Written by
Anh Pham
Do you enjoy horror-adventure games? The game we want to introduce today belongs to this genre. It’s DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition, a game developed by Jesse Makkonen in 2015. After 10 years of development, this game is finally available on Android in 2026 for just $4.99.
Introduce about DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition
Human psychology is a theme explored by many developers. In horror games, this theme focuses on memories, past mistakes, or simply a terrifying obsession. The game DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition successfully tackles this. Accompanying Price, we witness his mistakes with an older woman. So what secrets does DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition hold? Let’s explore them in this article.
Price’s story
Entering DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition, we step into a rather dark world. Everything takes place in a town, a desolate place filled with a sinful silence. This may not be the real world, but rather the mental space and memories of a young man. He is Price, a name with many hidden meanings.
As an employee of a company specializing in foreclosing on homes of people unable to repay their debts, Price always craved recognition and did everything he could to advance. This led him to make a mistake in the past, foreclosing on the home of a frail, lonely elderly woman. He did his job right, but at the cost of his personal ethics. And then the price he paid came in DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition.
Gameplay
As mentioned above, DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition is a horror-adventure game with puzzle elements. The game focuses on psychological experiences through the story and journey that Price undertakes. Meet other characters, unlock conversations, and you’ll learn what Price really did and what’s haunting his mind. Therefore, the puzzles in the game aren’t too difficult and there’s no time limit. They’re designed to draw you into the adventure’s content.
Featuring 2D graphics with a side-scroll perspective, the game’s controls are quite simple. With just two arrow keys for left and right movement, and the A key for interaction and the B key for opening the inventory, anyone can quickly get used to the controls. Despite its simplicity, DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition often leaves us questioning our choices. Interactions don’t always provide benefits, some are simply distractions.
The psychological states of the characters
In DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition, we don’t go through specific levels, but simply explore rooms that are part of the character’s memories. We experience the character’s psychological states, which I’ll temporarily divide into the following parts:
- Part 1 – Beginning: A simple introduction to Price and his job, along with his current task of confiscating the old woman’s house.
- Part 2 – action: Price proceeds with the confiscation of the old woman’s house, and he commits actions that are unlikely to please anyone. This is where the crime begins.
- Part 3 – Consequences: The game world gradually becomes more distorted and horrifying with images and hallucinations of Price’s actions. His mind begins to crack.
- Part 4 – Confrontation: The space begins to repeat itself, and this is the punishment of fate. Now Price must face the judgment of his own conscience.
- Part 5 – Conclusion: The journey reaches its end, with no victory. A conclusion that only we can truly understand.
So where does the horror and fear in DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition lie?
In DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition, we don’t encounter terrifying monsters, overly bloody images, or dramatic chase scenes. Here, horror and fear are conveyed through the characters’ words and actions. Specifically:
- The game makes you feel guilty for what you did to the old woman; you are Price’s accomplice.
- The atmosphere created in the game is suffocating through dark, blurry imagery and sounds of things we can hardly believe are real.
- The repetition and distortion of space also contribute to the fear many players experience. The further you go, the more it feels like an inescapable nightmare.
- The game uses highly symbolic imagery such as mirrors to see yourself, color as an indelible consequence, and closed doors as a path of no return.
- The slow pace of the game also significantly enhances these elements. In short, you should experience it yourself to fully appreciate this.
Download DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition APK free for Android
DISTRAINT – Deluxe Edition differs significantly from typical horror games. It doesn’t rely solely on fear during gameplay, instead prompting reflection through its content and choices. Can you accept what Price did, and what are your thoughts on his fate? Download the game and find out!