The Park

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,665 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • graphics
The Park Game Cover
A chilling story about simple horrors, strong art design, and voice acting help tie together this horror short into a package worth checking out for horror fans.
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The Park is a psychological horror experience and Funcom's first single-player game since its award-winning adventure 'Dreamfall: The Longest Journey'. Releasing on the PC in October this year, 'The Park' puts you in the shoes of a mother whose son goes missing. When night falls and the lights go out, what follows is an intense story set against the backdrop of an amusement park where a dark and s…

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,665 reviews
story439 positive mentions
replayability22 negative mentions
  • Great atmosphere and visuals that create a creepy experience.
  • Engaging story that explores deep psychological themes.
  • Effective use of sound design and voice acting.
  • Extremely short gameplay, averaging around 1-2 hours.
  • Limited interactivity and linear progression.
  • Predictable plot twists and lack of replay value.
  • story1,471 mentions

    The story of "The Park" is a psychological horror narrative centered around Lorraine, a mother searching for her missing son in a dark amusement park, which serves as a backdrop for themes of mental illness and parental struggles. While the atmosphere and storytelling are praised for their depth and emotional impact, many reviewers note that the plot can be predictable and confusing, with some elements feeling underdeveloped or reliant on prior knowledge from the "Secret World" MMO. Overall, the game is seen as a short but engaging experience, appealing primarily to those who appreciate narrative-driven gameplay rather than traditional action or exploration.

    • “The game revolves around the story of Lorraine, a mother searching for her missing son, Callum, within the dark and twisted confines of the Atlantic Island Park.”
    • “The storyline is the game's strongest aspect, but it can be somewhat predictable for seasoned horror enthusiasts.”
    • “The story explores some mental health issues, such as dissociative amnesia and PTSD.”
    • “The pacing is very slow, the story is confusing, it really isn't scary, story elements are cliched and arbitrary, and it takes itself too seriously.”
    • “The difference here is a somewhat weak story with an incredibly unlikeable main character and a nonsensical horror angle.”
    • “The story is threadbare and needed some kind of narrative structure or challenge for pacing; instead, I just felt like I was wandering around an empty amusement park with cliche horror elements.”
  • atmosphere454 mentions

    The atmosphere of "The Park" is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and suspense throughout the game. Reviewers highlight the game's stunning visuals, sound design, and attention to detail, which contribute to a chilling experience that resonates with fans of psychological horror. While some critiques mention the game's short length and predictable jump scares, the overall consensus is that the atmospheric elements significantly enhance the storytelling and emotional impact.

    • “Developed by Funcom and released in 2015, this game offers a gripping narrative, immersive atmosphere, and simple controls that combine to create a truly unsettling experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is beautifully made, the visuals are gorgeous.”
    • “With its haunting atmosphere, compelling storytelling, and chilling imagery, it stands as a testament to the power of horror gaming to terrify, captivate, and ultimately, leave a lasting impression on those brave enough to venture into its twisted depths.”
    • “The atmosphere is oppressive and keeps getting more and more oppressive, after its start lulled you into a false sense of comfort.”
    • “The atmosphere was uncanny and the feeling of something being terribly wrong was constantly hanging over me, like a heavy, soaked blanket.”
    • “The atmosphere is intensely creepy and there were plenty of times I didn't want to continue.”
  • graphics251 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the beautiful and atmospheric visuals that effectively contribute to the horror experience. While some noted minor issues like lack of detail or occasional glitches, the overall aesthetic, including monster design and environmental graphics, was highlighted as a strong point. Despite some criticisms regarding performance on lower-end hardware, the game's use of the Unreal Engine 4 was recognized for creating a compelling and immersive atmosphere.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, creepy, and dark.”
    • “The graphics and atmosphere in the game are excellent.”
    • “The visuals are amazing, and the story is right on.”
    • “The graphics are a bit subpar compared to modern games, but you stop noticing about five minutes into the game because it really is that immersive.”
    • “The graphics worked very well for what they tried to achieve, but there were some things like blurry textures or the less than handsome player model.”
    • “The graphics suck and are early Xbox 360/PS3 era, yet due to the poor optimization of this my gaming rig ran this incredibly laggily until I turned the graphics as low as they would go.”
  • gameplay228 mentions

    The gameplay in "The Park" is primarily a walking simulator, offering minimal interaction and linear progression, which has led to mixed reviews. While some players appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and visual design, many criticize the lack of depth, challenge, and replayability, with gameplay lasting around 1-2 hours. Overall, it is seen as more of an interactive narrative experience than a traditional game, which may not satisfy those seeking engaging gameplay mechanics.

