Little Terror

[code]Curator page here--> [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/37670120/]DaRevieweD #28[/url] <-- [i]New review every Sunday[/i][/code] At the time of writing- I had never reviewed a pre-release game before so I consider it a huge honor when I got a key through my Curator page "DaRevieweD". It was completely optional but I felt obliged and I want to challenge myself!! I'm making an exception to my Sunday rule because I just had to review it at "launch" (or what I thought was) as I felt many would overreact. Tainted Games; who has about 3 games so far namely 'The 8th Day', 'Ash Asylum' (which have been given bad press on Steam but I can't weigh in as I'm not that well versed either) and most recently 'Little Terror'. The developer makes it abundantly clear that it's a one-man team on the Store page so set your expectations accordingly. Regardless of the final outcome, I think it's already quite an achievement at least in my opinion! Now lets get into the review~ [h1]"Baby Steps."[/h1] [u]The Gist:[/u] You awake as Abby, the toddler of a seemingly ordinary household who cannot seem to find her family members anywhere. There are notes detailing where they went but at the same time, the increasingly grotesque sights suggest otherwise as to their fates. [spoiler] ! Can you read me a story- but skip to the ending!? [/spoiler] [h1][+] PROS;[/h1] [b](a) To be A Kid Again[/b] Mechanics-wise is straightforward. There are notes littered around the house with simple language (you do play as a child after all). I loved the 'tip-toe' to peek over high objects and to get a better look or reach objects. It tries so hard to encapsulate that childish aspect and it certainly shows throughout. There are a few puzzles based on a polaroid camera and taking pictures of the right things will reveal some disturbing imagery or even unlock a door! It used to be much harder, but now there are pictures strewn about that hint as to what you should capture. [b](b) Childish Imagination[/b] Scattered throughout the 2-storey house are puzzles in keeping with the psyche of a child. Expect to interact with toy blocks, dolls and other things that will pique your curiosity. To be awed at every little thing again is one magical thing that I've lost. *sighs* [b](c) It's Just A Phase[/b] The game does not hold your hand like a parent who loves their children when it comes to the plot. I for one appreciate that, to be able to piece together what has happened (but for all I know, I could be tripping). From what I've gathered though, [spoiler] the doll is the obvious culprit, maybe even TOO obvious. As for the main character, who may not be so innocent as I initially thought. [/spoiler] Mind you, I still have yet to finish the game (not canonically that is)- by this I mean the good, true ending. So there's quite a steep difficulty curve. Alright, challenge accepted. [b](d) Small-Sized, Big Fears[/b] I don't remember much as a child but I know I was not as fearless as I am now. The game attempts to revisit those typical child fears; similar to "Little Nightmares" or "Among The Sleep" of being exposed to darkness, being alone and tiny and the surprisingly not plentiful jump scares... It capitalizes on being a psychological horror mostly through obscure imagery that you never really get a good gander of or ample time for that matter. It does not reuse these scares to death thank goodness. Therefore, it is effective to some extent, I definitely felt small navigating the house. Also, that one doll (think of Toy Story 1, you know the on) is off-putting. I have chills (seriously) every time I saw it... and its voice. [h1][-] CONS;[/h1] [b](i) There Is No Boogeyman[/b] Normally first person horror games would go all out in using everything at their disposal to be 'in your face' and creep the hell out of ya! Little Terror does not do that and is in fact clear in its description that it was not made to be fast paced or those stereotypical adrenaline-pumping horror games. I'd go so far to compare it with P.T. (YEAH, I went there) but that would be unfair since obviously the latter has a bigger pool of resources and manpower. However, as it is- it's not the scariest game out there but instead has a few slow-burn disturbing content that never really ramps up to anywhere worthwhile.. or I just never got to them. [b](ii) I Made A Boo-Boo[/b] Bugs and mistakes are understandable, only just being released and the solo effort. But I'll just share a few. There are major gamebreaking ones such as when using an item/note or through interacting with an object that was supposed to disappear (being a scare/illusion) both of which made the game freeze. As of late, I've encountered some new persistent ones too where you cannot "load" or "resume" where you left off. However, you can play it in one go and load during that same playthrough. Just don't quit mid-game. The lighting could be problematic as well, since you are a toddler- your height is already your worst nemesis and together with the flashlight that doesn't really shine on any notes make them considerably difficult to read. Especially annoying are areas that become permanently dark (broken lights) and so straining to the eyes but this gets done away with the lighter. Then there are nitpicky ones like spelling errors of items (unless they were supposed to emulate how a child would pronounce them, that would be the bomb). Objects scaled inappropriately; some times too big, others minuscule thereby interfering with the player's way of viewing them to fully appreciate them. Similarly those examined objects will sometimes phase through or clip to other objects. A hilarious outcome is that they fly when you bump into them softly and you mistake THAT for a scare. Got me quite a few. [b](iii) Harsh Parenting[/b] Finally, the lack of direction in the gameplay or design. By the former, I am referring to the hints (rather lack thereof) that should guide the player to the next objective. The game does quite well in the first quarter of the game (though I was stuck in the first room way longer than I'd care to admit). But even before reaching the halfway point- I was already lost. Then I revisited the store page (where it's laid out ever so clearly- you need to examine every item and don't trust your gut') AND also got in touch with the developer- nice fella by the by, for some hints. But seriously, I couldn't tell you how many times I thought the game was broken but it turned out I did not finish solving the puzzles or at least not in the way the game wanted me to. Even now, I am still very much stuck- I cannot unlock the other more optimistic (I hope XD) outcomes. As for design, I'm talking primarily on how the scares were staged. Some effective but more often than not- you'll be looking elsewhere when you should be freaked out at a scare that appears in the opposite direction and very briefly too. So unless you actually play along- you'll miss out on what actually makes this game enjoyable. Furthermore, there were several recycled assets- some of which are able to be examined (to progress the game) and others not. In addition, notes can sometimes be collected and other times they remain stationary. So these minor inconsistencies are sort of confusing and eating away at me. :'P [h1]"Playtime's Over..."[/h1] In summary, Little Terror is not made for the mainstream, that much is a given. Pity because this game has a lot of potential despite it still being in a rather rough state. When it functions properly, it will appeal to horror fans of the unconventional P.T!! The puzzles were certainly innovative even though the lack of guidance made you feel annoyed and hopeless. Lest not forget the very disturbing household story in there that shouldn't be missed! [h1]6/10[/h1] [b]I implore you to keep an open mind before giving unfavorable reviews[/b]