You are trapped deep inside a massive dungeon. Explore it, survive it and find a way to escape. Your only weapons will be stealth, your own courage, and a faint light. Dreadhalls is an intense and scary experience, not for the faint of heart. You have been warned!
The game generates a new layout and placement of rooms, corridors, and enemy encounters every time players enter the dungeon. This ensures that the experience differs with each playthrough, increasing the game's replayability. Players appreciate how this randomization prevents them from memorizing the environment and routes, heightening the sense of unease and tension as they explore the unknown.
Players must rely on their wits, courage, and ability to stay hidden and avoid detection, as the game provides no direct means of combat or defense against the supernatural threats. This stealth-based approach forces players to carefully navigate the environment, listen for audio cues, and make strategic decisions to evade the dangers that lurk in the darkness. The lack of offensive options heightens the sense of vulnerability and the thrill of successfully escaping from a pursuing creature.
Players must periodically refill their lantern's oil supply to maintain visibility, as darkness can attract the attention of hostile entities. This resource management system creates a sense of tension and urgency, as players must carefully ration their oil and decide when to risk exposing themselves to light in order to progress. The gameplay loop of exploration, resource gathering, and evasion is a significant part of the game's engaging and challenging experience.
Each type of creature has its own unique set of behaviors, some of which may change based on the player's actions or the environment. For example, some enemies may be drawn to light, while others may avoid direct eye contact. This variety and unpredictability in enemy encounters keep players on their toes, as they must constantly adapt their strategy to the shifting threats around them.
The game's use of positional audio, the scale and presence of the in-game environments, and the ability to physically look around and navigate the space all contribute to a heightened sense of fear and tension. Players often report physical reactions, such as jumping or feeling their heart racing, as a result of the VR-powered immersion.