The Fear Business

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In "The Fear Business," players step into the shoes of investigative journalist Sarah as she uncovers the dark secrets behind a satanic cult and the Solomon manor. With a found footage-style free view first person mode, players must interview locals, hide from the deadly Goat Face, and decide whether to fight back or flee. This third person survival horror game is inspired by 80s satanic panic and promises a huge Victorian manor to explore.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 28 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience with improved graphics, puzzles, and voice acting compared to its predecessors.
The atmosphere is intense and immersive, with a well-designed map and a menacing stalker that keeps players on edge.
Players appreciate the nostalgic survival horror elements, including fixed camera angles, tank controls, and a variety of difficulty options.

The gameplay can feel unbalanced, with limited inventory space and save points that lead to frustrating backtracking and repeated sections after dying.
Some players find the stalker mechanics overly punishing, with the killer being too fast and the weapons proving largely ineffective.
The map lacks essential information, making navigation confusing and detracting from the overall experience.

gameplay
11 mentions
36 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The gameplay offers a fresh experience with a larger map and a more aggressive stalker, but it suffers from issues like unbalanced mechanics, poorly distributed save points, and limited storage options, which can make the experience feel exhausting. While there are innovative features and artistic angles that enhance the atmosphere, the repetitive nature of traversing the environment can detract from enjoyment. Overall, the game has potential with its nostalgic elements and unique mechanics, but it requires further refinement to fully realize its promise.
- “The game offers a new gameplay experience, a much larger game map and a more insistent stalker than its predecessors!”
- “I was a huge fan of the saving mechanic and how over time saving makes the environment more dark, dank, and intimidating.”
- “This is a very cool throwback to survival horror games, with some very neat mechanics and a wonderful art style.”
- “I don’t feel the purchase has been worth it when the gameplay feels exhausting; it’s like fighting for my life constantly, and this is not the reason I play survival horror games like classic Resident Evil.”
- “Unfortunately, at times the environment size combined with the one-and-done save points scattered throughout the mansion tips repeated traversal into being slightly tiresome, especially if you've been slaughtered by the stalker and forced to repeat half an hour's gameplay.”
- “In order to compensate for this, my impression is that the gameplay angles have been dutched a distractingly large amount - which can be an extremely effective technique when employed sparingly, but starts to make the production look like the 1960s Batman TV show when chained together.”
graphics
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their retro aesthetic, blending low-poly designs with curated textures that evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of PS1 and PS2 titles. The fixed camera and film grain effects enhance the survival horror experience, while the overall art style and attention to detail contribute to a compelling atmosphere. Players appreciate the unique visual elements that complement the game's mechanics and horror themes.
- “The unique brand of survival horror puzzles, menacing psychopaths relentlessly following you, and the classic PSX graphics combine here into one of my favorite horror games of the year (a stacked year at that).”
- “Amazingly done! I love everything about this game's aesthetic, design, and sound.”
- “Graphically, the fear business is pitched at an interesting stage along the retro graphics spectrum - in terms of texture quality and some model designs, we're clearly past the PS1 and maybe reaching for PS2 in places, with some rooms slightly reminiscent of something like Obscure.”
- “Fixed camera, tank controls, low poly but extremely curated graphics, film grain, tons of puzzles to solve, and of course a deranged sicko on our trail!”
- “Always enjoyed the VHS style genre of horror games, but I especially love the cult aesthetic of this game, the complexity with found items in the world, hidden secrets, and the ability to fight back against enemies.”
atmosphere
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the atmosphere in these games is highly praised for its immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the effective use of setting, lighting, and tension to create a compelling experience. While some titles may lack surprises or have mixed characterizations, they compensate with a rich lore and a palpable sense of mystery that enhances the gameplay. Notably, "The Fear Business" and the Resident Evil 1 remake are specifically commended for their atmospheric design and ability to evoke tension.
- “I just finished my first playthrough and I absolutely loved the atmosphere and lore-packed manor.”
- “In particular, I think 'The Fear Business' is, so far, the most tense and atmospheric production of Selewi, mainly thanks to the killer design, the haunting setting, and a formidable use of light and dark.”
- “The setup delivers absolutely no surprises, with some very straightforward characterization (and some mixed vocal performances), but it provides a solid charge of atmosphere and mystery.”
- “This works fabulously in the Resident Evil 1 remake - bar the occasional tracking shot, everything's locked off there, and it just ratchets up the atmosphere and tension.”
story
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The story in the game is highly praised for its engaging and well-developed narrative, presented in a nostalgic survival horror style that keeps players interested throughout. Reviewers highlight the effective ambiance and the integration of puzzles, which enhance the overall experience. The presence of a constant threat adds to the tension, making it a standout feature for fans of the genre.
- “Phenomenal short-story form, found footage style, nostalgic survival horror.”
- “Oh and the story had me interested throughout, which is a huge plus!”
- “Very good ambiance, very good story development, very good game.”
- “The story felt disjointed and lacked a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development was minimal, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journeys.”
- “The plot twists were predictable and failed to deliver any real surprises.”
optimization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally solid, providing a consistent atmosphere and mystery, though it features some uneven vocal performances. While the audio is functional, standout readings from certain characters enhance the overall experience.
music
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and enhancing the experience of its puzzles and story. Players find it to be a standout feature that complements the game's horror elements effectively.
- “The music in this game is absolutely captivating, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersing you in the experience.”
- “I love how the soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
- “The combination of eerie soundscapes and haunting melodies creates a unique ambiance that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted through vibrant and personality-rich designs, complemented by effective animation that enhances the overall experience. The delightful lighting and weather effects further contribute to the immersive portrayal of characters.
- “The character designs are full of personality, and the animation is both efficient and flavorful.”
- “The lighting design and weather effects enhance the overall experience, making character interactions feel more immersive.”
- “The depth of character development allows players to form meaningful connections with each character.”