Heart of the House
- October 26, 2017
- Choice of Games
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Apple StoreWhen your uncle Kent mysteriously disappears, you'll embark on a journey find out what really happened. What will you sacrifice when trapped in a haunted manor? Will you destroy this evil or claim its power? And can love bloom in a haunted house?
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
PC
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Windows
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Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- The writing is beautifully crafted, creating an engaging and immersive atmosphere that captivates players throughout the story.
- The game features well-developed characters and meaningful choices, allowing for a variety of impactful romantic paths and intriguing plot twists.
- It offers excellent replay value, with multiple endings and character routes that encourage players to explore different choices.
- The pacing can feel rushed at times, particularly towards the ending, leaving some players wanting more development in certain plot threads.
- The complexity of the story and the number of choices can be overwhelming, leading to confusion and frustration for some players.
- Some players found the romance development to be a bit rushed, lacking the depth needed to fully invest in the relationships.
- story55 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story is widely praised for its captivating writing, interesting characters, and impactful choices, creating a deep and immersive experience, particularly within its Victorian gothic horror setting. Many players appreciate the unexpected twists and emotional depth, although some note minor pacing issues and confusion in the plot. Overall, the narrative is considered engaging and well-crafted, with significant replay value and a strong focus on character development and romance.
“The writing is wonderful, the choices feel impactful, the story contains a lot of the unexpected and elements of tension... I'm only playing it once not because it doesn't have replay value but because I enjoy the story as it is so much that I want to keep it as 'the story' rather than trying to gamify it to get the ending I'd have preferred and hope would be there.”
“The story is a deep, immersive, and beautifully sculpted piece of Victorian gothic horror with Lovecraftian inspiration and considerable replayability, while the characters that comprise the cast are interesting and as realistic as any you could hope to find in gothic fiction.”
“The story is well written and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.”
“However, the plot itself was very confusing.”
“I will say though after the climax, the story seemed to wrap itself up too quickly and didn't really go in accordance with my choice about what I'd do with my future.”
“It never really gripped me with suspense or curiosity, but that doesn't make it a bad story.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its strong replayability due to its impactful choices, immersive storytelling, and rich character development. While some players express a desire to preserve their initial experience rather than replay for different outcomes, many reviewers highlight the game's depth and the potential for varied playthroughs. However, a few users note that easier save and reload options could enhance the exploration of alternative choices.
“The story is a deep, immersive, and beautifully sculpted piece of Victorian gothic horror with Lovecraftian inspiration and considerable replayability, while the characters that comprise the cast are interesting and as realistic as any you could hope to find in gothic fiction.”
“A great story with excellent replay value.”
“Very well told story with excellent atmosphere and decent replayability.”
“It certainly seems like it has a lot of replay value, though I wish the developers made it easier to explore other choices by allowing you to save and reload.”
“The story is a deep, immersive, and beautifully sculpted piece of Victorian gothic horror with Lovecraftian inspiration, but the lack of meaningful choices limits its replayability.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its unique and immersive qualities, blending elements of creepiness and gothic charm that draw players in. Reviewers note the author's skill in crafting the right mood for various scenes, whether unsettling, romantic, or action-packed, contributing to an overall engaging experience. Some suggest enhancing the atmosphere further with suitable background music to complement the already excellent tone.
“Awesome atmosphere that I did not quite encounter before.”
“The atmosphere and tone is just perfect.”
“Very well told story with excellent atmosphere and decent replayability.”
“The atmosphere felt flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
“Despite the potential for a rich setting, the atmosphere was dull and failed to evoke any real emotion or tension.”
“The game struggled to create a cohesive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the story and environment.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game's atmosphere can evoke stress and fear despite the absence of visuals or music, highlighting the impressive impact of its text-based storytelling. However, many suggest that adding a suitable soundtrack, such as music from Silent Hill or Resident Evil, would enhance the experience, as the lack of music is seen as a significant omission.
“I highly recommend this for you to buy and throw on some Silent Hill or Resident Evil music in the background for good measure.”
“I would personally recommend putting on some suitable music in the background as a good soundtrack is what's missing the most from the otherwise excellent atmosphere.”
“The lack of music makes the experience feel empty and uninspired.”
“The sound design is minimal, which detracts from the overall atmosphere of the game.”
“Without a compelling soundtrack, the game feels monotonous and fails to engage the player.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, the character development is well-received, with players appreciating the depth and backstory of the characters, particularly Loren. While there are some minor criticisms regarding the development of certain characters, the emphasis on choices and narrative over traditional stat-based progression is generally favored.
“I really enjoyed the characters; though few, they all had a lot of backstory and character development, and it was a delight getting to know them (especially Loren!).”
“Overall, I liked the focus more on choices and story rather than on your 'stats'.”
“Some minor complaints about certain characters and lack of character development, but overall I liked the focus more on choices and story and less so on your 'stats'.”
“The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked meaningful growth throughout the game.”
“I was disappointed by the limited character arcs; they didn't evolve in a way that felt satisfying or impactful.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game compelling, with well-developed characters that foster strong investment. However, some express frustration with the game's length and lack of save functionality, which can lead to emotional fatigue but ultimately reinforces their determination to complete the experience.
“They're relatively few, but all of them are well-established, interesting, and easy to get emotionally invested in.”
“I got a bit frustrated after the second time this happened towards the end (this game is long, and like all cogs there's no save function, so I had a lot of emotional investment going) and had to stop to take a break, but I came back later twice as determined and eager to see it to the bitter end.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay is noted for its strong thematic elements and interactivity, allowing for diverse storytelling beyond typical video game mechanics. While the mechanics are solid, the game's true strength is in its writing.
“The gameplay is incredibly engaging and keeps you on your toes throughout the entire experience.”
“The mechanics are smooth and intuitive, making it easy to pick up and play while still offering depth for seasoned players.”
“Each level presents unique challenges that require strategic thinking and skill, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“The gameplay feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
“There are too many repetitive mechanics that make the experience feel tedious rather than enjoyable.”
“The controls are unresponsive, which leads to frustrating moments that detract from the overall experience.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are minimal, relying solely on text, yet they effectively create a stressful and scary atmosphere, showcasing impressive emotional engagement without traditional visual or auditory elements.
