those willing to endure its jagged edges, Circle offers a haunting glimpse into the darkness of both its characters and creator ambition. In the pantheon of horror sequels, it’s no Silent Hill 2, but it’s a worthy successor to Dead Secret’s legacy.

Final Verdict: A must-play for mystery enthusiasts, but temper expectations for polish.

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