The Holiday Story

About

The Holiday Story is a single player simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by JustTomcuk and was released on November 15, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

The Holiday Story is a short horror walking simulator set during Christmas Eve 1982, where you play as a man searching for a gift in a mysteriously eerie toy store. As strange events unfold inside the festively decorated shop, a cozy yet unsettling atmosphere paired with VHS-style visuals immerses you in a retro holiday experience. Disturbing surprises lurk beneath the cheerful exterior.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

64%

Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews

graphics9 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game features great graphics and a nostalgic 80s atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
It offers a quirky and fun horror experience with interesting twists and jump scares, making it enjoyable for a short playthrough.
Many players appreciated the unique concept and found it to be a solid holiday horror game, perfect for sharing with friends.

Numerous players experienced significant bugs, including issues with controls and the inability to progress due to unresponsive mechanics.
The game has been criticized for its lackluster scares and a poorly executed ending that left many feeling disappointed.
Some found the gameplay to be slow and frustrating, with complaints about sensitivity issues and the overall scope feeling limited.

graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
82%
18%
Overall, the graphics of the game have received high praise for their quality and smooth performance, with many users noting impressive visuals and atmospheric effects that enhance the experience. While some players experienced minor performance issues, the majority found the graphics to be top-notch, contributing to a nostalgic and immersive horror theme. However, a few reviews mentioned that the graphics alone couldn't compensate for shortcomings in gameplay and story.
- “Graphics are top notch.”
- “Graphics and atmosphere were great.”
- “The game has top notch Christmas vibes with bloody scary & funny moments and magnificent trippy lighting and visuals that will leave you amazed 10/10.”
- “The graphics give off 'I'm on Observation Duty' vibes with the visuals and text.”
- “The graphics are... okay, but the performance just isn't up to par.”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The gameplay is described as a mix of fun and frustration, featuring a unique but poorly executed weeping angel mechanic that contributes to a slow experience. While the story is engaging and quirky, players feel that the environments and mechanics are lacking in scale and depth. Overall, the gameplay offers a blend of enjoyment and challenges, particularly in specific segments like the warehouse scene.
- “Very fun, super weird story and gameplay, but I really really liked it.”
- “The warehouse bit with the toy stalking with the weeping angel mechanic, that took a few attempts haha.”
- “The holiday story – 80s Christmas horror game gameplay & full walkthrough.”
- “I have never seen a game apply the weeping angel mechanic so badly until I played this game.”
- “Everything feels extremely small: the environments, the mechanics, and the overall experience.”
- “The warehouse segment with the toy stalking using the weeping angel mechanic took a few attempts.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The story aspect of the game is described as a mix of fun and nostalgia, effectively capturing the atmosphere of an 80s electronics store, though opinions vary on its execution. While some reviewers appreciated the captivating elements and interesting twists, others found the narrative lacking depth and immersion, with a desire for more varied endings. Overall, it serves as a solid holiday horror experience, but it doesn't fully capitalize on its potential.
- “Very fun, super weird story and gameplay, but I really really liked it.”
- “Great graphics, great story and the nostalgia hits home with this one, perfect way to start your seasonal horror shenanigans!”
- “A couple of fun jump scares, fun storyline, interesting twists.”
- “The holiday story is a solid Christmas horror game that does its job, but never pushes beyond that.”
- “I really did enjoy the visuals in this one, has nice nostalgia, a few decent jump scares, too many cuts for a game this short, dialogue didn't flow too well, story was alright, the atmosphere didn't hold tension or immersion very well.”
- “The story was the weakest part of the whole experience; I would have loved to see some different ending options explored.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere effectively captures the nostalgic feel of an 80s electronics store, enhanced by engaging sound design and visuals that evoke holiday vibes. While many players appreciated the overall ambiance and nostalgic elements, some felt that the tension and immersion were lacking, with a desire for a smoother experience rather than reliance on jump scares. Overall, the atmosphere is a highlight, though opinions vary on its ability to maintain tension throughout the gameplay.
- “It perfectly captured the atmosphere of an old electronics store in the 80s. I liked the crunchy snow noises, the animation of the 'bad guy,' and the story was really captivating.”
- “Very fun holiday vibes and some solid atmosphere for a short but sweet horror game!”
- “Graphics and atmosphere were great.”
- “I would love one smooth experience, more tension and atmosphere instead of quick jump scares.”
- “I really did enjoy the visuals in this one, has nice nostalgia, a few decent jump scares, too many cuts for a game this short, dialogue didn't flow too well, story was alright, the atmosphere didn't hold tension or immersion very well.”
- “The atmosphere was there.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a blend of humor that elicits genuine laughter, with players noting both funny moments and a unique mix of festive and frightening elements. The combination of comedic scenes and impressive visuals contributes to an overall entertaining experience.
- “Me and my son were in disbelief and then just started laughing.”
- “A couple of funny moments.”
- “The game has top-notch Christmas vibes with bloody scary and funny moments, along with magnificent trippy lighting and visuals that will leave you amazed. 10/10”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users find the game's graphics to be acceptable, but they express significant concerns regarding its performance, indicating that optimization is lacking.
- “The graphics are okay, but the performance just isn't there.”
- “The game runs poorly on my system, despite meeting the recommended requirements.”
- “I experience frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruins the gameplay experience.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that technical issues, such as frame drops, can detract from the emotional experience of the game, leading to feelings of discomfort and frustration.