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A psychological horror trip among platformer games

Key Takeaways

Good Aspects:

• Deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant narrative among platformer games
• Branching paths with multiple endings enhance replayability
• Unique “Crayon Story” mechanic adds depth to storytelling and mystery
• Engaging puzzles integrated seamlessly into the environment, making game mechanic fun

Bad Aspects:

• Lack of combat mechanics might not appeal to all gamers
• Sometimes controls get sluggish but happens few times

Introduction

Note: This review is based on the demo version of ONE WAY HOME. Details may change upon the game’s full release.

Hey everybody! Gravenox here, diving into eerie indie horror once again. This time, we’re exploring ONE WAY HOME by CYBERHEAD.

An upcoming indie horror packed with psychological horror puzzles, and platformer mechanics. It’s been making waves in the indie scene and has gotten positive reviews on Steam.​

When I stepped into Jimmy’s shoes, I got drawn in by the game’s haunting atmosphere and emotionally charged narrative. Let’s dive deeper into what makes this game a standout in the horror platformer games.​

Overview

Game Title: ONE WAY HOME
Developer: CYBERHEAD
Publisher: CYBERHEAD
Genre: Psychological Horror, Puzzle Platformer
Platform: PC (Steam)
Release Date: Coming Soon
Demo Available: Yes

ONE WAY HOME comes as an upcoming psychological horror, puzzle platformer with side scrolling features, reminiscent of Inside or Limbo. Developed and published by CYBERHEAD, the game follows the journey of Jimmy, a twelve-year-old boy traversing an insidious landscape in search of his way back home.​

The city’s dreary and dark aesthetic looms over us, making every part feel like it hides a danger from every shadow cast. This design helps make this game immersive among platformer games. Not to mention, the drawings on the walls give the world Jimm’s in a grounding in realism as far as cities go.

The game offers a unique experience with each playthrough, as choices made by the gamer influences the skills gained, locations visited, story progression, and the ending.

The Story

Spoilers

Jimmy Taylor, our young protagonist, finds himself in a mysterious and deserted state of his hometown after the Country Day School bus, presumably he was on, crashed. As he searches for a way back home, he encounters distorted, shaded creatures and uncovers unsettling truths about his world.​

The “Crayon Story” mechanic, animated crayon drawings that reveal the backstory of the world and its inhabitants, enrich the story. Collecting these drawings provides deeper insight into the game’s lore.

The drawings hint at a hero, monsters, kids, and family and among other depictions. The monsters and shadows are also eerily interesting, as they reminded me of the entities in The Shadowy Street by Jean Ray, a story I read years ago.

In the game, Jimmy mentions he has seen one of the monsters before, namely the eldritch worm looking one. To me, it suggests these creatures have been around before or that Jimmy knows of one of them to some capacity.

Not all these shadows are wicked or out to turn get Jimmy. One little one has been seen to give us and Jimmy hints on what to do. It also helped us in dire situations. This, in my opinion, adds my intrigue to the mystery of the world and what’s going on.

Spoilers End

The Gameplay

ONE WAY HOME combines platforming elements found in platformer games like Inside but adds in psychological horror with an interactive environment, hiding actions, and different paths, creating a tense and immersive experience.

Gamers must solve a variety of puzzles, avoid nightmarish shadow beings, and make choices that impact the game’s outcome.​

The absence of combat mechanics emphasizes strategy and stealth, requiring us to think critically and act cautiously. The game’s design ensures that each decision carries weight, enhancing the overall sense of dread and urgency.​

The city felt oppressive and dark corners made raise an eyebrow. With the sheer number of shadows stalking the streets, homes, and structures, I felt just as lost and isolated as Jimmy.

A cool mechanic in the game lets Jimmy pick up small objects and throw them at environmental things. You can hit planks, convertors, or devices to manipulate your surroundings ideally to your benefit.

I wound up activating a device that triggered the shadows to my location. Fortunately, if this happens, you quickly reverse it by chucking another object at the device.

Game Guide

• Exploration: Thoroughly explore each area to uncover hidden “Crayon Story” pieces and other secrets.
• Stealth: Avoid confrontations with creatures by using stealth tactics to avoid red light or watchful eyes and environmental distractions. Stay hidden when throwing objects with shadows creatures nearby, as they will notice you if they are in an aware state.
• Puzzles: Pay close attention to environmental cues to solve puzzles and progress through the game, and be careful as not all interactions with the environment will keep you safe.
• Choices Matter: Remember that your decisions influence the story’s direction and ending. Choose from the Sage, the Innocent, or the Explorer to advance.​

Graphics and Audio

The game boasts a dark and dreary visual style, with a world that evokes a sense of unease and loneliness. The use of lighting and shadows enhances the horror and apprehension, creating a visually compelling nightmare.​

Audio design plays a crucial role in building tension, with ambient sounds and a haunting soundtrack that keep us on edge. The audible screams when you are targeted are fear inducing.

The combination of visuals and soundscape immersed me fully into Jimmy’s horrific world.​ I actually liked the voices too. From Jimmy to the shadows, especially the one really hunting you, sounded in world.

Performance and Technical Aspects

ONE WAY HOME is optimized for Windows 10 (64-bit) systems, requiring 8 GB of RAM, though 16 GB is optimal with the demo, and DirectX 12 compatibility.

While the game runs smoothly on mid to high-end PCs, gamers with lower-end systems may experience performance issues ​Steam Store.

The demo version provides a stable experience, but as with many indie titles, it’s advisable to check system requirements and updates upon full release.​

Length and Replayability

The game promises approximately hours of gameplay, and the demo could take about an hour when first playing. With multiple paths based on our choices, this encourages more than one playthrough.

This structure encourages value among platformer games, as each playthrough can yield different experiences and insights into the story.

The branching narrative and collectible elements like the “Crayon Story” pieces provide ample incentive for us to revisit the game and explore alternative outcomes.​ I played it twice so far.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, ONE WAY HOME brought an enjoyable and fearful experience. It stands out as a compelling addition to the indie horror genre and among platformer games, offering a rich story, unsettling world design, and engaging gameplay mechanics.

While it may not cater to those seeking action-packed combat, its focus on psychological horror and narrative through environment and character voice delivers a memorable experience.​

For fans of games like Little Nightmares, Limbo, or Inside, ONE WAY HOME is a must-play that promises to leave a lasting impression.

Keep an eye out for this game’s full release, wishlist it, and prepare to embark on a haunting adventure through Jimmy’s journey through the gulfs of nightmare.

If you want more fresh and unique psychological horror, then check out my recent indie horror game review here!