The Happyhills Homicide

About

In "The Happyhills Homicide," players are welcome to a twisted town where they can fulfill dark desires and unleash their violent creativity, solving crimes in a unique and morbid fashion. With various ways to murder, investigate, and explore, this game offers a dark and humorous take on the traditional murder mystery genre. However, be warned, Happyhills is not for the faint of heart.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 304 reviews

story30 positive mentions

The game features excellent graphics, engaging gameplay, and a captivating story, making it a standout experience for a free title.
It successfully combines retro aesthetics with dark humor and horror movie references, appealing to fans of the slasher genre.
The puzzles are enjoyable and not overly difficult, providing a fun challenge while allowing players to explore creative killing methods.

The game is quite short, with a playtime of around one hour, which may leave some players wanting more content.
The excessive gore and morally unsettling themes may not be suitable for all players, potentially alienating those who are sensitive to graphic violence.
Some players experienced technical issues, such as fatal errors on certain maps, which could detract from the overall enjoyment.

story
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
27%
7%
The game's story is highly praised for its complexity and engaging twists, effectively blending puzzle elements with dark, intriguing narratives. Players appreciate the gradual revelation of the serial killer's backstory and motivations, which keeps them invested throughout the gameplay. With references to slasher horror and a captivating atmosphere, the storytelling is both subtle and impactful, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “At its core, it’s a puzzle game layered with dark and intriguing undertones that unfold through a story full of twists.”
- “The game’s story became more complex and fascinating with each level, encouraging me to continue playing.”
- “I'm not gonna spoil the story as it's probably a lot of people's first time going through this, but there is some sort of method to the madness when it comes to who he kills, and this game does throw you off quite a few times.”
- “That may not sound like much, but the game slowly reveals the backstory of the serial killer and their motivations over the course of the game's 20 levels, unveiling quite an interesting mystery into their origins before its ominous ending.”
- “The storytelling is subtle yet effective, letting the environments and actions paint a chilling picture of madness.”
gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
46%
12%
The gameplay is generally praised for its sharp design and attention to detail, offering a mix of straightforward mechanics and engaging puzzles that enhance the experience. While some players note the simplicity and short duration (around one hour), many find it satisfying and fun, with a good balance of challenge and accessibility. Overall, the combination of good graphics, atmosphere, and enjoyable gameplay makes it a recommended title, despite some minor criticisms regarding depth and length.
- “The gameplay is sharp and intelligently designed, showing clear care and attention to detail from the developers.”
- “Gameplay involves you going through levels murdering people, but also having to solve puzzles along the way such as breaking a bottle to distract someone, timing thunderstorms so you don't wake up a dog, having to set off bear traps with a rake, etc. It's not hard at all, but also not blatantly obvious especially towards the last few levels.”
- “Pretty good slasher game, the gameplay is simple yet satisfying. The visuals and audio create a good ambiance, and you learn the story as you progress. I had fun; in my opinion, it's a must-play. It's not too long and it's fun.”
- “Gameplay involves you going through levels murdering people, but also having to solve puzzles along the way such as breaking a bottle to distract someone, timing thunderstorms so you don't wake up a dog, having to set off bear traps with a rake, etc. It's not hard at all, but also not blatantly obvious, especially towards the last few levels.”
- “I think the puzzles/gameplay are well done; the creator adds mechanics in as you play, and some puzzles can be a bit challenging at first.”
- “Desde que vi a gameplay do ycro, eu fiquei com vontade de jogar, mas fiquei com o pé atrás quando vi que não estava na Steam, mas sim na Game Jolt. Agora que está aqui, eu pude jogar. Design muito bom, gráficos que não incomodam os olhos, história rasa que não intriga, mas tudo bem, e o final é bom. Dito isso, 7,5/10.”
graphics
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
26%
13%
The graphics of the game are praised for their nostalgic pixel art style, which effectively blends retro aesthetics with a dark, morbid humor that enhances the overall eerie atmosphere. Players appreciate the charming yet graphic visuals that complement the slasher horror themes, making it a standout experience reminiscent of early 2000s arcade games. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's unique storytelling and gameplay, though the graphic violence may not appeal to everyone.
- “The art style and aesthetic is great, and the game's tone perfectly matches the notes of suspense, dark humor, and gore that this genre is known for.”
- “The pixel art is deceptively charming, contrasting perfectly with the graphic violence, and the soundtrack heightens the tension in all the right ways.”
- “The pixel graphics took me back to the old days and evoked a sense of nostalgia.”
- “The game has a pixel art style that gives the game the feeling of it being on an arcade machine.”
- “Overall a great game that has tons of slasher horror cameos, while hitting all the slasher horror tropes that are done amazingly visually; it is graphic, so if you don't like gore or slasher films, it might not be for you.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "The Happyhills Homicide" is characterized by its dark, morbid wit, blending retro aesthetics with over-the-top gory death scenes that are both hilarious and memorable. Players appreciate the game's ability to deliver funny moments amidst its unconventional horror elements, making it a recommended choice for those with a taste for dark humor. Overall, the game offers a unique and entertaining experience filled with laugh-out-loud moments.
- “The Happyhills Homicide delivers an unforgettable experience that perfectly blends retro aesthetics with dark, morbid humor.”
- “Highly recommended for those with a dark sense of humor and a love for unconventional horror experiences.”
- “Awesome plot, easy to follow, easy to control your character, challenging but not impossible, and the death scenes are both hilarious and over-the-top gory.”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
15%
23%
The music in "Happyhills Homicide" is widely praised for its brilliant composition and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, effectively contrasting the charming pixel art with its graphic violence. Reviewers note that the soundtrack heightens tension and evokes nostalgic vibes reminiscent of classic games like Splatterhouse 3, contributing to the overall enjoyable experience. Many consider the music a standout feature that adds depth to the game's chilling visuals and humor.
- “The pixel art is deceptively charming, contrasting perfectly with the graphic violence, and the soundtrack heightens the tension in all the right ways.”
- “Brilliant music creates a great atmosphere; all in all, Happyhills Homicide is a great little free-to-play game well worth your time.”
- “Straightforward gameplay, chilling visuals, and an overall great choice of background music.”
- “Getting massive Splatterhouse 3 music vibes.”
- “The soundtrack heightens the tension in all the right ways.”
- “I love the music and I would love a sequel.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
14%
14%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its tense and eerie qualities, enhanced by unsettling sound design, grotesque pixel art, and a retro aesthetic. While the music and creative puzzles contribute positively to the overall experience, the excessive gore and morally ambiguous themes may deter some players. Overall, it is considered a compelling and immersive environment that complements the gameplay.
- “The retro aesthetic perfectly complements its eerie atmosphere, and the creative puzzles add a layer of fun.”
- “Brilliant music and a great atmosphere; all in all, Happyhills Homicide is a great little free-to-play game well worth your time.”
- “While the game nails its tense atmosphere with unsettling background sound design and grotesque pixel art, the excessive gore and morally unsettling premise might alienate many players.”