The Fear Business
- October 28, 2024
- selewi
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreIn "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.
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The Fear Business offers a nostalgic survival horror experience with engaging puzzles and a haunting atmosphere, reminiscent of classic titles like Resident Evil.
- The game features innovative mechanics, such as a unique save system that darkens the environment over time, adding to the tension and immersion.
- Players appreciate the depth of the hunter/hunted gameplay, with a menacing stalker that keeps the experience thrilling and intense.
- The tank controls and lack of modern gamepad support can make navigation awkward, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- Inventory management is frustrating due to limited space and the need for backtracking, which can lead to tedious gameplay, especially after dying.
- Some players feel the game lacks originality in its puzzles and narrative, making it less appealing for those seeking new ideas in the survival horror genre.
- gameplay14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its thrilling atmosphere and innovative mechanics that enhance the hunter/hunted dynamic, offering a fresh experience in a larger game map. However, some players find the gameplay unbalanced and exhausting due to poorly distributed save points and a lack of item storage, which can lead to tedious repetition. Overall, while the game features smooth mechanics and artistic design, it struggles with certain aspects that may detract from the enjoyment of survival horror fans.
“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 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 it starts to make the production look like the 1960s Batman TV show when chained together.”
- story10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its nostalgic survival horror elements, engaging plot, and effective ambiance, keeping players interested throughout. While it features a familiar yet disturbing narrative with numerous secrets to uncover, some critiques mention that certain story elements, like the title's significance, feel inconsequential to the main objectives. Overall, it is regarded as a compelling experience with strong storytelling and immersive 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.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
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 than expected, the combination of haunting settings, clever use of light and dark, and engaging lore contributes to a compelling and thrilling experience. However, a few critiques mention that certain gameplay elements can detract from the overall atmosphere.
“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.”
“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.”
- graphics8 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 early 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.”
- optimization2 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 key characters enhance the overall experience.
- music1 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 scary elements and detailed design.
“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 game's music is a standout feature, with tracks that are both haunting and memorable, adding depth to the storytelling.”
- character development1 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 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 enhance the overall experience, making character interactions feel more immersive.”
“The depth of character development allows players to form meaningful connections with the characters throughout the game.”
