Upcoming FMV Horror Title: Dead Reset Set for September 11, 2025 Release
Wales Interactive, known for their compelling narratives in games such as Maid of Sker, Sker Ritual, and I Saw Black Clouds, is preparing for the debut of their latest full-motion video (FMV) game, Dead Reset. This eagerly anticipated title is slated to release on September 11, 2025, across Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC platforms.
Having experienced only the opening chapter through a preview build, I must clarify that my impressions come from a limited perspective. The complete game comprises eight chapters, with players faced with over 280 choices leading to 340 unique video sequences across seven varied locations and the possibility of four different endings. My engagement with Dead Reset has only scratched the surface, yet based on the initial chapter, there are concerns about its depth, particularly for dedicated horror enthusiasts.
A Love for Horror: High Expectations
As a long-time fan of the horror genre—be it in video games, films, or literature—I constantly seek innovative experiences in this field. Horror has a unique capability to push creative boundaries and inspire new artistic directions. Thus, I approached Dead Reset with hopes for an original narrative filled with suspense and intrigue.
However, the game’s premise appears to offer a blend of familiar elements—a time loop combined with parasitic aliens. This concept is reminiscent of the fusion between the 1993 classic Groundhog Day and John Carpenter’s 1982 film The Thing. While creature features certainly have their appeal, Dead Reset lacks the depth and innovation that thrills me about the horror genre.
Plot Overview: A Surgeon in a Time Loop
In Dead Reset, players take on the role of Cole, a surgeon trapped in a time loop that resets his existence upon dying. Initially, Cole finds himself on the floor of a facility, rudely awakened by a security guard named Slade and thrust into a bizarre scenario involving a woman named Magason who instructs him to perform surgery to remove a mysterious “foreign specimen”from a patient named Amanda. The intriguing creature at the center of this plot evokes strong parallels to The Thing, with sinister abilities to mimic those around it.
As the narrative unfolds, the creature’s design, while visually striking, ultimately feels overly cartoonish, undermining the horror experience. Death scenes appear exaggerated, diluting tension when a mound of flesh reacts violently, resulting in more of a comedic than fearful atmosphere.
The game struggles to maintain suspense, particularly as some of the deaths are scripted, denying players the opportunity to make impactful choices beforehand. There is a palpable mystery surrounding the time travel mechanics, the true nature of the creature, and the motivations of Magason, which invites further exploration.
First Impressions: An Hour of Mixed Feelings
After an hour of gameplay, I had encountered seven deaths before finally progressing through to the end of the chapter. While the performances and visual effects held an element of enjoyment, my expectations may have set an unreasonably high bar. What I hoped for was a groundbreaking horror experience, yet Dead Reset primarily presents itself as a conventional popcorn horror title.
Admittedly, I might be mistaken about the overall trajectory and depth of the narrative, given that this was merely the first chapter. There exists potential for the story to unfold in a richer, darker manner, revealing deeper connections between Cole’s visions and the creature itself.
Please note that previews can never encapsulate the entire experience, leaving room for hope that the subsequent chapters will add more layers to the unfolding story, or at the very least provide a satisfying entertainment value characteristic of popcorn horror.
PC version tested. Preview code provided by the publisher.
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