Info about Fobia - St. Dinfna Hotel:

Official game description:
  
Treze Trilhas is home to the St. Dinfna Hotel, a decadent site that is the subject of numerous rumors including mysterious disappearances and paranormal activity. Hoping to break the story, amateur journalist Roberto Leite Lopes travels to Santa Catarina following a tip from his friend Stephanie.  
His investigative skills will be needed not only to uncover the truth but to survive when reality is turned upside down with his discovery of a camera that reveals different timelines, a fanatical cult, human experiments, and apparitions roaming the halls. Solve puzzles and scavenge for anything to stop their hunt as the past, present and future collide.  
• Explore a Grand Hotel – The Unreal Engine brings terrifyingly realistic visuals to this first-person horror experience.  
• Survive the Horrors – Scavenge for supplies while you run, hide, or fight the monsters that stalk the corridors.  
• Unravel the Mystery – Worlds collide in a twisting narrative full of puzzles and conspiracies.  
• Look to the past and the future – Interact with different timelines using an enigmatic camera that connects parallel realities to uncover the many secrets hidden in the walls of the hotel.  
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Release date: Jun 28, 2022

Categories: Survival Horror, Puzzle Solving, First-Person, Exploration, Inventory Management, Multiple Timelines, Camera Mechanics

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Tier 3: The Student; summary: The reviews are dominated by complaints that FOBIA's puzzles, minimal clues, and poorly signaled collectibles require external walkthroughs. Users report using guides to progress, find memories and upgrade items, and avoid missing achievements. There is no substantive evidence of farming/drop-rate dependency or inventory/crafting management as the primary barrier, so strict priority lands on Tier 3 instructional data.
- Proton/Linux: score 15; verdict: Works Well; summary: The filtered reviews contain no explicit Linux or Proton troubleshooting reports. Steam Deck users say the game runs well at medium settings with some frame dips, and no launch, anti-cheat, DRM, or Proton-version blockers are mentioned. The remaining performance and bug complaints lack Linux context and are excluded from the compatibility score.
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Playable with notable friction; summary: Steam Deck feedback is mixed. The game is playable for some users, but recurring frame dips, poor controller aiming, and occasional save or puzzle bugs add friction. There is no evidence of external launchers, anti-cheat failures, or unreadable text, so the experience is not broadly broken, but it is not seamless either.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Both Windows hardware cohorts report severe instability, with the game crashing shortly after launch or repeatedly during play. The available snippets contain no positive performance reports for either cohort.
  - Sample size: 28 (1% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (negative, 11 reports): Reported gameplay fails at launch, staying on a black screen briefly before crashing.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (negative, 6 reports): Reported repeated crashes prevent play, with no autosave and no ability to skip cutscenes.
  - Caveats: 28 of 2400 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $12.99 - $19.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly treat the game as good value when discounted and explicitly criticize $30, £24, and €24.99 price points as steep or sale-only. A few reviewers say the game is worth full price, but the dominant sentiment is that the fair base price should sit below the current $29.99, with the strongest support in the mid-to-high teens. The direct low-end comments and frequent 'wait for sale' recommendations pull the fair range down toward roughly $13-$20.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 10.0h
  - Story completion: 10.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 20.0h
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews cluster around 8 to 12 hours for finishing the main game or campaign, so I set both game completion and story completion to about 10 hours. For endgame or completionist play, reports range from about 15 hours for near-complete or platinum runs to roughly 20 hours if the first playthrough length is doubled, with one reviewer saying side missions can approach 40 hours; I used 20 hours as a practical completionist/endgame estimate. Session length is null because the only very short-session comment is an atypical nausea-driven 20-minute session, not a general play-session metric.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: For some players, the game becomes fun only after pushing through the first few hours, once the story and exploration hook take hold. Others find the opening puzzles, backtracking, and pacing too tedious and never click with it.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Getting past the first few hours
  - Time to anchor: 3h 0m
  - Friction: Excessive puzzles; Backtracking and lack of clear map guidance; Item hunting and scanning rooms; Early pacing problems; Weak or repetitive combat and enemy variety; Important items are easy to miss
  - Unlock drivers: Story mystery hooking the player; Fun exploration and atmosphere; Creative puzzles and unique mechanics; Pushing through the opening hours; Using a guide to reduce puzzle frustration
  - Conditions: Tolerance for frequent puzzles; Willingness to use a guide; Being a survival-horror or Resident Evil fan; First playthrough versus later replays; Price sensitivity; Tolerance for backtracking and limited navigation aids; Exploration-focused play style
- Player Archetypes:
  - Old-School Survival Horror Devotee (sale)
    - Motivation: Reliving the tension, exploration, and puzzle-solving rhythm of classic survival horror.
    - Playstyle: Methodical exploration, puzzle solving, resource management, and tolerance for backtracking.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Resident Evil; Silent Hill
  - Brazilian Indie Scene Supporter (buy)
    - Motivation: Supporting local Brazilian/LATAM game development and rewarding indie ambition.
    - Playstyle: Plays to experience and champion a homegrown indie horror release.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Horror Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: Finding an approachable first or occasional horror experience without overwhelming scares.
    - Playstyle: Casual exploration, puzzle solving, and low-pressure combat.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: casual
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Disappointed Genre Veteran (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking a polished survival horror experience that lives up to established genre standards.
    - Playstyle: Expects smooth movement, clear puzzle logic, and well-paced exploration with little backtracking.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: Resident Evil franchise fan
    - Reference games: Resident Evil 7


