Cabin Fever

About

Cabin Fever is a single player simulation game with a romance theme. It was developed by Steamy Buns Games and was released on July 12, 2021. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In "Cabin Fever," players must survive in a remote forest cabin while battling anomalies and resource scarcity. Use stealth and survival skills to gather resources, craft tools, and fend off supernatural enemies. With permadeath and procedural generation, each playthrough brings new challenges in this atmospheric horror experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 414 reviews

story129 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Cabin Fever features a beautiful art style and expressive character designs that enhance the emotional atmosphere of the story.
The narrative is engaging, focusing on themes of loneliness, connection, and emotional rediscovery, making it a memorable experience.
The voice acting is well done, adding depth to the characters and making the interactions feel more genuine.

The game is relatively short, with most players completing it in just a few hours, which may leave some wanting more content.
Some choices feel inconsequential, leading to a lack of significant impact on the story's progression until the very end.
The presence of multiple bad endings can be frustrating, as they may overshadow the positive outcomes and leave players feeling disheartened.

story
301 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
56%
1%
The story of the game is a poignant exploration of connection and vulnerability set against a backdrop of a pandemic, focusing on the relationship between the player character and Mallory, a cheerful and relatable character. While the narrative unfolds through intimate conversations and everyday moments, it balances emotional weight with themes of loneliness and hope, resulting in a short yet impactful experience that resonates deeply with players. Although some may find the pacing slow or the plot predictable, the heartfelt storytelling and character development have left a lasting impression on many, making it a memorable visual novel.
- “It tells a story that is both small in scale and deeply human, focusing on loneliness, connection, and vulnerability in the wake of a global catastrophe.”
- “Much of the story unfolds through gentle conversation and introspection, revealing the characters’ fears, regrets, and lingering hopes.”
- “This game is genuinely so wonderful and so well made to mess with your feelings over a beautiful story.”
- “Some players may find the narrative too slow-paced or introspective, particularly if they expect more dramatic tension or traditional plot progression.”
- “My only real complaint with the story is that the majority of the choices you make don't have any bearing on the overall story and only serve as flavor, changing some scenes slightly.”
- “The atmosphere of fear and paranoia felt completely out-of-place with how the main character is portrayed, and it feels more shoehorned in than an essential part of the story.”
emotional
101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Cabin Fever" is highlighted by its intimate storytelling and character development, which evoke a range of feelings from heartwarming joy to profound sadness. Players appreciate the game's ability to create significant emotional moments through quiet interactions and meaningful choices, making the relationships feel authentic and impactful. The hand-painted visuals and thoughtful pacing further enhance the emotional atmosphere, resulting in a memorable experience that resonates long after the game ends.
- “What follows is not a tale of heroism or apocalypse, but one of intimacy, empathy, and emotional rediscovery as two strangers find solace in each other amid the remnants of a broken world.”
- “Ultimately, Cabin Fever succeeds because it knows exactly what it wants to be—a quiet, emotional character study about finding connection in a time of isolation.”
- “This is a beautiful game, and heart-wrenching all the same.”
music
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
41%
7%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers noting its ambient quality and emotional resonance. The soundtrack features a blend of melancholy piano melodies and tranquil compositions that effectively set the mood and immerse players in the story. While some found the music to be forgettable, others highlighted its beauty and cohesion with the game's art and narrative, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact.
- “These artistic flourishes are supported by an ambient soundtrack that alternates between melancholy piano melodies and tranquil acoustic compositions.”
- “The music and visuals blend seamlessly to create a meditative mood that encourages introspection.”
- “The art, the writing, the voice acting, and even the music were all lovely, and not only that, but they were cohesive, and worked together in such a way that they each elevated each other.”
- “The music is a little forgettable.”
- “And if I were to rate the soundtrack, I'd put it at above average, but not fantastic.”
- “The music and art are very well done, certainly sets the vibes for the warm, yet lonely cabin the story takes place in.”
graphics
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
37%
8%
The graphics of "Cabin Fever" are widely praised for their stunning hand-painted aesthetic, which enhances the game's emotional atmosphere and immersive storytelling. Reviewers highlight the beautiful, intricate backgrounds and adorable character designs, often comparing the art style to that of "Stardew Valley" but with a stronger narrative focus. Overall, the visuals, combined with a well-composed soundtrack and quality voice acting, contribute significantly to the game's engaging experience.
- “Visually, Cabin Fever embraces a hand-painted aesthetic that enhances its emotional atmosphere.”
- “The background visuals are stunning and create a magnificent setting.”
- “The visuals are all fantastic, with intricate backgrounds and a highly expressive, adorable main character named Mallory.”
- “The artwork is not quite as potato as some of the pieces in 'Crush Crush', but still rather amateurish, to be frank.”
- “The art style is as always so pretty, the music was really good and did help to immerse me even more in the story... no seriously, I really recommend giving it a try!”
- “His setup is an idyllic homestead, with all the details I'd expect in that kind of setup (garden, chickens, solar and wind power, rain barrels and a cistern, etc.) In a way, the aesthetic is kind of like what you'd find in something like Stardew Valley, only with more story and less gameplay.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The gameplay in "Cabin Fever" adheres to traditional visual novel conventions, focusing on choice-driven narrative rather than extensive mechanics, reminiscent of games like Stardew Valley but with a stronger emphasis on story. Players engage in decision-making throughout chapters, leading to emotional outcomes and a captivating experience, though the overall gameplay depth is rated moderately. The game offers a brief playtime of 1-2 hours, with high praise for its realism and character engagement.
