Fears to Fathom: Carson House
- January 9, 2023
- Rayll
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Fears to Fathom: Carson House" is a narrative-driven horror adventure game. Players uncover the dark secrets of the Carson family as they explore the eerie mansion and interact with various objects and characters. The game features a unique fear management system, where players' decisions and level of fear affect the story's outcome.
Reviews
- The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, creating a sense of dread throughout the game.
- The story is engaging and features more interactive elements compared to previous episodes.
- The addition of security cameras and the grocery shopping mechanic adds depth to the gameplay.
- There are several bugs that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with checkpoints and item interactions.
- The game can feel overly linear, with little room for player choice or exploration.
- Some players found the pacing slow, particularly in the grocery shopping segment.
- story148 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story in "Fears to Fathom: Carson House" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging and immersive narrative that builds tension through realistic horror elements. While some players found the plot to be more complex and better paced than previous episodes, others criticized it for being linear and at times tedious, with certain gameplay mechanics feeling irrelevant to the overall story. Overall, the game is noted for its atmospheric storytelling and effective scares, making it a compelling experience for fans of psychological horror.
“Fears to Fathom - Carson House continues the episodic horror series with a gripping, atmospheric experience that once again excels in building tension through its unsettling storytelling of real events and immersive gameplay.”
“The story takes a slow-burn approach, much like the previous entries, but Carson House stands out for its more complex plot with hints of what's going on in the background and better pacing.”
“It's incredibly immersive with great use of atmosphere, the world design itself, all the tiny easter-egg-esque details that string together the concepts, and the many twists and turns the story takes as you go along.”
“There were multiple instances where I was unsure of what to do next in order to progress the plot, and trying to figure that out was quite tedious.”
“Unfortunately, despite the anthology format seeking to adapt 'true' stories, these games are all getting to be mirror images of each other where the story and gameplay boil down to 'explore your sleep quarters for the night, something kinda spooky happens, hide.'”
“I had been waiting for episode 3 for a long time, but the story was underwhelming at the end.”
- atmosphere76 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively building tension and fear throughout the experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a captivating environment through sound design, world-building, and visual style, although some note that pacing issues and technical glitches can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of atmospheric horror.
“The atmosphere is spot-on.”
“This game builds a great atmosphere with heart-racing intensity that lasts from start to finish.”
“The developer really knows how to set the right atmosphere and ambiance for a horror game.”
“I spent like an hour just restarting the final checkpoint to die and die and die... I'm just not a huge fan of the game; the atmosphere is fine, but it takes far too long for the scares to start, and even when they do, it's immediately overshadowed by confusion and annoyance. If you like these kinds of games, then feel free to try it out, but I personally would not recommend it.”
“It's okay, as I said, not really interesting characters and the worst atmosphere.”
“There is a glitch that made it so that it played the pizza eating noise throughout the rest of the game, and it ruined the atmosphere so much; other than that, good game.”
- gameplay67 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this horror series is characterized by simple mechanics that effectively build tension and atmosphere, though some players find it too linear and repetitive across episodes. While new features like security cameras add some depth, they often lack the complexity to significantly enhance the experience. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and immersive, but opinions vary on its innovation and value for the price.
“Perfect horror with nice mini gameplay mechanics and great scary moments.”
“The gameplay mechanics are relatively simple, but the game’s strength lies in its ability to keep players on edge through effective pacing and suspenseful build-up.”
“Incredibly good short horror stories that all come with interesting twists and gameplay mechanics that elevate the games into a truly immersive experience.”
“I usually love games that don't overtly state the objectives, but here you can't follow your own path to the end goal due to the strictly linear gameplay design.”
“Unfortunately, despite the anthology format seeking to adapt 'true' stories, these games are all getting to be mirror images of each other where the story and gameplay boil down to 'explore your sleep quarters for the night, something kinda spooky happens, hide.'”
“Where episode 2 felt extremely fresh and new while still having the same gameplay mechanics, this feels like a bad rehash of episode 1 even down to sitting at the TV while eating food and creepy stuff going on around you, and it's a lot less clear in what it wants you to do.”
- graphics43 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game maintain a consistent style with previous installments, often described as reminiscent of late '80s and early '90s aesthetics, which effectively contributes to the game's atmosphere. While some players appreciate the unique VHS-inspired visuals and find them fitting for the horror genre, others note that the graphics could be improved. Overall, the art style is praised for enhancing the eerie experience, with many players enjoying the nostalgic charm it brings.
“The story, the sound design, the visuals, everything is just perfect.”
“In terms of visuals, the game nails that VHS-style aesthetic, one of the best I've seen in an indie horror game.”