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Abundant well-made puzzles (weight 0.35): Reviewers consistently praise the large number and variety of puzzles, including boxes, safes, locks, and codes. The puzzles are frequently described as challenging yet fair, cleverly implemented, and a highlight of the game.
- Beautiful graphics and atmosphere (weight 0.31): Graphics are frequently described as smooth, beautiful, and impressive, while the atmosphere is top-notch and immersive. The combination of visuals and atmosphere creates a terrifying and visually stunning experience.
- Overall positive gameplay impression (weight 0.31): Many reviewers express that the game feels good overall, with solid and enjoyable gameplay. It is considered fun, addictive, and worth playing, leaving players with a good time.
- Engaging and creative story (weight 0.18): The story is often praised as interesting, captivating, and creative, with well-presented storytelling. Some find it somewhat captivating but overall it adds to the experience.
- Notable Brazilian indie achievement (weight 0.07): Several players highlight the game as an impressive Brazilian production, calling it a milestone for Brazilian indie games. This adds cultural pride and recognition to the game's reception.

Common complaints:
- Low Enemy Variety (weight 0.26): Players consistently report only two regular enemy types plus a few bosses, and encounters feel repetitive due to scarce and uninspiring enemy design.
- Overly Difficult Puzzles (weight 0.22): Puzzles are frequently described as very hard, complex, and frustrating, sometimes harder than bosses, making them unsuitable for all players.
- Confusing Story (weight 0.22): The narrative is often called confusing, incomplete, and full of loose ends, leaving many questions unanswered.
- Weak Voice Acting (weight 0.17): Voice acting is widely criticized as poor, amateurish, and lacking impact in both English and Portuguese, hurting storytelling.
- Unengaging Combat (weight 0.17): Combat is criticized as simple, boring, tedious, and unsatisfying, with little depth or excitement.
- No In-Game Map (weight 0.14): The lack of any map system forces players to memorize routes and often leads to getting lost and frustrated.
- Weak Enemy AI (weight 0.12): Enemy and boss AI is often deemed dumb, predictable, buggy, and practically nonexistent, leading to trivial or broken encounters.
- No Autosave or Checkpoints (weight 0.12): The absence of autosave and checkpoint systems forces manual saving and can cause significant progress loss upon death.
- Poor Graphics and Animations (weight 0.1): Graphics are often called ugly and detail-poor, while animations are described as clumsy and character models as poor.
- Clunky Slow Gameplay (weight 0.09): Gameplay is described as stiff, wooden, slow, and clunky, reducing overall enjoyment and responsiveness.
- Insufficient Horror Atmosphere (weight 0.06): The horror elements are considered weak and not scary, failing to create tension or fear expected from the genre.
- Unsatisfying Boss Fights (weight 0.05): Boss encounters lack finesse and are sometimes described as horrible or mediocre, failing to deliver satisfying challenges.

