Homebody

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 524 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Homebody Game Cover
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"Homebody" is a single-player Horror Action game with an interesting plot and good mechanics, featuring compelling visuals and a dense atmosphere. As Emily, you and your college friends are trapped in a remote rental house, pursued by a mysterious killer. Solve puzzles, evade the killer, and confront your emotional wounds to escape the time loop nightmare. The game offers a unique and emotional take on horror and relationships.

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Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 524 reviews
story97 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • The game features engaging puzzles that are challenging yet satisfying to solve, providing a rewarding experience.
  • The atmosphere is well-crafted, creating a sense of tension and unease that enhances the horror elements without relying on cheap jump scares.
  • The narrative explores themes of mental health and personal growth in a relatable and thoughtful manner, resonating with players on a deeper level.
  • The fixed camera angles can lead to frustrating controls, making navigation difficult and sometimes resulting in unintended deaths.
  • Some puzzles can feel overly convoluted or obscure, leading to moments of frustration where players may need to resort to guides.
  • The pacing of the story can be uneven, with some cutscenes feeling drawn out and detracting from the overall immersion.
  • story254 mentions

    The game's story is a complex and engaging exploration of themes such as mental health, trauma, and the intricacies of relationships, often delivered through a time-loop structure that encourages players to piece together its narrative. While some players appreciate its depth and emotional resonance, others find the plot vague and frustratingly cryptic, leading to mixed feelings about the overall conclusion. The character development and dialogue are generally well-received, though some moments may come off as cringey or overly simplistic, leaving players with a lasting impression that varies widely based on personal interpretation.

    • “The story itself is like an overgrown Goosebumps episode with more serious topics and an enhanced horror aspect: everything about the house you're in feels like you're experiencing something somebody else is nostalgic for.”
    • “I found the story to actually be quite compelling, weaving in elements of mental health, social awkwardness, and the difficulty of navigating friendships.”
    • “Homebody is a wonderful survival horror time loop game that features clever puzzles, a gripping story that addresses themes around mental health, and plenty of evocative and disturbing imagery with just a hint of Signalis-esque experimentation in its visual style.”
    • “The story kept teasing that it was going to start making sense at some point... only to never do.”
    • “The whole story and ending are very 'blurry' and as I wrote before, you will find yourself trying to put all the pieces together.”
    • “I couldn't connect with the characters or the story.”
  • gameplay99 mentions

    The gameplay in "Homebody" features a mix of engaging puzzle-solving and time-loop mechanics, reminiscent of classic survival horror games, but it suffers from repetitive environments and clunky controls that can detract from the overall experience. While many players appreciate the clever puzzle design and atmospheric storytelling, some find the gameplay loop tedious due to lengthy cutscenes and a lack of integration between narrative and mechanics. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of horror and puzzle elements, though its execution may not appeal to everyone.

    • “Homebody is a love letter to tank-control survival horror of the PS1 era with a satisfying Lovecraftian backbone filled with clever time-loop mechanics, unique puzzles, and spine-chilling imagery.”
    • “The gameplay loop of Outer Wilds (uncovering a mystery and solving puzzles amidst a time loop) with the controls, puzzles, and atmosphere of early Resident Evil games.”
    • “Amazing atmosphere, good story, and great puzzle gameplay.”
    • “The nature of the gameplay loop also killed off the tension pretty quickly.”
    • “Gameplay itself ends up being too clumsy and intrusive.”
    • “But from a gameplay and partial narrative standpoint, I find this really hurts it in the end.”
  • atmosphere54 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and spooky qualities, effectively building tension without relying on cheap jump scares. Players appreciate the intriguing puzzles, engaging story, and unique art style that enhance the overall experience, creating a haunting environment that draws them in. While some mention frustrations with gameplay mechanics, the atmospheric elements remain a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for fans of psychological horror and mystery.

    • “The atmosphere was incredible, with tense existential moments against the backdrop of the metaphysical.”
    • “A very good game with fantastic atmosphere that easily manages to draw you in.”
    • “The music is spot-on, and the game is thick with atmosphere.”
    • “Any atmosphere or tension vanishes quickly after the second or third respawn, and the stalker/slasher basically just becomes a tool to quickly respawn when you want to speed things up.”
    • “Unfortunately, the near-perfect gameplay and atmosphere is accompanied by infuriating, boring, and irrelevant visual novel elements that make me want to bang my head against a wall.”
    • “The central gameplay/narrative gimmick of Homebody can't quite sustain a horror atmosphere, which is fine as the story quickly transitions into a meditation on relationships, aging, and mental struggles.”
  • graphics50 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the nostalgic PS1-inspired art style and atmospheric visuals that enhance the horror experience. While some found the low-poly models charming and evocative, others criticized the inconsistency and cartoonish elements of the character designs. Overall, the game's aesthetic is seen as a strong point, contributing to an engaging atmosphere despite some technical issues and fixed camera angles.

