Developer Background
Nestled in the scenic Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas, Causeway Studios is an indie game developer with a passion for weaving immersive, narrative-driven experiences. Their work dives deep into profoundly human stories, exploring where the strange intersects with the everyday. Drawing inspiration from Ozark folklore, the evocative tales of the American South, and the enigmatic New Weird genre, the studio creates rich, atmospheric worlds.
Leveraging their technical expertise honed from working on professional tools at Unity and educational games, Causeway Studios brings a unique perspective to the indie gaming scene. Their debut title, The Haunting of Joni Evers, introduces players to Worlds Across the Causeway, a connected anthology universe where reality bends in unexpected ways and hope shines for those who seek it.
Gameplay, Story & Design
The Haunting of Joni Evers is a deeply narrative-driven game steeped in eerie horror themes. The core gameplay revolves around exploring hauntingly atmospheric environments, discovering items, and interacting with them while a compelling story unfolds through narrated events. While this might sound straightforward, the execution elevates it into something much more immersive.
The atmosphere is masterfully crafted, with a chilling score by Gustavo Coutinho (PayDay 3) that messes with your mind, creating an almost unbearable tension. The combination of the haunting soundtrack and the meticulously designed environments keeps you on edge, making you anticipate jump scares at every turn. However, this is where the game truly stands out—it resists the temptation to rely on cheap, loud-noise scares. Instead, it prioritizes immersive storytelling and mood-building, delivering a horror experience that feels fresh and unexpected.
The story itself is exceptional, far exceeding initial expectations. What begins as a seemingly typical haunted house tale quickly reveals layers of depth. Kelly Pekar’s captivating narration draws you into an emotionally rich narrative, exploring profound themes of trauma through the lens of horror. Rather than simply scaring players, the game uses its unsettling ambiance to enhance its storytelling, making the horror feel meaningful and reflective.
The Haunting of Joni Evers surprised me with its focus on atmosphere and emotional resonance, proving that horror can be much more than jump scares—it can tell stories that linger with you long after the credits roll.
Feedback
As I mentioned earlier, the real strength of this game lies in its story. However, that strength can also feel like a limitation at times, as it occasionally seems like the narrative was the primary focus—perhaps to the detriment of other elements. The gameplay is fairly straightforward for the most part: you walk around, interact with objects, and uncover pieces of Joni’s life. While this approach works to establish the world and set the tone, it can feel a bit monotonous early on. Thankfully, the game takes an intriguing turn later, adding layers of engagement that make the experience more rewarding.
One potential frustration is how the game sometimes requires you to interact with nearly every object to progress but doesn’t always communicate this clearly. This can lead to moments of confusion where you’re left standing around, unsure of what to do next. While this design choice contributes to the exploratory feel of the game, clearer guidance could have helped maintain the pacing and flow.
Verdict
The Haunting of Joni Evers is a beautifully crafted narrative-driven game that shines in its storytelling and atmosphere. Kelly Pekar’s poignant narration and Gustavo Coutinho’s chilling score work together to create a haunting experience that delves into profound themes like trauma, offering more than just typical jump scares.
While the story is its greatest strength, the gameplay often takes a backseat. Early segments feel simplistic, focusing heavily on exploration and object interaction, which can drag the pacing. Additionally, the lack of clear guidance at times can lead to frustrating moments of confusion. However, as the narrative unfolds, the experience becomes far more engaging and rewarding.
I’m giving the game a 7.5 out of 10, though I was tempted to lean closer to an 8 because of how much I enjoyed the story itself. For those who love short story-driven horror, The Haunting of Joni Evers is a journey worth taking.
