80s horror is arguably the peak of the genre. Films, books, and comics were littered with countless horror classics throughout the decade. Slasher films had a huge presence in the horror genre and for a good reason. They provided both fright and thrills to those seeking a chilling experience. Puppet Combo has expertly crafted modern horror titles that truly feel like a retro experience, but with modern gameplay. Their latest title, Stay Out of the House, will scratch that nostalgic horror itch and provide anxiety-driven intensity in the best way possible.
Story
The game centers around a cannibalistic serial killer who abducts his victims and they never see the light of day again. The game begins in a desolate gas station and the player takes on the role of the solo worker on the night shift. Her shift is cut short thanks to the killer's antics. The remainder of the game is based on Roxanne, a tourist caught in the middle of a deadly ritual.
Roxanne is eventually caught and held captive in the serial killer’s house. The player must use wits, stealth, and various items scattered throughout the house in order to escape. Along the way, Roxanne uncovers sinful secrets in this rural farmhouse of hell that is both shocking and disturbing. Can Roxanne survive the dreaded grasp of the serial killer and escape with her life?
Initially, the story seems a bit cliche but once you advance a bit further you begin to realize there are some sinister secrets worth discovering. The story and lore unravel as you explore throughout the game, whether it's through newspaper clippings or environmental storytelling. I truly enjoyed the story and appreciated the twisted turns it decided to take, along with the multiple endings.
Gameplay
Stay Out of the House is a first-person survival horror game centered around stealth gameplay. The player is tasked with sneaking around the house, hiding in the shadows or under beds in order to avoid detection from the killer and other members of the household. Players are given a light meter as well as a sound meter to help measure their stealth capabilities. I am happy to report that hiding is not your only means of defense since items are scattered throughout the house that all have their own uses. Ultimately, a gun can be found but ammo is extremely scarce and gunshots only slow the killer down. There is a lore explanation as to why the killer can not be easily killed with the gun but I will not spoil that here. It is worth mentioning that the gun does not mean an automatic win.
Roxanne will have to find various items to progress through the house and take one step closer to freedom. The puzzles in the game seem fitting for the situation. You are not going to find intricate house puzzles that unlock a secret room, a la Resident Evil. However, you will encounter locks needing to be picked, lock combinations needing to be cracked, and ingenuity along with common sense. I really appreciated the puzzle aspect and item retrieval of the game, as it gives a good reason to sneakily tread through the home and fetch various items.
It is important to note that the inventory system is limited to the number of items you can carry at once. This causes you to ditch one item in favor of another based on priority. This mechanic also requires you to trace back your steps to that same room in the house, in order to retrieve your dropped item. This definitely raises the tension and makes you strategize which items take priority over the others. This is ultimately due to the fact that every item you drop not only makes noise but also causes you to backtrack and again elevating the risk of being caught.
Half the fun of this game is trying to figure out how to advance. Some items you come across do not seem very useful at all but end up becoming detrimental once you realize what you can use them for.
The killer AI is astute and appropriately aggressive. It is best to stick to the shadows but if the killer is realistically close enough to see you, shadows won't help much. The killer can also detect sounds of fast-moving footsteps as well as items being dropped on the floor. This stealth horror sim does a great job of making you feel like your life is on the line and every move counts.
The cat-and-mouse style gameplay is very punishing. The AI seemed to be a challenge even on medium difficulty. Once caught, the killer rushes at you with incredible speed and it is tough trying to lose him. This made stealth a necessity rather than an option and really forces you to think before moving. I loved this aspect of the game because it made it feel more real and less of a gimmick.
Many items in the house are randomly generated in different areas, making multiple playthroughs more interesting. Although I can't confirm, but it did seem like there were a set amount of random items and location possibilities throughout my playthroughs. This would eventually make it possible to narrow down the locations of items after multiple attempts. I can confirm that some key items spawn in the same manner every time.
The anxiety, horror, and disturbing moments play out really well for this title. It does have gory scenes that lean more on the realm of disgusting but it was welcomed and very fitting. I was very impressed at how much this game accomplishes for such a small indie title.
Audio and Visual
The VHS horror films of the 80s are on full display here. The game’s default filter really makes it feel like a nostalgic trip down the horror-memory lane. Puppet Combo did a fantastic job nailing the feel of a super creepy classic horror flick that you probably shouldn't be watching. Very well done. The film noise and VHS blips make it feel like an old horror movie, but it did make it so much harder to see what was happening on screen. This is especially true in the darker areas of the house. I found myself turning off the filter and having a much more enjoyable (and successful) play session.
The PS1 retro graphics really were a great choice for this title and made it feel like a classic horror game from the 90s but with modern mechanics. Textures bleed into one another and characters are hard polys but it all felt very intentional and very well polished. Retro fans are in for a treat.
As for the audio, the creeks of the house and the footsteps of the killer are all prominent here. The music is fitting and brings that classic horror feels along with the voice acting. The killer’s barbaric yells and grunts really put you on edge once caught.
Replayability
Stay Out of the House has multiple endings and multiple ways to escape and ultimately find the “true” ending. The game is designed to be played multiple times and experiment with different tactics. This stealth horror sim does a great job of making the game feel worthy of another playthrough without reinventing the wheel. Once all endings have been discovered, you are left with playing on a harder difficulty and different filters. It is possible to play the four different areas via chapter selection. This is a great option if you want to revisit a level to see what easter eggs you may have missed on your first playthrough or experiment a bit more.
What It Could Have Done Better
I really would have loved more save points in this game. I hate to sound like a sore loser but this game is a challenge! The feeling I got from discovering a new item or a new room was great but it all gets squashed when you get caught for the third time. After that, it's back to starting all over. Not only that but when you do get caught, you lose all of your items. The only thing you keep is your newly found knowledge that will hopefully make your next run easier.
Verdict
Stay Out of the House is smart, scary, and one hell of a good time. This stealth horror sim is well worth your time and will certainly scratch that slasher-horror itch. With a story that provides unexpected twists and fleshed-out lore along with edge-of-your-seat gameplay, Stay Out of the House is destined to be a cult classic of its own, making this one of the best survival horror games to release this year.
Stay Out of the House is available now for PC via Steam and GOG.
