Project Songbird Reviews
While this game has it’s pacing issues and no enemy variety, it compensates that with a captivating emotional story and a special atmosphere all glued together with good indie music
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Project Songbird is one of the most interesting and well designed indie horror games of the year so far and shows the sheer range of the genre. Unlike the bombastic Resident Evil Requiem, Project Songbird is not afraid to be more contemplative and intimate in its portrayal of horror and trauma, the narrative carrying you through its puzzles and moments of real peril. Highly recommended for fans of horror and also anybody who appreciates game-making as an artform with a message to convey.
Project Songbird is truly special. While it doesn't push the envelope forward gameplay-wise, it pushes your emotions into overdrive. Anyone who has ever experienced depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, or questioned their life decisions will find something here. And if you're like me, who experiences these emotions daily, along with some tragedy, you will be completely seen and heard with this game. Project Songbird is truly healing, and I appreciate every moment I have had with it.
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Project Songbird is a short psychological horror experience that focuses on telling a personal story rather than throwing jumpscares your way.
Project Songbird isn't a perfect experience, nor is it terribly scary, but it does enough right to merit a playthrough.
Project Songbird soars onto the horror scene as one of the scariest indie games in recent memory. It’s also an incredibly moving title, aided by a heartfelt story and cozy compositions. Its various feathers of combat, puzzles, and traversal mechanics sometimes get ruffled, but they fly high in ambition for such a small game.
The setting alone helps it stand out, and the mix of dreamlike horror and personal storytelling makes it a memorable experience. If you enjoy narrative driven horror games and are looking for something with a unique setting and a strong sense of atmosphere, Project Songbird is definitely worth adding to your list.
Writer's block is going to be the least of your problems...
It has some minor issues that might frustrate some, as well as some elements that feel a little underbaked, but Project Songbird is an engaging narrative-driven survival horror experience on the whole. If you like the idea of Firewatch crossed with Silent Hill, you should give it a try.
The emotional value of Project Songbird is undeniable, and it’s possible to feel the care Conner Rush has for the game, but its approach to the horror genre is a double-edged sword, and the result is not always satisfying or emotionally effective.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It wasn’t my favorite video game so far this year and it won’t nearly be my least favorite, but it may end up being the most memorable. It has been a long time since I’ve played a new game that puts art at the forefront of its creation, and Project Songbird was a refreshing venture back into that sentiment.
Project Songbird tells a beautiful story in two forms. One of depression, and another of from the perspective of the artist and their work. Game-play is kept at a nice pace and filled with dialogue or music. Making the game never quiet unless needed for effect. There is combat, which is very much optional in Project Songbird, but it aims to tell its compelling story first. The game may start slow but as I played through Dakota’s story it was interesting to get a glimpse of how critics can have a negative impact on the artist themselves. To the point I almost felt bad writing my thoughts on the game! Projects Songbird’s ending delivers a meta video that brilliantly shows off with some of the games themes. It was definitely impactful to playthrough the story in one sitting, and be left with some insight. I would highly recommend this as one to dedicate time to play through all at once. Gameplay is simple and enjoyable, with some minor tedious moments. So I shall be giving Project Songbird the Thumb Culture Gold Award
Despite this, I’ve enjoyed my time with Project Songbird all the same. While it didn’t grip me fully, I did enjoy aspects of the tale, and I really dug the horror sections thanks to great use of audio and visuals to make a genuinely unsettling experience.
When I started up Project Songbird, I had to sit through quite a bit of dialogue from the creator trying to justify the game’s existence. Whenever I would load the game up, I’d be asked to rate it or have an aspect explained. I was enjoying the slow build before the “Otherworld” sections, but something just wasn’t quite sitting well with me. I feel that Project Songbird would have been a much stronger title if the creators of the game had more faith in their original design and choices. Instead, it feels like the developer is pleading with you to accept where they had to renege on their original vision, almost mirroring the narrative of the game. Frankly, it just weakens the title even further, a title that could have been something special if you look at its stronger points alone. Between spotty performance, disjointed gameplay, and apologetic dialogue, I couldn’t recommend Project Songbird. It had everything in place to be a hit indie horror title. Instead, it feels like outside factors may have ruined the original vision, which is bleeding through from the second you boot the game up.
Project Songbird is a game I think anyone in a creative industry should play, whether you’re a musician, a painter, a writer, a game developer, or someone in any field that is about making something. The game shares a prominent and important message about how many artists will push themselves so much farther than could ever be sustainable. This felt especially relevant in today’s world, where artists are being forced to compete with the existence of generative AI. In publishing Project Songbird, Rush and FYRE Games have made me want to create. Playing this game made me want to make the things that I want to make, and to not allow anyone or anything to make me resent doing the creative things I love.
Project Songbird is ambitious, atmospheric and, while not super original, still manages to be interesting and enjoyable, even if it doesn't quite reach its full potential.
Project Songbird is a personal reflection of the difficulties of continuing to create art that fans with love at the expense of artistic integrity in the guise of a narrative horror, and it's great.
Project Songbird is not for everyone. If you want mechanically tight horror combat, this will frustrate you. If you want a story-led psychological horror game with strong performances, memorable atmosphere, and an emotionally heavy core, this is worth playing. For an indie horror built with this level of personal intent, that is a big achievement.
The premise is intriguing, but the frustrating combat and stealth make this game a chore to get through. A bizarre choice at the end undercut the whole narrative that was being built.