The Fear Business

About

The Fear Business is a single player survival survival game with horror and violence themes. It was developed by selewi and was released on October 28, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

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

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 62 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The Fear Business successfully captures the nostalgic atmosphere of classic survival horror games, with engaging puzzles and a well-designed mansion to explore.
The sound design and visual effects enhance the tension, making encounters with the antagonist, Goat Face, feel intense and immersive.
The game introduces interesting mechanics, such as a unique save system that darkens the environment over time, adding to the overall horror experience.

The antagonist's unpredictable appearances and lack of clear audio cues can lead to frustrating gameplay, detracting from the intended tension.
Inventory management feels restrictive, with limited slots and one-time-use save points, which can lead to tedious backtracking and repeated gameplay sections.
Some players may find the controls awkward and the gameplay repetitive, especially during chase sequences where the mechanics can feel punishing.

gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
53%
14%
The gameplay is praised for its atmospheric design and innovative mechanics, such as the mansion darkening over time and the hunter/hunted dynamic, which adds depth to the experience. However, players express concerns about the balance and pacing, citing issues with save point distribution, the exhausting nature of gameplay, and the need for more developed mechanics. Overall, while the game offers a nostalgic nod to classic survival horror, it may require further refinement to enhance player enjoyment and engagement.
- “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.”
- “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 at times, especially if you've been slaughtered by the stalker and forced to repeat half-an-hour's gameplay.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
17%
25%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its creepy and immersive qualities, effectively evoking feelings of tension and mystery, reminiscent of horror classics like "Blair Witch." However, some players feel that aggressive visual effects and simplistic mechanics can detract from the overall experience, leading to moments of frustration rather than sustained suspense. Overall, while the atmosphere is a strong point, there are calls for deeper gameplay elements to 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.”
- “Very creepy, incredible atmosphere.”
- “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 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, and you start running for the nearest hiding spot.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game's story is generally well-received, with many players finding it interesting and fitting well with the gameplay, particularly in the context of survival horror. While some reviews note that the title's significance is delayed and inconsequential, the overall narrative is praised for its ambiance and development, complemented by engaging puzzles and a nostalgic feel. However, a few players feel the story is merely decent, suggesting a mixed reception in terms of depth and impact.
- “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!”
- “Another fun little plot line by one of my favorite horror game creators.”
- “The story is interesting, the game design is pretty good, and the gameplay is smooth.”
- “The inexplicable title does refer to something in the story, but it arrives so late and is so inconsequential to Sarah's goals that it may as well not exist in the story at all.”
- “Story is meh, but it fits the gameplay well enough; decent puzzles.”
- “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 yet still disturbing story, then this one is for you!”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The game's graphics evoke a nostalgic blend of PS1 and early PS2 aesthetics, reminiscent of classic survival horror titles, with a distinct VHS and retro film grain style that enhances its eerie atmosphere. While the visuals are praised for their curated low-poly design and unique art style, some players find the VHS effect can become overwhelming during extended play sessions. Overall, the graphics successfully contribute to the game's immersive horror experience, appealing to fans of retro aesthetics.
- “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.”
- “The game feels like Silent Hill with PS1-style graphics but set in a slightly different world.”
- “The VHS aesthetic can be a bit too intrusive and hard on the eyes at some points after playing for over an hour.”
- “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.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 graphics and storytelling, making it a standout feature that adds to the immersive experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a key element that elevates the game's horror and puzzle-solving elements.
- “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. If you like Puppet Combo and Torture Star, you really should play Selewi's games. His games are very scary and have great stories.”
- “Same with the music and graphics.”
- “The music is forgettable and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
- “The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The audio design is underwhelming, failing to create the atmosphere the game aims for.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers limited replayability, primarily due to its short length, with higher difficulties available for those seeking a challenge; however, many players may find it a one-time experience.
- “It's short and has limited replayability; the higher difficulties are unlocked, but it's probably a one-and-done experience for most players.”
- “Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to go back, as the story doesn't change and the gameplay feels repetitive.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless after the first playthrough.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 lighting design and effects are delightful, character designs are full of personality, and the animation is efficient and flavorful.”
- “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character's unique story.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices that truly impact their growth and relationships.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The optimization of the game is generally solid, providing a consistent atmosphere and mystery, though some vocal performances are uneven. While the audio is functional, standout performances from key characters enhance the overall experience.
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game enjoyable, as the puzzles strike a balance between being challenging and accessible, avoiding tedium while not requiring external help.
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game starts strong and engaging, but it diminishes significantly once players become trapped in the building, leading to a repetitive and less entertaining experience.