Homebody

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,048 reviews

story194 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

Engaging story with relatable characters that explores themes of mental health and anxiety.
Clever and challenging puzzles that provide a satisfying sense of progression.
Atmospheric design that effectively builds tension without relying on cheap jump scares.

Fixed camera angles can lead to frustrating controls and navigation issues.
The killer becomes less threatening as the game progresses, reducing the horror element.
Some puzzles may feel obtuse or overly complicated, leading to potential frustration.

story
508 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
2%
The story of the game is a complex and layered narrative that intertwines themes of mental health, trauma, and friendship, often leaving players to piece together its ambiguous elements. While many found the character development and emotional depth engaging, some criticized the pacing and the lack of clear resolutions, leading to a mix of satisfaction and frustration with the plot's conclusion. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its relatability and thought-provoking nature, though it may not appeal to those seeking a straightforward narrative.
- “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.”
- “With the addition of a genuinely intriguing exploration of existentialism and a story that feels genuine and personal, Homebody has managed to captivate my mind for months despite only requiring a few short hours of play.”
- “The story was well written and one part of dialogue actually made me cry (probably due to me being an aging millennial :)).”
- “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 strongly recommend you, after finishing the game and having reflected upon it, to check out one of the forum threads of this game's Steam page, where other users shared their own theories. I can assure you, you will keep thinking about the plot for some time, just like after finishing a compelling book.”
- “The story kept teasing that it was going to start making sense at some point... only to never do.”
- “I couldn't connect with the characters or the story.”
gameplay
198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The gameplay of "Homebody" features a mix of engaging puzzle-solving and time-loop mechanics reminiscent of classic survival horror games, though it can become repetitive and slow due to its reliance on a Groundhog Day-style loop. While many players appreciate the clever puzzle design and atmospheric storytelling, some criticize the clunky controls and intrusive cutscenes that disrupt the flow of gameplay. Overall, the game offers a unique experience that blends horror elements with emotional depth, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its pacing and narrative integration.
- “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 (a literal loop in this case!) felt very good and refreshing, though I must warn everyone that 'Homebody' is very puzzle-heavy.”
- “The puzzles were challenging but not impossible, the gameplay was interesting and the perfect level of scary for my liking.”
- “The nature of the gameplay loop also killed off the tension pretty quickly.”
- “Gameplay itself ends up being too clumsy and intrusive.”
- “But the technical aspect and core gameplay are just so displeasing to me.”
atmosphere
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
31%
4%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively building tension without relying on cheap jump scares. Players appreciate the combination of intriguing puzzles, engaging character interactions, and a nostalgic aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. While some find the gameplay slow or frustrating at times, the strong atmospheric elements and psychological horror aspects create a captivating environment that draws players in.
- “It had a few jump scares that got me and the atmosphere was incredible, with tense existential moments against the backdrop of the metaphysical.”
- “The developers really cultivated a tense atmosphere and a lot of scares (especially in the first act).”
- “Fantastic atmosphere, subtle psychological horror and escalating puzzles and levels.”
- “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 (some of my favorite horror narratives deal with this issue - Time Crimes, for one) as the story quickly transitions into a meditation on relationships, aging, and mental struggles.”
graphics
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The game's graphics have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the nostalgic PS1-inspired art style and low-poly aesthetics that contribute to an immersive atmosphere. While some found the visuals charming and evocative, others criticized inconsistencies and cartoonish elements that detracted from the intended horror experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a fitting complement to the game's themes, despite some technical issues and a fixed camera angle that can be frustrating at times.
- “I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the graphics style; though the controls were quite fiddly (especially the constant camera angle shifting).”
- “The graphics style is beautiful, with semi-retro vibes.”
- “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.”
- “The graphics are low poly and sweet, though not spectacular.”
- “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.”
emotional
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its profound emotional depth and compelling storytelling, effectively addressing themes of anxiety, depression, and personal growth. Players report strong emotional resonance, with many moments that evoke nostalgia and relatability, leading to a captivating experience that often elicits tears. Overall, it is recognized as a masterful blend of engaging gameplay and heartfelt narrative, marking it as a standout in the realm of video games as an art form.
- “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.”
- “Best of all was its incredible emotional depth and profound characters, the likes of which you rarely see in most kinds of media, much less in video games.”
humor
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and seamless integration into the narrative, often providing a delightful contrast to its creepy and unsettling themes. Players appreciate the relatable dialogue options and the comedic timing, which enhance the overall experience without feeling forced. The blend of humor with elements of social anxiety and deep character interactions adds a unique charm, making it an engaging and entertaining playthrough.
- “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 relate very well to real life while being this really amazing game.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a double-edged sword; while it starts strong and offers engaging puzzles, it quickly devolves into a tedious and repetitive experience. The initial excitement fades as characters become less engaging and the gameplay shifts from thrilling survival to a monotonous loop, leaving many wishing for a more dynamic and less grind-heavy experience.
- “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.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The music in Homebody is characterized by its subtlety and effectiveness, enhancing the game's atmospheric experience. While much of the soundtrack is environment-related, it skillfully transitions from ambient sounds to intense sequences, creating a sense of urgency during chase moments. Overall, the sound design is praised for being immersive without being overwhelming.
- “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 development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The character development in the game is praised for its depth and immersion, with players noting significant growth during key moments that enhance the overall narrative. The art style and character designs, while cartoonish, effectively contribute to the game's atmosphere, balancing a playful aesthetic with a sense of threat, reminiscent of classic titles like Maniac Mansion. Overall, the combination of visual elements and character arcs creates a compelling experience for players.
- “We see a lot of character development happen in these moments.”
- “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.”
- “Visually, I'm sort of reminded of Maniac Mansion due to some of the themes and the character design, though the soft dithered pastels put me more in mind of Cruise for a Corpse.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
Overall, the game has limited replayability, primarily offering a single impactful experience rather than encouraging multiple playthroughs. While some players may return to collect trophies or revisit the story, the short length and lack of significant changes in subsequent runs diminish its replay value. However, the intense atmosphere and engaging narrative can still make a single playthrough worthwhile.
- “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.”
- “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.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users feeling that the advertising misrepresents the game's themes, particularly regarding mental illness. Despite being promoted by popular channels like Game Grumps, the game is perceived as niche or underground, suggesting a disconnect between its marketing and audience expectations.
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game is perceived as polished and streamlined, though it does experience some minor glitches, particularly in the dialogue interactions between Emily and other characters.
- “Some of the dialogue between Emily and these characters is buggy.”
- “Some of the dialogue between Emily and these characters is buggy.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's character performances are engaging and well-suited to its muted tone, though they lack standout moments. Overall, the optimization in this aspect aligns effectively with the game's atmosphere.