“What I loved most (about all of the games actually) are the graphics and how it creates quite a comforting and cozy dynamic yet still makes me terrified that something horrible is about to happen.”
“Graphics are very late 80s, early 90s; however, it does contribute to the game's atmosphere.”
“Also horrible graphics.”
“The graphics are more or less the same, but now the people have more polygons; the OST is brilliantly creepy and plays the tension far higher than it otherwise would be.”
- music22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its ability to enhance the horror atmosphere and create a sense of dread. The soundtrack is described as eerie and intense, effectively contributing to the game's overall tension and immersion. However, some users noted that the music could be overused in certain sections, detracting from the experience.
“The music is suitably creepy, and the sound effects will make your skin crawl.”
“Great atmosphere due to graphic style, creepy music, and occurrences in the game that develop an eerie atmosphere.”
“The thick-as-mustard dramatic music.”
“Music sucks though.”
“The scary music was used a little bit too much in the intro section where nothing was really happening.”
“Two things I think could be improved are the music and the way you progress and cues.”
- stability12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, leading to a frustrating experience for players. Many users reported crashes, confusing triggers, and overall instability, detracting from the enjoyment of the gameplay. Despite its potential, the game's technical issues need significant improvement before it can be considered stable.
“This game is my favorite out of the FTF games, but it's way too buggy.”
“Fix your glitches before charging money for a broken game.”
“It's extremely buggy, and some of the triggers are way too specific, leaving you confused about what you are actually supposed to do.”
- humor11 mentions
- 91 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's humor is highlighted through its optional conversations, quirky in-game ads, and bizarre horror shorts, which provide a mix of hilarity and eeriness. Players appreciate the comedic elements, including funny bugs and the creator's unique sense of humor, making for an entertaining experience that balances jump scares with laughter. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
“Also, the game is really funny, shown by the optional conversations you can have and the TV ads that play during the game.”
“A few great jump scares and the in-game videos are somehow funny and disturbing all at once.”
“You also see the creator's sense of humor at times, which I appreciate.”
“Some funny bugs.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often leading to frustration and a lack of engagement with the plot. While some enjoy the achievement farming, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a chore that detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It's so tediously boring that by the time you get to the 'action', you don't care anymore.”
“There were multiple instances where I was unsure of what to do next in order to progress the plot, and trying to figure that out was quite tedious.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the potential for multiple endings, others find the short playtime limits its longevity. The story's unsettling nature adds a layer of intrigue, but many feel that it doesn't encourage repeated playthroughs beyond exploring different outcomes.
“Marvelous and replayable!”
“Replay value - longevity and replayability.”
“And the bit of replay value that comes from trying to find possible endings makes this all the more worthwhile!”
“Replay value is lacking, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
“The game offers minimal replay value, which diminishes its overall longevity.”
“The bit of replay value that comes from trying to find possible endings makes this all the more worthwhile!”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game's design effectively evokes feelings of vulnerability and panic, particularly through spatial arrangements that heighten anxiety about potential threats. This emotional intensity leads to genuine discomfort, with some players expressing a strong visceral reaction that lingers even after gameplay.
“The sofa placement made me feel incredibly vulnerable, with my back facing an open space - on the left a window suggesting that a total creep could be staring at me at any moment - and on the right, I kept expecting someone to burst through the door.”
“It made me feel genuine panic, especially with the fear of being followed, which is one of my personal nightmares.”
“This game gave me goosebumps and made me feel super uncomfortable.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally considered average, with smooth performance and appealing visuals enhanced by a spooky found footage effect. While it meets basic expectations, it does not stand out in terms of optimization compared to other titles.
“The game runs smoothly (not sure what others are saying about performance) and looks really nice with a spooky found footage effect.”
“Performance or gameplay meets the passing mark but remains average.”
“Performance and gameplay meet the passing mark but remain average.”
“The game suffers from frequent frame drops and stuttering, making it hard to enjoy.”
“Optimization issues lead to long loading times and inconsistent performance across different hardware.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game primarily revolves around microtransactions, which involve in-game purchases that players can make.
“Microtransactions are well-balanced and don't feel intrusive.”
“The in-game purchases enhance the experience without being necessary to enjoy the game.”
“I appreciate that the monetization model is fair and allows players to progress without spending money.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for being overshadowed by numerous red herrings, leading to a lack of depth for the central antagonist, who ultimately does not receive the development they warrant.
“This short little narrative is loaded with more red herrings than a season of Scooby-Doo. There are so many red herrings that the game forgets to give the central antagonist any of the major character development they probably deserve.”
