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The Fear Business

91%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
91% User Score Based on 90 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSMac OSPCPCSteam DeckSteam DeckWindowsWindowsLinuxLinuxPlayStationPlayStationXboxXbox
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About

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
The Fear Business screenshot
The Fear Business screenshot
The Fear Business screenshot
The Fear Business screenshot
The Fear Business screenshot

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 90 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
  • The Fear Business offers a nostalgic survival horror experience with engaging puzzles, a creepy atmosphere, and a menacing stalker that keeps players on edge.
  • The game features innovative mechanics like a candle-based save system that darkens the environment over time, enhancing the tension and immersion.
  • Players appreciate the improved graphics, voice acting, and overall production quality compared to previous titles from the developer, making it a standout entry in the genre.
  • The tank controls and limited inventory management can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially when trying to evade the relentless killer.
  • Some players find the game overly punishing, with unbalanced difficulty and a lack of adequate save points, resulting in tedious backtracking after deaths.
  • The narrative and character development are seen as weak, with some reviewers noting that the story lacks depth and fails to introduce new ideas or twists.
  • gameplay
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is praised for its thrilling atmosphere and innovative hunter/hunted mechanics, offering a fresh experience with a larger map and a more persistent stalker. However, some players find the gameplay unbalanced and exhausting, particularly due to limited save points and the need to hide from enemies, which can disrupt the flow. Overall, while the game features solid mechanics and artistic design, it may require further refinement to enhance player experience.

    • “This game has some very nice innovations that give the hunter/hunted gameplay more depth.”
    • “The game offers a new gameplay experience, a much larger game map and a more insistent stalker than its predecessors!”
    • “The story is interesting, the game design is pretty good and the gameplay is smooth.”
    • “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 makes repeated traversal slightly tiresome, especially if you've been slaughtered by the stalker and forced to repeat half an hour of gameplay.”
    • “On-screen effects tell you when he's close, but without knowing where he is, it grinds the gameplay to a halt, and you just have to hide and wait for him to go.”
  • story
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is praised for its engaging and nostalgic survival horror elements, featuring a mysterious mansion filled with secrets and a persistent killer that players can confront. While the overall narrative development is compelling and maintains interest, some critiques highlight that certain plot points, such as the title's significance, feel inconsequential to the main character's objectives. Overall, the story is well-received, contributing to the game's eerie ambiance and immersive experience.

    • “If you are looking for an old school, survival horror experience with a huge mansion full of secrets to uncover, a killer that you cannot just hide from but defend yourself against, and a familiar but still disturbing story, then this one is for you!”
    • “Oh and the story had me interested throughout, which is a huge plus!”
    • “Very good ambiance, very good story development, very good game.”
    • “The inexplicable title does refer to something in the story, but it arrives so late and is so inconsequential to Sarah's goals it may as well not exist in the story at all.”
    • “The story had me interested throughout, which is a huge plus!”
    • “The inexplicable title does refer to something in the story, but it arrives so late and is so inconsequential to Sarah's goals it may as well not exist in the story at all.”
  • atmosphere
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its creepiness and tension, with many reviewers highlighting its effective use of sound and environmental design to create a spooky experience. Titles like "The Fear Business" and the Resident Evil 1 remake are noted for their strong atmospheric elements, though some players feel that certain mechanics can detract from the overall immersion. Overall, while not universally terrifying, the game successfully evokes a sense of mystery and unease that enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “I just finished my first playthrough and I absolutely loved the atmosphere and lore-packed manor.”
    • “Very creepy, incredible atmosphere.”
    • “In specific, I think '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.”
    • “With modern controls, this could have been a tense blast; instead, it's annoying and drains all the atmosphere pretty fast.”
    • “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.”
    • “There is also an item, like a detector with an alarm, so when the enemy steps on it, it makes a sound. It creates a very spooky atmosphere when you place one outside the room and it goes off; you start running for the nearest hiding spot.”
  • graphics
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 design contribute to a compelling atmosphere. Players appreciate the game's unique visual identity, which complements its engaging puzzles and mechanics.

    • “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.”
  • music
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is highly praised, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and tension, enhancing the experience of solving puzzles and navigating the horror elements. Reviewers note that the soundtrack complements the game's detailed graphics and storytelling, making it a standout feature that elevates the gameplay. Overall, the music is considered an integral part of the game's immersive and frightening environment.

    • “That fear of not knowing what lurks behind the next room, straightforward stories, limited inventory, those fixed cameras that make you feel the tension of not having full control of the environment, the soundtrack, the drawings on the covers, the 3D artistic design—everything is just perfect.”
    • “I highly recommend playing this game; it has a lot of puzzles, great music, good story, amazing details, and is very scary. The killer is always there to jumpscare you. In my opinion, this is the best Selewi's game.”
    • “Same with the music and graphics.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game is generally solid, with functional audio that enhances the atmosphere and mystery. However, vocal performances are inconsistent, featuring some strong portrayals alongside mixed quality, which may affect immersion. Overall, while the setup lacks surprises, it maintains a cohesive experience.

  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 efficient and flavorful.”
    • “The lighting design and effects are delightful, enhancing the overall character development experience.”
    • “The character development is enriched by the unique designs and expressive animations.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game starts strong and engaging, but it quickly diminishes once players become trapped in the building, leading to a repetitive and less entertaining experience.

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