Gameplay feedback:
- Puzzle-heavy gameplay (weight 0.48): The game is built around puzzles, with clues, codes, keys, safes, and nested box puzzles appearing in almost every room. Puzzle solving is required to progress and is the dominant gameplay element.
- Survival horror with exploration (weight 0.38): The game blends survival horror with exploration, backtracking, and mystery. Many users describe it as a puzzle/exploration game rather than pure horror, set in a hotel.
- Scarce ammo and resources (weight 0.16): Ammunition and healing items are scarce, requiring conservation and exploration to find hidden stashes. Resource management with limited inventory space adds to the challenge.
- Boss fights and enemies (weight 0.15): The game includes boss encounters and a nemesis-style enemy, along with various regular enemy types. Enemy variety includes two standard types plus bosses and a Tyrant-like foe.
- Resident Evil-style inventory (weight 0.13): The inventory system features slot management, limited space, and object zoom, resembling the inventory in Resident Evil games. Item disposal restrictions and shared storage boxes are also present.
- Extensive backtracking (weight 0.12): Backtracking is a significant part of the game, especially through the multi-story hotel and deformed locations. Players revisit previous areas to unlock new paths and collect items.
- Unique camera mechanic (weight 0.11): A camera system is a core feature, allowing players to switch between normal and camera vision, use night vision, and view another dimension. The camera is used for puzzles, traversal, and changing scenery.
- New Game+ mode (weight 0.09): A New Game+ mode is available, allowing players to carry over collected upgrades, abilities, and found items from a previous playthrough.
- Weapon upgrades available (weight 0.08): Players can upgrade weapons and items, with an upgrade system for guns. This adds progression and customization to combat.
- Jump scares (weight 0.07): Jump scares are used, including enemies like spiders and shadow figures in the forest. The game features suspense and horror elements, though jump scares are not excessive.
- Four main weapons (weight 0.07): The weapon arsenal includes a pistol, shotgun, submachine gun, and Magnum (or revolver). Combat revolves around these four weapon types.
- Story through notes (weight 0.07): The story is conveyed through notes scattered throughout the game. Players collect notes to uncover a mystery storyline.

Performance notes:
- Excellent optimization praised (weight 0.16): Many players report smooth performance, including on low-end hardware and Steam Deck, often at 60 FPS or higher. This is a recurring positive theme across multiple clusters.
- Runs well on various hardware (weight 0.15): The game runs on a wide range of PCs, from toasters to high-end setups, including Linux with Proton and Steam Deck. Many report stable performance without lag or errors.
- Ray tracing performance issues (weight 0.13): Ray tracing and DirectX 12 cause micro-stutters, poor performance, and visual problems like blur and lighting issues. Some suggest disabling these features for better FPS and sharper graphics.
- Frame drops and stutters (weight 0.08): Framerate drops occur during action switching animations, at campaign start due to shader compilation, and in complex areas. Performance oscillates for some players.
- Crashes and stability problems (weight 0.07): The game unexpectedly crashes or closes, though some players experience no major crashes except in specific boss fights. Stability is generally good for many, but crashes are notable for others.
- Clipping and collision bugs (weight 0.07): Players encounter clipping issues where weapons pass through walls, enemies clip through doors, and characters can get stuck in textures or invisible walls. These technical issues cause frustration.
- Mixed optimization opinions (weight 0.07): While many praise optimization, some find it very improvable or not positive, with specific areas like the chapel performing poorly. Opinions are divided on overall optimization quality.
- Animation and sound bugs (weight 0.04): Several animation bugs occur, facial animations are janky, and a sound bug causes a track to loop endlessly. These issues detract from the experience.
- General technical frustration (weight 0.03): Some players experience technical issues that cause frustration, such as graphical bugs and collision problems, especially in complex map areas.
- Gameplay progression bugs (weight 0.02): Bugs include footsteps muted, safes not allowing access, getting stuck between doors, and weapon swap or draw not allowed, which can block progression.
- Positive UE5 optimization (weight 0.02): Optimization is amazing, unlike most current UE5 games, highlighting the game's performance as exceptional for its engine.
- Heating issues (weight 0.02): Good optimization but the computer heats up, indicating potential thermal management concerns.
- Low storage footprint (weight 0.02): The game does not take up much storage space, which is a minor positive point for some players.

