Fear The Spotlight
September 15, 2023
Fear the Spotlight is an atmospheric third-person horror adventure with a disturbing mystery to unravel. Sneak into school after hours with Vivian and Amy, survive a séance gone wrong, solve tactile puzzles, and, whatever you do, stay out of the spotlight… Sunnyside High has a dark history. When Vivian enters …
Critic Score
80.5
38 critic reviews
User Score
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Critic Reviews (38)
Graphics
95.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
80.0
"Fear the Spotlight masterfully captures the look and feel of a classic PS1 horror title while leveraging modern concepts and gameplay features to produce an atmospheric and nostalgic experience that every lover of horror should enjoy."
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
90.0
Story
85.0
"Out of all of the retro-style indie games that I&s;ve played, Fear the Spotlight is one of the most impressive and I hope to play a sequel. 🔦"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
70.0
"With satisfying and story-related puzzle and genuine chills, Fear the Spotlight delivers a top-notch, bite-sized, lo-fi horror experience. Contrary to its title, it steps into the spotlight as the best indie horror game of the year."
Read original reviewGraphics
65.0
Gameplay
68.0
Story
72.0
"Cozy Game Pals delivered a sweet experience perfect for those who want an effective short Halloween story and have a place in their hearts for how games used to look a couple of decades ago."
Read original reviewGraphics
65.0
Gameplay
68.0
Story
72.0
"More than anything, Fear the Spotlight asserts a strong future for Cozy Game Pals, a studio that could accomplish a lot if it keeps iterating. It&s;s also a nice foray into gaming for Blumhouse, and the willingness to invest in …"
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
90.0
Story
90.0
"I was already a Blumhouse fan and now I’m a Blumhouse Games fan. Fear the Spotlight is an easy recommendation for any retro survival horror fan."
Read original reviewGraphics
50.0
Gameplay
50.0
Story
50.0
"Fear the Spotlight delivers a nostalgic, classically-inspired horror game that places story, its sense of place, and the breadcrumb trail of a mystery you pursue ahead of combat while maintaining a true sense of unease throughout. From the moment our …"
Read original reviewGraphics
92.0
Gameplay
96.0
Story
98.0
"Fear the Spotlight is a fantastic return to horror games of the past. With brilliant visuals, great gameplay, and a twisted story, Fear the Spotlight is a great game to play the Halloween season and one of our favorite indie …"
Read original reviewGraphics
84.0
Gameplay
86.0
Story
91.0
"Fear the Spotlight is a fantastic publishing debut for Blumhouse Games and also a triumphant (re)release from Cozy Game Pals. Now with a crucial fleshed-out epilogue that only bolsters the important queer horror story it has to tell, it&s;s a …"
Read original reviewGraphics
60.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
80.0
"Fear the Spotlight is a creepy survival-horror game that serves as a fun throwback to the genre&s;s heyday."
Read original reviewGraphics
68.0
Gameplay
72.0
Story
68.0
"A fun mix of PS1 era horror nostalgia and Life Is Strange style emotional drama, that goes a little too light on the scares but is still a compelling mix of influences."
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
85.0
"With an extremely interesting story, precise controls, well done retro graphics, and a powerful message (that&s;s unfortunately still a thing in our society), this is a new jewel of indie horror."
Read original reviewGraphics
80.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
90.0
"Blumhouse Games is off to a great start with Fear the Spotlight. A creepy PS1-era horror game with a great story, incredible atmosphere, and puzzles that will make you remember those fun times back in the day."
Read original reviewGraphics
38.0
Gameplay
52.0
Story
61.0
"As a work of throwback video game horror, Fear the Spotlight passes, but only with partial credit. It’s a concise creepshow with a dual narrative twist that digs into the psyche of both of its teen heroines. Its attempts to …"
Read original reviewGraphics
80.0
Gameplay
65.0
Story
70.0
"With average gameplay and horror elements, Fear The Spotlight offers a movie-like story lasting about 5 hours. It&s;s a game with a strong atmosphere, capable of making you feel both warmth and tension as it draws you into the characters."
Read original reviewGraphics
68.0
Gameplay
52.0
Story
70.0
"The horror element is extremely well done throughout the game, and paves the way for an interesting story as you progress through the game, but things can verge on tedious as the gameplay style does feel very back and forth …"
Read original reviewGraphics
58.0
Gameplay
62.0
Story
58.0
"I’d recommend Fear the Spotlight for those who like the retro-styled horror and indie game experiences. There is extra content to dive into for those returning but you have to complete the game first before you can unlock it. I …"
Read original reviewGraphics
78.0
Gameplay
82.0
Story
84.0
"Fear the Spotlight offers a nostalgic and engaging stealth-puzzle experience. The game features retro 3D graphics inspired by classic PlayStation titles, adding to its overall charm. The puzzles are challenging but not too difficult. While the AI can sometimes be …"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
94.0
"Fear the Spotlight delivers an incredibly impactful and unsettling story that will linger in my memory long after the credits roll."
