Lights Off (PC) Review

 

Lights Off is a short Horror Game by The Dollar Game Store, which is based on the idea of turning all the lights out at night before you got to bed. Since the game turned out to be rather successful for an Indie game, it even got a remake in the form of Lights Off Directors Cut. As that is more of a reimagining than a remaster, I will be reviewing it in a separate article. Today we are just focussing on the original Lights Off. 

The game uses a very simple Pixel visual design and the gameplay is also very basic. Lights Off is a walking simulator, in which you can turn off light switches and go to bed. A bit more gameplay elements would have really enriched the experience. It doesn't need to be much, but even just the options to look at a book or turning on the TV, would have been immersive additions.

The concept is interesting. Turning off all the light switches and walking through your pitch black home is a scenario everyone can relate to. I also like how the game doesn't immediately tries to scare you to death. The pacing is quite nice and procedurally increases. That being said, Lights Off is another of these small Horror games with a cool concept, which is just way to short. You will beat this game in less than 10 minutes, which is just too brief. I also have to question the sanity of the protagonist. After the things that happened during the first couple of days I wouldn't be able to keep living there and falling asleep at the same home. The ending of the game might be fitting, but the execution is unfortunately subpar and leaves a bit to be desired.

 

Result:

Lights Off is another of these promising Indie Horror games, which has a great premise, but doesn't manage to live up to its potential. I really like the scenario and pacing of the game, but its short length and lack of gameplay elements unfortunately limit its impact. Most of the scary elements feel too passive. It will be interesting to see whether the director's cut remake can improve these areas.

 

5.8/10

Intruder (PC) Review

 

'Intruder' is the second Horror Game by Timberwell and even plays in the same universe as 'Almost Home Now', his first game, which I recently reviewed on this blog as well. You are at your home, while you suddenly hear somebody apparently breaking into your house. It is your job to explore your house and find the intruder.

Intruder, same as Almost Home Now, manages to create a really intense atmosphere. You hear ominous background music and creepy noises coming from somewhere inside the house. There is a tense feeling present, when you explore room after room, while trying to find the intruder. The psychological Horror aspect is therefore also the biggest strength of Intruder.

Nonetheless, the game is once more one of wasted potential. Intruder will be beaten in around 5 minutes, which is once again just too short. The design of the house you explore is actually fine, but it is just way, way, way too empty. It doesn't even remotely look like somebody is actually living there. Multiple rooms just have nothing inside and most of the others have just one object like a bed or closet. Except for opening doors there is also once again no real gameplay elements. The game starts promising with the player watching his PC monitor and grabbing some items. There is however nothing else in the house you can interact with. Anything would have really helped to keep the immersion.

 

Result:

Same as Almost Home Now, Intruder has a promising concept, with exploring your house to catch an intruder. The intense atmosphere while exploring the house is the games biggest strength. Everything else unfortunately leaves too much to be desired. Extend the game's length, fill the house with real things to make it look like a place, where someone actually lives and give some more gameplay elements, and than Intruder could have had potential. 

 

4/10