Welcome to Kowloon
- August 1, 2023
- a1esska
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Welcome to Kowloon" is a first-person indie horror game that takes place in the densely populated city of Kowloon, China. The game follows a young student seeking affordable housing, who finds himself drawn into a mysterious and ominous reality in his new home. With a playing time of approximately 50 minutes, players will uncover hidden stories and face the darkness that lurks in the heart of this city.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a phenomenal story and an immersive atmosphere that effectively builds tension throughout the experience.
- Graphics and level design are impressive, creating a visually stunning environment that enhances the horror elements.
- The jump scares are well-placed and contribute to the overall tension, making for a thrilling gameplay experience.
- The game is very short, typically taking around an hour to complete, which some players feel does not justify the price.
- There is a heavy reliance on jump scares, which some players find cheap and detracting from the overall horror experience.
- The gameplay can feel repetitive, with a lack of depth in puzzles and story development, leading to a somewhat predictable experience.
- atmosphere119 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and claustrophobic design, effectively creating a tense and eerie environment that enhances the horror experience. While many reviewers commend the stunning graphics and sound design that contribute to the overall ambiance, some criticize the reliance on predictable jump scares, which detracts from the tension-building potential of the atmosphere. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to evoke fear and anxiety through its atmospheric elements, making it a compelling choice for fans of horror.
“The atmosphere is heavy, tense, and scary.”
“The atmosphere and sound design are incredibly unnerving, so kudos to that.”
“Welcome to Kowloon offers an immersive and atmospheric journey through labyrinthine streets, blending intricate storytelling with captivating visuals to create a unique gaming experience.”
“The game fails to create a heavy, oppressive atmosphere or utilize more sublime fear factors, relying on straightforward jump scares instead, which is considered a very amateur move in the horror genre.”
“The atmosphere made me want to leave the game and never finish it because every second I thought someone was going to jump scare me or run after me.”
“Overly reliant on jump scares for its thrills and spends no real time building an atmosphere or developing a setting, so what atmospheric horror the game attempts feels less like genuine tension and more like the developers ticking a box under 'characteristic of a horror game.'”
- graphics84 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their impressive quality, particularly for an indie title, with many reviewers highlighting the detailed environments, effective use of lighting, and immersive atmosphere. While some players noted issues with visibility in darker areas and occasional performance hiccups, the overall visual presentation is described as breathtaking and integral to the game's horror experience. The combination of stunning graphics and sound design effectively enhances the tension and scares throughout the gameplay.
“The graphics are really great for a little indie game like this.”
“Graphics are really solid with nice use of lighting, good sound design, and Kowloon is a fascinating environment to set a horror game in.”
“The graphics are amazing when you're inside the place, but when you're outside, they truly suck.”
“Visuals don't match your imagination.”
“Graphics are serviceable, so much room for detail to be added especially with cut scenes and animations.”
“Very outdated visuals.”
- story70 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its immersive atmosphere and intriguing premise set in the walled city of Kowloon, while others criticize it for being underdeveloped and lacking depth. Many express a desire for a longer narrative that could enhance the horror experience, as the existing storyline often feels incoherent or minimal. Overall, while the game offers effective scares and a captivating setting, it falls short for those seeking a rich and cohesive story.
“The game's lore and storyline are genuinely impressive, offering plenty of unexpected twists that keep you engaged right until the end.”
“Beyond the thrills and chills, the story even manages to touch the emotional chords.”
“Welcome to Kowloon offers an immersive and atmospheric journey through labyrinthine streets, blending intricate storytelling with captivating visuals to create a unique gaming experience.”
“There's also no story to speak of.”
“The story is rudimentary and incoherent at best, non-existent at worst.”
“The story went absolutely nowhere.”
- gameplay45 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized as a typical walking simulator with a focus on atmosphere and jump scares, though many players find it repetitive and lacking depth. While the graphics and flashlight mechanics receive praise for their quality, the overall gameplay experience is often described as short and simplistic, with some players expressing a desire for more complex mechanics and longer playtime. Despite its flaws, the game is recommended for fans of the horror genre due to its immersive visuals and effective tension-building moments.
“The tension is often unbearable, the graphics are amazing and the gameplay dynamics are flawless.”
