Fear the Spotlight
Genres: Puzzle, Horror, Story Rich, Atmospheric, Adventure
Play modes: singleplayer
Release Date: 22-10-2024
Developer: Cozy Game Pals
Our verdict
9/10
- Difficulty: Easy
- Players: 1
- Playtime: 5–6 h
Fear the Spotlight is a third-person horror adventure from Cozy Game Pals, published by Blumhouse Games. Vivian sneaks into her school after dark for a séance with her friend Amy, it goes wrong, and she has to explore a twisted version of the building while avoiding a monster's searchlight gaze. It is styled after PS1-era horror and aimed at people new to the genre.
Players rate it Overwhelmingly Positive, with about 97 percent of more than 850 reviews in favour. Reviewers praise the retro look, the voice acting, the likeable leads and a story with a second episode that lets you play as Amy. Combat is replaced by short stealth sections, and the puzzles use hands-on objects such as a screwdriver and wrench. Several describe it as cozy horror: tense, but rarely truly scary.
The caveats are scale and challenge. Most players finish both stories in five to six hours, and reviewers call the puzzles and stealth easy, with one finding the villain cartoonish and the plot predictable. If you want an approachable, well-paced horror evening, it is an easy recommendation; veterans after real dread or hard puzzles may want it on sale.
Pros
- PS1-style horror in a haunted high school, praised for its look and sound
- Second story lets you replay events as Amy
- Short stealth sections and tactile tool puzzles instead of combat
Cons
- Mild scares and easy puzzles for horror veterans
- Most players finish both stories in five to six hours
- Some found the plot predictable and the villain cartoonish
About
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 the deserted corridors for a seance with the rebellious Amy, she suddenly ends up alone, and at the mercy of the monster who wanders the halls. Vivian must avoid its gaze, find her friend, and uncover the disturbing, murderous truth of a decades old tragedy. Fear the Spotlight is a creepy love letter to classic 90s horror experiences with a focus of rich storytelling, puzzle solving, and a tense atmosphere. This is a perfect narrative horror game for those new to the genre.
THE THRILLS
ESCAPE THE NIGHTMARE
The séance went terribly wrong. Amy has disappeared, and the school has transformed into a nightmarish version of its former self. Play as Vivian to uncover a dark hidden past while attempting to save both you and your friend
DELIGHTFULLY HORRIFYING GAMEPLAY
Sneak to avoid detection from an unknown entity in tense hand-crafted stealth moments as Vivian explores the ominous darkness of the school corridors
Solve highly tactile puzzles that pay homage to classic genre favorites while evolving gameplay to satisfy modern horror fans
Explore the eerie setting of a derelict Sunnyside High with a flashlight, screwdriver, wrench, and more to uncover a web of mysteries
1990s ATMOSPHERIC DREAD
Explore the hellish version of Sunnyside High as Vivian in this ode to classic 90’s teen horror. A retro art style, tense audio design, and a nostalgic setting will delight both veteran fans and those new to the horror genre
AN EXPANDED STORY
Dive even deeper into the dark world of Fear the Spotlight with an extensive additional storyline
Fear the Spotlight is the first title to be published by Blumhouse Games, a video games label within Blumhouse Productions focused on championing the most creative and unique takes on the horror genre.
