Fear The Spotlight Reviews
Fear the Spotlight is a fantastic publishing debut for Blumhouse Games and also a triumphant (re)release from Cozy Game Pals. Now with a crucial fleshed-out epilogue that only bolsters the important queer horror story it has to tell, it's a must-play in the indie horror game scene. Especially for those who love the low-poly style where the film grain and crunchy-looking models only aid in the eerie '90s/2000s setting provided. I could split hairs for this game's small issues, but instead, it's worth focusing on the well-paced and perfectly lengthened experience it is. Fear the Spotlight is an excellently moody horror venture with tactile puzzle-solving and adorable, highly likable characters in Amy and Vivian. It's the most queer horror lovers will feel represented and seen in a long time, maybe ever. In short, it's the indie horror event of the year.
Fear the Spotlight delivers a nostalgic, classically-inspired horror game that places story, its sense of place, and the breadcrumb trail of a mystery you pursue ahead of combat while maintaining a true sense of unease throughout. From the moment our trembling hands touched the planchette, we were spirited away on one hell of a thrill ride.
The oddly-named Cozy Game Pals blends unabashed nostalgia, earnest emotion, and a tense atmosphere to make a retro-horror experience that earns its time under the spotlight.
Fear the Spotlight masterfully captures the look and feel of a classic PS1 horror title while leveraging modern concepts and gameplay features to produce an atmospheric and nostalgic experience that every lover of horror should enjoy.
If you like Resident Evil, school horror games, or stealth, you’ll enjoy Fear the Spotlight. The horror is also family-friendly, with no gore or jump scares, so it’s safe to gift this to a younger family member or sensitive friend even if they normally don’t like horror.
Fear the Spotlight is a fun time, though it's quite short and a smidge underwhelming–for somebody who has played every Silent Hill and most of the mainline Resident Evil games. For a newcomer curious about this genre, Fear the Spotlight provides an excellent entry point.
I’d recommend Fear the Spotlight for those who like the retro-styled horror and indie game experiences. There is extra content to dive into for those returning but you have to complete the game first before you can unlock it. I think the game is a decent horror experience for those who are looking for something creepy to dive into this Halloween.
Out of all of the retro-style indie games that I've played, Fear the Spotlight is one of the most impressive and I hope to play a sequel. 🔦
Fear the Spotlight offers a nostalgic and engaging stealth-puzzle experience. The game features retro 3D graphics inspired by classic PlayStation titles, adding to its overall charm. The puzzles are challenging but not too difficult. While the AI can sometimes be unpredictable and frustrating, frequent checkpoints help you keep moving forward. Overall, Fear the Spotlight is a memorable game for fans of stealth and puzzles, thanks to its nostalgic visuals and enjoyable gameplay.
With an extremely interesting story, precise controls, well done retro graphics, and a powerful message (that's unfortunately still a thing in our society), this is a new jewel of indie horror.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Fear the Spotlight is a chillingly fun playthrough that is perfect for those craving a late-night spooky romp that can be finished in about five hours. The ominous and cryptic plot that unfolds had me hooked from start to finish. Just when you think it ends, it doubles down with an additional and equally scary campaign with Amy to shake things up. While the easy difficulty and slightly repeated gameplay are noticeable, it is never frustrating, nor does it detract from the eerie experience.
Fear the Spotlight is a captivating addition to the horror genre that successfully blends nostalgic visuals with modern gameplay. The dark, detailed environments create a sense of dread that is palpable as you explore the abandoned school, and the clever use of lighting and shadows enhances the tension.
Fear the Spotlight is one of those games that's just so well-roundedly good that it's hard to pinpoint its particular highs and lows. It's well-written — tense but tender — the horror is approachable and enjoyable for horror fans of all types, and their YA approach to horror makes Cozy Game Pals' debut emotionally resonant. Running you somewhere between 3-6 hours of play time, Fear the Spotlight was the perfect Halloween treat this year, and really, it may just be the kind of thing I loop in as an annual spooky offering up there with autumn classics like Night in the Woods. Cozy Game Pals have a game to be proud of and one that stands out as one of my favorite horror games in recent memory.
Fear The Spotlight is a brief, nostalgic love letter to 90s horror games, blending simple stealth and puzzle mechanics. While it doesn't break new ground in the genre, its atmospheric visuals and sound design provide a few hours of engaging fun for fans of retro horror, though it may not offer enough depth to warrant a second playthrough.
Fear the Spotlight became one of my favorite horror games, and I almost immediately played it this year. The story is engaging, even if it is semi-predictable, and I love how you interact with the world and how the physics works. I do wish it was a little longer, and it is quite short and easy, but it's a great experience that I recommend, especially if you enjoy classic horror games. It also runs almost flawlessly on the Steam Deck, both at 30 FPS for a more retro feel and 60 FPS for a more modern feel. Both are great ways to experience the game; you can't go wrong either way.
While it may not deliver heart-pounding challenges or intricate game mechanics, its charm lies in its simplicity, accessibility, and narrative depth. Cozy Game Pals have crafted a game that evokes the spirit of ’90s survival horror without feeling like a direct imitation.
With average gameplay and horror elements, Fear The Spotlight offers a movie-like story lasting about 5 hours. It's a game with a strong atmosphere, capable of making you feel both warmth and tension as it draws you into the characters.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
I was already a Blumhouse fan and now I’m a Blumhouse Games fan. Fear the Spotlight is an easy recommendation for any retro survival horror fan.
Fear the Spotlight is a fantastic return to horror games of the past. With brilliant visuals, great gameplay, and a twisted story, Fear the Spotlight is a great game to play the Halloween season and one of our favorite indie games of the year!
Fear The Spotlight is an impressive debut title from Blumhouse Games, and I commend them for taking a chance on Cozy Game Pals’ unique premise. This game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia for 90s survival horror, and beyond that, it delivers a compelling story that kept me engaged from start to finish. While I wished it were longer, the developers told the story they wanted to tell and executed it exceptionally well.