Skinfreak

About

Skinfreak is a single player simulation game with horror and mystery themes. It was developed by Black Eyed Priest and was released on October 16, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Skinfreak is a single-player horror simulation game blending 1980s slasher and giallo influences with a dense atmosphere and cinematic twists. Players follow Belle, working late in a remote office, as she faces the terrifying Skinfreak serial killer in a tense, story-driven experience with interactive environments, a good soundtrack, and moments that will both scare and entertain.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 290 reviews

story38 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

The game features an intense atmosphere with great sound design and a nostalgic retro aesthetic that enhances the horror experience.
The character development and humor add a unique charm, making the gameplay engaging and enjoyable.
The puzzles and exploration elements are well-integrated, providing a rewarding experience as players progress through the story.

The game suffers from pacing issues, with some segments feeling tedious and overly reliant on fetch quests that can disrupt the horror atmosphere.
The save system is frustrating, as players may lose significant progress due to infrequent checkpoints, leading to potential frustration.
Some players found the lack of genuine danger from the antagonist throughout most of the game diminished the overall horror experience.

story
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
46%
4%
The game's story is generally praised for its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and effective atmosphere, with many players appreciating the plot twists and retro horror vibes. However, some critiques highlight pacing issues, a reliance on fetch quests, and certain plot elements that feel disconnected or underdeveloped. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a strong point, contributing to a thrilling and immersive experience despite some gameplay frustrations.
- “The storyline was compelling and gave a real sense of anxiety going through each area.”
- “The story is incredibly engaging and there's enough loving nods to various horror franchises for the freaks of the genre, like myself, to pick up on.”
- “Not only is it a finely crafted treat to look at, but it also features a great story that will keep you guessing until the very end.”
- “The plot twist on who the skinfreak was, was one of the biggest plot twists, but...it made no sense and it was meaningless.”
- “You wander around trying to find something to progress the story and it's so boring.”
- “Until I had no idea what to do...so after being lost on how to progress for about an hour literally scaling every part of the building to find 1 out of the 4 or 5 key items to progress the story...I quit out of frustration.”
atmosphere
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
43%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique visuals, tension-building elements, and effective sound design, creating a deeply immersive horror experience. Reviewers highlight the balance between atmospheric storytelling and occasional jump scares, with many noting its homage to 80s slasher films. Overall, the game's ability to evoke fear and maintain a creepy, stylish aesthetic contributes significantly to its appeal, making it a must-play for horror enthusiasts.
- “The atmosphere is insane — creepy, stylish, and oddly beautiful all at once.”
- “Skinfreak oozes atmosphere - its grimy aesthetic really heightens the adrenaline!”
- “The game is scary but not to the point where you can't play; it's a deeply atmospheric experience with great sound design and a voice actress that is reminiscent of female V from Cyberpunk 2077.”
- “The atmosphere is thick, the scares are jarring, the puzzles tickle your brain, the characters turn your stomach, and the story keeps you interested enough to press on through the ever-present threat of loud jumpscares and horrifying face textures.”
- “Driving around in some bizarre, nearly empty city picking up weird and wacky characters late at night, talking to these individuals, and having them help do some of the worldbuilding for the player, would've helped to build the disturbing atmosphere, and the story, even more.”
- “The atmosphere in this game doesn't hit quite the way that it should.”
gameplay
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
68%
11%
The gameplay is characterized by intense moments and rewarding mechanics, though it often prioritizes narrative and atmosphere over traditional gameplay elements like exploration and puzzles. Players noted a relatively short playtime of around three hours, with some mechanics feeling underutilized or frustrating, particularly regarding the save system. Overall, while the game offers engaging mechanics and a creepy adventure experience, it may leave some players wanting more depth and variety in gameplay.
- “The gameplay is incredibly intense and constantly rewarding.”
- “The mechanics are amazing and immersive.”
- “Fortunately, things get interesting pretty quick and the routine of gameplay is fluid and has some depth these types of games don't usually have, which was a nice touch.”
- “There is about 3 hours of gameplay (if you don't get stuck) and the horror/action part is only available in the last 30 minutes.”
- “It's rough that practically the entire prologue is padding for the playtime, since that's the first bit of gameplay you're getting.”
- “This game has nothing from Puppet Combo's usual games: cheap jumpscares for the first 90% of the story and some game mechanics that are there only to waste your time and exceed the two hours refund limit.”
graphics
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
53%
