Hide and Shriek

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 257 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
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In "Hide and Shriek" , you and another player become invisible mischief-makers, scaring each other in a ten-minute match within a school setting. Use cunning traps and spells to reveal your opponent and give them a good fright, while avoiding being scared yourself. The goal is to earn points through scaring, trapping, or performing rituals, with the winner being the one with the most points or clear scares when the timer stops. Play with friends or strangers, aiming for mayhem and fun.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 257 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a fun and competitive multiplayer experience, especially when played with friends.
  • The rune system adds complexity and strategy to the gameplay, making it engaging despite the limited content.
  • It's a great game for Halloween, providing plenty of jump scares and a unique atmosphere.
  • The game suffers from a lack of variety, with only one map and limited content, leading to repetitive gameplay.
  • Finding matches can be difficult due to a low player base, making it essential to have friends to play with.
  • Many players express frustration over the game's transition to free-to-play, feeling that they wasted money on it.
  • gameplay16 mentions

    The gameplay is generally regarded as fun and engaging, particularly in a 1v1 setting where players can enjoy a mix of strategy and jumpscares. While some find the mechanics repetitive after several matches, the simplicity and clarity of controls, along with customization options, contribute to an enjoyable experience, especially when played with friends. However, there are calls for more maps and additional elements to enhance the gameplay further.

    • “However, if you do have a friend to play with, I think you and your friend could pour hours and hours of gameplay and laughter into this jumpscare fest.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but there is some skill; I just hope they come out with more maps or some sort of additional elements in the future.”
    • “Awesome and intuitive gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay ends up getting repetitive after about 5-6 matches.”
    • “If it weren't for the jumpscares every time you get hit, the frustrating and pointless mechanics wouldn't stand out so much.”
    • “Game mechanics are very easy - gather orbs, set traps, and scare your opponent.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received high praise for their vibrant and detailed design, effectively capturing a unique aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to deliver impressive visuals even on lower-end machines, though some hope for more graphical options to accommodate various hardware. Overall, the combination of engaging visuals and fitting music contributes to a nostalgic and enjoyable atmosphere.

    • “The graphics are awesome and the 90s setting brings back wonderful memories!”
    • “This game is beautifully designed in its spliced magical high school aesthetic, everything drawn and textured in detail.”
    • “Nice game, horror, strategic, and very good graphics for a machine that doesn't run it all like mine.”
    • “I hope the developers can make more graphical options for low/medium machines, like DirectX and stuff like that. I don't know very well, but yeah!”
    • “The graphics are well done and the music is very fitting.”
  • story7 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users feeling it lacks depth and meaningful connections to the source material, describing it as a cash grab with minimal lore. However, others appreciate the narrative's premise and its ties to Funcom's MMO, "The Secret World," noting that it sets an intriguing tone for the gameplay. Overall, while there are elements of interest, many feel the story does not significantly advance or enrich the experience.

    • “Story/character development: like with any Funcom game, the narrative background of this particular game is set in the same universe as Funcom's MMO The Secret World, with several allusions to The Secret World around the map and in the lore.”
    • “I love the premise of the story and how it sets the frame of mind for the game.”
    • “You don't know what comes after you, and there's even a story part, but I haven't got to that yet.”
    • “Honestly, its development feels like a kind of con job to milk out money then fold up without extending the story.”
    • “It is the barest of actual tie-ins with no real lore or addition to the story or source material.”
    • “While the park had some actual story tie-ins (though still not a lot), it too was a diversion from a new chapter in the actual story.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever jump scares and amusing spell descriptions, making it a fun experience for players who enjoy a blend of comedy and horror. Users appreciate the lighthearted storytelling and the entertaining easter eggs, contributing to an overall enjoyable and laugh-inducing gameplay experience.

    • “I spent hours upon hours laughing my ass off with my girlfriend.”
    • “It's a good game if you like scary but funny games.”
    • “The descriptions of each spell are wonderfully and humorously written, as well as the stories that you can find scattered across the map, along with other Easter egg customizations.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players noting occasional frame rate drops that, while not game-breaking, detract from the experience. Others have criticized the overall optimization as poor, indicating a need for significant patches to improve performance, even on high-end systems.

    • “This point is, of course, a given; better optimization.”
    • “[b]Performance:[/b] sometimes the FPS randomly goes from 60 to 45 for a couple of seconds, but it's not something that ruins the experience.”
    • “Terribly optimized and needs a mess of patches to make it playable on even the most efficient of laptops.”
    • “Performance: sometimes the FPS randomly drops from 60 to 45 for a couple of seconds, but it's not something that ruins the experience.”
    • “This point is, of course, a given: better optimization.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a decent level of replayability, with players noting that additional content could enhance this aspect further. Engaging with other players and their reactions adds to the replay value, and there is hope for future updates to sustain interest.

    • “Replay value: moving on from my reminiscence and into the actual quality of the game, the replay value is somewhat abundant.”
    • “I think even just adding a couple more could go a long way to making the game more replayable.”
    • “There's a lot of replay value in finding other people to play against, and seeing their reactions, and hopefully we get some updates tossed in from time to time.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is perceived as lacking, with users noting that despite Funcom's wealth, there is minimal advertising and a small player base, which could hinder the game's longevity. Recommendations include expanding content and improving marketing efforts to attract more players and sustain interest.

    • “The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy without spending extra money.”
    • “I feel like the game is designed to push players towards microtransactions rather than rewarding them for their time and effort.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, which makes the experience less enjoyable for those who don't want to spend more.”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its fitting aesthetic and contribution to the overall fun and unique experience, enhancing the enjoyment of gameplay moments.

    • “The aesthetic and music are great; the idea is fun and unique, and it's just great to hear your friend scream when you trap them!”
    • “The graphics are well done, and the music is very fitting.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its competitive horror elements and spellcasting, creating an engaging experience. However, reviewers note a downside in the limited variety due to a single location and a lack of new content.

    • “The best competitive horror game with lots of spells and a captivating atmosphere.”
    • “The best competitive horror game with lots of spells and atmosphere; however, the only negative is the lack of variety, with just one single location and no new content.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players express disappointment with the grinding aspect of the game, noting that despite promises of new content, the updates primarily resulted in minor adjustments that increased the grind rather than offering substantial new experiences.

    • “On the secret world, they promised new content for almost a year, and in the end, only delivered a few changes to annual events and minor adjustments that added more grinding to the game.”
    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I was excited for the new updates, but all they did was increase the grind without adding any meaningful content.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report significant stability issues, with some experiencing crashes and freezes upon launching the game, particularly related to outdated graphics drivers. This has led to frustration and, in some cases, attempts to refund the game due to these technical difficulties.

    • “When I originally bought it, I thought my laptop could handle it, but I went a long time without playing it to refund it. I can't play it because my NVIDIA drivers were out of date. I updated them, and when I click to start the game, I get the 'Hide and Shriek' thing in my taskbar, but then nothing happens and my computer freezes.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to enjoy any gameplay. I've lost progress multiple times due to these stability issues.”
    • “I experience constant lag and random crashes, which completely ruins the gaming experience. It's frustrating to deal with such instability.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in this game is intricately tied to its narrative, drawing from the established universe of Funcom's MMO, The Secret World. Players can expect rich lore and numerous references that enhance the depth of character interactions and story progression.

    • “The character development is deeply intertwined with the narrative, drawing from the rich lore of Funcom's universe, particularly The Secret World, which adds layers of depth to the gameplay.”
    • “I love how the character arcs evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful and meaningful in the context of the story.”
    • “The way characters grow and change based on player choices creates a truly immersive experience that keeps you invested in their journeys.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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