History YMMV / DarkDeception

** ''Torment Therapy's'' boss fight theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An8dbjylEl0&list=PLJuLtMXQpmkyfSd1V6L0M-M817Bdv2v0I&index=24 PatientTransfer]], is an intense track that, while not exactly scary, is very quick-paced and very telling that you're in a car chase.

* BreatherLevel: Prior to the Enhanced Edition buffing the Dread Duckies, ''Stranger Sewers'' was often considered to be less challenging than preceding level ''Deadly Decadence'' (see ThatOneLevel below) and succeeding level ''Crazy Carnevil''. Not only were the Dread Duckies much slower than the previous monsters, but they only become active if the player comes too close to them. With enough time and patience, a player could use Telepathy to detect the real Duckies from the fake ones and use Teleport to get past them, making it possible to go through the entire level without activating a single Ducky. This becomes even easier once Primal Fear is obtained, allowing players to stun the Duckies while they’re still in their inactive state. While the slowing effects of the sewer water may have made completing the level an absolute slog (especially for those trying to achieve an S Rank), it could be counteracted using Speed Boost and is generally seen as more of an annoyance than a legitimate concern.

* ThatOneLevel: A common few pop up from time to time.
** ''Monkey Business'' (the first level, mind you) can go in this territory at times. You have to deal with three Murder Monkeys, all of whom become aware of your location the moment you collect a shard, so walking or staying in place for too long is guaranteed to kill you. They also have a nasty habit of trying to corner and cut you off if they're close enough, meaning you have to focus on either collecting power shards or predict their general direction via footsteps. Thankfully, they don't move faster than the player, and if you do get away from them they will slow their movement speed (although you probably won't be able to tell anyways).
** Prior to the Enhanced Edition nerfing the Gold Watchers, ''Deadly Decadence'' was quite challenging. Similar to ''Monkey Business'', you have multiple monsters chasing after you and they can corner you if you hit a corner of the map. However, the Gold Watchers are harder to get away from. You have to keep your eyes on them in order to avoid being killed by them. They move incredibly fast when you're not locking eyes with them, which may not be an issue if your speed boost is upgraded. Once you complete the hedge maze, you have to continue the shard hunt inside the mansion, which has spike traps and swinging blades that you have to watch out for. Also, if you're not careful, you can get killed by a Watcher if you try to teleport past it.
** ''Bearly Buried'' also tends veer into this, especially the first zone. The aim is to [[spoiler:get the ring pieces and shards back]], and the first zone involves getting one while sneaking past a group of sleeping Trigger Teddies. Doesn't sound too bad until you realize that [[spoiler:you no longer have your powers at this point to help you.]] It doesn't help that the sleeping teddies will wake up at just the slightest noise, and escape is impossible since they move ''ridiculously'' faster than you could ever run (which is jarring compared to how fast they are most of the time). As if that wasn't enough, there's also the chance of a Trigger Teddy already looking for you, and while he's not as fast as the others you will be forced to run if he sees you, which is guaranteed to wake some of the other teddies up.

* AmnesiaMissedASpot: Most levels have at least one secret room, and at least one secret room contains some metaphorical "linchpin" relating a monster's motivations: usually, something so vital to its nature it couldn't get past that without losing its existence as a monster. Speculatively, these rooms may be key to Malak's ability to make use of the monsters and keep them contained. While the secret rooms are usually safe zones, map powerups letting you study monster behaviour awareness will show that most monsters still know perfectly well exactly where you are, and at best will take ambush points if they have time (at worst they'll find a way to get in anyway to kill you). However, Elementary Evil contains one place, filled with memories of Agatha's childhood, that Agatha honestly cannot perceive at all - her talking to herself will make it clear that unlike just playing along with the rules of the game (like if you're hiding in a restroom) you've actually disappeared from her perceptions entirely while inside and this is alarming her. Assuming the above speculation about the rooms' purpose, Malak here is repressing both some of the most painful memories Agatha has (so she feels gratitude and affection towards him with no remembered reason, letting her think of him as beloved family - and of course, causing discomfort should she start slipping his control and remembering) and most of her happiest memories (leaving just the ones related to her nastiest traits, which can help twist her personality to suit his purpose for her).

