Haunt the House: Terrortown

About

Haunt the House: Terrortown is a single player casual simulation game with horror and comedy themes. It was developed by SFBGames and was released on June 6, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

A side-scrolling action puzzle game starring ghosts! Leave the dusty halls of an abandoned clock tower to haunt your way through a town in the dead of night! Possess objects with your ghostly soul, to scare people away from a museum, a hospital, a theatre and a cruise ship. Will you be able to scare everyone out and reclaim what has been lost, before the night is over?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,018 reviews

graphics146 positive mentions

stability48 negative mentions

graphics
282 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The graphics of "Haunt the House: Terrortown" are widely praised for their charming and unique art style, described as cute, colorful, and reminiscent of a whimsical Halloween theme. Players appreciate the delightful animations and overall visual quality, which enhance the game's lighthearted atmosphere, although some note that the gameplay can become repetitive despite the appealing aesthetics. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's nostalgic and playful experience.
- “The art style is absolutely charming and the different scares are creative and fun to execute.”
- “The hand-drawn visuals exude a playful and whimsical quality, with each character and location exquisitely designed.”
- “The graphics are terrific, the sound effects are top-notch, and there is lots of replayability to get all the achievements and use the new ghosts to scare people away.”
- “Would recommend you to play this using a controller instead of the keys because of some graphic issues.”
- “Maybe the visuals could've carried it for the hour or two it takes to beat, but the repeated crashes are the final nail in the coffin.”
- “Nothing game-breaking or that required restarting the scenario from scratch, but it took away from the otherwise polished feel of the game (mostly from the graphics).”
gameplay
270 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
10%
The gameplay of "Haunt the House: Terrortown" is characterized by its simplicity and repetitiveness, as players control a ghost to scare away humans using basic mechanics that lack depth and variety. While the charming visuals and lighthearted atmosphere enhance the experience, many reviewers noted that the gameplay can become tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the reliance on random elements and limited strategic options. Overall, it offers a fun, albeit short, experience that may appeal more to younger audiences or those seeking a casual time-waster.
- “With its charming art style, clever gameplay mechanics, and lighthearted atmosphere, Haunt the House: Terrortown is a perfect choice for those seeking a spooky but fun experience.”
- “The intuitive controls make it easy to navigate the environments and unleash your spectral powers, adding to the enjoyment of the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is simple and it's remarkably fulfilling when you really scare a room and all the little people run out screaming.”
- “Unfortunately, when it comes to the gameplay overall...there's just not much there.”
- “The gameplay is non-existent and what's there is extremely frustrating.”
- “Gameplay gets stale after a while, since you have to keep using the same spooks repeatedly to finish scaring off the last few people on the level.”
music
202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
46%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its catchy and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a whimsical yet eerie vibe. Many players find the soundtrack nostalgic and enjoyable, often describing it as a highlight of the game, despite some noting that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of charming visuals and engaging music creates a delightful ambiance that resonates well with players.
- “Amazing music (totally worth getting the soundtrack!!), very pretty to look at (cute and vibrant colors!), and has a nostalgic feeling... overall, worth the money!”
- “The game's soundtrack and sound effects contribute to the whimsical ambiance, creating an immersive and enjoyable experience.”
- “The music ties in extremely well and makes the game even more enjoyable.”
- “And the music is sure to give you nightmares... or at least a headache.”
- “It's like listening to a horror movie soundtrack on repeat while being haunted by your own thoughts... and a particularly annoying neighbor.”
- “The game introduces multiple same-scenario levels instead of just the one house in the flash game - which is frankly an upgrade - but then it pairs it with cheap sound effects and music which makes me - a 30 year old man - feel like I am playing a game meant only for kids.”
humor
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is widely praised for its quirky interactions, amusing animations, and the hilarious reactions of the townsfolk, making it a fun and lighthearted experience. Players enjoy the nostalgic charm and comedic elements, particularly the absurdity of scaring people in creative ways, though some note that the humor can become repetitive over time. Overall, it is described as a funny and cute game that delivers consistent laughs throughout gameplay.
- “The game's humor shines through the quirky interactions and amusing reactions of the townsfolk.”
- “Very funny game, I love the adorable ghosts and scaring the crap out of the humans.”
- “It's hilarious to see the guests get scared.”
story
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
64%
18%
The story in "Haunt the House: Terrortown" is largely considered minimal and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it feels irrelevant to the gameplay. While some players appreciate the cute and whimsical elements, they agree that the narrative is simplistic and does not provide substantial engagement or replayability. Overall, the game is seen as more focused on its mechanics and charm rather than a compelling storyline.
- “The story is also interesting (and short xd)”
- “Being able to play as the pigtailed ghost and the unique noises and faces each ghost has is enjoyable and the story is cute too!”
- “This game combines with a funny gameplay and a cool storyline.”
- “In this game, the story is pretty much irrelevant.”
- “Only the main game has any story whatsoever, and none of the levels have a proper ending.”
- “Although it might seem temporarily that it has story to it, there really isn't that much depth.”
replayability
