Fear The Spotlight review: "A love letter to PS1 survival horror"

GamesRadar+ VerdictNailing its low-poly aesthetic, smart visual and audio choices combine to create luxurious moments of tension. While a lack of friction makes action a bit straightforward, the well-crafted vibes make for an experience you won’t forget anytime soon.Pros+Fantastic visual and audio design+Vivian and Amy are both endearing protagonists+Moments of incredible tension and uneaseCons-Monsters deployed infrequently-Lack of friction detracts from some scares-Story is a bit basic and predictable GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict Nailing its low-poly aesthetic, smart visual and audio choices combine to create luxurious moments of tension. While a lack of friction makes action a bit straightforward, the well-crafted vibes make for an experience you won’t forget anytime soon. Nailing its low-poly aesthetic, smart visual and audio choices combine to create luxurious moments of tension. While a lack of friction makes action a bit straightforward, the well-crafted vibes make for an experience you won’t forget anytime soon. Pros+Fantastic visual and audio design+Vivian and Amy are both endearing protagonists+Moments of incredible tension and unease Fantastic visual and audio design Vivian and Amy are both endearing protagonists Moments of incredible tension and unease Cons-Monsters deployed infrequently-Lack of friction detracts from some scares-Story is a bit basic and predictable Monsters deployed infrequently Lack of friction detracts from some scares Story is a bit basic and predictable Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. (Image credit: Blumhouse Games) Take one look at Fear The Spotlight, and it’s obvious it’s a love letter to PS1 survival horror. The low-poly textures are one thing, but the dev has even recreated the way textures warped on original horror. No slavish recreation, this has actually been dialed up to give the world an unnaturally hazy edge beyond how it’d look on the iconic gray box (though you have the option to adjust this yourself if it makes you queasy). Fantastic lighting effects also feel beyond the capabilities of PS1. Playing as Vivian – Amy having disappeared once things get spooky – you peer through the darkness for shiny clues using a candle or, later, a flashlight. Very smart use of well-placed objects and corners ensure this darkness really does feel cloying, giving the sense that something might be lurking just out of sight. On occasion, you do actually catch glimpses of things watching, moving away just as you try to work out just what that thing was. Knee-d to know (Image credit: Blumhouse Games) Fast FactsRelease date:22 OctPlatforms:PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchDeveloper:Cozy Game PalsPublisher:Blumhouse Games Fast Facts Release date:22 OctPlatforms:PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchDeveloper:Cozy Game PalsPublisher:Blumhouse Games Release date:22 Oct Platforms:PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Developer:Cozy Game Pals Publisher:Blumhouse Games Playing on PC, the crouch-button toggle is just a right-click away, which instantly made me nervous about how much I’d have to use it. Beyond having to frequently duck through tight spaces, the crouch comes into play when the scariness of the darkness becomes inverted. When The Spotlight is on the loose, those shadows become your friend, as you’re forced to scuttle behind or under desks to avoid the sweeping sickly orange gaze of the creature. As he walks, he leaves a trail of fire behind him – referencing the fire that burned down the old, now-demolished version of the school in which you’ve found yourself. That trail of fire crackles and plays with shadows in its own way, and it adds just a smidge of complexity to playing hide-and-seek with the creaking, industrial monster as you avoid its snake-trail, though it’s never really enough to frustrate. Very little about Fear The Spotlight frustrates at all. Which may be a boon for scaredy cats like me in some ways, but a lack of friction can also detract from frights. Unless I missed them, there are no difficulty options at all. Each section of the school is snappy to polish off, never overstaying their welcome, and hallways are breezy to move through. There aren’t even that many doors to unlock, many throughout simply requiring you to use one of several tools you obtain early in the game, like a screwdriver. (Image credit: Blumhouse Games) It’s the only time you’re really forced to evade him for any length of time. Later on, a version of The Spotlight patrols a few hallways, but is simply an unexplained light source from the ceiling. It adds a bit of extra tension to a few corridors you have to backtrack down, but the mechanical nature of these sweeps is easy to predict, and the lack of embellishment makes it lose the impact of the more stompy and intimidating main lad. Scare me twice (Image credit: Blumhouse Games) It takes the concept from dull to freaky, its sinister creaking and whirring reminding me of some of Silent Hill’s best moments. It takes the concept from dull to freaky, its sinister creaking and whirring reminding me of some of Silent Hill’s best moments. The second half of the game addresses some of these issues, elevating the experience as a whole. Set in a new area in which most rooms are much more contiguous without loads, there’s a less clear delineation between when its own stalker monster will appear and where it can patrol, making me panica lotmore. Instead of a glowing light, this new stalker carries with it the sound of dripping water. But wouldn’t you believe it, lots of other bits and bobs in this location are also exceptionally drippy, sometimes requiring you to add further water noises into the mix to progress. It’s a rather mean bit of audio design that had me grinning and grimacing in equal measure as I tip-toed around. While The Spotlight himself is less of a presence in this second half, one section calls back to the lesser hallway patrols. Mechanically simpler here, thanks to better visual and audio design it takes the concept from dull to freaky, its sinister creaking and whirring reminding me of some of Silent Hill’s best moments as you snake your way around it from all directions. This second half also adds in a mobile phone item, which had me cackling after jumping in my seat as moments of quiet were punctuated with an upsettingly loud vibrating sound effect. Scares like this always feel deliciously deliberate and well-judged throughout. (Image credit: Blumhouse Games) Horror showCheck out ourbest horror gameslist if you’re looking for more to make you shiver. Alternatively, ourbest Silent Hill gameslist might be worth a look too! Horror show Check out ourbest horror gameslist if you’re looking for more to make you shiver. Alternatively, ourbest Silent Hill gameslist might be worth a look too! Check out ourbest horror gameslist if you’re looking for more to make you shiver. Alternatively, ourbest Silent Hill gameslist might be worth a look too! Indeed, it’s in this impeccable sense of atmosphere that Fear The Spotlight, ahem, shines. While what you do is so frictionless that the action won’t stick with you, the vibe of Fear The Spotlight, pushing through these wobbly corridors in a mild panic, absolutely will. It’s just a shame that the story accompanying this vibe is similarly frictionless. While the dynamic between Vivian and Amy is cute, the first half’s focus on uncovering the truth behind the old school’s disaster is incredibly predictable, riffing on a few classic tales and ending up much as you’d expect. The second half has more of a focus on the history of our actual lead characters, and while it’s better presented through more direct exploration and audio logs, it’s also nothing particularly standout. Considering you can roll credits in less than four hours, Fear The Spotlight is a great way to enjoy some chills across an evening or two. Its well-judged and expertly crafted visuals, sound design, and creatively deployed scares will stick with you. But, becoming quite predictable, and with a lack of friction in play, it’s unlikely to be one that’ll draw you back in for another go around. Check out ourbest horror gameslist if you’re looking for more to make you shiver. Alternatively, ourbest Silent Hill gameslist might be worth a look too! 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show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of 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