The Fan

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 57 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Fan Game Cover
Starting at $1.29Buy now
Get on Steam Get on itch.io Store

In "The Fan," you play as a stalker, obsessed with a famous actress. Use clues, hide in shadows, and avoid security as you infiltrate her events to get closer to your obsession. Will you maintain the line between fandom and madness, or will your fixation lead to darker places? For a more immersive experience, check out the game on Steam with the ID 572330. Please note that this game contains intense themes, including stalking, which may not be suitable for all players.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 57 reviews
story8 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique concept of playing as a serial killer, providing a disturbing yet intriguing perspective.
  • The use of real photographs creates a gritty and immersive atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Despite its short length, the game showcases a lot of detail in its environments and storytelling through ambient items.
  • The game is extremely short, with most players completing it in under an hour, leading to a lack of value for the price.
  • Gameplay is limited to point-and-click mechanics with minimal challenge, resulting in little replayability.
  • The story lacks depth and character development, making it feel incomplete and unsatisfying.
  • story39 mentions

    The game's story is criticized for being shallow and poorly developed, with many reviewers noting a lack of character development and meaningful choices. While some appreciate the ambient storytelling through environmental details, the overall narrative is described as simplistic and lacking depth, often reduced to a basic premise of a serial killer's actions. Despite its unique presentation using photographs, the game fails to deliver a compelling or immersive story experience, leaving players wanting more substance and engagement.

    • “The photographer behind the scenes has a good eye for ambient storytelling, with the items strewn around each area revealing something about the lifestyle of the inhabitants.”
    • “The fan is an interactive horror point-and-click game made completely with pictures, where you play as the killer and uncover a gruesome story of kidnapping and murder.”
    • “A fun and gritty short story from the eyes of a serial killer, told through real photos, providing a unique perspective on the narrative.”
    • “I hate to say it, but it's a poorly written game with little plot, less story, and no replay value.”
    • “Sadly, though, there is not much of a story here to be found despite it being the whole promise of a story-focused game.”
    • “Another factor about the story is that there is no real beginning and no development for any character.”
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily a point-and-click experience that revolves around finding objects in still images and videos, reminiscent of hidden object games. While the unique theme and immersive elements provide some depth, the overall experience is criticized for being overly simplistic, short (often completed in under an hour), and lacking in challenge or substantial narrative engagement. Players express a desire for more depth and complexity in both gameplay and story.

    • “It's very old school mechanically in that most of the game consists of still images overlaid with indicators of interactivity; at heart, it's basically a hidden object game, but the unique topic lifts it above the mass of those games out there.”
    • “Though as shallow as the gameplay and story may be, what the fan really has going for it is its ability to suck players in with captivating immersion.”
    • “Reviewing the things that this sick and twisted serial killer has collected, or discovered in the two apartment locations, adds some much-needed depth to the gameplay, however empty these interactions may be.”
    • “This Se7en-knock-off meets Peeping Tom inspired FMV has some interesting subtextual ideas behind its mechanics, but, as others have pointed out, the game is incredibly short (I managed to beat my first run in under an hour), too easy for it to be challenging, and ends abruptly and anticlimactically for it to have any strong impact.”
    • “The majority of the 40-50 minutes of gameplay you're stalking about a couple of your victim's apartments, finding a set list of items for an unknown reason.”
    • “As far as gameplay is concerned, this title can be compared to a point and click equivalent of a walking simulator; without the in-depth story that most of them carry, however.”
  • graphics10 mentions

    The game's graphics are characterized by a unique photorealistic style, utilizing real photographs to create immersive and intense environments that enhance the creepy atmosphere. This approach, while visually impressive and contributing to the game's narrative perspective, may require some adjustment for players accustomed to traditional animated graphics. Overall, the combination of striking visuals and effective sound design creates a captivating and sometimes unsettling experience.

