Horns of Fear

About

"Horns of Fear" is a third-person psychological horror game set in a creepy mansion, where you play as a journalist investigating the paranormal. The game features a harrowing atmosphere, puzzles to solve, and items to collect. It boasts an original soundtrack and was made almost entirely by one person, with a warning for disturbing images and potential epilepsy triggers.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 54 reviews

story12 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features a captivating story with surprising twists and a unique art style that enhances the eerie atmosphere.
Puzzles are well-designed, offering a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult, and the gameplay is engaging.
The game successfully combines humor and horror elements, providing a fun and memorable experience for players.

The combat mechanics are clunky and can detract from the overall experience.
Some puzzles may feel obscure or illogical, leading to frustration for players trying to progress.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content and depth.

story
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
The game's story is described as immersive and intriguing, with a mix of horror and humor that keeps players engaged, though it can be convoluted and at times relies on clichés. While some players appreciate the atmospheric narrative and the challenge of piecing together the plot, others find it underwhelming or disjointed, particularly in its execution of twists and character development. Overall, the story enhances the gameplay experience for many, despite its flaws, making it a notable aspect of the game.
- “The story is intriguing and does require a bit of piecing together by the player until later on, but I enjoyed reading the little tidbits and guessing at what was going on.”
- “An entertaining and disturbing little horror story that ends up being more than meets the eye.”
- “Great story, fun puzzles, unique art style; I would recommend it for horror fans.”
- “However, it turns the game more into storytelling rather than a challenge.”
- “The weakest part of the game is definitely the story.”
- “It wasn't until I gave up and made it to the doll head puzzle that I realized how the puzzles were connected; the pasiphae puzzle never gives you any obvious indicator that the pieces are in the right order - you just need to know the story.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
37%
16%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and aesthetically pleasing art style, combining creepy surrealism with detailed environments and memorable character designs. Many players appreciate the game's oil painting feel and cinematic scenes, which enhance the overall atmosphere, although some have reported technical issues related to graphics loading and compatibility. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's immersive horror experience, making it a standout in the indie genre.
- “I loaded the game up with some basic indie horror game expectations, but was pleasantly surprised with a story-rich and aesthetically pleasing eerie adventure through a morbid mansion with a dark history.”
- “The visual style, what initially drew me to this game, delivered a beautiful indie horror aesthetic with a mix of creepy surrealism and some fantastic gory deaths (I believe they are done using clay models, which I just love).”
- “The graphics are probably at the top of the pixel pack for me in terms of this kind of horror; I loved that it bucked tradition with a top-down perspective, some detailed cinematic scenes, interesting environments, and characters whose faces I'll remember long after I played.”
- “Then, just at the start of the game, I am confronted by the exact same bug with loading graphics.”
- “My advice to anyone who buys and tries this game is, if you do get a graphics load issue early in the game, don't wait until you encounter the next transition in graphics.”
- “Its only downfall is that my graphics card had a lot of problems with compatibility, and I was not able to finish the game.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
10%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its spooky and immersive qualities, enhanced by fantastic art and a haunting soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the combination of creepy visuals, inventive puzzles, and a compelling narrative that create a concentrated dose of horror. While some elements may feel quirky, the overall ambiance is described as nostalgic and engaging, making it a memorable experience.
- “A surprisingly enjoyable micro-horror game: a concentrated dose of creepy art/gore, inventive puzzles, satisfying exploration, and a mind-melting narrative, all tied together in a short little experience oozing with atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack and art style are fantastic; they really enhance the atmosphere.”
- “The writing is coherent, the atmosphere is nice and creepy, and the art has an indie charm to it, especially for this all being made by one person.”
- “You could put 'Horns of Fear' back on the shelf next to it, and it would fit, but some of the risks it took end up being too quirky for the overall atmosphere.”
- “I plan to continue returning to the game to try and make it to 100% and see what other possible endings may be available, as I felt there were many different angles the story could have taken - there were little nuggets of information and clues hidden around the mansion, and the 90's horror point-and-click style gameplay gave it both a nostalgic and creepy atmosphere.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplistic and straightforward exploration of a mansion, reminiscent of 90's horror point-and-click adventures, though it does not heavily utilize the mouse. Players can complete the game in under two hours, but many express a desire to revisit it to uncover hidden clues and explore multiple endings, enhancing the overall experience with a nostalgic and eerie atmosphere.
- “I plan to continue returning to the game to try and make it to 100% and see what other possible endings may be available, as I felt there were many different angles the story could have taken - there were little nuggets of information and clues hidden around the mansion, and the 90's horror point-and-click style gameplay gave it both a nostalgic and creepy atmosphere.”
- “The gameplay is simplistic and straightforward as you travel through the mansion and explore its mysteries.”
- “Gameplay is like a point-and-click adventure, but the mouse isn't really used.”
- “Gameplay is under 2 hours; the concept was understandable, and the ending was solid.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, complementing the engaging storyline and gameplay elements. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the overall experience and immersion.
- “If you want an awesome storyline, twists, turns, gore, challenging puzzles, and an awesome soundtrack to go with it, buy this game now.”
- “Music was wonderfully done as well!”
- “The soundtrack and art style are fantastic; they really enhance the atmosphere.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of unsettling and spooky elements, reminiscent of the "Evil Dead" style, which adds a comedic twist to the overall atmosphere. Players find the game's poor quality amusing, with many noting that it elicits laughter, especially for those who enjoy sharing their experiences online.
- “Spooky, great atmosphere, good puzzles, funny.”
- “It's very unsettling and spooky, as well as being very funny in an Evil Dead kind of way.”
- “The quality of this game is so bad it's hilarious.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game offers a brief 2-3 hour experience, which many users feel lacks significant replay value.
- “You are basically looking at a 2-3 hour experience with no replay value.”
- “Once you finish the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices means that replaying the game feels like a chore rather than an adventure.”