Don't Knock Twice
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Don't Knock Twice
One playthrough is quite enough for the brief and uninspired Don't Knock Twice.
The atmosphere is what makes this game. The emotion of the plot succeeds in some places and stumbles in others. The puzzles can be frustrating at times, but not because they're impossible to complete, more so because they seem like filler to extend gameplay time. Overall, the experiences are memorable for the feeling they create in the player, but not much else.
The singular lasting impression of Don't Knock Twice is one of bewilderment that it somehow exists at all.
The lights going out and doors slamming behind you are unnerving, but the safety net of not feeling immersed ruins it.
If the frame-rate was smooth and the game was more technically sound, I could see potential for a fun horror game. The atmosphere is nice, the audio is extremely well done, and the story seems pretty interesting as well. It's just a shame that the frame-rate is so bad that you probably won't make it til the end to see the conclusion.
On a platform that is destined to become almost overcrowded with colourful, vibrant, ‘happy' games, having a burst of horror as an option is very welcome indeed. Unfortunately, this isn't the game to showcase the genre, nor is it one to showcase games in general. Some promising early moments left us with high hopes for this title – there were times where we felt genuine, edge-of-your-seat fear – but it soon becomes clear that it cannot live up to the standards it is trying to achieve. If you're looking for a horror fix, maybe wait until something else comes along.
Editor's Note: If you intend to play Don't Knock Twice without PSVR, take a point or two off of the final score. The flat-screen version is inferior to the virtual reality version.
Overall Don't Knock Twice is quite a hard one to judge. It does what it sets out to do - scare you silly - rather well, and without resorting to cheap jump scares to boot. But with its short length and limited replay value, I'm not sure if it provides value for money.