- “The gameplay is basically you making choices in different parts of the chapters and seeing the outcome of those choices.”
- “Amazing story, great gameplay, the characters are so likable and your face not being shown at all really lets you easily slip into the protagonist and be entranced into the world, and the ending really keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
- “From a gameplay standpoint, Cabin Fever follows the familiar conventions of the visual novel genre.”
- “His setup is an idyllic homestead, with all the details I'd expect in that kind of setup (garden, chickens, solar and wind power, rain barrels, and a cistern, etc.). In a way, the aesthetic is kind of like what you'd find in something like Stardew Valley, only with more story and less gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is basically you making choices in different parts of the chapters and seeing the outcome of said choices.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of darkly comedic elements, heartwarming character interactions, and funny achievements that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the balance of comedic moments with emotional depth, making it a wholesome and engaging visual novel. The inclusion of humorous scenes, particularly in the NSFW DLC, adds an extra layer of amusement, contributing to a memorable gameplay experience.
- “Overall, I heavily recommend this game to anyone that's looking for a wholesome and funny slice-of-life visual novel to play.”
- “The story and character interactions are very humorous and heart-warming.”
- “That's all the criticism I have though ^^ the artwork is beautiful, it has humor and heart, I liked that I could customize my character some, and several endings made me cry.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The atmosphere of "Cabin Fever" is characterized by a calm and pleasant ambiance, enhanced by its hand-painted visuals and emotional depth, making it a captivating experience for fans of heartfelt visual novels. While the game effectively creates a peaceful setting, some reviewers noted a lack of variety in ambient soundtracks, which could further enrich the atmosphere. Additionally, the juxtaposition of wholesome moments with elements of fear and paranoia has been critiqued as feeling somewhat disjointed within the narrative.
- “Cabin Fever is a very nice visual novel with a calm and pleasant atmosphere.”
- “Visually, Cabin Fever embraces a hand-painted aesthetic that enhances its emotional atmosphere.”
- “For fans of heartfelt visual novels that emphasize atmosphere and emotion over excess, Cabin Fever stands as a beautifully crafted experience that lingers long after the screen fades to black.”
- “The atmosphere of fear and paranoia felt completely out-of-place with how the main character is portrayed, and it feels more shoehorned in than an essential part of the story-- every part of the storyline could've happened if it were just a young off-gridder who had a young woman stumble into their property.”
- “Novel has some good music and a bunch of sound effects, but only 2 ambience tracks, and they really make an appropriate atmosphere for the place. Why not add some more for the forest or rain... or for everything, considering the fact that there are tons of free sound banks and you have voiced every line for every character (in 2 versions for the protagonist).”
- “The atmosphere ranges from wholesome contentment to unease and worry, peril, even.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players can enjoy a moderate level of replayability due to the presence of multiple endings influenced by their choices, which offer fresh perspectives on character development. However, some reviews indicate that the overall replay value is limited, with only a few distinct endings available.
- “Players who seek replayability will find reason to return, as different decisions lead to alternate endings and new insights into both characters’ personalities.”
- “Replayability: low — a few endings.”
- “Replay value: ★★★☆☆”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly when it comes to farming and navigating through dialogue that offers little variation. While the game is enjoyable and heartwarming, many suggest that it can become overwhelming and recommend purchasing it at a discount due to its grind-heavy nature.
- “This game is really good and heartwarming but kind of tedious in some parts. I got the best ending and just skipped through to get the other endings, mainly because the dialogue hardly changed. I was also expecting more for my price, but it's good; although I would say only buy it on offer. My rating for this is an 8 out of 10, still will be getting your other projects.”
- “But, it gets very tedious and a bit overwhelming just tapping away on my space bar to skim through unnecessary dialogue that I already know the outcome of based on trial and error.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization of the game is criticized as being excessively high, with users labeling it a cash grab, suggesting that even the low price of $7 is considered too steep for the value offered.
- “As it stands now, it's just an overpriced cash grab; even at $7, it's too much.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending a fortune.”
- “I feel like I'm being pressured to spend money just to keep up with the game, which ruins the experience.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users generally express uncertainty regarding the game's stability, with some questioning whether it is bug-free. Overall, there seems to be a lack of consensus on the game's performance, indicating potential stability issues.
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs.”
- “I haven't encountered any stability issues during my gameplay.”
- “The performance is consistent, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features beautiful art and well-crafted writing, complemented by strong voice acting performance, indicating a solid level of optimization in these areas.
- “The art is beautiful, the writing is well-crafted, and the performance of the voice actors is excellent.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The character development in this visual novel is highly praised, with players forming deep emotional attachments to the characters as the story unfolds, leading to impactful and memorable experiences. The narrative's ability to evoke strong emotions, including tears, highlights the effectiveness of the character arcs, making it a game that players are eager to revisit even after completing it.
- “The story in this visual novel was very good. I was playing it while a friend was watching me, and the further we got into the story, the more it made us cry. The character development was really good, as you become deeply attached to the characters. I highly recommend this visual novel, and it will stick with me forever. I will be replaying it even after I 100% complete the whole game.”
- “The character arcs are incredibly well-written, making each character feel real and relatable. Their growth throughout the story is both believable and impactful, leaving a lasting impression.”
- “I was amazed at how the characters evolved over the course of the game. Their struggles and triumphs felt genuine, and I found myself emotionally invested in their journeys.”