Home Safety Hotline

Home Safety Hotline is a creative and clever analog horror experience that’ll keep players entertained (and spooked) with its call centre-themed puzzling. The gameplay loop is addictive and engaging thanks to the creatively disturbing enigmas that callers send your way, whilst the old-school presentation will certainly vibe with those who’ve been using PCs since the 90s. The best part of all? It just feels so unique to play. Whilst it does share some similarities with the likes of Papers, Please or Security Booth, there’s just something about Home Safety Hotline that makes it feel unlike anything else I’ve played before. The fact that it also just so happens to be a lot of fun is the cherry on top.

91%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

replayability, grinding

91% User Score Based on 573 reviews

Critic Score 83%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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About

In "Home Safety Hotline," players take on the role of a telephone operator, answering calls about mysterious happenings in callers' homes. They must use a catalog of safety information to identify pests and hazards, with the understanding that they will be held responsible for their responses. The game features a soothing lo-fi soundtrack and immerses players in the atmosphere of the 90s.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 573 reviews

gameplay22 positive mentions

replayability12 negative mentions

Unique and engaging gameplay that combines analog horror with a bestiary concept.
Well-crafted atmosphere with great voice acting and art design.
Humorous and unsettling moments that keep players entertained throughout.

Short playtime (around 2-3 hours) that may not justify the price for some players.
Limited replayability due to scripted calls and lack of randomization.
Some calls can be vague, leading to frustration in identifying the correct answers.

