Song of Horror Complete Reviews
Song of Horror is one of the best indie horror games out there. Taking the key aspects of genre classics like Silent Hill and Resident Evil, and combining these with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the genre in other media, Song of Horror really gets under your skin and, just like The Presence, will haunt the dark corners of your mind. But don't worry, that noise was just the wind. Or was it…
Of all the games I've played in the genre, Song of Horror stands out not only for its nostalgia with its fixed camera and several intriguing puzzles, but also for the horror factor, which is very well balanced and leaves the player on alert at all times.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Some may be critical of this element of the game, but honestly, that constant looming threat adds a lot to the narrative.
Song of Horror is a narrative driven horror survival in the traditional sense that will scare players in all the right ways.
Tapping into old school horror with several modern twists, Song of Horror is a surprise hit for fans of the genre. A few little face values issues do nothing to ruin the very well crafted filling, for fans and newcomers alike.
Song of Horror is a chilling horror adventure in the way of classics as Resident Evil or Alone in the Dark that doesn't reinvent anything but pay tribute to the genre roots like few games do.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Song of Horror is a love letter to the genre. An old school survival horror that focuses on exploration and puzzles, to the detriment of action mechanics. It is a tough experience, very demanding with the player, but at the same time extremely rewarding. A must-have for any horror buff, especially those who are still fascinated by those classic mid-to-late 90s adventures.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Despite the rocky launch due to a critical bug, Song of Horror: Complete Edition is a brilliant horror game with a unique concept that works really well, permadeath. The fear of death is emphasised by the fact that if you lose a character, they’re gone for the entire game, so you’re forced to proceed with caution and think about every action you take if you wish to survive. Each location is very different, based on horror tropes, giving you creepy and unsettling buildings to explore as you fight or hide from the evil within. If you like horror adventure games, which focus more on exploration than combat, then you’ll love Song of Horror: Complete Edition.
An actual horror game that perfectly delivers fear to the players. Unlike other traditional horror games, the fearsome AI constantly evolves based on the player’s actions and decisions. Clever jump scares are hidden all around the corner but some of the UI and insanely difficult puzzle elements somewhat misdirect the atmosphere of fear into frustration.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Don't let the lackluster production values scare you off. Song of Horror has some genuinely shocking moments
Song of Horror is a genuinely atmospheric, creepy horror game, with the major selling point of an enemy that you're never actually sure about. The advanced AI system of the horrors you face, combined with sound, visuals and other game mechanics make for one of the more engrossing and captivating horror titles of recent memory. There are some faults, such as backtracking and a bit of adventure game logic when trying to solve puzzles, but these do nothing to stymie everything Protocol Games are bringing to the table.
Song of Horror doesn't hide its sources of inspiration, the milestones of the survival horror genre. It finds some elegant ways to pay them homage, sometimes succeeding very well, especially with the creepy atmosphere and music, some other times slipping clumsily (like in the case of some of the puzzle design, way too cryptic).
Review in Italian | Read full review
Song of Horror: Complete Edition is a lot to take in all at once.
If Song of Horror’s remaining episodes can maintain the level of quality set out in its first two episodes, survival horror fans are in for a treat.
Whereas so many modern indie horror games can feel like on-rails haunted hayrides, Song of Horror keeps players on their toes.
There are few indie horror titles as awesome at catching that fixed camera horror game aesthetic as Song of Horror and even less that reach the nail-biting tension on display here. The constant fear of losing a character permanently is a kicker but it really enhances the experience, making each choice drastically more important. The visual design and story should keep players entranced as they confront the horrors of the music box mystery! All horror fans deserve this title in their library.
It’s not without the occasional hiccup, and some of the puzzles could do with a few more hints, but overall? Song of Horror is one of the best horror games I’ve played this year.
Song of Horror’s atmospheric and frightening adventure certainly kept me entertained as I solved puzzles and faced off against the vicious Presence. Its balance of exploration, puzzle-solving, and showdowns with the malevolent being made for plenty of intense moments, with the sense of helplessness strengthening the game’s horror vibes. It does fall short of the mark with some aspects of its design, with the permadeath proving to be a bit of a hindrance and the character models looking a little weird throughout. But hey, at least permadeath can be turned off, even IF the developers don’t recommend it. In all, it’s easy to recommend Song of Horror to fans of the genre. It’s unnerving, it’s intense, and it’s genuinely scary, but most importantly it’s fun to play.
Song of Horror has that something that keeps you going, wanting to learn more, unravel its story, and then go again. From one survival horror fan to another, give Song of Horror a chance and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Song of Horror is a story-driven, quality horror affair. However, not everyone will like it. The optimization is a bit lame and the camera made one quite nervous more than once (déjà vu like in Resident Evil 5?). Investigating the place and reading minds is a long haul, as there is a lot to explore. So patience is in order. But the reward is a complex fine story and a grand finale with several possible endings.
Review in Czech | Read full review