Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout

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Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout is a single player survival survival game with horror and thriller themes. It was developed by Rayll and was released on October 20, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout" is the fourth episode in the anthology of a psychological horror game. As Jack Nelson, a fire lookout, you explore Ironbark State Park and survive by making the right choices. This first-person narrative walking simulator features exploration, driving, and conversation mechanics, set in an atmospheric environment with photo-realistic graphics.

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Single-Player

Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout screenshot

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,730 reviews

story169 positive mentions

stability36 negative mentions

Incredible atmosphere and sound design that creates a sense of dread.
Engaging story with unexpected twists and well-timed jump scares.
The game effectively combines cozy moments with horror, making it a unique experience.

The game is quite short, lasting only about 2 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
Several bugs and glitches can disrupt gameplay, including issues with item interactions and soft locks.
The ending feels rushed and leaves some plot points unresolved, which may disappoint players looking for closure.

story
413 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
56%
3%
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its atmospheric and immersive qualities, as well as its basis in true events, which adds a layer of realism to the horror experience. However, several reviewers noted that the narrative often feels underdeveloped, with some plot points lacking closure and depth, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction. Overall, while the storytelling is engaging and has its strengths, many players desire a more substantial and cohesive narrative.
- “The storytelling is compelling and character-driven, drawing players into Jack’s world and the mystery lurking within the forest.”
- “The story being told in Ironbark Lookout is amazing, and even weeks after beating it, I'm still thinking about the events that unfolded, since the stories being told are based on true stories.”
- “The game's attention to detail and immersive storytelling contribute to a truly captivating experience that keeps me on the edge of my seat.”
- “The story is linear and so is each action.”
- “The story and ending are a bit disappointing - no real conclusion.”
- “The whole concept of the series is to show a real story that happened to someone, but the realism in this game just wasn't there.”
atmosphere
226 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively blending visual design, sound, and storytelling to create a sense of dread and tension. Many players appreciate the nostalgic and eerie vibes reminiscent of classic horror, with the setting—often in isolated, wooded areas—enhancing the overall experience. While some critiques mention gameplay mechanics detracting from the atmosphere, the consensus is that the game excels in crafting a haunting and engaging environment that keeps players on edge.
- “The atmosphere makes it scary, and I really like the visual design.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing and I love the graphics; it feels nostalgic with a great amount of creepiness.”
- “The atmosphere builds a creeping sense of paranoia, making every sound and shadow feel threatening.”
- “However, the way the story is told, with no building of tension and sporadic ‘in-your-face’ jump scares, does nothing to inspire fear or create a threatening atmosphere.”
- “This game is 90% mundane pointless filler such as eating, making a weather report, and walking up and down the stairs to make a fire; the rest is 8% atmosphere, and 2% jumpscares.”
gameplay
169 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
69%
7%
The gameplay of "Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout" has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating its immersive atmosphere and engaging mechanics, such as daily tasks and exploration. However, many criticized the inconsistency and redundancy of certain mechanics, like the bathroom and cooking tasks, which detracted from the overall experience. While the game offers a gripping narrative and some innovative gameplay elements, it suffers from bugs and a lack of depth in its mechanics, leading to a somewhat linear and limited gameplay experience.
- “The game has a simple yet effective gameplay loop for the first chunk of it: each night, you must take measurements using your instruments and report them on the virtual screen-within-a-screen computer located on your desk.”
- “Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout is a gripping entry in the episodic psychological horror series by Rayll Studios that successfully blends atmospheric storytelling with immersive gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is solid, and the scares are well-executed, keeping you on the edge of your seat.”
- “The lack of interactive gameplay kills the feeling of being in real danger.”
- “Tasks like replenishing firewood or assembling a casserole feel like padding rather than meaningful gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is extremely linear - there are invisible barriers everywhere and some areas need specific items to allow you to progress.”
graphics
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
4%
The graphics of the game have received a mix of praise and critique, with many players appreciating the nostalgic VHS and retro aesthetic that enhances the horror atmosphere. While some noted the graphics as charming and well-executed, others felt they were simplistic or static, leading to performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the unique art style and attention to detail contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience, despite some players wishing for more graphical refinement.
- “This game perfectly blends suspense, horror, and beautiful graphics into one.”
- “The graphics are fantastic; they have a unique, dope style and are exceptionally well-polished.”
- “The grainy, analog-inspired visuals give the whole experience a dreamlike, almost distorted quality, making you question what’s real and what’s paranoia.”
- “The graphics, if you're a fan of the PS1 style, are top-notch, and the game excels in creating a crazy-good atmosphere while paying great attention to detail.”
- “Waste of 6 dollars, game crashes frequently, Minecraft has better graphics; actually, so does Roblox.”
music
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
42%
7%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and tension, with many reviewers praising its quality and effectiveness in creating a chilling experience. While some noted instances of music feeling out of place or too loud during certain sequences, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's horror elements and immersive storytelling. Many players recommend experiencing the game with headphones to fully appreciate the sound design and music.
- “The atmosphere and music/sounds were brilliant, and Rayll Studios nailed it again!”
- “The music is very well done and adds a lot of tension to scenes.”
- “The soundtrack mixed with set pieces, lighting, and general atmosphere gives you a true sensation of isolation against a threat.”
- “The music in the diner’s jukebox felt out of place, the iPhone-style text messaging interface didn’t make sense (iPhones didn’t exist until 2007), and the depiction of digital photography was far too advanced.”
- “Shitty rap music plays on the radios.”