* UnfortunateImplications: E is theorised to Doug's wife, Clarisa Elise Houser, a bipolar woman who was resented by Doug because of her condition. During ''Bearly Buried'', E claims to find Mama Bear alluring, which is concerning since Mama Bear is said to be the embodiment of the twisted love from abusive mothers and E's notes claim that she is drawn to Mama Bear for an unknown reason (either implying that she was deemed an abusive parent for staying with Doug despite the fighting or implying she was just as abusive as Doug because of her condition). The phrasing of this entry seems to indicate that bipolar people are unfit parents because of their conditions, or it's implying that staying in a toxic relationship makes you an abusive parent (which creates even more questions about their stance on domestic violence or other forms of abusive relationships since those relationships can form around leverage to force the abused partner to stay with them).

* BreatherLevel: ''Stranger Sewers'' is often considered to be less challenging than preceding level ''Deadly Decadence'' (see ThatOneLevel below) and succeeding level ''Crazy Carnevil''. Not only are the Dread Duckies much slower than the previous monsters, but they only become active if the player comes too close to them. With enough time and patience, a player can use Telepathy to detect the real Duckies from the fake ones and use Teleport to get past them, making it possible to go through the entire level without activating a single Ducky. This becomes even easier once Primal Fear is obtained, allowing players to stun the Duckies while they’re still in their inactive state. While the slowing effects of the sewer water may make completing the level an absolute slog (especially for those trying to achieve an S Rank), it can be counteracted using Speed Boost and is generally seen as more of an annoyance than a legitimate concern.

** Prior to the Enhanced Edition nerfing the Gold Watchers, Deadly Decadence'' was quite challenging. Similar to ''Monkey Business'', you have multiple monsters chasing after you and they can corner you if you hit a corner of the map. However, the Gold Watchers are harder to get away from. You have to keep your eyes on them in order to avoid being killed by them. They move incredibly fast when you're not locking eyes with them, which may not be an issue if your speed boost is upgraded. Once you complete the hedge maze, you have to continue the shard hunt inside the mansion, which has spike traps and swinging blades that you have to watch out for. Also, if you're not careful, you can get killed by a Watcher if you try to teleport past it.

* BreatherLevel: "Stranger Sewers" is often considered to be less challenging than preceding level "Deadly Decadence" (see ThatOneLevel below) and succeeding level "Crazy Carnevil". Not only are the Dread Duckies much slower than the previous monsters, but they only become active if the player comes too close to them. With enough time and patience, a player can use Telepathy to detect the real Duckies from the fake ones and use Teleport to get past them, making it possible to go through the entire level without activating a single Ducky. This becomes even easier once Primal Fear is obtained, allowing players to stun the Duckies while they’re still in their inactive state. While the slowing effects of the sewer water may make completing the level an absolute slog (especially for those trying to achieve an S Rank), it can be counteracted using Speed Boost and is generally seen as more of an annoyance than a legitimate concern.