gameplay
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
5%
The gameplay is centered around a simple yet engaging loop of receiving calls, identifying creatures based on descriptions, and referencing a handbook, which some players find fun and rewarding. However, many reviews highlight its repetitiveness and lack of depth, with limited mechanics and minimal variation leading to a feeling of monotony over the short 2-3 hour playtime. While the atmosphere and lore are praised, the gameplay is often criticized for being too simplistic and not evolving throughout the experience, leaving players wanting more complexity and content.
- “The core gameplay loop is paying attention to what they're saying, and the handbook will usually provide the answer as long as you're paying attention to the right things.”
- “The gameplay is simple yet honestly quite fun, essentially a puzzle game though there are a few issues with it.”
- “It's such an incredible and unique combination of myths and lore, analog horror, and an interesting and engaging gameplay loop.”
- “The gameplay is monotonous and the story is unengaging.”
- “The gameplay loop is pretty bare-bones and there's very limited replayability, so it's more of a one-and-done type game that you do in one sitting.”
- “It's incredibly basic, has no real twist or surprises, and could really have benefited from just about any kind of additional gameplay elements.”
story
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
76%
7%
The game's story is characterized by a mix of intriguing world-building and incidental storytelling that creates a sense of dread, but many players feel it lacks depth and cohesion. While the narrative elements, such as quirky characters and unsettling dialogue, are praised for their creativity, the overall plot is often described as incomplete or unsatisfying, leaving players wanting more. Despite its engaging atmosphere and unique style, the story's execution falls short, leading to a sense of disappointment regarding its length and resolution.
- “The story and atmosphere is intriguing.”
- “The writing is simultaneously unsettling and hilarious, the story is clever as hell, the voice acting is superb, and the music will have you putting your callers on hold for extended periods of time.”
- “An enjoyable little experience with a fun story, and a lot of creativity and heart put into it.”
- “The lack of any real meaningful backstory as to what is going on with the overall narrative of the story, the 'good' ending feeling out of place and just... not great, and then that feeling upon finishing the game feeling like, 'that was it?' was a bit disappointing.”
- “Some events and story-building aspects feel incomplete, leaving me able to assume but wanting more.”
- “This game has the framework of a really cool world and setting, but the game's lack of an actual substantive story to it, as well as tonal balance that can be so poorly managed, ultimately left me feeling regretful for letting myself get invested in it.”
graphics
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
46%
7%
The graphics of "Home Safety Hotline" are widely praised for their immersive and atmospheric 90s analog horror aesthetic, effectively blending whimsical horror elements with a nostalgic desktop interface. The art style and visuals are described as superb, enhancing the game's unique lore and humor, although some players feel that the aesthetic sometimes overshadows gameplay. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to its charm and originality, making it a standout experience for fans of retro-inspired visuals.
- “The art style is practically perfect; it provides a full immersion into the 90's analog era, and the gameplay loop is one of the most captivating I have ever seen.”
- “Immensely atmospheric horror game with great aesthetic, lore, and surprisingly challenging puzzles.”
- “There are a lot of things here that serve this aesthetic, and I wish they’d serve gameplay instead.”
- “You might get a kick out of this game if you are a fan of SCP-like lore and analogue video aesthetic, but overall it's a pretty forgettable game.”
- “The graphics are different from what's currently on the market.”
humor
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively blends unsettling themes with humor, creating a unique experience that is both creepy and funny. Players appreciate the clever writing, quirky characters, and the absurdity of the call center concept, which adds a layer of charm to the horror elements. While some humor may not resonate with everyone, the overall consensus is that the game's dark and dry humor enhances its appeal, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience.
- “The game manages to capture some of the unsettling aspects of its inspirations in Gemini Home Entertainment and Local 58 while still maintaining a good sense of humor throughout.”
- “An absolutely charming game, perfectly unsettling and funny in equal measure.”
- “The writing is simultaneously unsettling and hilarious, the story is clever as hell, the voice acting is superb, and the music will have you putting your callers on hold for extended periods of time.”
replayability
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
51%
32%
Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many reviewers noting that playthroughs feel repetitive and scripted, offering little incentive to replay after the initial experience. While some players appreciated the unique atmosphere and narrative, they expressed disappointment over the short gameplay length (approximately 2-4 hours) relative to its price, suggesting that additional content or modes could enhance replay value. Despite its enjoyable elements, the consensus is that the game is more suited for a single playthrough rather than repeated sessions.
- “Some sort of sequence randomizer would have added a great deal to the replay value.”
- “My only issue is, while this definitely has replayability.”
- “As for the actual game, it is a bit short for 15 dollars, but it looks like it has some good replay value for different calls.”
- “It's a refreshing and lovely experience; however, it's a bit high price-wise for the gameplay length (about 2-3 hours) without much replayability (playthroughs are always the same).”
- “The prime drawback is that there is no randomness to the calls you get, so once you've played it, there isn't any replayability beyond trying to get 100% each day, or just having fun listening to the calls.”
- “Despite its tone and vibe and lore, which are all very good and an obvious labor of love, the game gets an extremely reluctant thumbs down from me due to being a generally very short game with very little replay value (given the price of the game) and a very lackluster story.”
atmosphere
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
25%
9%
The atmosphere of "Home Safety Hotline" is widely praised for its immersive and original analog horror aesthetic, enhanced by excellent voice acting and sound design. While many players appreciate the game's rich, creepy ambiance and creative monster designs, some feel it lacks genuine scares, leaning more towards unsettling rather than terrifying. Overall, the game successfully captures a unique and engaging atmosphere that resonates well with fans of the genre.
- “Home Safety Hotline is immersive, atmospheric, and refreshingly original; it's like Papers, Please or Aperture Desk Job with a side of unsettling, Gemini-inspired visuals and design.”
- “The game invokes a wonderfully terrifying atmosphere that places you outside of the action and lets your imagination run wild.”
- “Immensely atmospheric horror game with great aesthetic, lore, and surprisingly challenging puzzles.”
- “It was far too jarring as it clashes with the overall atmosphere being constantly enforced by everything else in the game.”
- “There's a little creepy atmosphere here and there, but if you're in the realm for real spooks (and I don't just mean jumpscares, I mean an actual horror atmosphere), you won't find it here.”
- “A few of the mentioned concepts in the game are gruesome, but the atmosphere is not really scary at all.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and engaging qualities, with standout tracks like the ending song receiving particular acclaim. Reviewers appreciate the thematic consistency of the soundtrack, which enhances the overall atmosphere and vibe of the game, although some noted moments of silence between calls could feel empty. Overall, the music is considered a significant highlight, contributing to both the humor and unsettling elements of the gameplay experience.
- “The motif/themeing is so on point throughout the whole experience (music, art style, writing).”
- “You can tell this game is made with love, from the callers, to the music, and of course creature art which is absolutely unreal.”
- “The writing is simultaneously unsettling and hilarious, the story is clever as hell, the voice acting is superb, and the music will have you putting your callers on hold for extended periods of time.”
- “Time between calls can be unbearably boring and void of any music (this is now somewhat fixed with the latest update), especially if you have already familiarized yourself with the bestiary entries.”
- “Minor note/gripe is that the time between calls can be a bit empty (no music!), especially if you read the entries in anticipation of the internet going down.”
- “I'd look forward to a sequel with more entries, scarier and more SCP Foundation-y scenarios/monsters, music that persisted throughout the game instead of just when you're on hold with a client, randomized/different calls, and a longer work week!”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by well-voiced characters sharing poignant stories, creating a heartfelt experience that resonates with players. While some narratives fall short of delivering a cohesive emotional arc, the game effectively evokes nostalgia and personal connections through its themes and character interactions. Overall, it offers a mix of genuine emotional engagement and missed opportunities for deeper storytelling.
- “The callers are voiced very well, with some heart-wrenching stories and outraged demands to see your manager.”
- “Heartfelt little game that I really enjoyed sitting down and finishing in an evening.”
- “Growing up, I heard my fair share of stories that involved creatures like these, so seeing their existence confirmed made me feel like I already knew what to expect.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the game is enjoyable, its brevity makes the grinding feel tedious, especially during a second playthrough. The need for additional lives to effectively grind further emphasizes the repetitive nature of the gameplay.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “I liked this game, but it's too short yet too tedious at the same time.”
- “A fun concept for a game, but a bit tedious in execution.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while players appreciate the engaging writing, voice performances, and clever visual elements, some express frustration with the strict performance requirements that can lead to game overs, even when enjoying the experience. Overall, the developers are commended for their creative efforts, but the balance between fun and performance could be improved.
- “Some nice, offbeat writing, full of voice performances, clever use of visual overlays, and easter-egg lore drips elevated what might otherwise have been a lightweight, simplistic game experience.”
- “Great work, devs - we will observe your performance with great interest, hardworking callers!”
- “The most fun I had in this game was answering everything as a house fire to hear the angry and concerning callbacks of disappointed customers, but even then the game forces a game over for low performance (having fun).”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers express a desire for more rewarding monetization methods beyond just advertisements, indicating that while the current system is acceptable, it lacks depth and additional incentives for player achievements.
- “Maybe that's also why I found it easy to accept the world, but I wish there was something more than ads for doing a good job.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases really detracts from the overall experience.”
- “It feels like the game is designed more to extract money from players than to provide genuine enjoyment.”