The House in the Forest
- February 24, 2020
- _k.y.
Get on Steam"The House in the Forest" is a first-person exploration game where players discover the story of a family who chose to live in isolation. The game utilizes environmental storytelling, with notes and diaries scattered throughout the realistic, detailed environment to uncover the past. As a "Walking-Simulator," players primarily explore and discover the abandoned house and its surroundings.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Beautiful environment with nice nature and house design.
- Fairly good music that enhances the atmosphere.
- The game has potential and could be improved with more development.
- Poorly told story with nonsensical translations that make it hard to understand.
- Limited exploration with invisible walls and a very short gameplay duration.
- Framerate issues, bugs, and a feeling of emptiness throughout the game.
- story18 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as poorly told, with many users noting that the nonsensical translations of diary pages hinder understanding and immersion. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and potential of the narrative, they feel it lacks sufficient development and background. Overall, the story has moments of connection and sadness, but its execution leaves much to be desired.
“Edit: the true beauty of this game comes from reading the diaries and absorbing the story.”
“A truly spectacular game, I found myself truly immersed in the story and world; I truly felt connected with the characters too.”
“The diary pages were nonsensical translations, making it difficult to understand the story.”
“In this liminal space, you can feel the sadness, and the diaries - even with their broken English - tell a sad story of placing work before family.”
“There isn't much of a background story anyway.”
- music8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, described as soothing and ambient, enhancing the serene experience of exploring a beautiful forest. It evokes a reflective mood, reminiscent of the melancholic tone of "Cats in the Cradle," making it a fitting backdrop for the game's tranquil setting.
“Nice music.”
“If the rather sad song 'Cats in the Cradle' became a game, this would be that game.”
“You are free to wander around a beautiful and serene forest with many walking trails, while listening to the soothing sound of flowing water and relaxing ambient background music.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is notably brief, lasting only 0.5 to 1 hour, and does not meet expectations for depth or excitement. Players are encouraged to check out a 15-minute gameplay video on YouTube for a better understanding of the experience.
“Gameplay lasts about 0.5 to 1 hour max.”
“Don't expect amazing gameplay or a grand finale.”
“You can watch gameplay on my YouTube channel.”
“Gameplay lasts only about 15 minutes.”
“Gameplay is limited to a maximum of 0.5 to 1 hour.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as acceptable, with some users praising their potential and overall quality, while others criticize issues like choppiness that detract from the exploration experience. Despite these mixed reviews, there is a consensus that improved graphics could enhance the game's appeal significantly.
“I really liked this game not because it's super well made or because the story is amazing, but because I think it has the potential to be something worth paying more than $3 for. Other than a couple of overlaps every now and then, the graphics are fantastic, and I think if the story got fleshed out a bit more and maybe got expanded upon, it could be a really good game.”
“I thought this would be a peaceful little walking simulator with a nice little backstory told through notes, but the choppy graphics ruin the exploration aspect, and the atrocious translations ruin the story aspect.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a deeply emotional experience, highlighting moments of both laughter and tears, suggesting that the game effectively evokes a wide range of feelings and resonates on a personal level.
“I laughed, I cried, and then... as all things.”
“I laughed, I cried, and then... as all things.”
“I laughed, I cried, and then... as all things.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is consistently highlighted as the game's primary strength, serving as its main selling point. Players find it to be a captivating and immersive experience that enhances overall enjoyment.
“The main selling point of this game is the atmosphere.”
