Focus on the Frightful: Don’t Knock Twice #GameReview

I want to be up front about this…I’ve never seen Don’t Knock Twice. Heck, I didn’t even know the game was related to the movie until I noticed the similar titles and checked. So, as a bookend to V. Castro’s review of the movie Don’t Knock Twice earlier today, here’s my thoughts on the game. Whether or not it enhances the movie or is great as a standalone title.

Don’t Knock Twice is a first-person horror game based on a psychologically terrifying urban legend. To save her estranged daughter, a guilt-ridden mother must uncover the frightening truth behind the urban tale of a vengeful, demonic witch. One knock to wake her from her bed, twice to raise her from the dead. 

Explore a grand manor house and interact with almost every object you see. To find and save your daughter, you will explore all depths of the manor, searching for hidden clues and using items to fight or escape the terror that surrounds you. 

The game is based on the film, Don’t Knock Twice, starring Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) and directed by Caradog James (The Machine).

Title: Don’t Knock Twice | Website: Wales Interactive Release Date: August, 2017 | Publisher: Wales Interactive | Developer: Wales Interactive | Genre: Adventure horror, movie tie-in | Platform: PC (Steam) | Rating: 4 out of 5 | Source: Self-purchased

Don’t Knock Twice Game Review

I don’t know about the movie but I found Don’t Knock Twice to be very enjoyably spooky. It was atmospheric, tense and with a great use of music and sound effects. And, as much as it pains me to admit it, I got startled. By thunder and lightning. Do you guys know how long it’s been since I’ve done that?

The backgrounds and graphics were utterly beautiful and there were some creepy areas to be found. I’m not sure how Game House matches up to Movie House but if they’re close then the movie should have a very interesting location, to say the least. There were also some neat Easter Eggs such as a copy of The King in Yellow and H.G. Wells’ books The Time Machine and War of the Worlds. There are quite a few other achievements and hidden goodies to find as well, giving it some moderate replay value. If you don’t find them all on your first try, that is. Since you can’t get both endings on one playthrough you’ll have to play it again at least one more time. I definitely plan to because I’m a little, um, obsessed with getting all the things.

The plot and story bits which I received were very intriguing and along with this and V.’s review, I am even more intrigued to watch the movie. I don’t want to say too much about it because it might spoil the movie. Like I said, I haven’t seen it so I wouldn’t know which story bits are spoilers.

The scares felt natural and there was only one forced jumpscare that I ran into. But that’s not to say Don’t Knock Twice doesn’t have its flaws. I used a controller and even with customization some of the controls felt less than intuitive. I kept dropping things I was holding on accident. Other people who are more coordinated might have an easier time of it, though. I did have to turn down the graphics a bit to run smoothly on my laptop but it didn’t degrade them horribly and my movements were a lot smoother.

My biggest complaint is the price. It’s a very short game with a very little bit of replay value. So, even though I did love it and have a lot of creepy fun with it, I would wait for a sale (as I did). Twenty dollars is just too much for such a short game. But if you can then I would certainly recommend it.

You can find Don’t Knock Twice on Steam, Xbox, PS4, PSN and Nintendo Switch