Vartio

About

Vartio is a single player action game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Pepperbox Studios and was released on August 12, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Vartio is a single-player fantasy adventure that plunges you into the role of a medieval guardsman on a solitary night watch in shadowy woods. This short psychological horror experience combines immersive 3D pixel art and rich atmospheric sound to create intense paranoia as unseen dangers draw closer. Trust your instincts—something is watching in the darkness.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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73%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

atmosphere7 positive mentions

Creates a spooky atmosphere with well-crafted ambient sounds that invoke curiosity and fear.
Impressive sound design that enhances the unsettling experience, making players feel paranoid.
Short but effective, providing a quick horror experience that leaves players wanting more.

The game is very short and lacks substantial content, leading to feelings of boredom during gameplay.
While visually interesting, it fails to deliver real scares or a satisfying payoff.
Many players felt disappointed by the lack of meaningful events and a weak ending.

atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
17%
25%
The game excels in creating a spooky and unsettling atmosphere, enhanced by impressive sound design that evokes feelings of paranoia and tension. While many players appreciate the immersive environment and aesthetic, some express a desire for more scares and a more satisfying conclusion. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, effectively capturing the essence of wandering alone in the woods at night.
- “Amazing sound design, very unsettling atmosphere that makes you paranoid.”
- “No jump scares, but the atmosphere is perfect to put you in an unsettling mood.”
- “Sets a great atmosphere, and builds tension in an exceptional way.”
- “The game creates a spooky atmosphere as you slowly patrol a forest.”
- “I don't know what it is that creates a specific atmosphere, but it 1000% reminded me of wandering in the woods alone at night.”
- “I really like the atmosphere of the game.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The graphics are praised for their nice art style and atmospheric setting, effectively creating a compelling environment. However, some users note that the minimal visuals and lack of scares, coupled with a disappointing ending, detract from the overall experience.
- “Love the setting, atmosphere, and the art style.”
- “Nice graphics and atmosphere but zero scares and an extremely disappointing ending.”
- “Minimal visuals, a soundscape that gradually turns from the noises of a night forest into a dread silence, things disappearing from their places.”
- “Minimal visuals, a soundscape that gradually turns from the noises of a night forest into a dread silence, with things disappearing from their places.”
- “The graphics feel outdated and lack detail, making the game less immersive.”
- “Character models are poorly designed and lack any real depth or personality.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report that the game effectively evokes strong emotions, particularly fear, by creating a palpable sense of dread and the feeling of being pursued in the dark. This emotional engagement enhances the overall experience, making it memorable and impactful.
- “This was so good, it really made me feel afraid of something out in the dark, something following my steps.”
- “This game made me feel like that.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's story is likened to a short horror narrative, providing a quick and chilling experience that is enhanced by great sound and audio elements. While the plot may not be deeply complex, it effectively delivers an engaging atmosphere for its price.
- “I would liken the experience to reading a nice short horror story, so if you want something quick to play with a little chill, I would recommend it.”