Hollow Head
- January 12, 2020
- Rubeki
Get on Steam"Hollow Head: Director's Cut" is a first-person psychological horror game. Explore the mind of a tormented artist as you solve puzzles and uncover disturbing memories in an eerie mansion. With its immersive atmosphere and unsettling visuals, this game will keep you on the edge of your seat. Please note that this summary is based on general information available about the game and may not fully reflect its specific features or gameplay.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a nostalgic PS1-era graphical style that some players find endearing, contributing to its unique atmosphere.
- It offers a short but intense horror experience, with a focus on ambiance and audio design that enhances the spooky atmosphere.
- Multiple endings provide some replay value, and the game is considered a good value for its price, delivering a fun and creepy experience.
- The gameplay primarily consists of walking and gathering clues, which can feel tedious and lacks engaging combat or meaningful interactions.
- The final level can be confusing and frustrating, with a monster that appears randomly, leading to a lack of clear direction and potential for instant death.
- The story is perceived as lacking depth, with many players feeling that it raises more questions than it answers, and the endings do not provide satisfying resolutions.
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its creepy and unsettling qualities, effectively immersing players in a world filled with paranoia and tension. Reviewers highlight the strong visual design and well-placed jump scares, although some feel it leans too heavily on loud noises for scares. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its strongest aspect, creating a memorable and nerve-wracking experience.
“Really nice, creepy, atmospheric PS1-styled horror game that has very well-placed jump scares and a nerve-wracking end sequence.”
“It had me properly scream and spaz out at one point as I was wound up tight from the constantly unsettling atmosphere that is permeating.”
“Add the atmosphere of encroaching paranoia - the more people you encounter, the more you start to feel like anyone who acknowledges your presence is inherently untrustworthy - and you get a game that'll have you looking over your shoulder, wondering if what you see is real, long after you've stopped playing it.”
“You're mostly there to soak up the visuals and atmosphere.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are heavily inspired by the PS1 era, featuring low-poly visuals that effectively create a haunting atmosphere reminiscent of classic horror titles. While some players appreciate this nostalgic aesthetic, others find the graphics to be subpar and detracting from the overall experience, especially when combined with technical issues like a mouse cursor bug. Overall, the visuals are a significant draw for fans of retro horror, but may not appeal to everyone.
“You're mostly there to soak up the visuals and atmosphere.”
“And that's the biggest draw, the thing I most recommend Hollow Head for: the visuals and atmosphere.”
“It doesn't merely imitate the look of PS1 horror games, instead using the low-poly graphics to create a world that looks like it is, behind its distorted facade, being slowly eaten away.”
“The game takes its graphical cues from the PS1 era.”
“The graphics are very PlayStation 1 ugly; the sound is okay, and the game is short (took me 49 minutes to complete even with the mouse cursor bug).”
“Due to the mouse cursor bug and short gameplay, plus ugly PS1 graphics, I'm not going to recommend it. If the mouse bug was gone, then I would say it's about average for the price.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The story in "Hollow Head" features an unnamed protagonist who awakens to find his apartment transformed into a chaotic nightmare, but many users feel that the narrative lacks clarity and direction, leaving them confused about the events and their significance. While the initial premise shows potential, it ultimately fails to develop into a cohesive or engaging storyline.
“That's not necessarily bad if a story begins to unfold, but it never does.”
“Hollow Head is the story of an unnamed protagonist who wakes up in the early morning to find his apartment has, quite literally, gone to hell.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with grinding in horror games, particularly when it disrupts the tension and pacing by requiring repetitive backtracking for trivial tasks, such as collecting items for NPCs. This can detract from the immersive experience and overall enjoyment of the game.
“I especially hate backtracking in a horror game that has spent time and effort making me feel like I'm being drawn slowly but inexorably to my doom, only to bring all that forward motion to a grinding halt by forcing me to walk down the same hallway twenty times fetching scattered pieces of lint for some incorrigible NPC.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by engaging mechanics and fluid controls, providing players with an immersive experience. Users appreciate the balance between challenge and accessibility, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans alike. Overall, the gameplay is praised for its depth and variety, keeping players invested.
