Retro Horror Story
- October 3, 2024
- Matt Hutchings
Get on SteamStep into the eerie, pixelated world of the 90s with Retro Horror Story, a chilling first-person survival horror game inspired by classic retro games. After playing a cursed cartridge, you find yourself stranded inside a maze-like liminal space that has claimed the lives of many before you! Navigate the twisted maze, solve puzzles, uncover the mystery of the labyrinth, and escape a terrifying en…
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Charming retro graphics and sound that effectively capture the horror atmosphere.
- Engaging gameplay with fun puzzles, intense monster chases, and enjoyable boss fights.
- A nostalgic throwback to classic horror games, delivering a well-executed story and enjoyable experience.
- The game is relatively short, taking only 40-50 minutes to complete.
- Some gameplay elements feel generic and may not stand out in the horror genre.
- There are minor bugs and AI issues that can detract from the overall experience.
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story of "Retro Horror Story" is a nostalgic homage to classic slasher films, featuring a straightforward plot where players navigate a nightmare maze while evading a monster. It effectively combines retro graphics and sound with a simple yet engaging narrative, allowing players to uncover the fates of other trapped characters. Overall, the game delivers a well-executed experience that captures the essence of survival horror.
“Well, my review is definitely positive, because this game delivers exactly what it promises: a retro horror story!”
“From the classic plot (that reminded me a little bit of Nightmare on Elm Street) to the simplistic but fun and effective gameplay, this game is a well-executed throwback to classic slasher horror movies and to the first stealth-driven horror games from 10 years ago.”
“Same story, other place.”
“Retro horror story is a short, simple but relatively well made horror game where you must run from a monster while trapped inside a nightmare maze based video game.”
“There are other kids that are trapped like you, try and make it out to tell their story.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics of Retro Horror Story are praised for their charming retro aesthetic, blending low-polygon models, pixelated textures, and 2D sprites with modern lighting effects, particularly neon lighting, to enhance the nostalgic feel. Additionally, the personalization of the antagonist's model adds a unique touch that stands out in contemporary gaming.
“Retro Horror Story has very charming retro graphics and sounds.”
“I appreciated the personalization of the antagonist's model (which is not trivial at all nowadays, unfortunately) and the particularly charming graphics that propose an admixture between well-known old formulas (low-polygon models, pixelated textures, 2D sprites...) with fancy modern light effects (focused on 'neon' light to maintain the retro feel).”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The character models look flat and lifeless, making it hard to connect with the game.”
“The environments feel bland and uninspired, failing to create an immersive experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers consistently praise the game's atmosphere, noting that it effectively captures the intended mood and setting.
“That captures the atmosphere very, very well.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplistic yet enjoyable mechanics, effectively capturing the essence of classic slasher horror films and reminiscent of early stealth-driven horror games. Overall, it serves as a well-executed homage to the genre's roots.
“From the classic plot (which reminded me a little bit of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street') to the simplistic but fun and effective gameplay, this game is a well-executed throwback to classic slasher horror movies and to the first stealth-driven horror games from 10 years ago.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has some issues, including occasional stuttering in performance mode and AI glitches, but these do not significantly detract from the overall experience, making it still highly recommended, especially during the Halloween season.
“The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I appreciate how the developers have focused on optimization, making the game run seamlessly without major hiccups.”
“The performance mode really enhances the experience, showcasing the game's optimization efforts.”
“Despite a few bugs here and there, including a slight constant stutter even on performance mode and flawed AI that sometimes gets mysteriously stuck, the optimization leaves much to be desired.”
“The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and inconsistent performance across different hardware setups.”
“I encountered numerous optimization problems, such as long loading times and unresponsive controls, which detracted from the overall experience.”
