Distrust
A roguelike survival game inspired by John Carpenter's The Thing.
Distrust is a survival video game created by the studio Cheerdealers and released by Alawar. Players take charge of a group that must search for resources after their helicopter goes down at an Arctic research station. The game is playable on Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, iOS, and Nintendo Switch.
The gameplay draws inspiration from John Carpenter's 1982 horror film *The Thing*. Following the crash, the survivors take shelter in a deserted Arctic base. At the start, players select two characters from a pool of three. Up to fifteen characters can be unlocked, each with unique skills that help with survival. The base's layout changes with each playthrough. While gathering supplies, characters must manage their needs for sleep, warmth, and food. Sleeping can attract hostile aliens called "anomalies," which may kill characters or hinder progress. If needs are not met, characters can go mad, causing random effects like quoting Shakespeare or eating more food. After solving a randomized puzzle, a new area opens, and another random map appears. The game ends once six zones are completed.
Distrust launched for Microsoft Windows on August 23, 2017.
On Metacritic, the PC version holds a score of 75 out of 100 from five reviews, meaning "generally favorable reviews." Leif Johnson of GameSpot gave it a 7 out of 10, noting that the roguelike style, heavily reliant on chance, keeps replays interesting but can also be "maddeningly tough." Ted Hentschke of Dread Central rated it 2.5 out of 5, criticizing its limited inspiration from *The Thing*, easily overcome challenges, and the pointlessness of many random elements. Jim Hargreaves of Bloody Disgusting gave it 3 out of 5, stating that the game's unpredictability and rushed micromanagement may overwhelm some players. Alec Meer of Rock, Paper, Shotgun compared it to *Don't Starve*, calling it "a neat and tense survive 'em up."
Quick Facts
- Title
- Distrust
- Developer
- Cheerdealers
- Publisher
- Alawar
- Engine
- Unity
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows · Xbox One · PlayStation 4 · iOS · Nintendo Switch
- Released
- Microsoft Windows / WW · August 23, 2017Xbox One / WW · August 24, 2018PlayStation 4 / WW · November 15, 2018iOS / WW · February 18, 2019Nintendo Switch / WW · July 16, 2019
- Genre
- Strategy, survival
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The gameplay is inspired by The Thing, a 1982 horror film by John Carpenter. After a helicopter crash, the survivors take refuge at an abandoned arctic base. Initially, players choose two out of a roster of three characters. The roster can be expanded by unlocking up to fifteen characters, each of whom have special abilities to aid in their survival. The base's map is randomly generated. While scrounging for supplies, the characters must satisfy basic needs: sleep, heat, and hunger. Sleeping risks drawing the attention of aliens known as 'anomalies', which can kill characters or set back progress. Failure to satisfy their needs can cause madness, which brings on random status effects, such as quoting Shakespeare or consuming more food. After solving a randomized puzzle, players unlock a new zone, and another random map is generated. The game concludes once six zones have been completed.
Reader's Guide
Distrust received a Metacritic rating of 75/100 for the PC version, indicating generally favorable reviews. Leif Johnson of GameSpot rated it 7/10 stars, noting that the roguelike gameplay, which depends heavily on random chance, keeps replays fresh, though the randomization can also make it 'maddeningly tough'. Ted Hentschke of Dread Central rated it 2.5/5 stars, criticizing how little inspiration the game took from The Thing, its trivially-overcome challenges, and the pointlessness of many randomized gameplay elements. Jim Hargreaves of Bloody Disgusting rated it 3/5 stars, writing that the game's unpredictability and rushed micromanagement may frustrate some players who find themselves overwhelmed. Alec Meer of Rock, Paper, Shotgun compared it to Don't Starve, calling it 'a neat and tense survive 'em up'.
Did You Know?
- The game is inspired by John Carpenter's 1982 horror film The Thing.
- Players initially choose two out of a roster of three characters, with up to fifteen unlockable characters.
- Failure to satisfy basic needs can cause madness, which may result in quoting Shakespeare or consuming more food.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Distrust?
Distrust is a roguelike survival game developed by Cheerdealers and published by Alawar, released in August 2017. You manage a small crew of survivors who must scavenge for resources after their helicopter crashes at a remote Arctic research station.
What is Distrust inspired by?
The game draws heavy inspiration from John Carpenter's 1982 horror film The Thing. That influence shapes the paranoia, resource-scarcity tension, and the constant threat of something among the group.
How does character selection work in Distrust?
At the start of each run you pick two characters from a pool of three available options. Across the game you can unlock up to fifteen unique characters, each bringing their own set of skills to the survival group.
What platforms can I play Distrust on?
Distrust is available on Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, iOS, and Nintendo Switch, giving players a wide range of options for how they want to experience the game.
What makes Distrust a roguelike?
Each playthrough features randomized elements and permanent consequences, so no two runs play out the same way. If your group falls, you restart with a new set of choices, which keeps the survival pressure fresh across multiple sessions.
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