Lights Off!

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 985 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Lights Off! Game Cover
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"Lights Off!" is a single-player indie game that explores the common childhood fear of turning off the lights at bedtime. Players navigate through a dark, procedurally generated house, avoiding shadowy creatures and using limited resources to survive until morning. The Director's Cut features improved graphics, new levels, and additional gameplay mechanics, creating a more immersive and challenging experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 985 reviews
graphics8 positive mentions
optimization2 negative mentions
  • Lights Off is a short but effective horror game that successfully builds tension and evokes childhood fears of the dark.
  • The game features a unique concept of turning off lights and going to bed, which resonates with many players and creates a relatable atmosphere.
  • Despite its simplicity, the sound design and pacing contribute to a genuinely creepy experience, making it a worthwhile play for fans of indie horror.
  • The game is very short, taking only about 10-15 minutes to complete, which may leave players wanting more content.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, particularly in later nights, can be confusing and may lead to frustration, detracting from the overall experience.
  • The lack of a clear story and minimal gameplay elements can make the game feel repetitive and limit its impact as a horror experience.
  • gameplay26 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and repetitiveness, primarily revolving around turning off lights, which some players found lacking in depth and variety. While the atmosphere and sound design received praise for enhancing the experience, many reviewers noted that the short length and limited gameplay elements detracted from its overall impact. Some unique mechanics, like the camera feature, were appreciated, but overall, players expressed a desire for more engaging gameplay to complement the intriguing premise.

    • “From the first time I played, you captured my heart and my imagination with your simple yet terrifying gameplay.”
    • “The mechanics really fit this game well!”
    • “It's a good game and I hope it gets more updates later on for more gameplay.”
    • “I really like the scenario and pacing of the game, but its short length and lack of gameplay elements unfortunately limit its impact.”
    • “I think they forgot to add the gameplay and scary bits.”
    • “14 minutes of gameplay and it's not multiplayer.”
  • story26 mentions

    The reviews present a mixed perspective on the game's story, with many users noting a lack of depth and clarity. While some appreciate the tension and atmosphere, describing it as a "breathtaking" experience, others criticize the absence of a coherent narrative, feeling that the story is either non-existent or merely serves as background noise. Overall, there is a consensus that the game could benefit from a more developed storyline to enhance its horror elements.

    • “The story hidden behind the screen was an absolute banger to look for.”
    • “The dread as the plot builds up is something else.”
    • “The family bonds were severed halfway through this amazing tale of mutiny; the moment you realize it's the main character's mother behind these horrific events, you see the plot clearly.”
    • “There was no story, so... where is the childhood fear here?”
    • “The end is horrible (the game just ends) and no storyline at all.”
    • “Not sure if there is a story and if there was, it’s like background noise and not important at all.”
  • graphics23 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players criticizing them as poor and reminiscent of outdated styles, while others appreciate the unique art direction and nostalgic PS1-like visuals. Many agree that the graphics may not be high quality, but they fit the game's atmosphere and are acceptable given its free-to-play nature. Overall, the art style is a point of interest for some, though it may not appeal to everyone.

    • “This is quite possibly the greatest piece of art to ever release, its story is absolutely breathtaking and the graphics are complete and utterly phenomenal.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is a mix of creepy and comfy, and with the nostalgia of the PS1-like graphics, it makes this an amazing time!”
    • “I like the PS1-ish graphics style that you went with, and the Minecraft-ish textures that accompanied them.”
    • “First of all, the graphics of this game are really bad and can hurt your eyes when looking at the screen. I think that this game was made in 10 minutes and is supposed to look like this to give you a scarier vibe; however, this game is not scary and was really fun but too simple to play.”
    • “This game is really, really bad. The graphics are actually terrible, and there are no jump scares. It reminds me of 2012 Minecraft.”
    • “The graphics are pretty old looking, kind of like lost footage, if that makes any sense.”
  • atmosphere19 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its ability to create a creepy and immersive experience, often relying on subtle hints rather than jump scares to evoke fear. Many reviewers highlight the unique blend of horror and nostalgia, particularly with its PS1-like graphics, contributing to a memorable and nerve-wracking ambiance. While some note the gameplay could be longer, the overall atmospheric quality is consistently recognized as a standout feature.

    • “It's scary by hinting that something is there and has a really good atmosphere.”
    • “Short but nerve-wracking, the atmosphere is hard to get right and they could've been lazy by having stuff be behind you when you turn around, a la Silent Hills PT.”
    • “It's one of those games that don't need to jump scare you, because the ambience and the atmosphere makes your brain scare itself.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is a mix of creepy and comfy, and with the nostalgia of the PS1-like graphics, it makes this an amazing time!”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is a significant aspect, with users noting its ability to create a tense and creepy atmosphere that enhances the horror experience. While the game starts with minimal sound, it builds to a suspenseful soundtrack that effectively heightens anxiety and immersion. Overall, the sound design, including ambient noises and music, is praised for contributing to the game's unsettling vibe.

    • “The game is short, but it's really scary; the music itself almost gave me a heart attack.”
    • “The ambience is really creepy with the dark lighting and the incredibly tense soundtrack, and I think they nailed the horror aspect of it!”
    • “What's good is that it builds up the music, builds suspense, and it makes you feel like you're actually in the horror environment.”
    • “There is no music, just creaks and ambiance that you can write off as the house settling until they take a more overtly creepy turn.”
    • “The game is short, but it's hella scary; the music itself almost gave me a heart attack.”
    • “The highlight above the basic mechanics and empty world was the sounds; A+ sounds gave me mad anxiety, had to put on a nightcore remix of the gummy bear song to get through.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as light-hearted and somewhat absurd, with players finding amusement in its simplicity and the ability to bypass scary elements by sleeping. While some reviews highlight the game's lack of substance and repetitive tasks, others appreciate its comedic charm, especially given its free price point. Overall, the humor is seen as a quirky addition to an otherwise straightforward experience.

    • “I find it funny that you can just ignore a lot of the scary stuff if you just sleep, and since this game is free and you can beat it in about 5-6 minutes if you don't struggle with night 5 as much as I did, I recommend it!”
    • “Was about as scary as walking up stairs with the lights on; there was pretty much 0 substance at all to the whole game and no real threat, just repeat the same task 7 times then get strangled by a spooky funny breathy man.”
    • “It's a funny little game and free =)”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players find the game to be a deeply emotional experience, effectively evoking feelings of fear and nostalgia reminiscent of childhood fears. The design choices contribute to a wholesome yet unsettling atmosphere, leaving players both uncomfortable and engaged. Overall, the game successfully balances horror with emotional depth, resonating strongly with its audience.

    • “This game was truly an emotional experience, recreating the true horror of walking around a dark house when I was 5.”
    • “Made me feel quite uneasy at parts.”
    • “Only took 10 or so minutes to finish, but the game was really solid and made me feel quite uncomfortable in a good way.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users noting that the performance feels inconsistent and somewhat sloppy. Overall, it appears that there are significant issues affecting the game's smoothness and responsiveness.

    • “The performance is a mixed bag for me.”
    • “Performance is weird and feels sloppy.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort akin to needing a "second life" to fully engage with it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report that while the game is generally enjoyable, it suffers from various bugs that affect stability.

    • “It's good, but it's buggy for me.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy.”
    • “I experience constant lag and stability issues during gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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