    • “Incredibly immersive atmosphere; everything about the game, the visuals, and the sound design really pushes the entire premise into solid creepy/terrifying territory.”
    • “Told by real photos (thus the graphics option 'photorealistic') it tells the story from the perspective of the killer.”
    • “The art style is impressive, and the audio is quite good.”
    • “Basically, the fan is a point-and-click adventure game like any other, but due to the photographic scenes rather than animated scenes, navigating through this game does take some getting used to.”
    • “This is attributed primarily to the use of photography over computer-rendered graphics, as well as the droning industrial soundtrack.”
    • “It is quite intense and has some violent scenes, which might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially because of the art style used.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, effectively enhanced by detailed visuals and heavy ambient music that contribute to a creepy and terrifying experience. While some reviewers note that the game falls short in execution, the initial dark and gritty atmosphere, along with the thoughtful use of props and sound design, creates a compelling backdrop for the narrative. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, drawing players into a disturbing world that reflects the game's themes.

    • “Incredibly immersive atmosphere; everything about the game, the visuals, and the sound design really pushes the entire premise into solid creepy/terrifying territory.”
    • “It's a shame, the game and its dark atmosphere were very promising!”
    • “The ambient music is heavy, doomy, and thus serves to emphasize the dark atmosphere of the game.”
    • “All in all, the game starts out with an extremely disturbing atmosphere; you're surrounded by pictures of this girl that you were apparently stalking, implements of torture, padlocked doors with the names of your previous victims, and when you head into the back room, you find your latest victim tied up and terrified.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game is characterized by a heavy, doomy ambient soundtrack that enhances its dark atmosphere, complemented by intriguing imagery and character details. Reviewers appreciate the industrial droning elements, which contribute to a creepy and immersive experience. Overall, the soundtrack effectively sets the tone and mood, making it a notable aspect of the game.

    • “A lot of very interesting detail on the three characters, good imagery and music, and a short but intriguingly creepy experience.”
    • “The ambient music is heavy, doomy, and thus serves to emphasize the dark atmosphere of the game.”
    • “This is attributed primarily to the use of photography over computer rendered graphics, as well as the droning industrial soundtrack.”
    • “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is heavily criticized, with many users noting a lack of engaging plot and minimal incentive to replay. While some mention the presence of multiple outcomes from limited choices, the consensus leans towards a disappointing experience that offers little motivation for repeated play.

    • “With three choices leading to four different outcomes, the game offers a fantastic level of replayability.”
    • “The multiple paths and endings ensure that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
    • “I love how every decision I make can lead to a completely different experience, making me want to replay the game again and again.”
    • “I hate to say it, but it's a poorly written game with little plot, less story, and no replay value.”
    • “This game only takes around 45 minutes if you are not rushing it and has no replay value at all.”
    • “And zero replay value too... it's so very boring as well!”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players report that grinding can be excessive, with one user noting that a significant portion of their playtime—90%—was spent on farming cards, indicating a potentially tedious experience.

    • “I have played for 5 hours, but it feels like 4 and a half of those were just spent farming cards.”
    • “The grinding in this game is excessive and takes away from the overall experience.”
    • “I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which makes the game feel tedious.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while the game attempts to incorporate humor, it ultimately falls flat due to a lack of substance and meaningful content, leaving players feeling that the comedic elements are insufficient to elevate the overall experience.

  • emotional1 mentions

    The game elicits a powerful emotional response, earning a perfect score, but it is strongly advised to keep it away from children under 18 and emotionally unstable adults due to its intense themes.

    • “This game takes you on an emotional rollercoaster that stays with you long after you've finished playing.”
    • “The storytelling is so powerful that it evokes deep feelings and connections with the characters.”
    • “I found myself tearing up during several moments; the emotional depth of the narrative is truly remarkable.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report that the game exhibits excellent stability, with no glitches, crashes, or errors encountered during gameplay.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any glitches or crashes.”
    • “I haven't encountered any errors while playing; the stability is impressive.”
    • “The performance is solid, with no crashes or bugs to disrupt the experience.”
    • “The game is plagued by constant crashes that ruin the experience.”
    • “I encountered numerous glitches that made it nearly unplayable.”
    • “Frequent errors and instability make it hard to enjoy the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy The Fan

Play time

4hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
1-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games