Recommendations:
- Strong Survival Horror Recommendation (weight 0.24): Many reviewers highly recommend the game for fans of survival horror, comparing it favorably to classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill.
- Buy on Sale Suggestion (weight 0.17): A common sentiment is that the game is worth buying, especially at a discount, with many suggesting to wait for a sale.
- Puzzle and Horror Appeal (weight 0.17): Reviewers frequently mention that the game is great for those who enjoy puzzles combined with horror elements.
- Resident Evil Style Experience (weight 0.13): The game is often described as offering a Resident Evil-like experience, particularly similar to RE7 and RE8, and is recommended for fans of that style.
- Worth Full Price (weight 0.09): Some reviewers believe the game is worth every penny, even at full price, and strongly recommend purchasing it.
- Recommended Despite Flaws (weight 0.09): Several reviewers recommend the game even though they acknowledge some weaknesses or annoyances.
- Not Recommended (weight 0.06): Some reviewers do not recommend the game, with a couple suggesting to buy a Resident Evil game instead.
- Good for Horror Beginners (weight 0.05): The game is suggested as a good starting point for players who are new to horror or easily scared.
- Support Brazilian Game Market (weight 0.03): A few reviewers recommend buying the game to support Brazilian game developers.

Other player notes:
- Heavy Resident Evil inspiration (weight 0.48): The game is frequently described as heavily inspired by the Resident Evil series, with many borrowed mechanics, atmosphere, and story elements. Reviewers often compare it to Resident Evil 7 and classic titles.
- Brazilian-developed indie game (weight 0.39): Multiple reviewers highlight that the game is a Brazilian production, often noting it is made by a small indie studio. The game is set in Brazil and features Portuguese voice dub and text by default.
- Developed by Pulsatrix Studios (weight 0.16): The game is developed by Brazilian indie studio Pulsatrix Studios, often noted as their debut title. It was made by a small team of about 10 people.
- Unfavorable comparison to Resident Evil (weight 0.15): Several reviewers compare the game unfavorably to Resident Evil, calling it a cheap imitation or knockoff that fails to capture the essence of the series. They criticize boss fights and overall execution.
- Comparisons to Silent Hill and Outlast (weight 0.1): The game is also compared to Silent Hill, Outlast, and Fatal Frame, often in conjunction with Resident Evil. Reviewers note similarities in atmosphere and horror elements.
- Favorable comparison to Resident Evil 7 (weight 0.08): Some reviewers compare the game favorably to Resident Evil 7, particularly regarding combat style and overall feel, though noting it may not be as good overall.
- Achievement requires three playthroughs (weight 0.08): An achievement requires completing the game three times, including New Game+, which takes around 15 hours. This is mentioned by multiple reviewers as a notable requirement.
- Short playtime of 8-15 hours (weight 0.07): Reviewers report varying completion times, typically between 8 and 15 hours, with some including secret hunting. The average playthrough is around 10-13 hours.
- Resembles Resident Evil 7 vibe (weight 0.06): Reviewers note that the game strongly reminds them of Resident Evil 7 in terms of atmosphere and horror emulation. It is often compared to the modern Resident Evil titles.
- Low price adds value (weight 0.05): The game is often described as being sold at a low price that makes it worth it, especially when on sale. Some reviewers feel it is worth full price despite its budget nature.
- Budget version of Resident Evil (weight 0.05): Reviewers describe the game as a lower-budget production compared to Resident Evil, but some still find it favorable for its price. It is sometimes called a low-budget clone.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Players are frustrated by excessive backtracking, a confusing hotel map without a minimap, and puzzles that are overly complex or lack clear hints, often requiring external guides. Technical issues such as softlocks, bugs causing lost progress, and a harsh save system compound the annoyance, while clunky combat and scarce resources make the experience feel unfair.
- Disappointment (weight 0.15): Many felt the game failed to deliver on its promise, citing an unsatisfying and convoluted story, weak horror elements, and mediocre combat with poor enemy variety. Boss fights were often underwhelming or softlocked by ammo scarcity, and technical issues like bugs and poor voice acting further diminished the experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Players enjoyed the engaging puzzles, especially the camera mechanic, along with the atmospheric horror setting and exploration. The game's similarity to classic Resident Evil, combined with fun gameplay and a compelling story, made it a rewarding experience despite some flaws.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Satisfaction stemmed from rewarding exploration and puzzle-solving, a well-crafted survival horror atmosphere, and a strong sense of progression as the hotel gradually opens up. Many found the game worth the price, with good graphics and mechanics that kept them engaged throughout.