“Solid scares, atmosphere rules, gameplay is really cool, and the game looks great.”
“This game has some of the best flashlight mechanics I've ever seen; it feels and looks like a proper flashlight as opposed to just a random bright body light.”
“Normally I wouldn't mind a game like this, but there are way too many jump scares, boring gameplay, some clunky controls, and just nothing new to offer.”
“To be frank, it's a very run-of-the-mill walking simulator, whose only core mechanic is to shepherd you from one irritating jump scare to the next.”
“The gameplay itself is pretty lackluster; walk to the end of a hall, read a note.”
- music8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing tension and immersion. Reviewers note that the combination of ambient sounds and well-timed audio elements creates a claustrophobic experience, while specific tracks contribute to the overall emotional impact and excitement of gameplay.
“Combined with the superbly atmospheric music, it creates a truly immersive and claustrophobic experience.”
“Something about the sound effects and music just meshes so incredibly well together.”
“Interesting concept, great world design and music.”
“Apart from some ambient music, I felt they helped elevate the tension a bit.”
“Music, scary sounds, the whole feeling!”
“Playing along with the song 'Soviet March', feeling like a hero to rescue the poor people out from the wall city.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mix of emotional impact in the game, with some players feeling misled by dramatic choices that contradict the narrative, while others praise its ability to evoke strong feelings, even leading to tears. The game's immersive setting also contributes to a sense of emotional connection, making players feel at home despite unfamiliarity with the location.
“Beyond the thrills and chills, the story even manages to touch the emotional chords.”
“I'll post some clips of this game on my TikTok because it has made me cry... other than that, play it!”
“This little title does a good job of giving this place a lived-in aesthetic that made me feel like it was my home.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game suffers from poor optimization, lacking essential graphic options and resolution settings, which detracts from the overall experience. While it features a nice atmosphere, the reliance on cheap jump scares and a high field of view contribute to a frustrating gameplay experience. Overall, significant improvements in optimization are needed.
“It has a really nice atmosphere, but poor optimization and very few options, including no resolution options, and the view is weird because the FOV is set pretty high.”
“Not at all optimized; store-bought assets, had no story, and was mostly jump scare bait.”
“It has a really nice atmosphere, but poor optimization and very few options. There are no resolution options, and the view is weird because the FOV is set pretty high.”
“Lastly, this desperately needs graphic options and optimization.”
- stability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates good stability, running smoothly on Linux with Proton Experimental and experiencing minimal bugs. However, players have noted some sound glitches and areas that are too dark, which slightly detracts from the experience. Despite these minor issues, the game does not feature game-over scenarios, allowing for a forgiving gameplay experience.
“The game runs great on Linux using Proton Experimental, with impressive graphics and decent sound. I appreciate that if you mess up during a chase, the game simply resets you to just before the sequence starts, preventing frustrating game overs.”
“I experienced no bugs during my playthrough, which contributed to a smooth gaming experience.”
“The stability of the game is commendable, as it allows for seamless exploration without interruptions or crashes.”
“The only negative things that I can think of are some areas where the game felt very dark and there were also sound glitches in parts of the game.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability, with some users noting that it can be completed in under an hour, making it less appealing for multiple playthroughs. However, it may still be worth purchasing on sale.
“The replay value is impressive, with multiple paths and endings to explore.”
“Each playthrough offers a unique experience, making you want to dive back in.”
“The game encourages experimentation, ensuring that no two runs feel the same.”
“Completed it in under an hour, and while it has little replay value, it's worth it if you can get it on sale.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is polarizing; while some players find it amusing, others feel it undermines their affection for animals, leading to a mixed reception regarding its comedic approach.
“This game is hilarious and keeps me laughing throughout!”
“The humor in this game is top-notch and adds so much to the experience.”
“I love how the game cleverly incorporates jokes and funny moments!”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
"Welcome to Kowloon" is praised for its exceptional character development, highlighting the depth and growth of its characters throughout the game. Players appreciate the nuanced storytelling that allows for meaningful connections and transformations, enhancing the overall experience.
“What truly stands out in 'Welcome to Kowloon' is its exceptional character development.”
“The depth and complexity of the characters make the story incredibly engaging.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable.”
