8 /10 18

The Quarry positions itself as a spiritual successor to Until Dawn, combining cinematic storytelling with interactive decision-making in a teen horror setting. Released in 2022, it has garnered generally positive critical reception for its cast performances, narrative design, and homages to classic slasher films. Players control nine teenage camp counselors navigating a deadly night where supernatural forces and violent locals threaten survival. This review explores gameplay mechanics, platform performance, multiplayer features, and how The Quarry compares within the interactive horror genre.

How to Play The Quarry

The Quarry is an interactive drama where players make dialogue choices and quick-time decisions that branch the narrative. Instead of traditional action gameplay, success comes from choosing responses and performing timed button prompts during critical moments. The game progresses through eight chapters set during a single night.

1. Controls – Controller or mouse/keyboard input for dialogue selection and QTE button presses. Learning curve is minimal since the game prioritizes narrative over mechanical skill.
2. Progression – Players advance through chapters by making choices that determine character fates. Every dialogue option and decision point shapes relationships, plot twists, and endings.
3. Combat/Mechanics – No traditional combat. Instead, players participate in chase sequences and decision moments. Failing a QTE may result in character death or injury, affecting the story.
4. Tips – Pay attention to character motivations and relationship dynamics. Some choices seem minor but cascade into major consequences. Experiment with different paths on replays to unlock alternative scenes and endings.

Who Should Play The Quarry

The Quarry appeals to fans of narrative-driven horror and cinematic experiences. Its branching storytelling rewards replays, making it ideal for players who enjoy discovering alternate outcomes. Couch co-op and online multiplayer add social value beyond solo playthroughs.

• Horror Film Fans – Players who enjoy slasher movies and teen horror tropes will appreciate the film-like production and homages to classics like Friday the 13th.
• Narrative Completionists – Those seeking deep, choice-driven stories will find The Quarry’s branching paths rewarding across multiple playthroughs.
• Social Gamers – The couch co-op and online voting systems make this ideal for group play, where friends collectively shape the story.
• Skip if – Players expecting action-heavy gameplay or traditional game mechanics should look elsewhere. The Quarry demands narrative patience and tolerance for slower-paced exploration.

The Quarry Platform Performance

The Quarry runs at a locked 30 FPS across all console versions with dynamic 4K resolution. All platforms deliver comparable visual quality, though load times and file sizes vary slightly between systems. Performance is stable with occasional stuttering reported by some players.

The Quarry System Requirements

PC requirements range from modest to demanding depending on desired settings. Minimum specs allow 1080p gameplay on older hardware, while recommended specs enable 4K 60+ FPS. The game requires 50 GB storage space on all platforms.

Similar Games to The Quarry

The Quarry sits within a niche of interactive horror dramas. While Supermassive Games pioneered this genre, several titles offer comparable narrative-driven experiences. Each brings distinct mechanics or thematic approaches to choice-based storytelling.

• Until Dawn – Direct predecessor by Supermassive Games; similar teen slasher premise with butterfly effect decision system, though less refined visually and mechanically.
• House of Ashes – Another Supermassive title; darker military horror setting with stronger character writing and more cinematic framing than later Dark Pictures entries.
• The Heather Field – Indie narrative adventure with Bloodborne-inspired horror aesthetic; focuses on choice consequence but lacks AAA production polish.
• What Remains of Edith Finch – Walking simulator narrative game; no horror elements but shares emphasis on environmental storytelling and emotional character arcs.

The Quarry vs Competitors

The Quarry occupies a unique position as the most mechanically refined interactive horror drama on the market. Its multiplayer integration and ensemble cast differentiate it from solo narrative experiences and older Supermassive titles. The price-to-content ratio is competitive given branching replayability.

The Quarry Story and World

Set during the final night of Hackett’s Quarry summer camp, nine teenage counselors celebrate without supervision, unaware that a deadly curse and vengeful locals await. The game layers supernatural horror with slasher elements, drawing from Friday the 13th and similar teen horror films. The narrative avoids heavy exposition, letting player discovery unfold through exploration and character dialogue. Relationships between counselors develop through choices, creating emotional stakes when characters die. The story supports multiple endings where all nine characters can survive or perish depending on decisions made throughout the night. Tone balances dark humor and genuine dread, with creature designs inspired by folklore and monster movie traditions.

The Quarry Multiplayer and Online

The Quarry offers two distinct multiplayer modes, both reshaping the single-player experience. Online mode lets up to seven friends participate by voting on critical decisions, creating collective storytelling. Local couch co-op supports up to four players, each controlling specific characters during gameplay segments. These modes transform the game into a social event rather than solitary experience.

• Online Co-op – Up to 7 players vote remotely on dialogue choices; votes determine which option the group takes. Spectators influence the story without controlling character movement.
• Couch Co-op – Up to 4 local players; each controls assigned characters during playable segments. Turn-based approach ensures everyone gets active input during gameplay.
• Movie Mode – Watch the story unfold as a passive cinematic experience. Customize horror intensity and gore levels for different audience preferences.
• Cross-Play – Not supported; multiplayer limited to same-platform sessions.

The Quarry DLC and Expansions

Post-launch content focuses on cosmetic options and quality-of-life features rather than substantial story additions. The Deluxe Edition bundle includes instant access to gameplay mechanics that unlock naturally in base game playthroughs. Cosmetic packs offer character outfit alternatives.

• Deluxe Bonus Content Pack – Includes ’80s throwback character outfits, instant Death Rewind system access, Gorefest mode for Movie Mode, and Horror History visual filters replicating different era film aesthetics.
• ’50s Throwback Outfits – Additional cosmetic pack adding retro character skins; available post-launch at no extra cost with Deluxe Edition.
• Horror History Filter Pack – Three visual filters mimicking different horror film eras (black and white classic, grindhouse, etc.) applied to entire gameplay.
• Death Rewind System – Normally unlocks after first playthrough; Deluxe Edition grants immediate access with three retries per run to prevent character deaths.

The Quarry Community and Support

Supermassive Games maintains active community engagement through social media and official channels. Player communities thrive on Reddit and Discord, sharing playthroughs, discussing branching consequences, and debating character survival tactics. Patch support addressed early technical issues like audio desync and frame pacing stutters reported at launch.

• Official Forums – Supermassive Games hosts community discussions; developers periodically address bugs and player feedback regarding narrative interpretation.
• Reddit/Discord – Thriving subreddits and Discord servers dedicated to The Quarry feature story discussions, achievement guides, and multiplayer session coordination.
• Mod Support – No official modding support; PC version lacks Steam Workshop integration, limiting fan-created content to cosmetic replacements and quality-of-life tweaks.
• Updates – Post-launch patches addressed audio desynchronization and frame pacing issues reported by players; no announced major content roadmap beyond cosmetic DLC.