The Anomalous Hour

About

In "The Anomalous Hour," explore a deserted subway station armed with your camera, documenting any anomalies you find as you search for an escape. This short horror-themed adventure game challenges you to keep your eyes open and capture the strange occurrences around you, providing a chilling and exciting experience for players. Streaming and monetization are permitted, with the simple request to include the game's name and a link to the Steam page in the video's description.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 120 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

The game features a unique and immersive take on psychological horror, blending mystery and suspense effectively.
The photography mechanic for capturing anomalies adds an engaging twist, making the gameplay exciting and challenging.
It showcases authentic cultural elements and has received praise for its atmosphere and creative storytelling.

Some players found the anomalies difficult to locate, which could lead to frustration during gameplay.
There are reports of occasional bugs, such as items not registering correctly when photographed.
The graphics and sound could use more polish, and some players felt the game lacked depth, comparing it to a tech demo.

gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The gameplay features an engaging camera mechanic that enhances the horror experience by allowing players to discover anomalies in a creepy subway setting, creating a constant sense of unease. However, the overall experience is marred by a lack of satisfying challenges, unclear objectives, and some confusing achievements, despite being well-optimized and easy to navigate. While the game can be completed in a short time, fully exploring its content may require significantly more effort.
- “The camera mechanic was nice, as it gives you more of an interest and even sometimes a spook of what anomalies you find throughout the station.”
- “It hooks you with its cool photography mechanics and a creepy subway setting that really sets the mood for a horror adventure.”
- “Good optimization, simple gameplay mechanics, not too challenging.”
- “It gives constant chills, but it's not really satisfying due to the gameplay and the weird achievements that don't seem to make any sense.”
- “Completed in around 15-30 minutes of gameplay, but it took me 3 hours to get all the anomalies.”
- “That said, it could use a bit more polish on the graphics and sound, and a clearer direction in its gameplay to really nail the experience.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its exceptional blend of mystery and suspense, creating a tense experience that keeps players on edge. Many users report feeling a strong sense of liminal space, enhancing the eerie sensation of being watched throughout the gameplay.
- “The atmosphere is top-notch, blending mystery and suspense perfectly in a way that keeps you on edge from start to finish.”
- “Nice game, I felt the atmosphere of the liminal space so much that I often felt like something is watching me (and yes, something is watching me).”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story is praised for its authentic and refreshing cultural elements, which enhance its uniqueness. Players who appreciate engaging and creative storytelling will find it particularly compelling and exhilarating.
- “The cultural touches in the story and design feel authentic and refreshing, making it stand out even more.”
- “If you love games that get your heart racing while showcasing creative storytelling, you can't miss this.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is well-optimized and stable, with minimal glitches or bugs reported. Players appreciate the straightforward gameplay mechanics, which contribute to a smooth overall experience.
- “The game is optimized and stable; not many glitches or bugs.”
- “Good optimization, simple gameplay mechanics, not too challenging.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The graphics are generally well-received, with users noting they are "pretty good." However, there is a consensus that the visuals could benefit from additional polish, alongside improvements in sound and gameplay direction to enhance the overall experience.
- “The graphics are pretty good.”
- “That said, it could use a bit more polish on the graphics and sound, and a clearer direction in its gameplay to really nail the experience.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report stability issues, particularly with items not registering correctly, such as photos not counting towards objectives. This inconsistency can lead to frustration, as repeated attempts are sometimes required for successful interactions.
- “Occasionally, I found the items buggy; I'd take a photo and it wouldn't count. I'd do it again and it would.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
Players find the game offers decent replayability, particularly for those interested in completing all achievements and exploring its full content, making it a worthwhile experience for the price.
- “This game took me a bit over an hour, but for the price, it's definitely worth the time. It has great replayability if you want to grab all the achievements and see everything the game has to offer.”
- “This game took me a bit over an hour, but for the price, it's definitely worth the time. It has some replayability if you want to grab all of the achievements and see everything the game has to offer.”
- “This game took me a bit over an hour, but for the price, it's definitely worth the time. It has some replayability if you want to grab all of the achievements and see everything the game has to offer.”