    • “The gameplay is simple but focused and serves to tell the story well.”
    • “The narrative just adds to the creepy and weird atmosphere at the park, and while seeming spooky, more and more jump scares are woven into the gameplay as the narration takes dark and twisty turns.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics serve the narrative very well.”
    • “The gameplay in 'The Park' is more of an interactive storytelling experience than a traditional game.”
    • “However, the lack of real challenges or complex gameplay mechanics may disappoint those looking for more interactive elements in their horror games.”
    • “The lack of literally any gameplay other than walking through the park and exploring its locations makes for a dull experience for people who want to kill and shoot things.”
  • replayability64 mentions

    Overall, the game has been criticized for its extremely limited replayability, with many reviewers noting that it can be completed in under two hours and offers little incentive to play again. While some players appreciated the atmospheric experience and story, they felt that the lack of choices, puzzles, or multiple endings significantly detracted from its replay value. Most agree that it is best enjoyed as a one-time experience, particularly at a discounted price.

    • “There is definitely a little bit of replayability.”
    • “Just finished the game, 4 achievements I did not get (so a little replay value if I want to get those). It is very short, but that was announced so that didn't bother me. In my opinion, it's not worth the full price, a nice little story-driven game.”
    • “The park is not very long and doesn't have high replay value, but the story is intriguing enough as you try to figure out what's actually going on.”
    • “The game has zero replay value, very little horror, and with the little gameplay time there was, I was just wanting it to end or for someone to put me out of my misery.”
    • “I was so hyped for this game upon release because it seemed like there were so many options and a lot of replayability, but in reality, it's a 90-minute thriller that, yes, is fun, but is extremely limited.”
    • “Expect only an hour or two of playtime, and little to no replay value.”
  • music47 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for effectively enhancing the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its ability to create tension and a creepy ambiance. While some found the soundtrack dynamic and well-suited to the game's narrative, others felt it could be inconsistent, with moments of overused carnival music and a lack of impactful cues during dramatic scenes. Overall, the sound design, including music and sound effects, is considered a strong aspect that contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “The overall atmosphere is great, the music and sound effects fit perfectly and the story is deep and addresses current human fears, apathy, and drama.”
    • “The music is dynamic and seamlessly builds as the tension increases.”
    • “The scenery is tense, the music and tones are extremely appropriate, and the screen effects were a very nice touch and captured the feeling of fear extremely well.”
    • “In the last chapter, I had to turn on happy background music on YouTube to go on further...”
    • “During the end of the chapter, a bumper car takes life and starts to drive wildly towards us; unfortunately, this game does not come with audio sliders, so the music was so loud compared to the sound effects.”
    • “The way that the game messes with your mind is mostly through the music and slight changes in visuals to give it the creepy aspect.”
  • emotional30 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is deeply impactful, exploring themes of maternal love, loss, and psychological distress through the character of Lorraine, whose instability and haunting experiences create a gripping narrative. Players report feeling a strong emotional connection to her journey, despite some predictability in the story, with the game's atmosphere amplifying the sense of dread and heartbreak. Overall, it is described as a hauntingly beautiful experience that resonates on a personal level, particularly for parents, making it both touching and potentially distressing.

    • “Lorraine as a character is intentionally written as growingly unstable, as a combination of her own mental health issues, fear for her son, and the emotional manipulation of the park itself begins to overcome her.”
    • “The story is excellent and heartbreaking.”
    • “The game is really an interesting experience and amounts to a really well-crafted, subtle, mysterious, and touching exploration of a tormented mother's emotional history.”
  • optimization25 mentions

    The optimization of the game received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance on lower-end hardware and good graphics, while others reported significant issues such as stuttering, crashes, and poor frame rates even on modern systems. Many users noted that despite the game's aesthetic appeal, the optimization could be improved, particularly for those with less powerful rigs, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, while some players enjoyed a stable performance, others found it lacking and recommended waiting for patches or sales before purchasing.

