This Is Not Your House

About

This Is Not Your House is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by Cody Tierson (Trash Eyes) and was released on August 23, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

"This Is Not Your House" is a psychological horror choose-your-own-adventure game, where you play as Roger, an elderly widower who finds his home occupied by an intruder. With ten unique endings, your choices will determine whether you take your house back or find alternative shelter. A screen reader feature and the option to skip previously read content make it easier to explore all possible outcomes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 208 reviews

story13 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

The game features a unique and eerie atmosphere, enhanced by its pixel art style and excellent sound design, making for an engaging experience.
The writing is compelling, with multiple endings that provide a mix of humor and horror, keeping players intrigued throughout the short playtime.
At its low price point, the game offers a fun and quick experience, making it a worthwhile pick for those looking for a brief yet impactful narrative.

The game is extremely short, with most players able to complete it in under 30 minutes, leading to concerns about replay value and depth.
Some players found the story to be lacking in coherence, with many plot points feeling underexplored or unresolved.
While the art style is unique, it can sometimes be difficult to interpret, detracting from the overall experience for some players.

story
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
7%
The story of "This Is Not Your House" is a short, surreal horror narrative that explores themes of property and identity through a choose-your-own-adventure format. While it offers an engaging atmosphere and multiple endings, many reviewers noted that the plot can feel disjointed and lacks depth, with some paths leading to abrupt or unsatisfying conclusions. Overall, it is seen as a unique but flawed experience that may appeal to fans of minimalist horror storytelling.
- “A horror visual novel that reads like a creepy, surreal storybook, with clear pathways and very different endings depending on every choice, plus a memorable visual style.”
- “This story punches well above its weight class when it comes to creating an entrancing atmosphere.”
- “A fabulous mix of retro-style adventure graphics, a very modern and unsettling score and ambiance, and a story intriguing enough for me to get all 10 endings, but simple enough not to overstay its welcome.”
- “So much story in such little content.”
- “The story is pretty much non-existent as well, unfortunately.”
- “The plot lines suffer from pacing problems and often end abruptly, cartoonishly, or in deeply contrived ways.”
graphics
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
41%
7%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique pixel art style that effectively creates a creepy atmosphere, blending retro aesthetics with modern sound design. While many users appreciate the cohesive and striking visuals, some note that the low-fi presentation can be unclear at times, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the art style and graphics are praised for their originality and ability to enhance the game's mood, despite some wishing for a more polished look.
- “The graphics and audio are phenomenal in setting the mood, immediate unease from the title screen alone.”
- “This is not your house is a truly remarkable piece of horror featuring gorgeous & unsettling pixelated graphics, an absolutely incredible soundscape featuring both bopping and spooking songs as well as wonderfully unnerving sound design.”
- “The art style is unique & really helps sell the creepy atmosphere.”
- “This is compounded by the harshness of its presentation, with a garish 'nuclear game boy' color palette, crunchy ultra-lo-fi visuals, and unnerving sound design.”
- “The graphic style suits the purposes of the game well, but I feel like the art could have used a little more time in the oven.”
- “It is really short, taking about 40 minutes to see all the endings, and some of the visuals are difficult to tell what you are looking at.”
music
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
43%
8%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers praising its eerie, funky, and immersive qualities. The soundtrack is described as a standout feature, effectively complementing the game's visuals and narrative, while the sound design adds to the unsettling experience. Despite some concerns about volume balancing and the game's short length, the music remains a highlight that many players found memorable and integral to their enjoyment.
- “I also have to give props to the music and sound effects which do wonders to prop the game up and suck you right in!”
- “The music and sound design were a major highlight.”
- “The music really helps to set the tone, along with the colors of the art.”
- “However, this glitch combined with the absolutely terrifying main menu music made me think the game was having serious issues on my deck.”
- “Seemed interesting at first and has a really solid soundtrack behind it but the art is a mixed bag and I wasn't convinced by its use of the themes it works with.”
- “Brief bite-sized horror visual novel with eerie minimalistic soundtrack and game boy-styled graphics, all the limitations manage to make it creepier.”
atmosphere
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
17%
18%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating and eerie vibe, enhanced by low-fi graphics and evocative music that work harmoniously to create a tense and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the unique art style and aesthetic choices, such as the eye-straining yellow hue, which effectively contribute to the overall horror atmosphere. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to build a thought-provoking and atmospheric narrative, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.
- “This story punches well above its weight-class when it comes to creating an entrancing atmosphere.”
- “The art, dialog, and music work together quite well to establish the atmosphere this finely crafted game skillfully aims to deliver on.”
- “That's barely enough time to even start to internalize the atmosphere of the game.”
- “Also, the eye-straining yellow look of the game really sells the atmosphere of the horror of the game.”
- “The graphics are in a monochrome pixel art style that lends itself to the creepy atmosphere.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark, morbid, and absurd elements, often juxtaposed with horror, creating a unique and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the balance between chilling moments and unexpected comedic outcomes, with various endings that range from bittersweet to hilariously absurd. Overall, the game is described as a fun and engaging visual novel that successfully incorporates humor into its narrative, making it both thought-provoking and enjoyable.
- “It strikes a great balance between horror and humor.”
- “It's thought-provoking first, atmospheric second, mildly chilling third, and momentarily hilarious with audacious turns of fate or comical choices you can branch into (be sure to find all the endings).”
- “Some instances are kind of sad, some wild, some hilarious... but all entertaining!!”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The gameplay is characterized by a choose-your-own-adventure format that allows players to explore all available endings in approximately 30 minutes. While it may appeal to those interested in visual novel mechanics, it is recommended primarily for those curious about the game's trailer.
- “It’s possible to see all the available endings in around 30 minutes of choose-your-own-adventure gameplay.”
- “It's possible to see all the available endings in around 30 minutes of choose-your-own-adventure gameplay.”
- “I think I would recommend this game only if you're curious about the trailer and are fine with visual novel gameplay.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its poignant storytelling, as players navigate the complex experiences of an elderly gentleman grappling with reality and delusion. The writing is particularly praised for its haunting and evocative descriptions, creating a raw and heartbreaking experience that resonates deeply, even if it may not appeal to everyone.
- “You're playing as an elderly gentleman who is experiencing something odd; we don't know if it's a delusion, a reality, or a heartbreaking combination of the two.”
- “I found this short experience very raw and heartbreaking, even if at the end of the day it may not have been my personal cup of tea.”
- “What I liked most was the writing - the way things are described and worded are both haunting and emotionally evocative.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of effort akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it still feels like I'm nowhere.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers minimal replayability, as players can complete it fully in about 20 minutes, leaving little incentive to revisit once finished.
- “Firstly, there's really no replay value once you 100% it in about 20 minutes.”
- “After completing the game, I felt no urge to play it again; it just lacks depth.”
- “The game is fun, but once you've seen everything, there's nothing left to draw you back.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability on the Steam Deck, with users reporting smooth performance and minimal issues.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”