- Annoyance (weight 0.05): Annoyance arose from repetitive backtracking, excessive puzzles that felt like padding, and awkward mechanics like the camera causing motion sickness or the flashlight needing constant re-equipping. Small irritants such as unskippable cutscenes, UI issues, and hidden key items with no hints also contributed.
- Admiration (weight 0.05): Admiration was directed at the game's impressive quality for a Brazilian indie studio, with excellent graphics, atmosphere, and gameplay that rivaled AAA titles. The care and passion evident in the design, along with its status as a landmark Brazilian production, earned high praise.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciated the developers' clear love and care, the revival of classic survival horror mechanics, and the game's unique Brazilian setting and cultural context. Well-crafted puzzles, a creepy atmosphere, and references to genre classics were also highlighted as positives.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom was caused by repetitive gameplay loops, excessive backtracking, and a lack of enemy variety, making the experience feel like endless fetch quests. The story failed to engage, and the constant puzzle-solving without meaningful progression left players disinterested.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement came from the game's suspenseful atmosphere, jump scares, and intelligent puzzles, especially the camera mechanic that allows time travel. The engaging gameplay loop, varied monsters, and immersive VR support kept players on the edge of their seats.
- Confusion (weight 0.03): Confusion primarily revolved around the story, which left many unanswered questions and had a mind-bending ending that was hard to follow. Unclear objectives and puzzle solutions, coupled with untranslated text and cross-activation of puzzles, also contributed to a sense of being lost.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm was driven by the game's great atmosphere, graphics, and boss fights, which exceeded expectations. Players were excited about the plot twists, the magic camera gimmick, and the potential for a sequel, praising the developer's talent.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise resulted from the game being better than expected, delivering good scares and well-implemented survival horror mechanics. Many were pleasantly surprised by its quality as a Brazilian indie title, often considering it a hidden gem.
- Tension (weight 0.02): Tension was maintained through the game's scary atmosphere, constant monster threat, and the pressure of managing scarce ammo and precise aiming. The hotel's silent corridors, supernatural events, and infrequent save points kept players on edge.
- Fear (weight 0.02): Fear was elicited by the oppressive atmosphere, narrow spaces, and effective jump scares, particularly from invisible spiders and lurking monsters. The unsettling creature design and genuinely scary moments made players want to nope out.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love for the game stemmed from its immersive atmosphere, the blend of horror, investigation, and shooting, and survival horror gameplay that met players' criteria for exploration, extras, and upgrades. The Resident Evil vibes and good story further cemented this affection.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement was fueled by a captivating story and mystery that kept players curious about what happened next. The psychological depth and intriguing twists made the game grip players from start to finish.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement came from funny easter eggs, goofy glitches, and quirky scenes like the realistic USB insertion animation and riding a spider. These lighthearted moments provided comic relief amidst the horror.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike was expressed for the game's artificially elongated puzzle-fests, stiff gameplay, and very bad combat. Excessive puzzles, poor voice acting, and uninteresting bug enemies made the experience tiresome for some.
- Pride (weight 0.01): Pride was felt for the game being a high-quality Brazilian production, proving that a Brazilian team could deliver an ambitious horror game up to AAA standards. Supporting a Brazilian survival horror title and seeing it make history was a source of national pride.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Immersion was achieved through the game's well-crafted horror atmosphere, high-quality audio, and detailed environments reminiscent of Resident Evil and Silent Hill. The gloomy hotel setting and balanced audio allowed players to dive deeply into the experience.}