White Noise Online

About

White Noise Online is a single player and multiplayer survival survival game with horror and science fiction themes. It was developed by Milkstone Studios and was released on May 22, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

On White Noise Online, a team of up to 4 investigators has to explore an area looking for clues, while avoiding being devoured by a supernatural creature. Will you be able to uncover the truth behind the mysterious events? The game takes the idea of simple, accesible horror behind Slender and evolves it further to adapt it to a cooperative environemnt. Designed from scratch to offer a shared horro…

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70%

Audience ScoreBased on 480 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

graphics6 negative mentions

Enjoyable cooperative horror experience with friends, offering suspenseful multiplayer gameplay similar to Slender but with added variety and character stats.
Strong atmosphere and sound design contribute to tension and scare moments, especially in multiplayer sessions with voice chat.
Affordable price point, especially on sale or as a four-pack, making it a good pick for group play and nostalgic for Xbox 360 players.

Online multiplayer is effectively dead with very low player base, making it difficult to find games without organized friends.
Slow and clunky movement mechanics combined with dated graphics and level design reduce immersion and can make gameplay boring or tedious.
Monster AI and scare mechanics are repetitive and lack sophistication, which diminishes long-term replayability and scares after initial sessions.

graphics
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
77%
13%
The graphics in White Noise Online are generally viewed as outdated and simplistic, often described as blocky or reminiscent of older console or low-end PC games. While the cartoonish art style sometimes undermines the horror atmosphere, the visuals still support the game's creepy mood for many players, especially when combined with sound and multiplayer elements. Recent updates have improved the graphics somewhat, but technical issues and a lack of detail remain common criticisms.
- “The graphics were decent and definitely worked in favor of the game's target atmosphere.”
- “Decent quality graphics and atmosphere; it's recommended to play in the dark with headphones and no voice enabled, especially with others, to preserve the experience.”
- “Though I love how they have updated the graphics and I have always been hoping that this game was updated to PC.”
- “The visuals, though atmospheric, occasionally show their age, and certain animations and environmental assets feel dated.”
- “It all felt out of proportion and everything looked so blocky, very outdated graphics.”
- “It is very scary, but other than that, I can't praise it for anything, murky graphics, lazy environments and a lack of depth make this game very bad.”
gameplay
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
72%
12%
The gameplay centers on simple mechanics like flashlight use and multiplayer stalking, which create an immersive but repetitive experience lacking deeper progression or variety. While multiple maps and character stats add some diversity, the core gameplay is often viewed as basic and similar to other indie horror games, with limited cooperative elements and few evolving threats. Overall, it offers solid but minimal gameplay that may lose appeal over time.
- “The flashlight mechanics are a standout feature, with the beam flickering, weakening, or casting uneasy reflections that make every movement feel precarious.”
- “The gameplay is executed perfectly and there are thousands of maps and characters which drastically enriches the overall experience.”
- “The fact that you can spectate around as a ghost and still look for stuff is another great mechanic everyone overlooked.”
- “The mechanics, while solid, are limited in scope; without deeper progression systems, narrative layers, or evolving threats, the gameplay can begin to feel repetitive after extended play.”
- “At its core, the 'game' (a term I use loosely) is a barely functional, slow-motion walking simulator in which the entirety of your gameplay experience consists of turning on a flashlight.”
- “The gameplay is not fun, there's no real cooperative actions to speak of, the maps are poorly designed and sparsely populated, and indie PC horror games really need to get over the whole 'find random objects attached to random trees' euphoria it seems to be stuck on.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
37%
19%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its effective use of ambient sound, tension, and eerie exploration that fosters a chilling, cooperative horror experience. While visuals are often seen as dated or inconsistent across platforms, the strong sound design and map layouts contribute significantly to the immersive and suspenseful mood. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout element that sustains fear through player interaction rather than flashy effects or storytelling.
- “The game’s greatest strength lies in its ability to cultivate fear through atmosphere rather than spectacle.”
- “It demonstrates how tension, atmosphere, and teamwork can generate a stronger emotional impact than scripted scares or elaborate storytelling.”
- “For players seeking a stripped-down, cooperative horror experience that thrives on atmosphere and player interaction, White Noise Online delivers a chilling, memorable experience that proves fear can be just as powerful when it’s shared in the dark.”
- “In this version, the graphics are really clear and not scary in my opinion, but on the Xbox it's all fuzzy and has weird static effects. The Xbox has a way better scary atmosphere.”
- “This also negatively affects the atmosphere, losing the thick dread of ever-present danger and replacing it with a comically lazy monster that does little to impede your progress.”
