Heartworm Reviews
Heartworm is an imperfect but emotionally powerful experience. It doesn't revolutionize survival horror, but it demonstrates a deep understanding of what made the classics special. Its greatest success lies in using nostalgia as a vehicle to explore universal themes of loss and grief.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Heartworm is another top notch indie horror to add to the collection and one that perhaps feels the closest to the games that clearly influence it. The mixture of Fatal Frame combat and Silent Hill gameplay is perfectly judged and the end result is a game that not only pays homage to the classics but deserves to be considered amongst them.
All in all, Heartworm is a lovely journey into classic survival horror fun. Just be prepared for your heart to ache as well as freeze in fear.
Heartworm has a strong atmosphere, greatly enhanced by an excellent use of PS1-style graphics. And that’s it. That’s the only thing good about this indie survival horror experience. A survival horror experience where the only true horror is the boredom that will have to be endured while the protagonist runs around aimlessly (without anything posing any real threat). It's all topped off with occasional not-exactly-that-deep thoughts on life and death.
Given the small team behind this project, there’s a clear enthusiasm and love for survival horror that shines through in blood-soaked glory. While it is a bit rough around the edges, and is certainly not without its issues – difficulty and level balancing notwithstanding – Heartworm is a decent ride while it lasts
While Heartworm isn't very challenging in its survival horror, its creative and well-designed puzzle elements still present a fun gameplay experience. It wears its inspiration of 1990s survival horror classics on its sleeve, while also making its own footprint in gorgeous, colourful visuals and lonely atmosphere.
Heartworm is a love letter to survival horrors of the 90’s, with a great look and feel that apes those older games brilliantly. Boring boss fights, an uninspiring tale, and some user interface niggles stop this being a full-hearted recommendation, but if you’re in the market for old school Resident Evil-like gaming, then this should fit the bill nicely.
Heartworm is both a heartfelt and horrifying survival horror throwback, which those looking for PS1 nostalgia will love. It also does a great job of catering for old school fans and a modern audience, with settings to include anyone looking for a spooky experience.
Heartworm is a game with a clear vision and strong aesthetic—its atmosphere, puzzles, and audio stand out and will appeal to fans of classic survival horror—but its ambition falls short due to unpolished mechanics, shallow storytelling, and lacking gameplay precision, making it more of a brief, atmospheric experience than a fully convincing modern classic.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Heartworm works best in its subtlest areas, leaving players to experience the tension of its beautifully creepy environments and its subtle, anxiety-inducing score and story. While some of the moments intended to put you on edge don’t work as well, the game overall is still a great piece of nostalgia and an experience worth having on your own.
Heartworm is not just a love letter to classic horror games, but an odyssey through loss and the emotional toll of grief. On the surface, it has all the hallmarks of a classic PlayStation horror game, yet it also incorporates lessons learned from 30 years of game development. Beneath the surface, it explores overcoming the pain that comes with loss and how our memories of the past can differ from reality.
Heartworm is more than just a tribute—it’s an evolution. Equal parts chilling and contemplative, it knows when to whisper and when to scream. From the stunning environments to the rich audio and the elegant blending of old and new mechanics, every piece feels hand-placed with purpose. Vincent Adinolfi and the small team behind Heartworm have crafted something special—a horror experience with soul. It’s one of 2025’s finest indie titles and a must-play for anyone who ever felt their skin crawl in a PS1 hallway.
Heartworm seems to be a sincere homage to the heyday of survival horror. It has a remarkable level of accuracy in capturing the style, sound, and cadence of its inspirations.
Heartworm doesn’t break any new ground, but it succeeds as a heartfelt and atmospheric tribute to the golden era of survival horror. Its emotional storytelling, eerie environments, and satisfying puzzles make it a worthwhile journey for fans of the genre, even if the combat and some design choices can fall short. If you’re in the mood for a nostalgic survival horror experience with a bit of emotional depth, Heartworm is well worth a visit.
I'm a veteran of the survival horror genre but I never truly felt comfortable with any of the control options it offers and its narrative never felt satisfying. But for every flaw it has, there's one thing it truly excels at: the setting is exquisite, it perfectly handles the retro visual style, and it has excellent puzzles and great level design. Definitely worth a try for genre fans who are always looking for more classic-flavored experiences.
Review in Spanish | Read full review