True Fear: Forsaken Souls Part 1

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 737 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
True Fear: Forsaken Souls Part 1 Game Cover
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"True Fear: Forsaken Souls Part 1" is a first-person psychological horror game. The player uncovers the dark secrets of an abandoned orphanage and confronts supernatural forces while solving puzzles. With a strong emphasis on story and exploration, the game aims to deliver a cinematic experience with intense atmosphere and compelling characters.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 737 reviews
story248 positive mentions
grinding20 negative mentions
  • The game features a compelling and engaging story that keeps players invested.
  • The atmosphere is creepy and well-crafted, with effective use of sound and visuals to enhance the horror experience.
  • The puzzles strike a good balance between challenge and accessibility, making them enjoyable without being overly difficult.
  • Some players found the game to be less scary than expected, with predictable jump scares.
  • There are issues with certain puzzles being illogical or frustrating, leading to potential gameplay interruptions.
  • The game ends on a cliffhanger, leaving players waiting for the sequel, which has been delayed for years.
  • story502 mentions

    The story of "True Fear: Forsaken Souls" is widely praised for its intriguing and atmospheric narrative, which centers around a female protagonist unraveling a family mystery. Players appreciate the depth and complexity of the plot, which keeps them engaged and eager for the sequel, despite some noting that it can feel convoluted or incomplete at times. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, effectively blending horror elements with a compelling storyline that enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “The story is gripping, expertly written and put together.”
    • “The story will keep you hooked and interested.”
    • “The story is intriguing.”
    • “So I was let down by what turned out to be a bog-standard story, dragged out and clubbed over the head with foreshadowing.”
    • “No story, just a series of clichés clumsily patched together; it all feels very light and childish.”
    • “The plot was thin and all in all I found the game extremely boring.”
  • graphics120 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising the beautiful visuals, atmospheric art design, and well-crafted cutscenes that enhance the overall experience. While some noted that the graphics may not compete with AAA titles, they are considered impressive for the hidden object genre, contributing significantly to the game's eerie atmosphere. However, a few reviews pointed out inconsistencies in quality and low-resolution elements, suggesting that while the visuals are strong, they are not without flaws.

    • “The graphics are amazing to have been 8+ years ago.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, great animated cutscenes, the whole thing looks amazing.”
    • “Graphics are amazing and really add to the creepy atmosphere.”
    • “Visuals are low resolution, grunge-y and grainy.”
    • “Too many locations for a game like this and graphics are very washed out.”
    • “4 stars for game atmosphere, 1 for graphic interference.”
  • music108 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric and creepy qualities, effectively enhancing the horror experience and building tension throughout the gameplay. However, some players noted issues such as abrupt music cuts, repetitive tracks, and the absence of music in certain scenes, which detracted from the overall immersion. Despite these drawbacks, the soundtrack is considered well-suited to the game's themes, contributing to a chilling and engaging atmosphere.

    • “There is a really nice weaving together of cinematic scenes, creepy music, and artistic styling that brings the story together in a beautifully holistic way.”
    • “The music is on point; there are a few piano tracks (waltz) that send shivers down my spine, as well as eerie background music.”
    • “The game has a good build of tension through the gradual drip of story and the atmospheric soundtrack; a few jump scares are present, which I personally find cheap, but it's not so present that it ruins the spooky vibe overall.”
    • “Unfortunately, I was very disappointed because I found that some parts (scenes and music) of the original game were taken out.”
    • “There are also a few times when interacting with a puzzle that the music abruptly stops.”
    • “The only complaint I have for this game is that the music gets repetitive after a while, but it can be turned off by either going to the options menu or jamming an ice pick through your eardrums.”
  • atmosphere100 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its genuine horror elements, compelling storytelling, and immersive environments, creating a creepy and engaging experience. Players appreciate the well-designed puzzles and atmospheric soundtrack, which enhance the tension and intrigue throughout the gameplay. While some find the scares to be somewhat clichéd, the overall ambiance effectively draws players into a thrilling and spooky adventure.

    • “This is a highly atmospheric adventure game that can really lure you in.”
    • “What I wasn't prepared for was the amazing atmosphere and the lush backgrounds with items lovingly crafted in a consistent haunting aesthetic.”
    • “The atmosphere is very well done, and the challenges are diverse enough for the gameplay to not feel stale throughout the experience.”
    • “The scares are extremely hokey but the atmosphere and story are actually very well done.”
    • “The main character's lack of expression in most scenes makes me laugh but the atmosphere still creeped me out.”
    • “It sets up a compelling mystery at the start, and creates a spooky atmosphere that works well and is about as scary as you can expect from the genre.”
  • gameplay62 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a unique item-pairing mechanic and a variety of puzzles that keep the experience engaging, though some players noted unrealistic elements in puzzle design. While the game offers a solid narrative and immersive atmosphere, it suffers from pacing issues and a lack of horror intensity, making it less challenging than expected. Overall, players appreciate the smooth gameplay and diverse settings, with a typical playtime of around 5 to 8 hours, making it a worthwhile experience, especially when on sale.