- “Large maps are designed in a manner that can really get one lost and add to the atmosphere.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The story is minimal and loosely conveyed through collectible audio tapes, offering subtle environmental hints rather than a clear narrative. Many players find it underdeveloped and derivative, likening it unfavorably to similar horror games like Slender Man. Overall, the emphasis is on atmosphere and tension over a well-crafted or engaging storyline.
- “The levels are spacious but labyrinthine, filled with winding corridors, uneven terrain, and subtle environmental storytelling that hints at past calamities.”
- “As you scavenge the map for 8 recorders kind of like the 8 pages in Slender, a story begins to unfold.”
- “There's not much of a story to this game; put simply, you and three others investigate different locations in order to discover the truth by collecting tape recorders which contain information.”
- “It almost mirrors Slender, and not at well, where choosing characters and the enemy are ill explained, no story to speak of, and awful level design means that this game is good for a cheap scare if it is on sale, but full price may be hard to swallow.”
- “However, the story here is rather non-existent, with the only narrative coming from an opening scene before the title screen, and the audio content that plays on the cassettes themselves when you pick them up.”
- “The story is a little difficult to understand what happened and how this creature came to be.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game’s humor is often highlighted as a key charm, especially when playing with friends, combining spooky elements with comedic moments like quirky characters and silly monster behavior. Its blend of horror and goofy situations creates a fun, lighthearted atmosphere that many find hilarious despite some gameplay frustrations. Overall, humor adds a unique and entertaining layer to the experience.
- “The ability to review each match afterward through a replay mode—where you can trace the movements of all players and see where things went wrong—adds a unique and often humorous postmortem element to the experience.”
- “I screamed when he popped up behind me yet when I realized how the monster looked... I started laughing.”
- “Actually kinda hilarious that one of the unlockable characters is the invisible man.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
The music in the game effectively creates a creepy and atmospheric tone that enhances the horror experience for many players, with ambient sounds highly praised. However, some users find the music repetitive and unpleasant, indicating mixed reception overall.
- “The atmosphere and music have been nailed perfectly.”
- “Ambient music and sounds are simply 10/10.”
- “The music and sounds set a good creepy tone.”
- “The music was awful, really repetitive to the core and just making me feel like I want literally to vomit, I'm not even joking.”
- “You should probably play some old Scooby Doo music, makes it feel right.”
- “The visuals and music are also simple.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game runs smoothly overall with good stability on both PC and Mac, though it has a few minor graphics glitches that do not impact gameplay. These issues are easily worked around and do not detract from the enjoyable experience, especially when playing with a full team.
- “Has a few graphics glitches that are annoying in solo play.”
- “There are a few minor glitches, but they do not affect the gameplay.”
- “There are a few minor glitches or issues, but they are easy to work around.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding in the game starts off somewhat enjoyable but quickly becomes tedious and monotonous, requiring repetitive walking through uninspired environments that hinder meaningful progress and make the experience dull.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding was kind of fun for 30 minutes, then it became really boring and more tedious than anything.”
- “The grinding culminates in a dull, monotonous experience, where you spend most of your time walking in circles through nondescript environments, making it nearly impossible to make progress and incredibly tedious as you constantly retrace your steps.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features randomized map layouts, varying clue placements, and spawn points each playthrough, which keeps matches fresh and significantly enhances replayability.
- “Maps are randomized in layout, ensuring that clue placement and spawn points differ with each playthrough, encouraging replayability.”
- “These make every match different and extremely increase replayability.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's monetization is viewed as a low-priced purchase that supports developers, though some users feel the game may need more advertising to attract players. There is also a hint of skepticism about the developers' intentions.
- “For the low (currently discounted price) of $4.49, you too can support game developers who are only in the gaming industry for a quick cash grab!”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively uses tension, atmosphere, and teamwork to create a powerful emotional experience, proving that these elements can be more impactful than scripted scares or complex narratives.
- “It demonstrates how tension, atmosphere, and teamwork can generate a stronger emotional impact than scripted scares or elaborate storytelling.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game runs smoothly with good optimization, avoiding windowed mode to maintain immersion. It also offers a fair experience that discourages cheating.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The character development is praised for its unique and creative designs, offering a distinct visual style that stands out from other games.