Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. The Games Machine
    Sep 4, 2023
    72
    Invader Studios has packaged a survival horror experience with a good atmosphere and decent pace, adding small but interesting new features and significantly improving the technical compartment. A sequel that represents a good step forward but still has a long way to go to walk side by side with the best exponents of the genre.
  2. MeuPlayStation
    Sep 12, 2023
    71
    Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is a survival horror game with numerous references to classics. Despite its excellent sound design, some technical flaws and a generic gameplay nearly overshadow the brilliance of an intriguing story.
  3. Finger Guns
    Sep 11, 2023
    70
    A vast improvement over the original, Daymare: 2994 Sandcastle still doesn’t reach those lofty, highly recommended titles. That being said, if you’re looking for some B movie cheese in an over-the-shoulder shooter, this should tide you over.
  5. Areajugones
    Sep 6, 2023
    70
    Invader Studios has done a remarkable job over the previous edition. While Daymare: 1998 was a good game, this prequel beats it on pretty much everything. Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle manages to hook and catch us to pass it to us in one sitting but suffers from many seams in the strongest points of what is expected of a survival horror.
  6. KeenGamer
    Sep 6, 2023
    70
    Overall, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle improves on almost everything from the original game. The story may be lacking with uninteresting characters but the gameplay manages to help push through that fault. The Frost Grip is the golden goose of the game, having the most fun freezing enemies whilst collecting fun bits of lore and alien toys. Add in the fantastic atmosphere that fits with the type of horror, Invader Studios wants to portray.
  7. PlayStation Universe
    Sep 4, 2023
    70
    Daymare 1994: Sandcastle is a fun title that improves on almost all the issues from the original. It provides an excellent atmosphere and fun combat situations where you can use cryo abilities. It's not a perfect game, though, with some bad voice acting, really dark lighting, and being unable to dodge attacks leaves you open to strikes. Invader Studios will hopefully build on these qualities for the promised third instalment in the series.
  8. Gamers' Temple
    Oct 25, 2023
    60
    I would really like to enjoy Daymare 1994, and I do somewhat. The game has collectibles to find, challenges to try for and multiple difficulties so there is some good replay value here. Just like the first game, you can tell that the developers had fun while making it with all the references and good atmosphere that the game carries. It’s just such a shame that this game frustrates me so much with its overall mechanics and poor enemies. I feel like this is a game that some people will enjoy (like I did somewhat), but it’s hard to deny the problems we have here.
  9. Malditos Nerds
    Sep 8, 2023
    60
    Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is a compelling game but the sum of the small elements feel limited. The little variety of enemies and weapons makes the game lose surprise quickly as well as an almost null exploration and puzzles that don't feel organic with the gameplay. However, the story is interesting and the game is fun, managing to keep us entertained throughout its seven hour length.
  10. GamingBolt
    Sep 4, 2023
    60
    Daymare 1994: Sandcastle is far from the perfect game. Plagued with technical problems as well as issues with fundamental design, it manages to be an average game thanks to its somewhat competent combat system.
  11. GameSpew
    Aug 31, 2023
    60
    Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle obviously can’t compete with the likes of the Resident Evil series; it simply doesn’t have the same polish or scope of any of the modern remakes. Considering it’s made by a small studio and is delivered at a budget price, however, there’s a lot to be applauded here. This is a massive step up from Daymare: 1998 in many ways, resulting in a survival horror experience that genre fans are likely to lap up despite its numerous faults. And if Invader Studios gets to make another game and can improve on the formula yet again, you can be sure we’ll be paying attention.
  12. Hey Poor Player
    Aug 30, 2023
    50
    Despite its solid upgrade system and the introduction of a few interesting ideas, like the Frost Grip and enemies that can be resurrected or supercharged by the anomaly, Daymare 1994: Sandcastle’s severe lack of polish and unbelievably frustrating combat execution hold it back from ever realizing its full potential. And, more often than not, make for a game that feels like it’s constantly working against the players’ enjoyment...With a few patches to iron out some of its more glaring kinks, Daymare 1994: Sandcastle could have been a solid survival horror title to snag at a discount. However, at least in its current state, this one’s impossible to recommend to all but the most desperate fans of the genre.

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2023

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. DadsNotComnHom
    Sep 11, 2023
    5
    I went into this with higher expectations, mainly becuase the first one had potential, and assuming with more time passing the 2nd one wouldI went into this with higher expectations, mainly becuase the first one had potential, and assuming with more time passing the 2nd one would be far superior and improved a great deal. Not really the case and hears my take.
    Pros:
    Graphics are much improved
    Sound improved greatly
    Inventory system isnt as buggy

    Cons:
    Only 2 guns compared to the 6 or so in the first one (why would you eliminate variety in a sequel?)
    Character runs like she has a gimped leg ( so animation makes your head hurt)
    Weapon swapping is still incredibly incredibly slow
    Enemy variety is lacking (again why in a sequel would you put less options)
    Framerates are also bad on ps5 in performance mode
    Not big deal but voice acting is still comical, almost feels like Neil Breen wrote the script, and the facial animations are scarier than the game itself, characters talk and move there faces like animatronic dolls. (Understand that theyre a small studio so i understand this.)

    I don't wanna bash on the game or developers, I understand and support there passion to make games hence why i bought this.
    Im just surprised that i feel more cheated on lack of weapons and enemies in a sequel. Very weird development choice and probably would have given the game a 7 or 8 instead of a 5.    … Full Review »
  2. Jt0429
    Sep 4, 2023
    6
    Good-
    Great depiction of 1994; Fun, pulpy story; Has its moments of presenting some great visuals; Competent combat system.
    Bad-    Good-
    Great depiction of 1994; Fun, pulpy story; Has its moments of presenting some great visuals; Competent combat system.

    Bad-
    Technically rough, especially during cutscenes; No variety in weapons; Really bad at being scary.

    Thoughts-
    Daymare 1994: Sandcastle is far from the perfect game. Plagued with technical problems as well as issues with fundamental design, it manages to be an average game thanks to its somewhat competent combat system. Sure, its story won’t be taking home any awards, and you might only really have two weapons to play around with, but the game still manages to be okay in a pulpy kind of way.    … Full Review »
  3. filmfantv
    Sep 1, 2023
    7
    I really liked the first game, Daymare 1998. It had an intense atmosphere, excellent sound design and was fun to play. Daymare 1994 has theI really liked the first game, Daymare 1998. It had an intense atmosphere, excellent sound design and was fun to play. Daymare 1994 has the same great atmosphere, an awesome spooky sound and I like the story and somehow unique setting. I would rate this game with an 8/10 or even 9/10 - if combat would be less frustrating. The enemies are faster than light and even on the easiest difficulty it‘s hard to avoid damage. Enemies tend to appear in groups, and while you try to freeze or shoot one of them, another one attacks you from the side or behind. I hope they release an update that allows slower combat. They put a lot of effort into cutscenes and everything else, only the combat system makes it difficult to enjoy this survival horror experience.… Full Review »
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