    • “Great storyline, fun puzzles, and immersive gameplay - excited for part 3!!!”
    • “The atmosphere is very well done, and the challenges are diverse enough for the gameplay to not feel stale throughout the experience.”
    • “This game had it all, it was a lot of fun and I was quite impressed with the depth of the story as well as the smooth gameplay.”
    • “While the gameplay and plot will keep players interested, some pacing issues and a lack of horror elements weaken the title; it’s as scary as reading the back of a DVD of The Grudge.”
    • “I concede that not everything is brilliant in this game and there are still some downsides in the gameplay, like finding a light bulb in the fridge.”
    • “Background art and audio are detailed and crisp respectively and lend a lot to making this an unnerving experience, despite the rather restricted gameplay that comes with these sorts of games.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the requirement of multiple playthroughs to unlock all achievements, which diminishes replay value. While some appreciate the extra gameplay chapters, many express that the repetitive tasks and lack of meaningful rewards lead to a loss of interest and enjoyment as the game progresses. Overall, the grinding experience is often described as a chore rather than a fun challenge.

    • “Rushed through the second playthrough just to get that one sheet, only to discover that the 'unlock all achievements' achievement is linked to your game profile, not to Steam achievements. This means you have to unlock every achievement in the game all in one playthrough, which requires a third playthrough. If you miss even one thing that you can't get back to, it results in yet another tedious and annoying playthrough.”
    • “And frankly, the game has zero replay value, since collecting everything doesn't actually change anything. While the first playthrough was fun, at this point it's just become annoying and tedious and has completely lost my interest.”
    • “It just becomes a series of tedious tasks, one no different from the next.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    The game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many players noting that collecting items does not alter the experience, leading to a tedious second playthrough. As a result, those seeking replay value may want to reconsider, especially since the game is typical of its genre, which often lacks significant replay incentives.

    • “And frankly, the game has zero replay value, since collecting everything doesn't actually change anything. While the first playthrough was fun, at this point it's just become annoying and tedious and has completely lost my interest.”
    • “I had also been considering purchasing part 2, but if this is how the devs design their games in an attempt to force you to replay a game with no replay value multiple times in order to platinum the game, then after this I think I'll be skipping any additional games in the series or from this developer.”
    • “Like most story-driven games of this genre, there's no real replay value in the game. So if that's important for you, this isn't the game for you. But then again, most of this entire genre probably isn't the kind of game you're interested in if that's a deal breaker for you.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of unintentional hilarity from the protagonist's emotional detachment and clever details, such as a humorous book title about furniture. While the cutscenes and story may not be strong, they provide some entertainment, and the scares, though predictable, add to the overall amusing experience.

    • “Cutscenes were decent if a little hilarious due to the protagonist’s utter lack of emotion, the story itself not so great.”
    • “Scares could be a little more evolved and jumps less predictable, but still entertaining and kind of funny to watch.”
    • “There is also a clever humor in the details (for example, at one point there is a book called 'Emblem Furniture: Where to Buy It,' because no one actually owns a drawer that you lock by removing a piece of its carved surface).”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, stability in the game appears to be generally good, with most players reporting no glitches or bugs. However, a few users experienced minor glitches during specific acts, particularly in act 3, although these issues seem to have been addressed in the updated Steam version.

    • “The only issue I had was that I ran into two glitches during Act 3 during my first and third playthroughs.”
    • “The updated Steam version has corrected some gameplay glitches and added some additional gameplay.”
    • “I did not encounter any glitches or bugs.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is criticized for its inconsistency, as players find it jarring that characters express disgust over mundane tasks while remaining unfazed by gruesome scenarios. This dissonance detracts from the overall narrative engagement, leading to a perception of a lackluster story.

  • character development2 mentions

    The character development in the game is highlighted by impressive designs and animations, showcasing a high level of quality for an indie title.

  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the game is generally solid, but users report issues with bugged achievements that can require excessive playtime to unlock, leading to frustration.

    • “Achievements are bugged, and I hate having to play for 3 hours just to unlock one.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

90% average critic score

Buy True Fear: Forsaken Souls Part 1

Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
3-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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