The Holyburn Witches

About

In the once tranquil village of Holyburn, Maine, a series of horrific incidents left scars that still linger. Unexplained sounds and sightings haunt the desolate forests near this derelict town. Can you survive to unravel the mystery steeped in a history of ritualistic horrors? "The Holyburn Witches" is a pure survival-horror experience, featuring meticulously crafted panoramic photographs that c…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 13 reviews

music3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features excellent graphics and a unique aesthetic that enhances the horror experience.
Jump scares and realistic sound effects contribute to a tense atmosphere, making it engaging at times.
The concept of navigating through a dark, eerie forest adds an intriguing layer of difficulty and suspense.

Gameplay is minimal, primarily revolving around collecting resources, which can become repetitive and boring.
Navigation is frustratingly difficult, often leading to players getting lost without clear visual cues or guidance.
The lack of a compelling narrative and character development detracts from the overall experience, leaving players wanting more.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some praising its intriguing premise involving witches in a cold, barren setting, while others criticize the lack of character development and player agency. Although the visuals and narrative potential are acknowledged, many players feel that the storytelling is hampered by gameplay mechanics that detract from their engagement with the plot. Overall, while there are hints of a compelling story, the execution leaves much to be desired, leading to frustration among players.
- “Don't get me wrong, the game looks amazing, which for me is one of Moolion's greatest strengths in storytelling: the look and the narrative.”
- “There is a real intrigue around the story of witches in the cold, barren forests of what I hope are in my hometown of Massachusetts, and I love the idea of interacting with the environment.”
- “Moonlion are masters at storytelling.”
- “The story and character development are lacking.”
- “Unfortunately, I just can't engage with much of the story because I can't survive many nights.”
- “We loved that there were added segments when we got into the third day that hinted at a larger story, but some sort of setup may help more players connect to the game and play for more than just 'how far can I get?'”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The gameplay has been criticized for its lack of depth, primarily revolving around monotonous tasks like collecting firewood and mushrooms, which can lead to boredom. While some players appreciate the 360 gameplay concept, it fails to deliver a thrilling experience, resulting in an average rating of 5.83/10.
- “360 gameplay, very cool idea, but not scary.”
- “Before I played that game, I went to YouTube and watched gameplay.”
- “There isn't really any gameplay to this game at all.”
- “The game is relatively good, but it becomes quite boring when the gameplay is just about collecting firewood and picking mushrooms to survive.”
- “Gameplay: 5.83/10”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics in "the holyburn witches" are praised for their excellence and unique aesthetic, contributing to the game's appeal. However, some players feel that the visuals alone are not enough to compensate for a lack of a strong narrative.
- “I think that's what's missing in 'The Holyburn Witches,' which is what drew me to the other games: a strong and compelling narrative along with striking visuals.”
- “The graphics are also excellent.”
- “I think that's what's missing in 'The Holyburn Witches': a strong and compelling narrative along with striking visuals.”
- “We were drawn to this game for its unique aesthetic (panoramic, point and click, horror).”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The music and background sound effects received a score of 7.5/10, indicating a generally positive reception. Reviewers appreciated the background music, suggesting it effectively enhances the gaming experience.
- “The background music really enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “The sound effects complement the gameplay perfectly, creating an immersive experience.”
- “I love how the music sets the tone for each level, making every moment feel unique.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development in the game is often criticized for being underwhelming, with players feeling that the story lacks depth and fails to provide meaningful growth for the characters. Many reviewers express disappointment in the static nature of the characters, which detracts from the overall narrative experience.
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving me disconnected from the story.”
- “I expected more depth in the characters, but they all seem one-dimensional and predictable.”
- “The lack of meaningful character arcs makes it hard to invest in the narrative.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users generally express that the game lacks significant replay value, indicating that once completed, there is little incentive to revisit it.
- “The game lacks replay value, making it feel like a one-time experience.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The limited choices and outcomes mean that replaying the game feels redundant.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive short-form survival-horror experience, particularly appealing to players who enjoy exploring eerie environments and navigating through dense woods. It is recommended for those who appreciate a solitary gaming experience on a single monitor.
- “In its current state, we would recommend it to anybody who likes short-form atmospheric survival horror, plays on a single monitor, and doesn't mind getting a little lost in the woods.”