Read original reviewGraphics
55.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
80.0
"Fear the Spotlight is the least scary horror game you&s;ll likely ever play, but there&s;s a tenderness to its storytelling that cannot be overstated here, even if some of it&s;s a bit muddled."
Read original reviewGraphics
65.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
90.0
"If you’re looking to delve into a supernatural story laden with satisfying, tactile puzzles, then Fear the Spotlight is a grand way to spend four to five hours of your time this autumn. Though, if you were hoping for something …"
Read original reviewGraphics
90.0
Gameplay
80.0
Story
70.0
"Fear the Spotlight is a good first effort from the Blumhouse games initiative. It hits all the notes of a classic horror game with the hint of nostalgia for those of us who grew up with the 32-bit consoles. I …"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
92.0
Story
88.0
"Cozy Game Pals have truly crafted one outstanding ode to classic survival horror games with Fear the Spotlight. It perfectly finds a balance between an atmosphere and story that are all suitably creepy, core stealth gameplay that features one impressive, …"
Read original reviewGraphics
68.0
Gameplay
72.0
Story
74.0
"The oddly-named Cozy Game Pals blends unabashed nostalgia, earnest emotion, and a tense atmosphere to make a retro-horror experience that earns its time under the spotlight."
Read original reviewGraphics
38.0
Gameplay
52.0
Story
64.0
"In the run-up to Halloween, there&s;s nothing better than a low-pol title to enjoy a couple of nights of suspense and tension on our sofa. Blumhouse Games and Cozy Game Pals bring us a title with clear retro reminiscences, where …"
Read original review"Fear The Spotlight is far from the scariest game you could play this Halloween season, but what may be read as a detriment for some is instead its best quality for others. With classically designed but more contained puzzles and …"
Read original reviewGraphics
96.0
Gameplay
82.0
Story
73.0
"Fear the Spotlight is a short but fantastic classic Survival Horror experience. Filled with an intriguing story, great characters, fun puzzles, this game delivers lots of tension and a lot of love, care, and passion for the games that we …"
Read original reviewGraphics
80.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
90.0
"Fear the Spotlight is one of those games that&s;s just so well-roundedly good that it&s;s hard to pinpoint its particular highs and lows. It&s;s well-written — tense but tender — the horror is approachable and enjoyable for horror fans of …"
Read original reviewGraphics
82.0
Gameplay
78.0
Story
73.0
"Fear the Spotlight from developer Cozy Game Pals and publisher Blumhouse Games is a frightfully fun romp that balances out puzzles and stealth inside of a horror experience. While it won’t redefine the horror genre in gaming with its narrative, …"
Read original reviewGraphics
65.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
85.0
"Fear the Spotlight became one of my favorite horror games, and I almost immediately played it this year. The story is engaging, even if it is semi-predictable, and I love how you interact with the world and how the physics …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
85.0
"Fear the Spotlight is an excellent narrative horror experience that proves to be the perfect companion for Halloween season. It&s;s a game loaded with atmosphere and dread throughout, with immersive, tactile puzzles and an overarching storyline that is engaging and …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
65.0
Story
85.0
"Nailing its low-poly aesthetic, smart visual and audio choices combine to create luxurious moments of tension. While a lack of friction makes action a bit straightforward, the well-crafted vibes make for an experience you won&s;t forget anytime soon."
Read original reviewGraphics
75.0
Gameplay
85.0
Story
90.0
"Fear the Spotlight is a captivating addition to the horror genre that successfully blends nostalgic visuals with modern gameplay. The dark, detailed environments create a sense of dread that is palpable as you explore the abandoned school, and the clever …"
Read original reviewGraphics
85.0
Gameplay
75.0
Story
80.0
"While it may not deliver heart-pounding challenges or intricate game mechanics, its charm lies in its simplicity, accessibility, and narrative depth. Cozy Game Pals have crafted a game that evokes the spirit of ’90s survival horror without feeling like a …"
Read original review"As an opening gambit and statement of intent from Blumhouse Games, Fear the Spotlight gets things off to a strong start, delivering a 3D retro horror experience that, while in thrall to its &s;90s influences, also manages to carve out …"
Read original reviewGraphics
65.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
85.0
"Fear the Spotlight is a chillingly fun playthrough that is perfect for those craving a late-night spooky romp that can be finished in about five hours. The ominous and cryptic plot that unfolds had me hooked from start to finish. …"
Read original reviewGraphics
70.0
Gameplay
60.0
Story
80.0
"Fear The Spotlight is a brief, nostalgic love letter to 90s horror games, blending simple stealth and puzzle mechanics. While it doesn&s;t break new ground in the genre, its atmospheric visuals and sound design provide a few hours of engaging …"
Read original reviewGraphics
65.0
Gameplay
70.0
Story
68.0
"Fear the Spotlight is a fun time, though it&s;s quite short and a smidge underwhelming–for somebody who has played every Silent Hill and most of the mainline Resident Evil games. For a newcomer curious about this genre, Fear the Spotlight …"
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