Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,101 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • gameplay
Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout Game Cover
Starting at $5.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on itch.io Store

"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.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,101 reviews
story68 positive mentions
stability22 negative mentions
  • The game has an incredibly immersive atmosphere that keeps players on edge throughout.
  • The jump scares are well-executed and genuinely frightening, enhancing the horror experience.
  • The addition of interactive elements, such as the mini-game and the ability to perform mundane tasks, adds depth to the gameplay.
  • The game is plagued by bugs that can disrupt gameplay, including soft locks and issues with item interactions.
  • The story feels rushed towards the end, leaving many plot points unresolved and diminishing the overall impact.
  • The lack of an in-game menu for adjusting settings and saving progress is frustrating and detracts from the user experience.
  • story172 mentions

    The game's story receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging atmosphere and interesting premise, particularly when based on true events. However, many criticize the narrative for being underdeveloped, with unresolved plot points and a lack of depth in character exploration. Overall, while the story has its moments of tension and creepiness, it often feels rushed or clichéd, leaving players wanting more substance and clarity.

    • “The story was really spooky and the jump scares were great.”
    • “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 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 end of the story is non-existent.”
    • “If you want tedious mindless chores that add nothing to the story for its entirety, then this is basically the game for you.”
    • “But if we all are honest, the story in this game is all over the place and doesn't appear very realistic nor does it make much sense.”
  • atmosphere109 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its chilling and immersive qualities, effectively blending cozy moments with well-timed scares that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in sound design and environmental storytelling, which create a sense of isolation and tension, reminiscent of classic horror themes. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal and effectiveness as a horror experience.

    • “The ambient background sounds set the vibe immediately, and instantly creates an ominous atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere really fits the game, and it just adds to the spookiness.”
    • “The atmosphere set up in these is so chilling, even at the start.”
    • “The ambient background sounds set the vibe immediately, and instantly create an ominous atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is very unsettling and can make players paranoid checking their own surroundings in their own home.”
  • gameplay63 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is generally described as immersive and polished, with a mix of engaging mechanics and a strong narrative, though some players found it too linear and short, averaging around 2-3 hours. While many appreciated the introduction of new mechanics and the tension built during chase sequences, others criticized certain segments as unnecessary or filler, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable, particularly for fans of indie horror, but it could benefit from more depth and variety in gameplay elements.

    • “At the end when being chased, that was really good. I wanted more of that with the breathing mechanic; it felt like I was actually playing a game with different outcomes.”
    • “I love this format of games. The developer makes sure the player is not forced to do any monotonous tasks such as walking from place to place to lengthen the gameplay. It takes to finish the game, generally I would recommend this game to anyone. It is a very smooth and enjoyable game and it felt like a great movie with all the storytelling.”
    • “The controls, mechanics, and overall feeling of the game are very polished and interactive.”
    • “Overall, it's too short; max 3 hours of net gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely linear - there are invisible barriers everywhere, and some areas need specific items to allow you to progress.”
    • “Not sure why there was a 15-minute segment where you get a burger, or why driving mechanics were put in the game at all when neither of them amount to anything related to tension building or scares.”
  • graphics46 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising the unique VHS aesthetic and attention to detail that enhances the overall atmosphere. While some users appreciate the nostalgic PS1-style visuals and find them effective in creating tension, others criticize the graphics for lacking refinement compared to modern standards. Overall, the game's visuals are often highlighted as a strong point, contributing significantly to the immersive experience, despite some technical issues and varying personal preferences.

    • “Stunning visuals.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic; they have a unique, dope style and are exceptionally well-polished.”
    • “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.”
    • “I wasn’t sure at first because the controls and graphics weren’t very refined compared to a lot of modern games, but give yourself time to get used to it and it’s fine.”
    • “Waste of 6 dollars, game crashes frequently; Minecraft has better graphics, actually so does Roblox.”
    • “Really, the only thing scary about this game is the graphics, terrible story, and godawful execution.”
  • music25 mentions
    • “The music is very well done and adds a lot of tension to scenes.”
    • “Whoever did the music and audio design is a horror genius and has great music taste. 10/10”
    • “The soundtrack mixed with set pieces, lighting, and general atmosphere gives you a true sensation of isolation against a threat.”
    • “The horrible SoundCloud rap music needs to go too.”
    • “Don't even get me started on the music.”
    • “The jumpscares in it felt very gotcha with someone appearing out of nowhere and a sudden music spike.”
  • stability22 mentions

    The game is widely reported to be plagued by numerous glitches and bugs, including issues with character movement, event triggers, and environmental interactions, which can disrupt gameplay and immersion. While some players find the glitches amusing and manageable, many express frustration with the frequency and severity of these issues, leading to restarts and a diminished overall experience. Overall, the stability of the game is considered its weakest aspect, with many reviewers noting it as the buggiest installment in the series.

    • “Good, but one problem: if I press 'C' again after being crouched in the game, it glitches me through the floor, making me stuck and forcing me to restart my whole game.”
    • “However, I found the game buggy in ways that broke my immersion during key moments.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess, I'm afraid.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to engage in mindless tasks that detract from the overall experience. Many reviewers express frustration with the need to repeatedly perform the same actions, which can feel like pointless padding and significantly extend playtime without adding meaningful content. Overall, players feel that the grinding elements are a major drawback, making the game less enjoyable.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “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.”
    • “The game is very, very, very tedious and you have to repeat huge sections if you get killed (which happens constantly because there is an extremely particular way of making progress in the game).”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of funny and scary elements, with a goofy tone that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the surreal and absurd humor, particularly in specific scenarios and in-game content, which adds depth to the ambiance. Overall, the humor is seen as a standout feature that contributes positively to the game's enjoyment.

    • “This game was funny and scary at the same time.”
    • “Very funny and goofy.”
    • “Not only does this game have great ambiance, but it also has some humor elements with a beautiful amount of thought put into them.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to create a tense atmosphere that builds anxiety and unease, particularly during moments of vulnerability, such as gathering firewood. Players appreciate the gradual emotional buildup that culminates in impactful moments of danger, enhancing the overall immersive experience.

    • “Great atmosphere, creates a lot of emotional build-up and waits until the very end to hit you with the real danger.”
    • “Each time going down for firewood made me feel anxious.”
    • “It felt so real and made me feel very uneasy.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers limited replayability, as players generally find it enjoyable to experience once, but the predictable story reduces the incentive to replay. While some fans appreciate the series, they express a desire for additional modes or content to enhance replay value. Overall, it is seen as a fun experience best suited for a single playthrough.

    • “The story is great, but it would be nice to have more replayability options to keep the experience fresh.”
    • “Although the game has little replayability, it is fun to experience again and show to friends.”
    • “I love the Fears to Fathoms series, but I would like more replay value, like an endless mode.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game suffers from poor optimization, with multiple users reporting significantly subpar performance issues.

    • “Bad optimization.”
    • “Horribly optimized performance-wise.”
    • “Horribly optimized performance-wise.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Users express strong dislike for the monetization strategy, particularly highlighting that it detracts from their overall enjoyment of the game, akin to a negative experience associated with camping.

    • “The monetization model feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
    • “I find the constant push for in-game purchases really frustrating; it detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “The game is practically unplayable without shelling out cash for upgrades and items.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Fears to Fathom: Ironbark Lookout

Play time

2hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
2-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News