It’s that time of year, and all the spooky horror games are coming out, but this one is a bit different and evokes the moody atmosphere of that late 90s survival horror game, “Fear The Spotlight” instantly caught my attention with its classic PlayStation 1 style graphics. Developed by a small married two-person team, Cozy Game Pals, this indie title promises an unsettling mix of third-person exploration, tense stealth, and puzzle-solving all set in a derelict school. A cool tidbit about this game is that it’s the first title to be published under Blumhouse Games, a new video game label from the famous horror movie production company, Blumhouse Productions. While not every horror film they make is a hit, many are great and have become huge. It feels like a natural fit for a company that’s already a master of horror on the big screen.
The game introduces us to Vivian, our protagonist, who alongside her rebellious friend Amy, sneaks into the eerily empty Sunnyside High to perform a séance. As these things usually go in horror games, their attempt to contact the supernatural goes terribly wrong. Amy disappears, and Vivian finds herself alone, trapped in a terrifying version of the school they once knew. There’s something else stalking these haunted halls, a menacing entity that craves the light. With only her wits and a few tools to help her, Vivian must avoid this lurking monster’s spotlight while uncovering a disturbing secret buried in Sunnyside’s dark history.
What struck me first about “Fear The Spotlight” was its authentic homage to 90s horror games. The visual style is delightfully retro, with PS1-era low-poly graphics that create an uncanny valley of unease. There’s a certain charm to these jagged character models and dimly lit, narrow corridors, and it immediately transported me back to playing the original Silent Hill or Resident Evil as a kid. In an era where high-fidelity graphics dominate, it’s refreshing to see a developer lean into this retro aesthetic to enhance the atmosphere rather than distract from it. The game is proof that horror isn’t always about cutting-edge visuals; sometimes, it’s about what you can’t see clearly that gets your heart racing. This game keeps you on edge by focusing more on atmosphere, exploration, and puzzle-solving rather than combat. There’s no fighting back against the creature that stalks the hallways. Vivian’s only option is to hide, avoid the light, and solve puzzles to make progress. It’s an effective way to build tension, as every moment feels like a gamble. You never know when the creature will reappear, and the limited sound design only heightens this anxiety. The flashlight’s beam is your only comfort in the suffocating darkness, but even that can give you away if you’re not careful. Every footstep feels loud, every creak of the school’s decaying floorboards might spell disaster.
One of the biggest aspects of the gameplay here is the puzzle design. While these puzzles pay homage to the classics, they’ve been refined to suit modern tastes. For example, finding and using objects like screwdrivers and wrenches to unlock doors or activate mechanisms feels intuitive but still carries the complexity you’d expect from a good survival horror. The tactile nature of these puzzles really pulled me in, making me feel like I was part of the eerie world of Sunnyside High. The game respects your intelligence, encouraging exploration and offering just enough clues without hand-holding. But what ties everything together is the story. Beneath all the horror and jump scares, “Fear The Spotlight” presents a compelling narrative centered on a decades-old tragedy. The school itself almost feels like a character, its history slowly revealed as you collect documents, read old letters, and piece together the past. The more I explored, the more I wanted to uncover, as each new discovery added depth to the mystery. It’s a rich story that rewards those who take their time to dig deep, unraveling not just the fate of Vivian and Amy but the twisted events that led to this nightmare. If you aren’t a player who takes time to read during a game, you’ll heavily miss out on a lot of the story this title has to offer.
The focus on storytelling and atmosphere over brutal combat makes the game a bit more overall accessible for people who don’t dabble in horror games much, yet it’s still packed with enough scares and tension to keep you on edge. Veterans of the genre will appreciate the clear influences from classic horror, but “Fear The Spotlight” doesn’t rely solely on nostalgia. It carves out its own identity with its unique monster, tense stealth sequences, and a setting that feels alive with dark secrets.
So yeah, “Fear The Spotlight” shines bright (pun intended) as a thrilling, story-driven horror game that blends old-school influences with a modern approach. It’s not just a game for fans of 90s horror; it’s a chilling experience that anyone can appreciate, whether you’re a seasoned horror veteran or a curious newcomer. The haunting corridors of Sunnyside High, the smart puzzles, and the nail-biting stealth moments all combine to create a memorable experience. Just remember, whatever you do, stay out of the light.
8/10
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Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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