[h1]Introduction[/h1]
For a game that’s the Steam debut of a one-man dev team, I’d say The Bedtime Story ticks all the right boxes in terms of what indie games should represent. Sure, there are over a dozen 3D survival horror games on Steam that make good use of stealth and/or flashlight mechanics, yet they all try (and some actually succeed) to bring something new to the table. The title I'm reviewing today, stands out from its numerous competitors.
[h1]Story [/h1]
Judging from the player’s perspective, you step into the virtual shoes of a young child who wakes up in the middle of the night and discovers that his parents aren’t home. Creepy enough, right? Well it’s about to get worse, since you’re definitely not alone in the house. The Boogeyman is out to get you and you’re pretty much a defenseless target unless you make good use of stealth, quick reflexes and even your hearing skills.
Boogey, as he’s being referred in-game through a crude drawing, wants to play a set of three “games” with you. His obvious intentions are that of a hunter who stalks his prey, but you have to comply if you wish to survive this nightly ordeal. The house you’re exploring either cautiously or while sprinting, may seem like a limited space comprised of rooms that are initially locked, yet you won’t have time to worry about it for long.
[h1]Graphics[/h1]
Despite its closed nature, The Bedtime Story utilizes Unreal Engine 4 assets to its advantage in what I shall call as one of the most stable indie game experiences on this particular graphics engine. I was almost getting used to the constant crashes that seem far too frequent in UE4’s indie title usage. No CTDs to report in The Bedtime Story's case and no glitches either. I was able to run the game maxed out and at 4K resolution plus stable 60 frames per second. Ideal conditions which translate into an immersive gameplay (as much as it can, without Virtual Reality implementation).
[h1]Audio[/h1]
Surprisingly, given its genre and price range, The Bedtime Story features audio feedback that is crucial to the player’s survival. The game itself recommends the use of headphones, not so much for the digital recreation of 5.1 or 7.1 surround, but for the simple reason that you need to listen very carefully to the in-game sounds without interference from external noise. You shall hear Boogey far sooner than you may observe his physical manifestation. Usually by the time you see him, it’s Game Over. So this is one horror title that makes excellent use of in-game sounds.
[h1]Gameplay[/h1]
Short and sweet. Or bittersweet, perhaps. The game can be finished in about half an hour, theoretically. In practice, you will soon find out that sometimes luck also plays an important role in your survival. The Boogeyman has a random patrol pattern which means right from the start, that this won’t be a predictable gameplay. Even the batteries which offer your flashlight, its much needed power, are randomly scattered across the rooms and in drawers which change periodically from one playthrough to another.
If you didn’t expect the game to be easy, you’ll still be shocked by how challenging it can get regardless of how cautious you may be. Sprinting will be your best bet at times since stealth will only get you so far. Boogey can spot you even in pitch darkness, so it won’t really matter if you switch the flashlight off, as soon as you hear him. Conversely, you can’t “blind” him with your flashlight or at least deter his attacks by staying close to other sources of light. You really have no option to fight back, but I’m not complaining about it. Survival horror is meant to be more about wits than brawn.
[h1]Verdict[/h1]
Brief or not, you still get your money’s worth and such a creative developer deserves our full support. Especially so since Steam Greenlight shall become history soon. Lone devs will have a hard time reaching an audience on Steam, to say the least. Trading Cards will be added soon and I shall update the rating accordingly, once they arrive. If you’re a fan of horror games in general, you should definitely take The Bedtime Story for a spin right now or once it gets bundled. Just don’t look behind you and Boogey will go away.
[h1]Strong Points[/h1]
+ Decently priced.
+ Steam Achievements.
+ Interesting use of in-game sounds.
+ Pleasant graphics and spooky atmosphere.
[h1]Weak Points[/h1]
- Short and repetitive gameplay.
- No Steam Trading Cards yet.
- Quite difficult.
[b]Rating 75/100 [/b]
[quote]This review was submitted for [url=http://steamcommunity.com/groups/elitegives]Elite Giveaways[/url], through the generous contribution of [url=http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198072046666]LyndaSmiles[/url].[/quote]