** "''Monkey Business''" (the first level, mind you) can go in this territory at times. You have to deal with three Murder Monkeys, all of whom become aware of your location the moment you collect a shard, so walking or staying in place for too long is guaranteed to kill you. They also have a nasty habit of trying to corner and cut you off if they're close enough, meaning you have to focus on either collecting power shards or predict their general direction via footsteps. Thankfully, they don't move faster than the player, and if you do get away from them they will slow their movement speed (although you probably won't be able to tell anyways).
** Prior to the Enhanced Edition nerfing the Gold Watchers, "''Deadly Decadence''" was quite challenging. Similar to "Monkey Business", you have multiple monsters chasing after you and they can corner you if you hit a corner of the map. However, the Gold Watchers are harder to get away from. You have to keep your eyes on them in order to avoid being killed by them. They move incredibly fast when you're not locking eyes with them, which may not be an issue if your speed boost is upgraded. Once you complete the hedge maze, you have to continue the shard hunt inside the mansion, which has spike traps and swinging blades that you have to watch out for. Also, if you're not careful, you can get killed by a Watcher if you try to teleport past it.
** "''Bearly Buried''" also tends veer into this, especially the first zone. The aim is to [[spoiler:get the ring pieces and shards back]], and the first zone involves getting one while sneaking past a group of sleeping Trigger Teddies. Doesn't sound too bad until you realize that [[spoiler:you no longer have your powers at this point to help you.]] It doesn't help that the sleeping teddies will wake up at just the slightest noise, and escape is impossible since they move ''ridiculously'' faster than you could ever run (which is jarring compared to how fast they are most of the time). As if that wasn't enough, there's also the chance of a Trigger Teddy already looking for you, and while he's not as fast as the others you will be forced to run if he sees you, which is guaranteed to wake some of the other teddies up.

* ThatOneLevel: Prior to the Enhanced Edition nerfing the Gold Watchers, "Deadly Decadence" was quite challenging. Similar to "Monkey Business", you have multiple monsters chasing after you and they can corner you if you hit a corner of the map. However, the Gold Watchers are harder to get away from. You have to keep your eyes on them in order to avoid being killed by them. They move incredibly fast when you're not locking eyes with them, which may not be an issue if your speed boost is upgraded. Once you complete the hedge maze, you have to continue the shard hunt inside the mansion, which has spike traps and swinging blades that you have to watch out for. Also, if you're not careful, you can get killed by a Watcher if you try to teleport past it.

* BreatherLevel: "Stranger Sewers" is often considered to be less challenging than preceding level "Deadly Decadence" (see ThatOneLevel below) and succeeding level "Crazy Carnevil". Not only are the Dread Duckies much slower than the previous monsters, but they only become active if the player comes too close to them. With enough time and patience, a player can use Telepathy to detect the real Duckies from the fake ones and use Teleport to get past them, making it possible to go through the entire level without activating a single Ducky. This becomes even easier once Primal Fear is obtained, allowing players to stun the Duckies while they’re still in their inactive state. While the slowing effects of the sewer water may make completing the level an absolute slog (especially for those trying to achieve an S Rank), it can be counteracted using Speed Boost and is generally seen as more of an annoyance than a legitimate concern.

* SugarWiki/FunnyMoments: The noises Agatha makes when stunned. Her head also wobbles a little, as if she's seeing CirclingBirdies.
** The Dread Duckies' run cycle is this and NarmCharm. The [[AbsurdityAscendant absurdity of being chased by a rubber duckie running around on spindly human legs]] meshes very well with the [[FridgeLogic sinking]] [[OhCrap realization]] that if it gets within range, ''it will rip your face off.'' [[HappyDance They even do victory dances on occasion!]]
** There's something about how "Torment Therapy" begins with the hospital lobby functioning like a strip club complete with a group of Gold Watchers having tea.
** The Joy Joy Gang fit the bill for HostileAnimatronics, but they have their comedic moments as well. Most notable is Hangry's [[TrademarkFavoriteFood rib obsession]], particularly after he, Lucky and Penny are merged into [[OneWingedAngel Joy Kill]].
-->'''Hangry''': I can eat WAY more ribs with this size!
-->'''Lucky''': Hangry, why does everything gotta be about food?
-->'''Hangry''': Sorry, I just get so hungry.
** This moment in "Bearly Buried:"
-->'''Malak''': Tell me - did you put one of your ring pieces in your attic?
-->'''Mama Bear''': (slightly confused) Yes... one of them is in the attic. How did you know?
-->'''Malak''': Because he's already there and '''''he's watching us!'''''
-->''Cue Mama Bear looking up and, indeed, Doug is now watching her stare at him.''
-->'''Mama Bear''': I guess I'll deal with him now then.

