Phobia

About

Phobia is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with horror, violence and science fiction themes. It was developed by VGstudio and was released on June 9, 2017. It received negative reviews from players.

"Phobia" is a Horror Shooter game, offering both multi-player and single-player modes. As a private detective, enter a terrifying laboratory overrun with genetic monsters, in a desperate hunt for a missing relative. Uncover the dark secrets of this place, fight or flee from infernal creatures, and delve into the mind of the protagonist, in a chilling journey through fear, nightmare, and madness.

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19%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

atmosphere3 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features some decent graphics thanks to the Unreal Engine, providing high-resolution textures and impressive lighting effects.
There are moments of genuine scare, with unexpected jump scares and creepy visuals that can create a spooky atmosphere.
The game includes small puzzles, such as collecting keys, which can add a layer of challenge to the gameplay.

The game suffers from poor controls and clunky mechanics, making movement feel frustrating and unresponsive.
Many players reported numerous bugs, including crashes, glitches, and issues with enemy AI, which detract from the overall experience.
The translation and writing are poorly executed, leading to confusing instructions and a lack of clarity in the game's objectives.

graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their initial design and atmospheric quality, particularly in the early levels. However, players have noted a lack of polish and inconsistency, with significant changes in visual quality when adjusting settings, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “I turned my graphic setting to low, and the library went from being black to a very bright gold.”
- “The graphics were great, but the lack of effort in polishing the game before the release put me off from playing it any further.”
- “I'd recommend it based on the fact that it is a working game. The initial few levels look like the developer put some thought into the design and built up quite an atmosphere considering the graphics.”
- “I turned my graphic setting to low, and in the library, it went from being black to very bright gold.”
- “The graphics were great, but the lack of effort in polishing the game before the release put me off playing this game any further.”
- “I'd recommend it based on the fact that it is a working game. The initial few levels look like the developer put some thought into the design and built up quite an atmosphere considering the graphics. However, once you get a gun, it turns into a shooter, and that turned me off the game, to be honest.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story is criticized for its lack of clarity and poor writing, leaving players confused about the plot and objectives, which revolve around exploring a house. Many find the narrative puzzling and difficult to grasp, requiring a more twisted mindset to appreciate.
- “The backstory is not well written, but the general premise is that you must, thanks to the Russian translation, 'penetrate the house' and then run around inside.”
- “A puzzling story that will take a twisted mind to understand.”
- “I never really understood the story as it was not clear to me at all throughout the game.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The game's atmosphere is initially strong, thanks to its impressive Unreal Engine design and thoughtful level construction, which effectively builds tension and immersion. However, the transition to a shooter gameplay style after the first few levels disrupts this atmosphere, leading to a jarring experience that diminishes the initial suspense.
- “It uses the Unreal Engine and creates a very atmospheric experience with the game's design.”
- “The initial few levels show that the developer put thought into the design, building up quite an atmosphere considering the graphics.”
- “The game had me on edge for the first two levels, creating a strong atmosphere that was somewhat jarring when the pace switched.”
- “It was somewhat jarring how the game switches pace and that serves to kill the atmosphere created thus far, which is a shame, as it did actually have me on edge for the first two levels.”
- “I'd recommend based on that it is a working game; the initial few levels look like the developer put some thought into the design and built up quite an atmosphere considering the graphics, etc. However, once you get a gun, it turns into a shooter, and that turned me off of the game, to be honest.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with players reporting severe bugs that cause all objects, including keys and enemies, to respawn upon saving and reloading, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- “Saying the game is buggy is an understatement, as saving and reloading will respawn all objects, including keys and enemies.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing hours of work.”
- “I encountered multiple game-breaking glitches that forced me to restart my playthrough entirely.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is described as initially off-putting but ultimately enjoyable, with a charm that makes it funny in a delightfully bad way.
- “I enjoy it at first; it's very bad, but in a funny way.”
- “The humor in this game is absolutely hilarious and keeps me coming back for more.”
- “I love how the game uses clever jokes and puns that always make me laugh.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
300%
The gameplay is characterized as a standard arcade horror experience, where players initially avoid monsters using basic mechanics like walking, running, and using a flashlight, before gaining a gun that shifts the dynamic to the monsters needing to evade the player. Overall, it offers a straightforward and familiar gameplay loop.
- “The gameplay is reminiscent of classic arcade horror games, allowing you to walk, run, and use your flashlight. Initially, you must avoid the monster, but as you progress and acquire a gun, the dynamics shift, and the monsters must avoid you. It's a straightforward yet engaging experience.”
- “The gameplay feels very generic, resembling a standard arcade horror game where you can walk, run, and use your flashlight. Initially, you must avoid the monster, but later you get a gun and the roles reverse, making it quite simplistic.”
- “The mechanics are repetitive and lack depth, leading to a monotonous experience that fails to engage players.”
- “The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game.”