Snafu
- March 8, 2023
- Stanislaw Truchowski
Get on Steam"Snafu" is a horror game that eschews typical haunted house settings for a unique medieval business simulation theme. Players aim to amass wealth in the Medieval Grow your Business Game, but the experience takes a dark turn when Alibaba, the game's caretaker, encounters a glitch or virus, unleashing terror in the system. Brace yourself for intense scares, eerie moments, disturbing audio, and flashing lights in this 80-minute game. Recommended for those seeking a different horror experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- SNAFU offers a unique blend of horror and idle business simulation, creating an engaging and innovative gameplay experience.
- The game features well-crafted jump scares and a consistently unsettling atmosphere that keeps players on edge.
- Players appreciate the game's intriguing story, multiple endings, and the developer's ability to create a memorable horror experience.
- The pacing can feel slow at times, especially during the idle mechanics, leading to moments of boredom.
- Some players found the horror elements to be less impactful as the game progressed, with a lack of variety in scares.
- There are occasional technical issues, such as slow NPC dialogue and event triggers that can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- gameplay31 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this unique horror game combines business management and idle mechanics, creating an engaging loop centered around exploration and upgrading. While some players find the pacing slow and the gameplay repetitive, the innovative blend of horror elements and addictive mechanics keeps the experience enjoyable. Overall, it offers a refreshing take on the genre, though it may not provide the intense, fast-paced action some players expect.
“Very unique horror game where you need to expand your business; it has some refreshing mechanics.”
“The business-building mechanics provided an addictive foundation, and the platforming aspects were a welcome deviation from the typical 'walk-around-and-photograph-paranormal-activity' objectives.”
“The inherently addictive nature of clicker games makes traveling around the map, unlocking new areas, and maxing out stats a really engaging gameplay hook.”
“Don't expect tense, minute-to-minute gameplay; instead, anticipate a game with idle mechanics while a specter watches over you as you play.”
“It's a pretty simple idle game horror game hybrid, though if you're looking for the more in-depth incremental game mechanics, there's only solid number-go-up here.”
“It doesn't redefine the genres despite it being a very unique mix of the two, and while it is a good time killer, its overall lackluster expansion upon itself and dull reward in narrative and gameplay boosting is really stretched clearly by the end of it.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of whimsical design and unsettling horror elements, effectively creating a sense of anxiety and tension throughout. While some visual aspects may lack variety, the sound design and environmental storytelling contribute to a consistently eerie experience, enhanced by a medieval setting and a dynamic day/night cycle. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to evoke fear and intrigue, making it a standout in atmospheric horror.
“The jumpscares were on point, and the atmosphere was creatively set with a whimsical design aesthetic.”
“However, the presence of the eerie monster maintains a consistently unsettling atmosphere.”
“The medieval location and the giant gothic castle looming in the background lend themselves well to the unnerving atmosphere, and the day/night cycle makes the dark hours feel much longer and more dangerous than if the game were to be set entirely at nighttime.”
“Despite there not really being any danger or threat to the player, the game's atmosphere and sound design left me anxious and on edge at all times.”
“Although the visual representations of corruption lack variety and mostly consist of white blocks accompanied by ominous sounds, they do not significantly detract from the overall atmosphere.”
“Despite relying on often cheap scares (having a creepy image appear over a tiny sign is a surefire way of startling even the most hardened genre fans), the atmosphere is genuinely unsettling.”
- story10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is well-crafted and engaging, featuring a blend of money management and parkour elements that enhance the gameplay experience. Players appreciate the intriguing plot and strong atmosphere, noting that the narrative diverges from typical titles in the genre while still offering a satisfying amount of content. Overall, the storytelling is compelling, with multiple endings that encourage exploration and curiosity.
“The story and world design were well-implemented and thought-out.”
“The story itself and the concept is great, and overall there's a decent amount of content for the price tag.”
“This game set out to tell a story, and provide excellent gameplay while doing that, and it absolutely knocks it out of the park.”
“It's story is a regular money-finance-upgrade game, you go around the map upgrading things and make money over time, you parkour around and such.”
“I have not beat the game but I do now know the entire story.”
“But there is a story.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as charming and whimsical, featuring a unique art style that blends elements reminiscent of "Minecraft meets Roblox." While some players may not typically favor this aesthetic in horror games, the stylized visuals contribute positively to the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience, making it both fun and engaging. The design choice is seen as a deliberate and effective departure from more polished titles, adding to the game's quirky appeal.
“Lovely graphics, lovely style, lovely villain, lovely ending.”
“The jumpscares were on point, and the atmosphere was creatively set with a whimsical design aesthetic.”
“The graphical design was a true choice seeing as other titles from Stan are well polished and beautiful; this is chunky yet adorable, to say the least.”
“The art style used isn't what I usually like in my horror games, but the game is still fun.”
“A more 'Minecraft meets Roblox' aesthetic while trying to build out a business by purchasing new upgrades for said business.”
“The graphical design was a true choice, seeing as other titles from Stan are well polished and beautiful; this is chunky yet adorable, to say the least.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report experiencing noticeable glitches and bugs that contribute to a unique atmosphere, suggesting that these issues may enhance the game's overall experience rather than detract from it. However, the presence of these stability problems is still a point of concern for some players.
“Glitches start showing up, and there is something else here... something hunting you!”
“From sound design to unique atmosphere, you won't look at the game glitches and bugs the same way anymore.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it amusing and entertaining, though some elements, particularly the ending dialogue, are perceived as a mix of funny and cringe-worthy. Overall, it garners a decent rating of 7.5/10 for its comedic moments.
“Pretty funny, Stan! Keep it up, Dad.”
“7.5/10. The ending dialogue is a little funny and cringe, though.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
While some players feel that the game lacks replayability after achieving all three endings, others appreciate its unique jump scares, which enhance the overall experience and encourage multiple playthroughs.
“Unique, terrific jump scares, great replayability.”
“Once you get all three endings, there isn't much replay value, but there doesn't need to be.”
“After completing the game, I found little incentive to play through it again.”
“The lack of diverse choices means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
