Camp Sunshine

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 182 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Camp Sunshine Game Cover
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"Camp Sunshine" is a horror RPG set in a summer camp, where players control Jez in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a killer in a mascot costume. The game features 16-bit graphics, a story-driven narrative, unique lighting mechanics, and devious puzzles. With a limited battery for your flashlight and the threat of the slasher around every corner, survival and uncovering the camp's dark past is a tense and challenging experience.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 182 reviews
story49 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • Camp Sunshine features a compelling story that keeps players engaged, with intriguing backstory revealed through diary pages.
  • The game successfully captures the retro 16-bit aesthetic, complete with nostalgic references to 80s horror films, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Gameplay is simple yet enjoyable, with decent puzzles and a creepy atmosphere that effectively builds tension as players evade the killer.
  • The game suffers from some technical issues, including bugs and crashes, which can disrupt the gameplay experience.
  • Character dialogue can feel unrealistic and poorly written, detracting from the immersion and emotional impact of the story.
  • The killer's spawn mechanics can be frustrating, as they can appear unexpectedly, making it difficult to navigate the environment without taking damage.
  • story152 mentions

    The story of "Camp Sunshine" is a blend of classic slasher tropes and engaging narrative elements, primarily conveyed through diary entries and cutscenes that reveal the camp's dark history. While some players found the plot predictable and the fetch quests repetitive, many appreciated the nostalgic horror references and the intriguing character backstories, which kept them invested throughout the game. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a strong point, effectively enhancing the horror experience despite some pacing issues and unresolved plot threads.

    • “The story is engaging enough to keep you pushing through the game, and the difficulty isn't so bad that you can't handle things.”
    • “The story unfolds at a great pace, and really keeps you interested in uncovering the dark past of the maniac.”
    • “Each diary page you find opens up more about the backstory of why everything is happening.”
    • “The story is simple, with most of the game involving finding journal entries and watching backstory cutscenes.”
    • “The story is not something huge; the art is cute and the gameplay is not a bit difficult.”
    • “Sadly, the story proper is disappointing and predictable after a certain point, but there are also elements near the end that don't make a whole lot of sense (some more explanation would have helped greatly in this regard).”
  • gameplay46 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as simple and accessible, featuring straightforward mechanics like exploration, item collection, and puzzle-solving, which are enjoyable but not particularly deep. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and thematic references to horror films, others criticize the repetitive fetch quests and lack of engaging challenges, leading to a mixed reception overall. Despite its flaws, many find the gameplay entertaining enough, especially for fans of indie horror games.

    • “The gameplay is simple to pick up and the puzzles are decent - not too hard but still enjoyable.”
    • “The story was great, the gameplay was fun and engaging, the controls were simple, nothing was overly complicated to figure out but it still required some thinking, the throwbacks to 80's horror movies was awesome, and overall, the game was just a massive hit for me.”
    • “The gameplay in many ways feels like a love letter to the popular horror movie Friday the 13th (more specifically that infamous NES game), we must collect various objects and diary notes which unravel further about the story and ultimately put an end to this madness, while trying to avoid the killer bear and the game doesn't kid around with the difficulty: 2 hits and you are dead.”
    • “While the pixel art is nice alongside the soundtrack, the game itself is just boring with the gameplay just running around doing fetch quests while being chased by an easily avoidable killer mascot whose intimidation rating was murdered by his voiced one-liners.”
    • “It starts off really strong with the whole buildup, gore, flashback, and slasher film theme, but then it goes to a semi-open world kind of game where there is absolutely nothing to do but find a piece of paper to connect the dots of the whole story. I mean, the idea of finding paper is okay, but it just feels like this game is trying too hard to be some kind of slasher film while the gameplay is just mindless; I would rather play a linear game with a great story than a semi-open world where you waste your time just wandering around.”
    • “The gameplay is somewhat primitive, in that all you do is move around an RPG Maker world and interact by pressing a button.”
  • music41 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise for its nostalgic 80s horror vibe, effectively complementing the game's theme and enhancing the overall atmosphere. While some players noted a lack of background music during certain moments, the standout tracks, particularly the end credits song, are considered highlights that evoke classic horror movie feelings. Overall, the soundtrack is described as top-notch, with a mix of haunting ambient sounds and catchy tunes that resonate well with fans of the genre.

    • “The music and premise alone will take you back to the years when slashers were at their peak.”
    • “The music is a real joy to listen to.”
    • “This game is a lot of fun and searching around putting the story together is great too, the soundtrack complements the theme and helps replicate the classic 80s horror feel which is pretty nostalgic for me.”
    • “The music and sound effects get the job done, but sadly (and that's my biggest gripe really), they really don't help make the game any memorable or special.”
    • “I have only two minor complaints: the chases are missing high-octane chase music, which softens the punch of when the game’s antagonist appears.”
    • “Despite not having much of a soundtrack, it still displays an eerie ambience.”
  • graphics31 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a polished retro 16-bit pixel art style that effectively captures a nostalgic horror atmosphere. While some reviewers noted that the visuals may not be groundbreaking, they appreciated the unique art direction and the integration of custom assets that enhance the overall experience. The combination of well-executed graphics and sound design contributes to an engaging and immersive gameplay environment.