    • “I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this game, between the ambiance, the visual aesthetic, and quite honestly the build-up of suspense. The controls were simple yet responsive, and there weren't many issues regarding performance as this game is very well optimized for lower-end hardware (even on higher settings).”
    • “The frames are smooth, and the game actually seems optimized.”
    • “It's well optimized; I'm getting a constant 60fps on ultra settings, and it offers some in-game bonuses for TSW players such as a chipmunk costume and 3 QL 10.9 talismans for DPS, healer, and tank.”
    • “And because the framerate is garbage unless you lower the settings, even if you have a modern gaming computer, just because this product, which they incessantly refer to as a 'game', is so poorly optimized.”
    • “I was very excited to be playing this game only to find out I'm experiencing audio/visual stuttering that I haven't seen since the release of Arkham Knight.”
    • “Optimization is a bit lacking, meaning you need good hardware despite the game not being the most beautiful ever... actually it is kind of weird, I am not that disappointed.”
  • stability13 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant glitches and bugs that hinder gameplay, particularly in the main menu and during critical moments. While some players experienced smooth performance on modern hardware, others faced frustrating issues that required frequent restarts and basic troubleshooting. Customer support has been criticized for being unhelpful, leaving players dissatisfied with the game's stability.

    • “The park uses the Unreal Engine 4, so it not only looks great but runs great as well.”
    • “The game is also quite polished in my opinion, and runs great on today's modern hardware (provided you at least have some sort of dedicated graphics card), so to sum it up, the graphics are quite wonderful.”
    • “I wish I could say that this game had an engaging storyline with interesting characters and a good fear factor; however, the damned thing glitches out and doesn't let you play.”
    • “I also managed to get ahold of their customer support after weeks of trying, and they're completely uninterested in solving the issue, and just told me to do all the basic troubleshooting steps (full screen, windowed, reinstall) that I had already done.”
    • “Graphical glitches, especially through the mirrors, were distracting.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as goofy and often detracting from the intended horror, with players noting that some attempts at scares come off as hilariously poor. While there are moments that elicit genuine laughter, such as glitches and absurd scenarios, many feel these elements undermine the overall experience, leading to a mix of unintentional comedy and frustration. Overall, the humor is seen as a double-edged sword, providing some amusement but ultimately failing to enhance the game's intended atmosphere.

    • “There are definitely a few moments in this game where it tried to scare me but was hilariously poor, because the game thinks crazy, supernatural action can substitute actual fear, where there is danger to your character, and merely serves as objects coming at you fast.”
    • “Its basically a small string of lazy attempts to try and creep you out that fail miserably, the game becomes so bad by the end it's funny.”
    • “There was also random things that made me laugh to myself and be like 'what lol?'.”
    • “Not funny, just a waste of time.”
    • “The jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
    • “I expected humor, but it was more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and monotonous, particularly towards the end, where repetitive mechanics and lengthy monologues detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the execution, many feel that the journey and combat can become overly time-consuming and confusing, leading to a frustrating grind.

    • “The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worthwhile.”
    • “Grinding in this game is satisfying, as it allows you to see tangible progress.”
    • “While there are moments of grinding, the engaging gameplay keeps it enjoyable.”
    • “However, the way that the end does it becomes tedious and monotonous.”
    • “I found the end mechanics repetitive and, while I understand why they're that way, it was a little tedious.”
    • “The journey to each ride becomes a bit tedious, further eliminating the atmosphere that the game is trying to generate.”
  • character development10 mentions

    Character development in the game received mixed reviews, with some praising the intriguing character design and atmospheric elements, while others criticized the lack of depth and subtlety in character progression. Many players felt that the narrative did not provide enough opportunities for meaningful character growth, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, while the visuals and atmosphere were appreciated, the character development was seen as either insufficient or overly forced.

    • “I found the story and character development to be pretty good too.”
    • “Not only was the character design interesting and unique in its eeriness, the game devs had textured in what I could swear were bullet holes in the thing, which made me almost certain it was going to spring to life the moment I turned my back and start following me.”
    • “That combined with old school grim-esque fairy tale allusions and the character designs gives this game a really good old-school horror movie air about it.”
    • “I want to like the game more, but it just didn't have the legs to last. The content was overall light and unfortunately didn't allow for much in the way of character development.”
    • “To expand: there is no way of dying, there is no open world aspect, the character development is not subtle in any capacity and is forced upon you in an aggressively fast-paced environment.”
    • “However, the character design leaves something to be desired.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization of "The Park" has been criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that they paid for a short experience that primarily serves as an advertisement for another game, "Secret World Legends." While some acknowledge the game's quality compared to other indie offerings, the focus on self-promotion detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Why did I buy this if I had no intention to play it? 'The Secret World', or as it's called now 'Secret World Legends: the cash grab', this game takes place in that world.”
    • “But I basically paid for a one-hour game only to have it turn into an advertisement for another game they make that you have to pay money for, and that ruined the whole experience for me.”
    • “It's pretty much an advertisement that you pay $10 to experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

64% average critic score

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Play time

2hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 25 analyzed playthroughs

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