Christmas Nightmare

About

Christmas Nightmare is a single player survival simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by JustTomcuk and was released on December 3, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Christmas Nightmare" is a 60-minute horror game set on New Year's Eve. Players take on the role of Connor, a man who only wants to relax with a beer and watch sports. However, the evening takes a turn for the worse as the atmosphere of celebration turns into one of terror. The game features traces in the snow and fireworks, adding to the eerie atmosphere. The goal is to uncover the source of the horror and survive the night.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 143 reviews

story26 positive mentions

optimization2 negative mentions

The game features beautiful graphics and a festive atmosphere, making it visually appealing.
It has a charming story with a heartfelt message about the impact of small choices, adding depth to the gameplay.
The jump scares, while sometimes predictable, effectively contribute to the overall horror experience.

The game is very short, typically lasting around an hour, which may not justify the price for some players.
There are performance issues, including frame rate drops and loading screens that disrupt the flow of gameplay.
Some jump scares feel cheap and predictable, detracting from the overall horror experience.

story
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
22%
15%
The story of "Christmas Nightmare" is described as simple yet impactful, emphasizing the significance of small choices made throughout the game. While some players found the narrative engaging and charming, others noted it could become tedious and confusing at times. Overall, the game combines a visually stunning atmosphere with a mix of jump scares and a sweet, albeit surface-level, horror story.
- “This game also had a charm with its translation and nice little story with a good message that all your choices are impactful, even the small ones.”
- “A visually stunning game with a few good jump scares and great atmosphere, a simple but surprisingly sweet and yet terrifying story that takes about an hour to play.”
- “I really enjoyed the story that was told here.”
- “It's got a decent, yet confusing story since I wasn't sure if I had killed my family or not.”
- “But I also have to admit that after a little bit, the story did get a little tedious after a while but still pulled you in to see what happened next.”
- “Story is very surface level.”
graphics
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
11%
6%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beauty and vibrant colors, contributing to a visually appealing experience, especially during festive scenes. However, some players reported issues with frame rate drops and persistent loading screens that detracted from the overall aesthetic. Despite these drawbacks, the visuals are considered a strong point, enhancing the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
- “This was a lovely festive horror game with beautiful graphics and colorful scenery.”
- “The lighting and graphics in this game are incredible!!!”
- “The visuals are beautiful.”
- “I experienced numerous frame rate drops no matter what I selected in the graphic options, especially when turning.”
- “The graphic options also do not save and always revert to medium for everything.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
13%
14%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its visually stunning design and intense, creepy ambiance, effectively enhancing the horror experience with numerous jump scares. Reviewers note that it creates a dark, tense environment that is particularly fitting for the holiday season, combining a sweet yet terrifying narrative with a strong sense of immersion. Overall, the atmosphere is described as unsettling and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “An hour of atmospheric, seasonal horror to help get you into the Christmas spirit!”
- “Dark, tense atmosphere abounds in this fun holiday horror game.”
- “Loved the atmosphere and detail in the game setting.”
- “Atmosphere is unsettling at times but not creepy in itself.”
- “Lots of jump scares and a really intense spooky atmosphere.”
- “Very creepy atmosphere.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
The gameplay is described as simple and cozy, featuring a unique blend of Christmas spirit with horror elements. However, many users feel that the game offers limited content, with only about an hour of playtime, suggesting it may not be worth the full price and recommending waiting for a sale.
- “It's simple (both plot and gameplay) and a nice game, pretty cozy.”
- “Here is my YouTube gameplay, loved the mix of Christmas spirit but with a horror twist.”
- “Gameplay here:”
- “Considering the full price point of this game is $7.39 NZD, and you're getting barely an hour of gameplay, I'd have to say to wait for a sale; it's not worth spending almost $5 USD on this.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt message about the importance of checking on loved ones during the holiday season, blending warmth with horror. Reviewers note that the game evokes feelings reminiscent of a dark twist on "A Christmas Carol," effectively combining wholesome themes with a chilling atmosphere. Overall, it delivers a short yet impactful emotional experience.
- “Every one of his games has a heartfelt message, this one being to check on your loved ones during Christmas and to not be a donkey.”
- “It's short, but wholesome... for a horror game.”
- “The message of the game itself, I admit, was a nice message and made me feel this is what would happen if 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens went the full-on horror route with Krampus in the mix.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The music in the game is well-timed and complements the gameplay, but many users express a desire for adjustable volume options, especially as the music can be excessively loud towards the end. Overall, while the music enhances the experience, the lack of volume control is a notable drawback.
- “The music is on cue, and the tasks are decent.”
- “It would’ve also been nice to see some options to turn down the music volume, particularly for the end of the game, as it’s loud.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the antics of a comical elf character, which provides some lighthearted moments and occasional jump scares. Additionally, players found amusement in engaging in silly activities, such as setting off fireworks to annoy neighbors, contributing to an overall playful atmosphere despite the game's lack of genuine scares.
- “The little elf guy was hilarious and got me to jump one or two times, but this game isn't very scary at all.”
- “Oh, and lighting off fireworks for 10 minutes was hilarious just to annoy the neighbors.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game suffers from poor optimization, leading to subpar performance despite being a decent indie horror experience. Users consistently note that improvements in optimization are needed for a better gameplay experience.
- “This is a cheap first-person indie horror game with poor optimization.”
- “Decent little horror game, just the performance could be better.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game can become tedious over time, yet it remains engaging enough to keep them invested in the story's progression.
- “The grinding became tedious after a while, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
- “After a while, the repetitive nature of the grinding made the experience feel more like a chore than fun.”
- “I found myself losing interest due to the excessive grinding required to progress in the game.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers minimal replayability, particularly after players have completed the achievements, leading to a lack of incentive to revisit the content.
- “Very little replayability after you get the achievements.”