11%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique retro aesthetic that evokes nostalgia, reminiscent of PS1-era visuals, which some players find charming despite their low fidelity. While many appreciate the atmospheric design and how it enhances the overall experience, opinions vary, with some noting that the graphics can detract from gameplay clarity. Overall, the visuals effectively complement the game's themes, making it a compelling choice for fans of indie horror and retro styles.
- “The visuals are unique, perfectly fitting the game’s atmosphere.”
- “A beautiful game with a beautiful story and spectacular graphics.”
- “The polygonal art style and aesthetic of the game give you the feeling that you're playing something much older than you actually are, which helps to lend the game an air of timelessness, although the aesthetic is distinctly retro.”
- “These types of games are really for the horror lovers who also love low-tier graphics.”
- “The graphics look like they were rendered on a microwave, but that’s part of the charm.”
- “The artwork for the game promises a lot more than what's given.”
humor
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a blend of dark, dry wit and quirky, tongue-in-cheek moments that often elicit genuine laughter, particularly through its eccentric characters and dialogue. While some players appreciate the comedic elements as a refreshing contrast to the horror, others feel it occasionally overshadows the intended suspense, leading to a mixed reception regarding its balance. Overall, the humor is described as clever and engaging, contributing to a unique and entertaining experience.
- “Also, there were moments where I laughed out loud as the humor was utilized with a subtle, brilliant touch.”
- “The beginning of the game has you play the role of a cab driver, picking up a strange ensemble cast of passengers, from hilariously inebriated bar-dwellers who weirdly request to urinate over your back seat before crashing out unconscious, to more ominously hostile figures, evoking a niggling sense of unease.”
- “The dialogue is amateur and hilarious; I loved all the cute 'scary' moments, and the ending was so stupid I stood up and clapped.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
25%
17%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its brilliance and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its effectiveness in building suspense and complementing the gameplay. While some found the sound design to be occasionally overwhelming, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's charm and immersive experience.
- “The lore is enticing, and the soundtrack is brilliant.”
- “The music was great, the mystery was fun to unravel, the characters were all fun, and I loved the world building going on.”
- “The music, sound design (especially the chases), retro graphics, and the story are all well done.”
- “The sound design is effective and the music, although sparse, lends itself suitably to the experience.”
- “I turned the game sound (music, SFX, all 3 options) completely off and I was still being ear-raped.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the progression tied to the storyline, many criticize the repetitive and tedious nature of item collection and puzzle-solving. The lack of urgency due to minimal threats and the absence of a sprint feature contribute to a sense of monotony, making gameplay feel like a slog. Overall, the grinding elements detract from the enjoyment for a significant portion of the player base.
- “However, going through all the floors to pick up items you need, then dropping them to pick up a different item, and then having to go back got very tedious.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly tedious and boring.”
- “If you don't do things right, you will have to drop items and recollect them later, which is quite tedious.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The game's optimization is mixed; while some players report smooth performance and good overall optimization, others experience significant lag and limited settings options, which detracts from the experience, particularly during transitions between rooms.
- “Performance-wise, it runs super smoothly and feels well-optimized.”
- “Overall performance is fine, but entering other rooms can add up time to an annoying level, especially when traveling on the elevator.”
- “A hats off to all the devs for great performances!”
- “Good game, but it has a problem: it's too laggy and isn't optimized well. The worst part is that you can't do anything about it because there are no options in the settings besides volume and VHS effects.”
- “Overall performance is fine, but entering other rooms can add up to an annoying level of waiting time, especially when traveling on the elevator.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praise the character development in the game, highlighting the well-crafted story and character designs that enhance the overall experience. The strong connection to the characters and their narratives contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Amazing game! I love the story, characters, and character designs. Puppet Combo has done a fantastic job with their series.”
- “The character development is incredibly rich, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
- “I appreciate how the characters evolve throughout the game, adding depth to the overall narrative.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game is enjoyable but has limited replay value, with some players noting a lack of options for skipping to specific parts as a drawback. While it is considered fun, the consensus suggests that it may not offer enough incentive for multiple playthroughs.
- “It's a very nice game without a doubt, even though it doesn't have much replay value.”
- “Replayable and fun 8/10, the only thing I didn't enjoy was the lack of options for skipping straight to certain parts.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its good plot and nostalgic graphics, evoking a mix of emotions that range from feeling clever to frustrated with its puzzles. By the end, it leaves players with a strong emotional impact, described as unsettling and grimy.
- “It’s unsettling, grimy, and weirdly emotional by the end.”