The Crush House Reviews
Nerial leaves cards and cheating aside to bring us The Crush House, a very original reality show simulator that reminds us that keeping everyone happy is impossible. The most interesting part is in the story, which is revealed little by little and, although it is predictable, it has two endings, which gives the title a certain replayability. In short, an ideal videogame to bring out the Kubrick that hides inside each of us.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
While it doesn't fully capture the reality TV experience, I really enjoyed the ideas presented by The Crush House and would love to see a sequel down the line which builds upon them.
The Crush House has great potential to be a unique game in a quirky niche, but it falls just short of being the fantastic experience it could have been.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
The Crush House is a game that initially intrigues, fascinates and promises great fun. Unfortunately, as time passes, its shortcomings are revealed, which prevent you from fully enjoying the gameplay. Although it is still a solid title, one can see that it could have been much better. Already after 2-3 hours of play, fatigue and weariness with the material starts to set in. There are definitely some improvements and better balance missing, which could have made the game more satisfying.
Review in Polish | Read full review
The Crush House is a unique and enjoyable experience that’s unlike anything else that I have played before. Putting together a cast, filming their actions, and keeping the weird yet wonderful audience happy was satisfying and fun, whilst uncovering the darker secrets of The Crush House kept me invested as I progressed through the narrative. And sure, it does have a few technical issues and the gameplay loop can grow a little repetitive the longer you play, but this virtual twist on the world of reality TV shows does more than enough to ensure it deserves your attention.
In a lot of ways, The Crush House was not what I expected. It's a systems-driven gameplay experience that turns the passivity of watching reality TV into a surprisingly hectic and fast-paced one, where meeting the needs of your audience is more important than any bit of drama that might unfold in the house. Through some genius decisions from Nerial, The Crush House is also a slyly thought-provoking time, making you reflect on how you consume media and why. At the same time, it's exactly what you'd expect. It's silly, sexy, and has all the pieces to be as satisfying to watch as the best in reality TV. Sometimes the things that make it enjoyable to watch make it less enjoyable to play, and vice versa, but Nerial has a one-of-a-kind gaming experience on their hands with this reality show sim either way. All I've got to say in the end is: if you've got any footage of Chorby doing weird shit, send it to me. We've got to put that guy away.
The Crush House is a great choice for those who want different experiences outside the mainstream. I recommend it especially for those who like unconventional horror like Doki Doki Literature Club! The project works in its premise as well as its gameplay loop, even if it becomes limited with each season won. Devolver Digital once again hits the mark by choosing a game that brings something new to a market that is saturated with shooters and RPGs every year, mixing pop culture, a humorous critique of modernity and a hint of mystery that makes everything more interesting.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review