House
- October 30, 2020
- barkbarkgames
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"House" is a single-player Horror Action game that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its intriguing storyline and spectacular game mechanics. The game boasts perfect graphics and a sensational soundtrack that adds to the overall immersive experience. However, be prepared for some grinding as the game requires you to put in the time and effort to progress. For more information, check out the game's press kit at .
Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging story with multiple endings that encourage exploration and experimentation.
- The pixel art style and soundtrack create a captivating atmosphere that enhances the horror experience.
- Gameplay is challenging yet rewarding, with a satisfying sense of progression as players learn from their mistakes.
- The game frequently crashes, which can disrupt the gameplay experience and lead to frustration.
- Some players find the controls and hitboxes to be frustratingly imprecise, making certain actions difficult to execute.
- The game is relatively short, with some players feeling that it doesn't offer enough content for its price.
- story93 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its unique and engaging narrative, featuring multiple endings and thought-provoking themes such as loss and regret. Players appreciate the blend of horror and charm in the storytelling, enhanced by atmospheric visuals and music, which together create a compelling experience that encourages exploration and replayability. While some find the story simple, many agree that its depth and the environmental storytelling elements make it a standout aspect of the game.
“The storytelling is a subtle dance, provoking thought and curiosity, all while delving into themes of loss, regret, and the intricacies of human existence.”
“The story is unique, the art is amazing, the soundtrack is incredible, and your actions have consequences.”
“The mystery of the house, the story of each character, and the circumstances that brought it all to be encourages endless exploration and analytical discussion.”
“Strangest storyline I've ever seen; it has the weirdest details. I have played 12 and a half days' worth of playtime and loved every second of it, from looking around to seeing the family die to getting to read and understand Tabby's persona through the diary entries when you complete tasks.”
“It seems like there is still much more to do even after the end of the main story, which I absolutely and gladly plan on completing.”
“The story is simple, but the details branch the problems present in that story.”
- music63 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many players describing it as soothing, haunting, and perfectly fitting for the game's narrative. Reviewers appreciate the soundtrack's range, from calming melodies to intense, eerie compositions that effectively complement the gameplay and story. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“The game is amazing - it has a classic pixel art look, great animations, grotesque monster design, and an amazing soundtrack that takes a lot of inspiration from Yume Nikki.”
“The soundtrack spans from creepy unnerving ambiance to melodic emotional relief.”
“The music fits so well, it has a deceptive warmth to it and gets eerie based on events and time progression.”
“Writing music for this style of game is not easy and often gets boring and repetitive.”
“The music starts calm and pleasing while towards the end it turns harsh and stressful.”
“The music and scenery are both hauntingly minimalistic, but every room is super memorable, and each threat you encounter leaves its mark.”
- graphics51 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique and charming pixel art style that blends cute and grotesque elements, effectively complementing the game's atmosphere and story. While some players appreciate the creativity and visual appeal, others find the minimalist aesthetic reminiscent of older indie titles, with mixed opinions on its execution. Overall, the visuals are praised for their ability to evoke emotion and enhance the gameplay experience, despite occasional graphical glitches.
“I love its visuals, and the story and gameplay are really well put together!”
“The visuals are so great and really fit with the whole mood the game is trying to set.”
“Love the graphics, they're adorable, and horrific at the same time.”
“Tedious and ugly to look at with that minimalist pixel art style that became popular in the 2010s.”
“I mean... it looks like an indie project with graphics somewhere between an Atari 2600 and a classic NES.”
“My initial reaction to the game was that it was just another indie pixel-graphics horror game essentially made for YouTubers, that relies almost entirely on shock value and gore to entertain.”
- gameplay47 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of simplicity and depth, allowing players to engage in a trial-and-error experience that is both rewarding and addictive. While some find the gameplay loop repetitive, the intriguing story, multiple endings, and atmospheric design keep players invested. Overall, the game offers a unique mix of retro aesthetics and emotional storytelling, making it a compelling experience despite its short duration.
“I love its visuals, and the story and gameplay are really well put together!”
“The gameplay is meticulous at times and extremely tense during others.”
“It's such a great game, it's not very scary but the game looks great, the music sounds great and it has such addicting gameplay; I loved trying to figure out how to get out of the house.”
“Short gameplay!”
“Without tutorials, this game has 2-3 hours of gameplay.”
