The Fear Business

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

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

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game successfully captures the nostalgic essence of classic survival horror with fixed camera angles, tank controls, and a tense atmosphere, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Innovative mechanics, such as the candle save system that darkens the environment with each use, add depth to the gameplay and enhance the overall horror experience.
The puzzles and exploration elements are engaging, with a well-designed environment that encourages players to uncover secrets while being pursued by a relentless enemy.

The limited inventory and one-time use save points can lead to frustrating gameplay, as players may find themselves backtracking frequently and losing significant progress after dying.
The tank controls can feel awkward, especially during chase sequences, detracting from the overall immersion and tension of the game.
Some players may find the narrative and character development lacking, with a straightforward plot that doesn't introduce new ideas or twists to the survival horror formula.

gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
44%
19%
Gameplay in this title is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the innovative hunter/hunted mechanics and atmospheric design reminiscent of classic survival horror, while others find the hiding mechanics against a relentless stalker frustrating and the map layout unbalanced. The saving system adds tension but can lead to tedious backtracking, and while some mechanics are praised for their depth and creativity, the overall experience can feel exhausting for those seeking a more traditional survival horror vibe. Despite these criticisms, many players still find the gameplay engaging and worth the hype, highlighting its artistic elements and unique narrative features.
- “I love the 'Blair Witch' vibes, cool atmosphere, and thrilling gameplay.”
- “This game has some very nice innovations that give the hunter/hunted gameplay more depth.”
- “The story is interesting, the game design is pretty good, and the gameplay is smooth.”
- “I don't enjoy the mechanic of having to hide from the stalker enemy.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
30%
20%
The game's story is praised for its nostalgic survival horror elements, engaging plot, and effective ambiance, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre. While the narrative includes intriguing twists and a familiar yet disturbing premise, some players feel that certain aspects, like the title's significance, are introduced too late and lack relevance to the main character's objectives. Overall, the story is considered a strong point, complemented by well-designed gameplay and atmospheric details.
- “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!”
- “The story is interesting, the game design is pretty good, and the gameplay is smooth.”
- “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 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
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
10%
30%
Overall, the atmosphere in the game is praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to create tension and suspense through effective sound design and environmental storytelling. While some found it less scary, the combination of haunting settings, clever use of light and dark, and engaging lore contributed to a compelling experience. However, a few critiques noted that certain gameplay elements detracted from the overall atmosphere, suggesting that improvements could enhance the tension further.
- “I love the 'Blair Witch' vibes, cool atmosphere, and thrilling gameplay.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The graphics of the game are praised for their retro aesthetic, blending low-poly designs with curated textures that evoke a nostalgic survival horror feel reminiscent of PS1 and PS2 titles. The fixed camera and film grain effects enhance the atmosphere, while the unique art style and cult aesthetic contribute to an engaging visual experience. Overall, the graphics effectively complement the game's horror elements and puzzle mechanics.
- “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.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The music in the game is highly praised for enhancing the overall atmosphere, contributing to the tension and fear experienced by players. Reviewers highlight its effectiveness in complementing the game's storytelling and artistic design, making it a standout feature that adds to the immersive experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a key element that elevates the gameplay, particularly for fans of horror and puzzle genres.
- “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.”
- “The music is forgettable and doesn't enhance the atmosphere of the game.”
- “The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The music doesn't match the intensity of the gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game is generally solid, providing a consistent atmosphere and mystery, though it suffers from uneven vocal performances. While the audio is functional, certain character portrayals stand out positively, contributing to the overall experience.
- “The setup delivers absolutely no surprises, with some very straightforward characterization, but it provides a solid charge of atmosphere and mystery.”
- “Audio is solid and functional - vocal performances are a little uneven, but there are some strong readings from Sarah's actor and the actor playing the elderly woman in the bar at the start.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game starts strong and engaging at the beginning, but it quickly diminishes as the gameplay becomes repetitive and loses its scare factor, leading to a less enjoyable experience overall.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
200%
Character development is highlighted through vibrant and personality-rich designs, complemented by effective animation that enhances their individuality. The delightful lighting and weather effects further contribute to the overall immersive experience of the characters.
- “The character designs are full of personality, and the animation is both efficient and flavorful.”
- “The lighting design and weather effects are delightful, enhancing the overall character development experience.”