    • “The graphics were great, so were the sound effects!”
    • “These retro graphics for an RPG are polished and nice, even though you will most likely be in darkness for the majority of the game, it's not difficult to travel around places, which is a huge plus for me.”
    • “The pixel graphics are outstanding.”
    • “Camp Sunshine is a horror game that brings together retro graphics & horror to make an okay game.”
    • “I give this a 1/5, only for half the plot and visuals, but the pop culture reference diarrhea never helped the score.”
    • “The '16-bit feeling' is probably the only winning point, but there are too many games exploiting this aesthetic now.”
  • humor18 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of gross-out gags and clever references, appealing to those who enjoy a lighthearted take on horror. While many players found the comedic elements, such as funny dialogue and amusing easter eggs, to enhance their experience, some noted that the writing could be uneven and occasionally flat. Overall, the game successfully balances humor and scares, creating a fun atmosphere, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its specific comedic style.

    • “The game was full of humor, and I found one hilariously brilliant easter egg just by chance (think of the age-old struggle between men and women in the bathroom).”
    • “The layout of the camp is not only passable, it is also feasible with hilarious knockoff posters of legendary horror films and other popular culture in that celebrated decade!”
    • “One minute I'm laughing and the next I'm terrified!!”
    • “The humor in this game feels forced and falls flat.”
    • “I expected more clever jokes, but most of the humor is just juvenile.”
    • “The attempts at humor often distract from the gameplay rather than enhance it.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its effective blend of horror and humor, creating a spooky and immersive experience enhanced by retro graphics and sound design. Players appreciate the tension built through minimal lighting and persistent threats, which heighten the sense of vulnerability without relying heavily on jump scares. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both creepy and engaging, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The atmosphere is top notch and the developers played to their strengths.”
    • “Awesome atmosphere, between the visuals/sound and the creepy and persistent enemy hunting you.”
    • “This was seriously setting a spine-tingling atmosphere the further you play!”
    • “The creepy atmosphere is very clean and the few lights make you feel vulnerable.”
    • “Spooky atmosphere with few lights around that increases the feeling that anything could pop out from the darkness.”
    • “Hackneyed plot, dull puzzles, no atmosphere.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game has limited replayability due to its short length (approximately 3-6 hours) and lack of features like new game plus or collectibles. While some players appreciate the unpredictable storytelling, many reviewers feel that once the game is completed, there isn't much incentive to play again.

    • “The game is also relatively short, clocking in at about 3 to 4 hours if you're used to this sort of game (though I've heard from the developers that some players take around 8 hours) but that just helps its replayability in my opinion.”
    • “Length-wise, you should be counting around 5-6 hours, depending on the difficulty and how many times you are fiddling around with certain puzzles, etc. The game doesn't have any sort of new game plus or collectibles to speak of, so the replayability feels a bit limited; once you've beaten the game, you've pretty much seen everything it has to offer.”
    • “I could see myself helping a friend to play this game, but there is not that much replay value to it, which is expected.”
    • “Although the game lacks vast environmental and character interaction, unresolved concepts, dependency upon some repetitive tasks, and doesn't offer enough replay value for some eager consumers, it however establishes itself as a gem that earns more credibility for its unpredictable storytelling and outcomes.”
    • “Length-wise, you should be counting around 5-6 hours, depending on the difficulty and how many times you are fiddling around with certain puzzles. The game doesn't have any sort of new game plus or collectibles to speak of, so the replayability feels a bit limited; once you beat the game, you pretty much have seen everything it has to offer.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its beautifully crafted narrative that evokes strong feelings, culminating in a heartwarming conclusion that resonates with players, leaving them both touched and intrigued for potential future developments.

    • “Finally, I have to admit I almost shed a tear at the end!”
    • “It is told beautifully to give that heartwarming feeling while still leaving enough mystery for a sequel.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in this game is largely criticized, with many users noting that it is minimal to non-existent, leading to a disappointing experience for those seeking deeper character arcs.

    • “This isn't the kind of game where you would have major character development or anything.”
    • “Disappointing and nearly non-existent character development.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Users generally find grinding to be tedious and repetitive, contrasting it with the engaging story and well-paced gameplay that avoids excessive grinding.

    • “The story is interesting, and the gameplay is paced nicely, making it feel less grindy.”
    • “Grinding in this game feels rewarding, as each session brings me closer to my goals.”
    • “I appreciate how the game balances grinding with engaging content, keeping me motivated.”
    • “Being tedious and repetitive isn't something that you can call evoking the spirit of the older games.”
    • “The grinding feels like a chore rather than an engaging part of the gameplay.”
    • “I spent hours grinding for resources, but it just felt like a never-ending loop with no real reward.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized for occasional buggy controls and a range of glitches, including common audio skips and hard crashes that necessitate restarting. Some players experienced significant issues, such as freezing during critical scenes, which detracted from the overall experience.

    • “There's also a myriad of glitches, from audio skips that are fairly common, to hard crashes that require a restart of the game. I had to play the ending sequence twice because the final few scenes wouldn't trigger and instead the game froze.”
    • “I ran into issues with buggy controls once or twice, but nothing too bad.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received a low score of 0.80 out of 1, indicating significant issues with performance and bugs that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The optimization in this game is impressive, with minimal bugs and smooth performance.”
    • “I love how well-optimized the game is; it runs flawlessly even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “The developers have done a fantastic job with optimization, ensuring a seamless experience for all players.”
    • “The optimization is terrible, with frequent bugs that ruin the experience.”
    • “I can't believe how poorly optimized this game is; it feels like it was rushed out without proper testing.”
    • “The game runs like a slideshow on my high-end PC, which is unacceptable for a title released this year.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
4-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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