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the exploration of different scare combinations and tactics, while others find it limited after completing the main content. Many reviews highlight the potential for replay through achievements and unlocking various ghosts, but some criticize the lack of substantial content and meaningful differences between characters. Overall, while there are elements that encourage replay, the experience may feel short-lived for some players.
- “However, the game's replayability lies in discovering new scare combinations, experimenting with different tactics, and striving for high scores, providing some longevity to the experience.”
- “In spite of how fast it goes, all the different item combinations -- as well as being able to play different ghosts you can unlock throughout the game -- allows for lots of replayability.”
- “There's lots of replayability as far as learning the actual mechanics, getting perfect scores, and of course achievements - plus a hand-crafted soundtrack played by actual musicians and a subtle storyline lurking beneath the surface.”
- “Beside achievements, there is no replay value.”
- “There is 0 replay value for the game, and if I want to make this review short, I should say I wish I'd played the game sooner so I could refund it.”
- “If you played the flash demo, this game is a pretty good expansion, but the biggest flaw is that after completing the game, there's really no replay value.”
atmosphere
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
71%
6%
The atmosphere in the game is characterized by a charming blend of spooky and lighthearted elements, enhanced by whimsical art styles and engaging soundtracks. Players appreciate the balance between comedic moments and haunting melodies, which contribute to a delightful yet eerie experience. However, some mechanics, like the atmosphere meter, are seen as underutilized, and the overall gameplay can feel short and repetitive despite its appealing atmosphere.
- “With its charming art style, clever gameplay mechanics, and lighthearted atmosphere, 'Haunt the House: Terrortown' is a perfect choice for those seeking a spooky but fun experience.”
- “The combination of haunting melodies, atmospheric sounds, and comedic moments enhances the overall charm of the game.”
- “They nailed the atmosphere with the art and music direction.”
- “On top of that, certain systems like the atmosphere meter don't seem to serve much purpose or to mesh well with anything else in the game.”
- “In almost all cases, this should fit in under one of the pros for a game, but the lack of floatiness sort of detracts from the atmosphere, though this is mostly nit-picky.”
- “Thus trying to chase them one by one from the location with objects you've already used a lot turns the game into a chore, however charming the atmosphere.”
stability
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent freezes, crashes, and various glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some players find it still enjoyable despite these bugs, many express frustration over the lack of developer support for fixes. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, impacting its playability.
- “Freezes constantly, don't waste your money.”
- “As other reviewers have said, it freezes often and the developers don't seem to have any intention of doing anything about it.”
- “We encountered at least two glitches -- one involving possessing an object from the wrong house (essentially killing the game since you could no longer see or control your ghost, or leave the object) and one involving an emptied house failing to recognize that it had been cleared (the status still showed 1 person even though all 20 had been scared away).”
grinding
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
8%
84%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly when trying to scare away the last few NPCs, which can lead to frustration. While achievements are attainable, they often require multiple playthroughs and can feel time-consuming rather than challenging. Overall, the game is seen as a short, nostalgic experience that may appeal to those who can overlook its grindy nature.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I love the art style and the different animations, but I simply find the game too tedious to play.”
- “Couldn't get past the first level because it was boring, tedious, and repetitive, as the last 10 NPCs just would not leave no matter how scared they were, and there seemed to be no pattern or logic for how they behaved, whether they ran away from scares or towards them.”
- “Nothing challenging about the achievements... just tedious and time-consuming.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as both heartwarming and haunting, evoking a unique blend of feelings despite a potentially boring storyline. However, it also includes serious themes such as emotional abuse and suicide, which may affect players differently. Overall, players appreciate the emotional resonance and personal connection it fosters.
- “It's the game that made haunting feel oddly heartwarming.”
- “I just like the way it made me feel.”
- “I certainly liked the original Haunt the House, so finding a way to throw money at it made me feel good.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is viewed as somewhat steep at $4.99, especially considering its short length; however, players do not perceive it as a cash grab, indicating a level of value in the experience.
- “$4.99 is a bit much for this short of a game, but this isn't a cash grab by any means.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is noted for its distinctive designs, which contribute to a unique and engaging experience. However, the reviews do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of the characters themselves.

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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Haunt the House: Terrortown review
Eurogamer.net
80%

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300h Median play time

201h Average play time

1-400h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Haunt the House: Terrortown is a casual simulation game with horror and comedy themes.

Haunt the House: Terrortown is available on PC, Web Browser, Mac OS, Phone and others.

On average players spend around 201 hours playing Haunt the House: Terrortown.

Haunt the House: Terrortown was released on June 6, 2014.

Haunt the House: Terrortown was developed by SFBGames.

Haunt the House: Terrortown has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its story.

Haunt the House: Terrortown is a single player game.

Similar games include Ghost Master, Samorost 2, Mini Ninjas, Is This Seat Taken?, Mad Father and others.

Haunt the House: Terrortown

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