The Creepy Syndrome

The Creepy Syndrome is an ambitious little game, plagued by amateurish writing and cheap jump scares that at best won’t satisfy horror fans and at worse will annoy them. Half of the game’s anthology of stories is held back by the other, and the two decent stories aren’t strong enough to make up for the weaker ones.

62%Game Brain Score

graphics, atmosphere

story, gameplay

87% User Score Based on 30 reviews

Critic Score 48%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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About

The Creepy Syndrome is a single player role playing game with a horror theme. It was developed by Boomfire Games and was released on April 27, 2023. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"The Creepy Syndrome" is a psychological horror adventure game, featuring four interconnected stories with unique pixel art styles. You'll play through disturbing video games designed by your psychiatrist, who analyzes your past traumas and occult experiences in a cursed bunker. As you progress, the line between reality and game blurs, and the true nature of your relationship with your psychiatrist unravels.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The collection features diverse gameplay styles and unique pixel art aesthetics, making each story feel distinct and engaging.
Several stories, particularly 'Watchful Gaze', are well-developed with interesting narratives and a creepy atmosphere.
The game offers multiple endings for each story, adding replay value and encouraging players to explore different outcomes.

Not all stories are equally compelling, with some feeling underdeveloped or lacking in scare factor, leading to a mixed experience.
Technical issues, such as mismatched voiceovers and awkward user experience in certain chapters, detract from immersion.
The use of the 'vine boom' sound effect for jump scares is considered unoriginal and detracts from the horror experience.

graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The graphics in this collection of mini games are characterized by retro and pixel art styles, creating a distinct atmosphere that enhances the thematic elements of each chapter. Players appreciate the varied aesthetics and the way the visuals complement the gameplay, particularly noting the immersive experience of movement that evokes a sense of driving at night. Overall, the graphics are well-received, especially by fans of creepy and nostalgic visuals.
- “I liked that the movement and graphics made the 'crawling' movement feel like driving at night, which thematically links to the protagonist.”
- “I thoroughly enjoyed all the different aesthetics.”
- “This is a collection of four short mini games with retro graphics, tied together with a loose narrative.”
- “A collection of short scary stories that have each different gameplay and graphic style.”
- “If you like a creepy world and pixel art style, this is your game.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The story aspect of the collection is highlighted by the first entry, "Watchful Gaze," which is praised for its depth and creepiness, showcasing the developers' dedication. Each narrative is engaging, framed as psychological exercises with a therapist, although the voice acting's inconsistency with the text detracts slightly from the experience. Overall, players found the stories enjoyable, even if the total playtime was under three hours.
- “The first in the collection, Watchful Gaze, seems to be the one the developers put the most love into, as it is the most fleshed-out in terms of story and creepiness.”
- “Each one had an interesting story, and although it took me less than three hours to see everything, I still had a blast from beginning to end.”
- “While I also appreciated the voice acting, being the only story to feature it, the frequent mismatch between the text and the voiceovers was somewhat off-putting.”
- “The overlying story that ties them all together frames them as psychological exercises between you and your shrink.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The gameplay is characterized by a collection of short, simple "subgames" that each feature unique mechanics and graphic styles, contributing to a diverse experience. While the atmosphere and visuals are praised, some players feel that the overall gameplay is limited, with a focus on aesthetics and narrative rather than depth. The game effectively builds tension and delivers scares, making it an engaging, albeit brief, horror experience.
- “A little horror, pixel-art game with 4 stories that offers diverse gameplay, great aesthetics and narrative, a well-built tension and of course, scares.”
- “I liked the atmosphere and visuals of the first chapter, but there was really not much gameplay.”
- “A collection of short scary stories that have each different gameplay and graphic style.”
- “The mechanics of every 'subgame' are very simple but different from each other.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere and visuals of both the first and second chapters are well-received, with users appreciating their aesthetic appeal. However, there is a noted lack of gameplay, which may detract from the overall experience.
- “I liked the atmosphere and visuals of the first chapter.”
- “I liked the second chapter's atmosphere and visuals, too.”