- “Could have been even better with a little refinement: some of the tech was not period correct and some of the music was annoying/didn't fit the setting.”
stability
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a significant number of bugs, glitches, and spelling errors that detract from the overall experience. While some users found the gameplay enjoyable despite these issues, many noted that the glitches can break immersion and lead to frustrating moments, such as getting stuck or encountering nonsensical interactions. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with many recommending it only if future updates address these stability concerns.
- “There is still the same simple formula that feels very low effort, with a massive amount of spelling and grammatical mistakes, no main menu or settings/pause button, and numerous bugs and glitches.”
- “Far too many glitches to overlook for the weak storyline and plot; better off throwing your money into a fire and then going ghost hunting in real life.”
- “This game is a buggy mess, I'm afraid.”
humor
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending unintentional comedic moments with intentional gags, such as quirky character interactions and amusing sound effects. Players appreciate the balance of humor and horror, often finding themselves laughing during tense moments, which enhances the overall experience. The game's lighthearted elements, including funny activities and character designs, contribute to its charm, making it enjoyable even amidst the scares.
- “The UI is clunky at best, and the fact that throwing anything you hold in your hands is the only option you have to put something down makes for some unintentionally funny situations.”
- “It's the little things, like having your anxiety about what's inhabiting the woods down below your lookout tower temporarily broken by hilarious (but realistic) sound effects of eating as you sit down in your bed to enjoy some pasta, or peeing off the side of the tower at night, that elevate this experience beyond a typical horror game.”
- “Not only does this game have great ambiance, but it also has some humor elements with a beautiful amount of thought put into them.”
- “Some funny bugs.”
grinding
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The grinding aspect of the game is overwhelmingly criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, requiring players to engage in mindless tasks that detract from the overall experience. Many reviewers express that the grinding feels like a time-consuming checklist, with mechanics that are janky and uninteresting, leading to frustration and a sense of pointless padding throughout the gameplay. Overall, players feel that the grinding significantly hampers enjoyment and progression.
- “What comes of this is a tedious checklist game that pads out the runtime because there's nothing interesting going on between major story beats.”
- “If you want tedious mindless chores that add nothing to the story for its entirety, then this is basically the game for you.”
- “The vast majority of the game is doing tedious tasks like noting the wind speed, weather, temperature, and having to manually type out your character's name every single night before you can go to bed and progress to the actual horror that you paid to experience.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to create a strong atmosphere that fosters a deep connection to the story, making players feel genuinely immersed and anxious throughout their experience. While some narrative elements and character interactions may feel underdeveloped, the game's eerie ambiance and impactful moments evoke intense feelings of unease and anticipation, leaving a lasting emotional impression. Overall, it successfully elicits a range of emotions, from anxiety to connection, making it a standout in the genre.
- “This subtle but impactful mechanic sets Ironbark Lookout apart from many other walking simulators and horror games, fostering a stronger emotional connection to the unfolding story.”
- “A game has never made me feel as uneasy and anxious as this game did.”
- “Great atmosphere, creates a lot of emotional build up and waits until the very end to hit you with the real danger.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Overall, the game is criticized for its lack of replayability, with many players noting that while the initial experience is enjoyable, there is little incentive to play it again due to its short length and predictable storyline. Some users express a desire for additional modes or content to enhance replay value.
- “I love the Fears to Fathoms series, but I would like more replay value, like an endless mode.”
- “The story is great, but you can only play it once and maybe come back to it in a year, as you already know the story.”
- “The game also has no replay value whatsoever.”
- “10 euros for two hours worth of gameplay, and honestly zero replayability.”
- “Love the Fears to Fathoms series, but I would like more replay value, like an endless mode.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting poor performance that detracts from the overall experience, including issues like a lack of a proper pause menu for adjusting settings and various bugs. Many feel that the visual quality does not compensate for the performance problems, leading to frustration during gameplay and streaming.
- “The game is poorly optimized, making it difficult to adjust settings on the fly, as there's no proper pause menu during gameplay.”
- “I attempted to stream the game, but its lack of optimization severely impacted the overall experience.”
- “Performance is still awful with no benefit to visual quality, slightly hidden by a tape filter which I suspect might be the reason behind overheating.”
- “I also tried to stream it, but it was so unoptimized that it killed the experience.”
- “It's horribly optimized; there's no proper pause menu during gameplay to change your settings, so you just have to restart the game and go back to the title screen.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is perceived as reasonable for an indie title, with players acknowledging its decent pricing despite feeling that the overall experience is rushed and somewhat unpolished. While some view it as a potential cash grab, others appreciate the effort and love put into the game, particularly in the horror genre.
- “Overall, the game feels rushed and unpolished, like a 2-hour cash grab.”
- “I have always hated camping for many reasons, so this adds to the nope factor x100.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is enhanced by a blend of humor and a retro art design that effectively sets the mood, contributing to a charming and engaging experience.
- “There's good humor sprinkled throughout, the art design sets the mood, and character designs have a decent retro feel to them.”

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2h Median play time

8h Average play time

2-8h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout is a survival survival game with horror and thriller themes.

Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Windows and PlayStation.

On average players spend around 8 hours playing Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout.

Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout was released on October 20, 2023.

Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout was developed by Rayll.

Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout is a single player game.

Similar games include Fears to Fathom: Carson House, Fears to Fathom: Norwood Hitchhike, Fears to Fathom: Home Alone, Summer of '58, The Closing Shift and others.

Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout

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