Bump in the Night
- July 29, 2024
- Absolutely Cookage
Get on Steam"Bump in the Night" is a horror game where you play as a child experiencing night terrors. You must examine your home and determine if something is amiss, such as objects in the wrong place or strange creatures lurking. The game is inspired by other horror titles and requires you to escape the dream and wake up to survive. Average playtime ranges from 15-90 minutes.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a compelling premise and a detailed environment that enhances the horror experience.
- Peanut, the stuffed rabbit, is a well-designed character that adds charm and spookiness to the game.
- The atmosphere is praised for its nostalgic yet fresh visuals, making it a solid addition to indie horror titles.
- The pixelated graphics and 32-bit filter make it difficult to discern important details, undermining the gameplay.
- The game lacks clear instructions, leaving players confused about objectives and how to win.
- Movement speed is slow, making navigation tedious and frustrating, especially in a horror setting.
- graphics16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the nostalgic yet fresh visuals and the clean, detailed environments that contribute to a strong atmosphere. However, others criticize the pixelated style, arguing that it hampers clarity and makes it difficult to discern important details, leading to a disconnect with the horror elements. Overall, while the visuals may appeal to indie horror fans, they are seen as a divisive choice that may not suit everyone's taste.
“The game's visuals are clean and detailed; all within a very well lit environment.”
“Nostalgic yet fresh visuals and a super solid addition to the library of anyone who appreciates great indie horror titles.”
“Really good atmosphere thanks to both the visuals and sound design!”
“I feel like pixelated graphics don't mix too well with this type of game, as they make it way too difficult to discern required details.”
“I'm not going to say the visuals are ugly... but putting a 32-bit filter over everything certainly was a choice.”
“While there are a few creative scares here and there, most of them are underwhelming and utterly forgettable; no thanks to the completely static graphics.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Bump in the Night" features a simple premise and a nostalgic 32-bit aesthetic, but it ultimately falls short due to its ineffective core mechanics, which render puzzles obscure and diminish the horror experience. While the game has potential as a retro title, its execution leads to a lackluster experience that fails to engage players fully.
“This little horror game has a very simple but compelling premise, a tried and true gameplay hook (while fully acknowledging which game it was inspired from; the game being the exit 8), intentionally dated 3D visuals, and made by an indie developer to boot; which I always love seeing.”
“Let me just drop the bomb right away: bump in the night's basic gameplay concept simply does not work.”
“The 32-bit filter, while probably would make for a darn good GBA game, looks ugly, and it undermines the core game mechanic, making both the puzzles obscure and the scares bland.”
“30 minutes of gameplay managed to undo 30 years of toilet training and make me wet myself in fear.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story revolves around exploring a two-story, eight-room house with a basement, where players must search for clues each time they wake up. While the main character and the central narrative are well-received, opinions on other elements of the story are mixed, with some aspects deemed lacking.
“I like the main story, the main character, and I really liked the main monster, but everything else just isn't very good.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with users highlighting its captivating visuals and sound design that contribute to an enjoyable experience. Many reviewers express their love for the game's unique style, reinforcing the overall positive sentiment towards its immersive environment.
“Really good atmosphere thanks to both the visuals and sound design!”
“Very fun game, amazing atmosphere, loved the style!”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is largely absent, with players noting that the only notable piece is the title theme.
“The music is non-existent, aside from the title theme.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the stark contrast between the child's traumatic experiences, reflected in his disturbing nightmares filled with dark imagery, and his innocent, wholesome hobbies, such as drawing and reading about animals. This duality creates a poignant exploration of the impact of trauma on a young mind.
“The kid clearly has seen some messed up things in his time, with nightmares having devilish imagery, blood and gore, and sharp objects (among other anomalies); but he appears to have normal and wholesome hobbies, with all his drawings hanging up in his room, and all the animal books and things.”
