Rental

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Rental is a short and spooky adventure game about the dangers of renting a house in an unknown place.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,569 reviews

graphics136 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

The game features a charming retro aesthetic reminiscent of PS1 graphics, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
The dialogue is humorous and adds a light-hearted touch to the otherwise eerie setting.
It's a short and free game, making it accessible for players looking for a quick, cute horror experience.

The maze section is confusing and can cause motion sickness, detracting from the overall experience.
The game lacks depth in its story and gameplay, leaving players wanting more content and engagement.
There are no real threats or challenges, making the horror elements feel underwhelming and predictable.

graphics
309 mentions
44 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming retro aesthetic, reminiscent of PS1 and early Nintendo DS titles, which effectively blend cute and spooky elements. Many players appreciate the nostalgic visuals and the unique combination of animal crossing-like designs with horror themes, creating an engaging atmosphere. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay and story depth, the overall art style and ambiance are highlighted as standout features that enhance the gaming experience.
- “Spooky concept with cute but unsettling graphics, I absolutely loved this game.”
- “The way the dialogues pop, the little sounds (loved that sudden one of the floating table), muah to every detail ✨, perfect nostalgic aesthetic.”
- “I love the graphics, because it gives me an old feeling and almost reminds me of older horror games (think Silent Hill) but with a cute aspect.”
- “This features fairly low quality low poly 3D visuals which will deter a lot of gamers, understandably.”
- “The graphics resemble the average DS game, probably Tomodachi Life.”
- “The aesthetics could only hold it together so much.”
atmosphere
191 mentions
63 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of cutesy visuals and eerie undertones, reminiscent of classic horror titles like Silent Hill and Resident Evil. Reviewers appreciate the game's ability to create tension and unease without relying on jump scares, instead focusing on a nostalgic, atmospheric experience that is both charming and unsettling. Overall, the game's art style, sound design, and engaging environment contribute to a captivating and immersive atmosphere that resonates well with players.
- “The atmosphere, subtle jump scares, and unique camera mechanics make it stand out from other indie horror games.”
- “Rental is a game that relies very heavily on atmosphere, and the creators have done this so well.”
- “A delightful spooky short horror game that takes a pretty intriguing pitch; what if cutesy Animal Crossing characters went to Silent Hill, and really delivers with a deeply unsettling atmosphere.”
- “While it's a short game and doesn't have much after you complete the only objective, I love the atmosphere and I really think there's some potential to it.”
- “Finally, what little atmosphere the game tries to build up is constantly killed by what is probably supposed to be funny dialogue, but none of it really lands.”
- “No pay-off for the atmosphere it builds, with half the game taking place in a frustrating labyrinth with zero stakes.”
story
123 mentions
39 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it short and lacking depth, often describing it as simple or bland. While some appreciated the cute characters and nostalgic graphics, others felt the narrative was underdeveloped and left them wanting more. Overall, the game is seen as a brief, enjoyable experience, but it could benefit from a more fleshed-out storyline and character development.
- “Very cute and has good storytelling for a short game.”
- “For such a short story it really manages to draw you in.”
- “Love the atmosphere, the awesome PS1 graphics, the short yet engaging story, and the ending is extremely simple, yet satisfying.”
- “The plot feels like it was written by a three-year-old; it has no lasting power.”
- “The story is so null, it feels almost non-existent in the game, and the characters have no remarkable personality traits about them.”
- “Honestly, a cute little game that gives me some unease as the story goes on, but it lacks depth and engagement.”
humor
87 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-2 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with many players noting its charming and funny dialogue that adds a lighthearted touch to the otherwise spooky atmosphere. Characters, particularly the protagonist, deliver amusing lines and interactions that enhance the overall experience, making it both entertaining and endearing. While some found the humor to be repetitive or misplaced, the blend of comedy and horror generally resonated well with players, contributing to a fun and engaging gameplay experience.
- “I loved playing, listening to Umi's dialogue, and seeing how hilariously unfazed she is throughout this little experience!”
- “Perfect blend of comedy and horror, genuinely made me feel a little uneasy at some parts, made me laugh super hard at others.”
- “The visuals all fit the aesthetic, the soundtrack is very nice, and the dialogue was quite funny to read through.”
- “Finally, what little atmosphere the game tries to build up is constantly killed by what is probably supposed to be funny dialogue, but none of it really lands.”
- “The attempts at humor feel forced and often fall flat, making the experience more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
- “I found the jokes to be stale and unoriginal, which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
gameplay
74 mentions
24 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as simplistic and short, primarily involving exploration and item interaction within a confined environment, often likened to a walking simulator. While the charming art style and atmospheric elements are praised, many players find the mechanics lacking depth, with some expressing frustration over specific sections like the mirror maze. Overall, the game is seen as a brief, enjoyable experience, but it leaves players wanting more complexity and content.
- “I love how the gameplay changes from the top-down perspective to the first-person perspective!”
- “The gameplay may be simplistic, but it's smooth and polished, allowing players to immerse themselves in the eerie atmosphere without getting bogged down by complex mechanics.”
