SofyTofy

I am not really sure if I can even call this a game, it feels more like an absolute absurd out of earth experience. The only positive part you can take out of it is for a fun, nonsense play night with friends (something I did which I'm glad for as it made the whole experience actually memorable, making lots of memes out of it). Not forgetting how odd this game is, as it was made by the same people behind one of my all time favorite horror games, Clock Tower. I may say it is clear this project had too much ambition on it, which ended up being the way it is due to a clear missing budget at one point. I did felt sick, not due the horror but for how odd this whole thing was designed for (gameplay mostly). I also did not like the characters at all. Rodney, or whatever he was called, was truly terribly written. As someone who has come across similar personal issues, she felt more like a mockery of anyone who had a similar life experience rather than someone you should feel sorry for. Also... does this game have music or?? Im deeply confused... I may say a positive thing: you can perfectly see thay some amazing and well known horror designers worked on it which, at least in such an area, was seriously phenomenal. For end... if you want a crazy experience or something to at least have fun with friends one night, go play this game but I want to warn you about this choice as the game is only available at full price and I don't feel it deserves such among of money.

A game i do honestly think have a lot of potential, especially in it absurd narrative, but which I sadly felt something was missing during my whole experience (honestly it's my fault to say so, as I expected something else when I started it.). I hate to say also that I did get stuck... well... many times throught my gameplay, going at points to even close it, re open or restart on my last saving as the title oddly punishes you if you accidentally grab an object you don't need or do a chore before a specific matter. Besides, what im going to say now is odd but, my most controversial take regarding Horses is that I wish they did not used the censorship textures or the "closed doors" narration style when absolute madness was happening during the story. It felt honestly distracting rather than involving me fully into the horror of the story. I do toh understand why this may have been a choice chase, as the game was controversial, so changes definitely happened during production. I have more to say, such as the too loud music that I was not sure if was a crash on my part or a fully voluntary chosen direction or some story elements that were dropped but never again touched on, but I want to focus on something which I actually fully liked in this game: the cutscenes using real life actors. That was truly a surprise to see and reminded me a lot of another classic I deeply love, Phantasmagoria. Indeed, I would totally advise the developers to fully consider making a game in such style, as I can absolutely see its potential!

While Rule of Rose is the best horror game from the PS2 in my heart due to emotional reasons (as I acknowledge it buggy mechanics), Haunting Ground is the best one for how truly good it is. Many call it as the best "Clock Tower successor" or "stalker horror" and I agree; it's an experience where you have no idea how to react because anything can happen suddenly, escaping for your own sanity in a "cage" full of people who want to do the absolute worst to you. We could say nothing is truly safe, even your beloved friend, Hewie, as much he is adorable and cute can be the reason of suffering according on how you treath it during the game (causing one of the most brutal video game bad endings ever made). I cannot forget to mention the crazy, absurd but phenomenal story **** forced into a **** Insane situation because someone wanted to live forever, doing everything she could in her power for safe herself and her own body autonomy. The gameplay is genuinely fun, pushing you to explore, solve puzzles and mostly every time find new survival solutions for your life as the villains "AI" are extremely intelligent, truly ahead of it time. My only little criticism is that I wish you were able to see around with the camera when you hide into something but it's not that big of a deal to ruin the experience. The artistic direction is one of the absolute best of the PS2 graphic looks and last, but not least, OST and sound design help a lot to make the player lose their mind (or dance like you are into a Party for how good is, aha). No wonder I always advice this game to others, especially people who want to experience lesser known horror games, this Resident Evil little "sister" deserves the cult classic name.

A title that initially captivated me with it art style, animation and fantastic soundtrack, then held me back through it story and themes that personally touched me deeply. I'm not ashamed to say I cried a lot over Bye Sweet Carole, a game that learned a lot from survival horror cult classics like Clock Tower and Rule of Rose. In a way, the experience was like going back to when you'd spend time after school on your old PC/PlayStation with your cousins, playing 2D Disney-style adventure games, or those "forbidden" horror games, your dad gifted you. Leaving aside the "moral" aspect, from a mechanical standpoint... well, I can say that I was very satisfied with the game and personally, after having experienced many games that are no joke in terms of difficulty, this one gave me that "cozy horror" feeling (despite the occasional heart attack, aha). My favorite parts were those dynamic moments of collaboration between Lana and Baesie. Besides that... I admit that some points were quite tough to tackle (like Velenia, a very "cute" enemy, I can say XD) and I messed up the buttons a lot when I had to open doors or transform into a rabbit but... yes, I feel very satisfied with what I tried. I'm extremely curious to see what Little Sewing Machine will offer in the future, but for now... if you can, try Bye Sweet Carole.

Many of you may recognize me as Unlucky_Gurl on Twitter, a page fully dedicated to this game. I will be simple in my review about it... a cult PS2 classic that genuinely changed my life. I came across this old survival horror during a very dark moment of my life and since then... I have a personal in-depth view of Rule of Rose. Even with it mechanical issues, like the fights with bad hit points or the food research segments that take hours to handle, the story is truly a masterpiece in writing of it kind. You can feel Jennifer's struggles in the cruel world she is forced to live in and the unfair nature of humankind as a whole (with Brown as the only bright light of hope of the among of unsettling darkness that lives around you). In a way... the experience you witness in this game is fully aware of the viewer like a short reminder that, no matter what, you are not alone in your pain. I have more things to say but I think I will leave those thoughts for my own personal fanpage aha... genuinely, I am glad this game exists. A horror title I always make sure to remind others it exists and deserves a chance to shine. Let's hope for a remaster in the future. "Everlasting, True Love, I am yours".