“The gameplay can be summarized as Groundhog Day in that you die repeatedly until you get it right, only there are multiple endings and the deaths are gruesome even through the pixels.”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating and oppressive qualities, effectively blending horror elements with a sense of mystery and intrigue. Players appreciate the chilling soundtrack, clever dialogue, and the overall dark beauty that enhances the immersive experience, making it a standout feature despite the game's simplicity. Many reviewers highlight how the atmosphere not only complements the gameplay but also deepens the emotional investment in the story, creating a uniquely unsettling yet engaging environment.
“The atmosphere, the soundtrack, the characters, the things you find as you make different choices at different times... just an overall amazing game.”
“Highly recommend to anyone who doesn’t mind getting lost and immersing themselves into a uniquely unsettling atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere of madness that reigns in the house will amaze and fascinate, making anyone get to the heart of the truth and find answers to the questions that bother them.”
“This game is oppressive in its atmosphere.”
“The game's madness-laden atmosphere is both captivating and mesmerizing, beckoning players to uncover the truth that lies at its heart.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game can be both tedious and frustrating, often exacerbated by trial-and-error mechanics and bugs that require restarts. While some players find the grinding to be a fun and satisfying challenge, particularly in the context of unlocking secrets and achieving endings, others feel it becomes monotonous and overly repetitive, especially when pursuing specific achievements or endings. Overall, the experience of grinding varies significantly among players, with some enjoying the process and others finding it a chore.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“This, plus the trial-and-error nature of the game makes for a tedious playing experience.”
“Cool little game reminiscent of Deathclock Tower, but it comes at a steep price for something that is pretty short and becomes incredibly tedious through trial and error play, made much worse by a few bugs which will force you to restart.”
“I gave up when I spent 2 hours trying to resolve the special 'frog ending' because of how random some of the spawns are and how tedious it is to fight the secret boss.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its unique blend of humor and horror, featuring a variety of hilarious and darkly comedic elements, including bizarre character interactions and over-the-top game overs. Players enjoy experimenting with multiple endings and outcomes, finding the experience both creepy and entertaining. The pixel graphics and animations further enhance the game's quirky charm, making it a standout in its genre.
“This horror game is hilarious to say the least; you can die in a bazillion ways, and it's very fun to experiment and figure out what the hell you're supposed to do. It has multiple endings and outcomes. Also, when you finish the game, don't forget to play the DLC included in the game for free.”
“Intriguing and hilariously dark.”
“You can find that sort of bizarre dark humor in it.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, particularly for those interested in completing achievements and enjoying its art style. However, some players feel that once all achievements are unlocked, the replay value diminishes, making it less appealing for long-term engagement. Overall, it is best suited for quick play sessions rather than sustained replayability.
“I loved the art style and replayability of this game.”
“It's absolutely worth it if you're looking for a quick evening of pixel-horror adventure but look elsewhere if you want something with lasting replayability.”
“There is so much replayability value to this game.”
“It's absolutely worth it if you're looking for a quick evening of pixel-horror adventure, but look elsewhere if you want something with lasting replayability.”
“And it had a lot of replay value!... until you get all achievements.”
“- no replay value other than achievements.”
- stability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with some users reporting little to no glitches, while others experience frequent crashes and freezes that detract from the overall experience. Although some bugs are noted, they are generally not seen as detrimental, indicating that the game's stability may vary significantly among players.
“The game runs smoothly with little to no glitches.”
“I haven't encountered any stability issues; everything works perfectly.”
“The performance is rock solid, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
“The game randomly freezes (has never happened before on any game similar to this for me).”
“A great game until it crashes and freezes, and it becomes increasingly frustrating.”
“It is kind of buggy though, and there are a lot of glitches.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game masterfully blends gruesome elements with poignant moments, creating a unique emotional depth that enhances the chilling gameplay. Its narrative delves into themes of loss and regret, fostering a strong emotional attachment to the characters and events. The soundtrack further amplifies this experience, transitioning from unsettling ambiance to melodic relief, contributing to a heart-wrenching story.
“To have such a gruesome game with such beautiful touching moments is rare.”
“The narrative explores themes of loss, regret, and the complexities of the human condition, adding emotional depth to the overall gaming experience.”
“I was absolutely not expecting the twists, depth, and emotional attachment to the events that take place in this game.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development is enhanced by an engaging story that features multiple endings, complemented by well-timed gameplay and appealing character designs.
“The character development is incredibly rich, with each choice leading to unique story outcomes.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making every decision feel impactful.”
“The depth of the characters and their backstories adds so much to the overall experience.”