    • “I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the graphics style; though the controls were quite fiddly, the visuals were captivating.”
    • “The graphics style is beautiful, with semi-retro vibes that enhance the overall experience.”
    • “Homebody is an unsettling and evocative take on classical fixed-camera survival horror, well-dressed in its nouveau-retro PS1-esque aesthetic, and generally executed with excellence across all dimensions.”
    • “Also, I'm just really not a fan of the art style. It feels inconsistent and like it wants to be a PS1 style game, but the models are way too cartoonish and high poly.”
    • “There were a few instances where I wish the game hadn't told me so explicitly how to solve a puzzle, and some animations and graphics can be a bit wonky.”
    • “The graphics are low poly and sweet, though not spectacular.”
  • emotional28 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its profound storytelling and relatable themes surrounding mental health, anxiety, and personal growth. Many found the narrative to be touching and compelling, often leading to strong emotional reactions, including moments of nostalgia and introspection. The game's ability to intertwine gameplay with deep emotional experiences sets it apart, making it a memorable and impactful journey for players.

    • “I really enjoyed this game, and if you like an intriguing and emotional story, you'll love it.”
    • “There's one particular exchange between characters regarding nostalgia and being stuck in the past that resonated with me, and it is moments like these that undeniably define video games as an art form, emotionally tying developer to player in a way that I feel other forms of media cannot.”
    • “Story-wise, a genuine all-time favorite: mental health is a difficult subject to write about without some all too common clichés and reheated advice, but this game does it masterfully and touchingly.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently praised for being both hilarious and well-integrated, often providing a delightful contrast to its creepier elements. Players appreciate the clever dialogue options that resonate with real-life experiences, as well as the game's ability to blend humor with themes of social anxiety and awkward friendships. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay experience, making it engaging and entertaining throughout.

    • “The humor is hilarious and rarely feels out of place.”
    • “It's genuinely creepy and unexpected, but also really funny with well-paced dialogue and deep characters.”
    • “I recommend this for its fun humor that it sprinkles in perfectly but also has the bonus of the awkwardness of social anxiety and weird friendships that relates very well to real life while being this really amazing game.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it starts off engaging, it quickly devolves into tedious repetition and frustration. The puzzles, although initially entertaining, become monotonous as the game progresses, leading to a sense of exhaustion rather than excitement. Despite attempts to introduce new challenges, the overall pacing suffers, making the grinding feel more like a chore than an enjoyable part of the gameplay.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It has a very strong start, but as things go on it becomes quite annoying and tedious.”
    • “It offers something unexpected and refreshing but unfortunately becomes tedious and tiring and certainly left me wishing for more in terms of horror.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in Homebody is subtle yet effective, enhancing the game's atmosphere with environment-related soundscapes that transition seamlessly into more intense sequences. While not overwhelming, the sound design is praised for its ability to evoke emotion and tension, contributing significantly to the overall experience.

    • “The music is spot-on, and the game is thick with atmosphere.”
    • “The music is subtle but effective, with drones and light background work transitioning into panic-inducing chase sequences when necessary.”
    • “Music is awesome.”
    • “The sound design and music in Homebody is not very overwhelming.”
    • “A lot of the game's music is mostly just environment-related.”
    • “Go into an office and you'll hear music playing.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the character development in the game, noting that it is effectively conveyed through immersive moments and visually striking art styles. The combination of cartoonish character designs with a darker tone enhances the narrative, contributing to a compelling and engaging experience. Overall, the character arcs are seen as a strong point, adding depth to the story.

    • “The story and character development of Homebody is pretty cool.”
    • “Character design is cartoonish, but the tone and lighting compensate along with the design of the killer to give the game a threatening air.”
    • “We see a lot of character development happen in these moments.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the game has limited replayability, with most players noting that it can be completed in a single playthrough without much incentive to return. While some may find value in backtracking for trophies or experiencing the story again, the general consensus is that the game is best enjoyed once, similar to titles like "Outer Wilds" and "The Sexy Brutale."

    • “It has the horror and intensity of Gone Home, with the same amount of replayability.”
    • “This might make for more replay value, or allow people who started with watching playthroughs to puzzle through things themselves.”
    • “The game itself is relatively short and doesn't really have any replay value, but that is besides the point.”
    • “Not a lot of replay value in my opinion unless you want to backtrack for some trophies, but they're all pretty achievable in a single playthrough.”
    • “This does mean replayability is extremely limited, just like with Outer Wilds or The Sexy Brutale, but sometimes a game can be awesome once, and that's still cool.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game appears to be misleading, as some users feel that the promotional material misrepresents its themes, suggesting a disconnect between advertising and actual content. Despite being heavily promoted by influencers like Game Grumps, the game is perceived as niche or underground, which may affect its overall market appeal.

    • “The monetization in this game feels exploitative and frustrating, making it hard to enjoy the experience without spending extra money.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, which really detracts from the overall gameplay.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases takes away from the immersion and enjoyment of the game.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game is considered stable and polished, with only a few minor glitches reported. However, some users have noted bugs in the dialogue interactions between characters.

    • “Some of the dialogue between Emily and these characters is buggy.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's character performances are engaging and well-suited to its muted tone, though they lack standout moments that could detract from the overall experience.

    • “The game's characters are engagingly performed - there's no show-stopper performance, but honestly that wouldn't really suit the muted tone of much of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

8hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
7-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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