Gameplay & Story

Horror games have evolved over the years, often shifting between different styles based on what’s trending. Some focus on survival horror, where players must gather materials and equipment to stay alive, while others delve into psychological horror, using storytelling and thought-provoking experiences to evoke fear. Fear the Spotlight blends elements of both. You do need to find equipment to progress, but instead of relying heavily on it, the game emphasizes the satisfaction of puzzle-solving, reminiscent of retro horror titles.

Unlike many modern horror games, where the plot can be convoluted and hard to follow without consulting online forums, Fear the Spotlight presents its main story clearly, with an underlying narrative that unfolds as you uncover lore through notes or diary pages scattered around. What’s refreshing is that these collectibles aren’t long-winded; instead, they’re brief, digestible snippets—just two or three sentences—making the lore easy to absorb without overwhelming the player.

The game’s mechanics are straightforward, with a focus on exploration, sneaking, and puzzle-solving. There’s no need to worry about mastering combat or weapons. The puzzles are particularly rewarding, as each one has a logical payoff. Even when you need to backtrack, it never feels tedious. You always return to previously locked doors or puzzles with purpose, not just to artificially extend the game’s length.

Graphics & Audio

If you owned a PlayStation 1 and enjoyed its horror games, Fear the Spotlight will hit all the right nostalgic notes. The grainy textures and low-resolution polygonal graphics create a vibe that feels authentic and unforgettable. In fact, modern graphics might have detracted from the experience. The retro aesthetic enhances the atmosphere, especially in the dark environments, where the limited visuals make lurking dangers even scarier as your mind plays tricks on you.

The sound design complements the graphics perfectly, embracing that retro style with intention and care. From the voice acting to the slightly off-kilter in-game sounds, everything feels like a loving tribute to the PS1 era. Nothing is overdone. Fear the Spotlight nails the retro horror feel, and it’s a big part of what makes the game so compelling.

Feedback

Fear the Spotlight transported me back to my early days of playing horror games on a small TV. I half-expected the PlayStation logo to pop up when the game was loading! Horror games today can be overly complicated, sometimes requiring too much research to grasp the story, or unnecessarily extending playtime beyond 20 hours. But Fear the Spotlight proves that a game doesn’t need to be long to be enjoyable. In fact, some of my favorite horror games this year are ones I’ve been able to finish in one sitting, and I’ve come to appreciate that simplicity, especially with limited time for gaming.

Verdict

Fear the Spotlight perfectly captures the retro vibe that made me fall in love with horror games in the first place. The story is satisfying from start to finish, without ever feeling unresolved. While the retro design is intentional, it never feels gimmicky—it’s a core part of the experience. As the first of six Blumhouse Games to be released, Fear the Spotlight sets a high bar, and I’m genuinely excited to see what’s next.