Reviews

• gamedeal user

  Jan 16, 2018

  I'll keep this review short and spoiler-free. I've played all games on the strange man series and I really enjoyed every single one of them. If you are looking for a horror game with a good story, look no further. This is a game that you absolutely can't miss. The Crooked Man utilizes the dark atmosphere to tell the story, and does so masterfully. I'd be hard pressed to find an horror game with better atmosphere and story than this series. If you're unsure on whether or not to grab this game, you can download the free version on vgperson's website and test it before buying it here (though let's be honest, it's 3 dollars for a truly excellent horror game). The steam version has achievements and allows you to support the developer creating these incredible stories. I've always felt that this series was something truly special and too good to be free, it's great that I can finally show my support and appreciation and I encourage everyone who has played and enjoyed it to do the same.
• gamedeal user

  Feb 20, 2023

  2012 nostalgia be like:
• gamedeal user

  May 25, 2020

  [h1] The Crooked Man was HANDSOME AF![/h1] I mean he actually is at least in this game. But ironically you can only have a glimpse of him in the trading cards ;) Welcome to this pixelated horror where it revolves a classic poem/song by the name of "Crooked Man". I personally never found this poem entertaining but I am glad it inspired this smol little game. David is a man who seemed he had lost everything, he moves into a new apartment and what do you know? It's haunted. Instead of just changing apartments he decides to follow the previous tenant to solve a greater mystery. But little did he know how terrifying the previous tenant and his past is.. [b] Story[/b] So as literally stated in the poem, there was no crooked cat or crooked mouse but the crooked house was literally there. I wonder how much the poem was related to the story except for the apperance of the demon. Legends say that this poem was inspired by weird angled houses in London back in the 20th century, some say it points to a shady treaty between England and Scotland. But in this instance, the poem became a sign of a curse. At first, the protagonist's background was kinda clear and open, his relationships etc. But throughout the chapters you will find the hidden dark snippets of David's past and how simillar his life will be the previous tenant. In the first playthrough, it makes no sense at all about the story. Random characters appear out of nowhere and somehow contributes, only after the second playthrough it makes some sense. The game has several bad endings and 1 good ending. I feel like in the secret ending, it does not seem at all secret and required more depth. However, you would still want to play the game until the end. The game is not super scary, has some jumpscares but not scary enough at least for me. [b] Gameplay[/b] I think I enjoyed the gameplay better than the story tbh. The game lacked a good old "L-Shift" which makes the character runs fast. It also had some bugs where when you pick up the hints note from the directors daughter in the school area, it does not pop back out when you press cancel. There was also a note in the hospital area which can only be picked in a 15 second encounter with the demon. You cannot touch it or read it when going to that corridor normally which is odd. Not sure if that contributes to the secret ending but nevertheless you can go over about the bugs. The puzzles are fairly easy and not challenging at all. The small boss fights becomes only a challenge when you try to get the achievements. I particularly enjoyed that I didn't have to continuously go into the inventory and pick items to progress with an event. If you had the item in the inventory which is needed to unlock something, you dont have to pick and do it, just press interact and the game does it automatically. [b] Characters[/b] I personally was not affectionate of any of the characters, maybe because the story lacks a certain depth as it is a very small game. I wish that there were more information about the secret character and how he became a part of the curse or how he got involved in the first place. The characters were all like, strangers even the close relations and it seemed that the protagonist was indeed actually alone in this ordeal. The protagonist is a kind, friendly man with some family and relationship issues. Nothing super dark of course. His friends are pretty loyal and he meets new mysterious friends in his ordeal of finding the previous tenant. But they had no development, all the characters have a very little development. I liked how the story progressed out but can't say the same for the characters. I keep wondering if the crooked man is a curse or if the secret character started the whole thing. But well- no more extra story to find that out lol. [b] Art and Music [/b] Pixel art- very cute but still has and will always have the ability convey a good horror game. This has been witnessed over the years (Misao and The Witch's House are fab pixel horror games) The CG designs were cool . The music was okay, nothing fancy. The demon's scream is enough to drive me crazy. [b] Achievements[/b] Most of the achievements are very easy to take except for the ones where you have to kill the monster without a single hit. But can be done with enough patience. You have to play a second time to get a secret ending achievement, nothing major to do just play it twice. I really loved the BL hinted achievement in the game, it was so random lol. [b] Overall[/b] A short little pixel horror game with a little depth in story and characters, but it will definitely keep your curiosity crooked til the end.
• gamedeal user

  Feb 28, 2023

  "There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile, He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile; He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse, And they all lived together in a little crooked house."
• gamedeal user

  Nov 28, 2020

  For various reasons, this game means a lot to me. I watched videos of it years ago when the game first came out, and I've always had a soft spot for the era of RPG Maker horror games. During a time when the horror genre over-saturated the market and most games were trying to be the next Dead Space or Slender, there was a tight-knit community of people making the most comfy and crackhouse of horror games using one of the most flawed and lackluster engines ever made. I loved these, and I especially loved The Crooked Man. I loved David's journey throughout different landmarks, and the people he met there, and the villain he had to fight. The occasional music, the bitcrushed sound effects, and blurry backgrounds added a charm to it that is synonymous with the genre. Visiting it 7-8 years later though, I get it. I get the characters and the story, and I feel for them. This is a story that although might be very short, manages to make a statement and stick that statement into your head. It stands the test of time, and will resonate with anyone who has ever found themselves lost and defeated. It's a story about coming to terms with yourself and your past, all the while you solve puzzles, look at cute pixel-art characters, and shoot kids.
• gamedeal user

  Jan 17, 2018

  The Crooked Man is one of my all-time favorite RPG horror games, and has been for years. The characters are all memorable and have extremely relateable personal struggles, the story is beautiful and emotional, and the ending never fails to make me cry. 1000000/10, absolutely would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys a horror game with a strong underlying message to it, or just anyone in general really. Couldn't be happier with it getting an update + release here, and I'm eagerly awaiting the day when the rest of the series comes to Steam.
• gamedeal user

  Mar 12, 2023

  Bogos Binted
• gamedeal user

  Nov 4, 2020

  Mah hart, mah sole. Nostalgia hit hard with this one, its story gets me everytime as well. Short game, simple puzzles but amazing story. I love it ♥
• gamedeal user

  Mar 9, 2019

  Warning: Don't play this game if you're dealing with depression, suicidal thoughts, or anxiety. David Hoover discovers strange occurrences at his new apartment. He unravels the mystery behind the crooked man while battling his own inner conflicts. Can he save him? With short puzzles and a creepy atmosphere, this game is fun to play! I really like David because he's relatable. Life can be unfair, sometimes.
• gamedeal user

  Jul 2, 2022

  RPGMaker horror game creators have absolutely no rights making games this good with stories this heart-wrenching. 10/10. Pour one out for my man duke :pray: