The Stoevi Curse
- May 1, 2023
- colinspiri
Unravel the mystery of The Stoevi Curse, a first-person survival horror game set in rural post-Communist Bulgaria. Protect your farm, save your family.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique blend of farming simulation and horror elements, creating an engaging and immersive experience.
- The narrative is well-written and intriguing, keeping players invested in the story throughout.
- The visuals and atmosphere effectively enhance the sense of dread and paranoia, making for a compelling horror experience.
- The gameplay can become repetitive and may feel tedious, especially with tasks like watering plants.
- Some players experienced issues with AI behavior, which could lead to frustrating moments during gameplay.
- The game is relatively short, leaving some players wanting more content and depth.
- gameplay11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of simple yet engaging mechanics, with some players appreciating its unique elements and immersive horror experience, while others find certain aspects, like waiting for plants to grow, tedious. Overall, the game is praised for its artistic presentation and strong narrative, making it a recommended choice for indie horror fans despite some criticisms of specific gameplay elements.
“Gameplay was quite spooky, but simple enough for me to quickly understand.”
“This has to be one of the best indie horror games I've played, it's very fun and has some unique gameplay I've never seen before, also you can abuse sheep.”
“Combined with the really good presentation, and fun/tense gameplay, all made this a dang good free horror!”
“I loved the artistic elements of this game, but hated the actual gameplay of running away from the thing that gives you an instant game over.”
“The mechanic of waiting for the plants to grow early on is boring and feels like watching paint dry.”
“Terrible gameplay.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a unique blend of farming simulation and horror elements, creating an engaging and stressful experience that transforms mundane agricultural tasks into thrilling gameplay. Players appreciate the innovative concept and execution, though some suggest improvements, such as adding kill animations. Overall, the game successfully captivates players with its genre fusion.
“I never knew farming could be so stressful until I played this game.”
“It is pretty much a farming sim with horror elements.”
“But that's the beauty of this horror farming game - it takes the mundane task of agriculture and turns it into a heart-pumping thrill ride.”
- story6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story is well-written and engaging, drawing players in as they uncover the mysteries of the farm. While some reviewers noted a desire for more initial buildup and interaction, the overall narrative is praised alongside the game's art style, making it a recommended experience despite minor gameplay issues.
“The story is very well written, and as the game progressed I became more and more intrigued as to what was going on on the farm.”
“Love the art style + story; I would definitely recommend checking it out.”
“Loved the texture work, visual style, and the story was great too.”
“I felt like if there was more build-up at the beginning, more story, more interaction, and a clearer idea of what was going on or what you were supposed to be doing, it would be more engaging.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed feedback, with some users finding them visually tiring and overly filtered, while others appreciated the unique art style and aesthetic. The lack of display options was noted as a drawback, but the overall artistic direction and story were praised, making it worth exploring.
“Cool aesthetic.”
“Love the art style + story; would definitely recommend checking it out.”
“Visuals are tiring to the eye.”
“Lack of display/graphics options is annoying.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by an uneasy and threatening vibe, enhanced by its 90's visual style and level design. Players appreciate the immersive quality of the environment, which is further enriched by engaging character dialogue. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“Loved the atmosphere and the dialogue between the characters.”
“Really atmospheric, threatening experience.”
“The 90's visual style enhances the uneasy atmosphere, and even the level design is reminiscent of games from that era.”
“The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the world.”
“Despite its potential, the atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to engage players.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is visually appealing and performs well, but some users have reported glitches that hinder specific actions, such as fertilizing, particularly on PC.
“The game looks and runs great.”
“I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which is impressive.”
“The performance is smooth, making for an enjoyable gaming experience.”
“I encountered numerous glitches on my PC that made certain actions, like fertilizing, completely unresponsive.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing progress.”
“There are constant frame drops and stuttering, which severely impacts the overall gameplay experience.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music and sound design in the game are highly praised, matching the overall quality of the gameplay and visuals.
“The sound design and music are just as good as everything else.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”
“Each track is carefully crafted, making every moment feel immersive and engaging.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express strong emotional reactions to the game, with some experiencing fear and sadness, as illustrated by one user who cried after encountering a frightening character and losing crops.
“The game made me feel a deep connection to the characters; I found myself genuinely caring about their struggles and triumphs.”
“I was overwhelmed with emotion during the final scene; it left me in tears and reflecting on my own life.”
“The story's themes of loss and redemption resonated with me on a personal level, making the experience unforgettable.”