Screams from the Past

This was very atmospheric and spooky. That's pretty much where the positives end. This was my first itch.io-style game, and I'm pretty disappointed. For $5, it wasn't /awful/, but there are definitely better games out there for this price point (or cheaper) that have more replayability and better puzzles. I grew up playing detective games, and I have a big soft spot in my heart for them, so I can be pretty critical of this genre of game. **SPOILERS for the ending/gameplay** [spoiler] I only played through the game once, and got what I thought was the correct ending, because I received a Steam achievement for it. However, when I went to the achievements page for the game, each of the suspects had their own achievement for being the correct guess. I don't know if this is because I was supposed to replay and get different clues, or if it's a cheap way of making everyone a winner, but it feels like the latter because those are the only 3 achievements for the game. The description of one of the achievements was also pretty disappointing because of the random xenophobia (that wasn't in the game at all except for the achievement) towards one of the suspects. (in case you're wondering, it…

The game is okay. It's got the retro-horror vibe going, sort of like a first-person Silent Hill. But it's a big maze of corridors and doors, and its very easy to become lost. I played for about an hour, found some clues and items that I used, but then I was extremely lost and confused, and unable to figure out what to do with two items. The next 15 minutes I was wandering through the area and backtracking but could not figure out what I was supposed to do next. There are no hints at all on what you should be doing. You can find some notes/pictures, but the game doesn't give any hints on what they mean or how to solve anything or where to go. The game also DOES NOT SAVE. I was frustrated from wandering around so I decided to take a break and exited the game. When I started it back up, I was back at the intro scene so I quit the game because I was not going to replay the last hour again. I'm won't recommend this, because if you are looking for a good horror game with jump scares or a sense of danger or a plot, it doesn't have them. But, if you can dedicate time (because you can't save the game) and are good at investigating and enjoy aimlessly wondering around without clues f…

This game is very creepy, scary, something I don't like playing! But the story, I am a detective for Christ sake and it's all about the story with this one. great little game sort of short but very very awesome.

Screams from the Past, developed and published by Dream Pocket Studio, is a compact, story-driven horror experience that places emphasis on investigation and atmosphere rather than action or survival mechanics. Set within the unsettling confines of an abandoned orphanage, the game builds its identity around uncovering a buried mystery through exploration, observation, and piecing together fragments of a troubled past. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent the genre, but instead focuses on delivering a focused and immersive narrative experience. The gameplay revolves around methodical exploration and light puzzle-solving. Players move through the orphanage’s dimly lit corridors, searching for clues, interacting with objects, and gradually assembling the story behind the events that took place there. The structure is simple and easy to follow, with clear objectives that guide progression without overwhelming the player. Rather than introducing complex mechanics, the game relies on its environment and narrative to maintain engagement, allowing players to approach it at a steady and deliberate pace. A notable aspect of the experience is its investigative angle. Players are not just explorin…

Well, I completed it. It's pretty rough. There is a small bit of voice acting, but it's not good. The overall environment is very small with only a few items to interact with. It's moody, but not really scary. I don't recommend this game.

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