- “The art style is well-executed, and gameplay unfolds smoothly from the beginning, showing the developer's potential for future projects.”
- “The gameplay just has you wandering the house and interacting with everything that you can; it was kind of boring.”
- “The gameplay isn't terribly exciting, essentially just a walking simulator/find stuff with spooky mixed in.”
- “With no form of combat or even any kind of chase sequences, the gameplay is really nothing more than wandering around some house and spamming the enter key on every single object to see if you could interact with it.”
music
47 mentions
47 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its eerie, ambient qualities that contribute to a spooky yet charming experience. While some found the soundtrack minimal, others appreciated its effectiveness in creating a comforting or unsettling mood, reminiscent of classic horror games. Overall, the combination of music and visuals is highlighted as a strong point, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
- “The music was lovely, the atmosphere was liminal and I found it more comforting than creepy.”
- “Charming, spooky (but not too spooky), nails the aesthetic with its ambient surreal soundtrack, sound design, and early PS1 textures and models.”
- “The ambiance and soundtrack are stunning.”
- “Sadly, there is no menu, so you can't save your game or turn off the music/sound effects.”
- “It's a shame I can't say the same about the music; the soundtrack is practically non-existent.”
- “The music is a bit eerie, but that's about as far as the creep factor goes.”
emotional
16 mentions
94 % positive mentions
-12 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mix of feelings, ranging from nostalgia and warmth to discomfort and unease. Players appreciate the blend of creepy and cute elements, often finding themselves laughing and feeling nostalgic, while also expressing frustration and nausea from certain gameplay mechanics like the labyrinth and jump scares. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, making it both wholesome and unsettling at times.
- “So creepy and cute, I want to cry either way lol.”
- “Very wholesome and cozy game <33.”
- “It made me feel uneasy and creeped out, but also made me laugh because of the way Umi interacts with the world with both straightforward acceptance of what would seem extremely abnormal to an adult and also with an ignorance of the details around her (like referring to a painting of Jesus as an 'angry man').”
- “The game has stunning visuals, but the emotional depth is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “While the graphics are impressive, the storyline fails to evoke any real feelings, leaving me feeling detached.”
- “I expected a gripping narrative, but instead, I found a predictable plot that didn't resonate emotionally.”
grinding
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overly tedious, particularly due to the lengthy and confusing labyrinth sections that detract from the overall experience. While the game offers an interesting concept and appealing atmosphere, the repetitive nature of navigating the maze can lead to frustration and a lack of engagement, especially on repeated playthroughs.
- “Grinding in this game is so immersive, it feels like you'll need a second life to keep up!”
- “The grind is rewarding, offering a sense of achievement with every level gained.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it keeps me engaged without feeling tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It became tedious and not fun.”
- “The labyrinth can get tedious fast, especially on subsequent playthroughs.”
character development
8 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highlighted by its incredibly cute and nostalgic designs, which resonate well with players. The quirky dialogue and the charming atmosphere enhance the connection to the characters, particularly the beloved character Umi, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience. Overall, the character designs are a standout feature, adding to the game's appeal.
- “Love the art direction, feels very nostalgic and the character designs are adorable!”
- “I was talking to Umi like she could hear me the whole time, love the character design and atmosphere of the game.”
- “Cute character designs, some slightly quirky dialogue, and a lot of mystery looming around your newly rented house... plus, this game has no jumpscares!”
stability
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth gameplay with no significant glitches or bugs, some experience camera issues and motion sickness due to the maze design. The horror elements, primarily reliant on camera glitches, show potential but can detract from the experience.
- “No glitches or bugs, smooth gameplay, and getting the achievements took less than an hour but held my attention.”
- “Very aesthetically pleasing... the maze made my eyes hurt and gave me motion sickness, the mirrors don't look good with the art style of the game, the camera glitches sometimes in the first segment, the horror aspect is really just camera glitches with a character appearing and freezing you in place (which I think has a lot of potential especially the first few times it happens).”
- “Wish it had more horror and some aspects were kind of buggy but overall enjoyed it.”
replayability
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers limited replayability, though some players find it surprisingly enjoyable for a free title. Its cute and spooky elements contribute to a fun experience, but the short length may deter repeated playthroughs.
- “Super cute and spooky, with surprising replayability.”
- “The game is super cute and spooky, but its short length really limits replayability.”
- “I found the replayability to be lacking; once you've completed it, there's not much incentive to go back.”
- “While the game has some surprising elements, the overall replayability feels minimal.”
optimization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for poor performance, particularly in rendering, which can detract from the experience, especially for players sensitive to high-intensity scenarios. Despite these issues, some users found the game enjoyable, particularly for its horror elements.
- “Cool concept, but the game performance is horrible for some reason (rendering, I guess).”
- “I have anxiety, so I usually avoid most games due to lacking performance, especially in regards to anything with high intensity, action, horror, etc. You get the gist... Rental, however, was a nice game to play through; the horror elements of the game would most likely be best described as lacking.”