* ThatOneLevel: "Deadly Decadence" is quite challenging. Similar to "Monkey Business", you have multiple monsters chasing after you and they can corner you if you hit a corner of the map. However, the Gold Watchers are harder to get away from. You have to keep your eyes on them in order to avoid being killed by them. They move incredibly fast when you're not locking eyes with them, which may not be an issue if your speed boost is upgraded. Once you complete the hedge maze, you have to continue the shard hunt inside the mansion, which has spike traps and swinging blades that you have to watch out for. Also, if you're not careful, you can get killed by a Watcher if you try to teleport past it.

-->''Cue Mama Bear looking up and, indeed, Doug is now watching her staring at him.''

* BreatherLevel: "Stranger Sewers" is often considered to be less challenging than preceding level "Deadly Decadence" (see ThatOneLevel below) and succeeding level "Crazy Carnevil". Not only are the Dread Duckies much slower than the previous monsters, but they only become active if the player comes too close to them. With enough time and patience, a player can use Telepathy to detect the real Duckies from the fake ones and use Teleport to get past them, making it possible to go through the entire level without activating a single Ducky. This becomes even easier once Primal Fear is obtained, allowing players to stun the Duckies while they’re still in their inactive state. While the slowing effects of the sewer water may make completing the level an absolute slog (especially for those trying to achieve an S Rank), it can counteracted using Speed Boost and is generally seen as more of an annoyance than a legitimate concern.

* ThatOneLevel: "Deadly Decadence" is quite challenging. Similar to "Monkey Business", you have multiple monsters chasing after you and they can corner you if you hit a corner of the map. However, the Gold Watchers are harder to get away from. You have to keep your eyes on them in order to avoid being killed by them. Not to mention that they move incredibly fast when you're not locking eyes with them, which may not be an issue if your speed boost is upgraded. Once you complete the hedge maze, you have to continue the shard hunt inside the mansion, which has spike traps and swinging blades that you have to watch out for. Also, if you're not careful, you can get killed by a Watcher if you try to teleport past it.

* ThatOneLevel: "Deadly Decadence" is quite challenging. Similar to "Monkey Business", you have multiple monsters chasing after you and they can corner you if you hit a corner of the map. However, the Gold Watchers are harder to get away from. You have to keep your eyes on them in order to avoid being killed by them. Not to mention that they move incredibly fast when you're not locking eyes with them, which may not be an issue if your speed boost is upgraded. Once you complete the hedge maze, you have to continue the shard hunt inside the mansion, which has spike traps and swinging blades that you have to watch out for. Also, if you're not careful, you can get killed by a Watcher if you try to teleport past it.

%%* BreatherLevel: "Stranger Sewers" is often considered to be easier, or at least more simple, than preceding level "Deadly Decadence" and succeeding level "Crazy Carnevil".

* ThatOneLevel: "Deadly Decadence" is quite challenging. Similar to "Monkey Business", you have multiple monsters chasing after you and they can corner you if you hit a corner of the map. However, the statues are harder to get away from. You have to keep your eyes on them in order to avoid being killed by them. Not to mention that they move incredibly fast when you're not locking eyes with them, which may not be an issue if your speed boost is upgraded. Once you complete the hedge maze, you have to continue the shard hunt inside the mansion, which has spike traps and swinging blades that you have to watch out for. Also, if you're not careful, you can get killed by a statue if you try to teleport past it.

* EvilIsSexy: Bierce has a great body, and wears a dress that evokes [[Creator/{{ElviraMistressOfTheDark}} Elvira]], and based on her backstory, she's at the very least of shaky morality.

* EvilIsSexy: Bierce wears a dress that evokes [[Creator/{{ElviraMistressOfTheDark}} Elvira]] and based on her backstory is at the very least of shaky morality.

* EvilIsSexy: Bierce.