Reviewing (mostly) every game (or DLC) in my library, part 606:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (8/10)
When I was in elementary or middle school, I was sent to a high school to learn Vietnamese every Sunday. It usually was in a classroom I knew, but one Sunday, we changed locations. I was late, so I told my dad not to walk me to class. I wanted to be cool, you see. However, I realized I didn't know my way around the high school. The walls were made of stone, cold, and loomed large. So I attempted to get to Room 25 or whatever, but I got lost, turned around like I always read about in books. Now, I was an anxious kid (still am), so I started crying. I was late, and I was lost, and I was [i]scared[/i] so perhaps I caved. I wasn't bawling, mind you, but I quietly sniffled to myself until some teacher found me wandering the halls and guided me to the right room. Turns out, it was only a hallway down from where I originally started. Figured. And when I sat down, everyone looked at the late girl, who was crying. Which ... yeah, it wasn't that deep tbh.
Anyway, I say all this because that feeling—of wandering cold stone hallways, turned around, embarrassed, aware of being watched, almost hyperventilating—is exactly what [i]The Heart of the House[/i] feels like. The game begins with you being haunted by a ghost as a young child, which tracks. Then, there's a time skip to when you're an adult with the power to commune with ghosts or spirits. You are searching for your missing uncle in a small town with a large manor. Surely, nothing can go wrong, right?
The description of the game calls it a Gothic novel, and boy, does that check out. [i]Heart of the House[/i] hits all the usual tropes: supernatural occurrences, psychological torment, forbidden romance, madness, isolation, and odd, charming aristocrats. I'm a sucker for these story beats, but Nissa Campbell's writing is so aptly moody to elevate the spookiness to a whole other level. Like, yeah, this is a true GOTHIC work, and Campbell Gets It™️. While I do have minor quibbles with its rushed ending and vague lack of answers, [i]Heart of the House[/i]'s characters and writing are enough to cover up any flaws. (And thank you to the staff for giving me a free copy again!)
[b][h2]Pros:[/h2][/b]
✅[b] Atmosphere.[/b] This is where Campbell excels. She nails that uneasy, "something is wrong but I don't know what" feeling so damn well. One minute, you're walking down a hallway. The next, you're turned around and completely lost. Is the house cursed, or are you just sleep-deprived? Your host won't answer any of your questions. Are they simply private, or are they hiding an insidious secret? I loved how as the game continued, the narrative grows bleaker and bleaker. You are haunted by dreams; you are trapped; you are wounded. Campbell's prose, too, helps, with setting mood. Her writing is quietly lush. It drapes scenes in velvet darkness and candlelight, then slips something (like snakes!) unsettling into the corner of your vision. On a technical level, she's a step above others.
✅[b] Characters/romance.[/b] The Lord/Lady of the house is such a terrific RO. All the characters fit perfectly into this world: jumpy, mysterious, or just plain [i]weird.[/i] I was impressed with the depth of the cast as opposed to them just being fan service. I do have to comment on Lady Reaves. I wasn't a fan of how quickly the romance started—I imagined the difference in class would be more of a slow-burn—but man, does Campbell understand possessive love. Listen, I was swooning when she referenced [i]Carmilla.[/i] Take this, for instance: “Her wolfish grin brings to mind Carmilla, a vampire far more beautiful and seductive than the ghoulish striogi you once encountered … Nevertheless, you are not Laura, to be so easily seduced into the darkness.” When I read that, it was over. LET ME BE YOUR LAURAAAA. Oh, yeah, her backstory is great too, or whatever. I just love slightly unhinged women. The spicy scenes were more intimate than usually published, and it was a very tasteful yet passionate love scene. Great stuff!
[b][h2]Mixed:[/h2][/b]
🟨[b] Vague style.[/b] Gothic romance or horror is all about the ✨vibes✨. See a ghost in the manor? Oh, that's just the past owner. Do the townsfolk believe your lady is a vampire? Just foolish gossip. The protagonist of such a novel is usually young and impressionable, too. Campbell also follows the rule. Many times, supernatural events happen, and the main character just accepts them. Everyone in the world has this sort of nonchalant attitude about the game's mystery. Plot points are not fully explained, instead treated as clues. You'll get answers later when "the time is right." At times, this works beautifully. The ambiguity reinforces the gothic tone and keeps the world feeling unstable. But occasionally, I found myself wanting more structural grounding—clearer confirmation of what was literal versus symbolic. The game prefers implication over exposition, which will delight readers who enjoy interpretive space, but may frustrate those looking for firmer narrative resolution.
[b][h2]Cons:[/h2][/b]
🟥[b] Rushed/unclear ending.[/b] Endings are always the hardest part of any game, I feel, with so many variables that need to be accounted for. [i]Heart of the House[/i] is no different. There's so much going on in the game, but it comes to an end in only one or two chapters. I was honestly confused by the ending. I felt I never got to explore the consequences of the climax—[spoiler]especially considering I have a dude's essence in me or whatever[/spoiler]—with enough attention. Characters get a quick goodbye, but I assume we all have a tremendous amount of PTSD. I was still befuddled about what exactly happened with the house.
[hr]
If you enjoyed this review, please check out my curator page to find more: [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45814768-Verdict-Play-or-Pass/]Verdict: Play or Pass. [/url] Also, please leave a like and visit [url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/Indie_Gems]IndieGems[/url] and our [url=https://www.youtube.com/@IndieGems2]YouTube channel[/url] for more reviews like this one.
[/hr]
