Fear The Spotlight Is A PS1-Style Survival-Horror Game Without The Survival

PC Games

Fear The Spotlight: A Haunting Teen Horror Experience

Fear The Spotlight begins with a familiar setup for a horror story: two friends, Vivian and Amy, decide to conduct a séance in their school after hours. The school has a dark past, with a tragic fire that took the lives of several students. Despite the morbid nature of their actions, the girls proceed with their plan, setting the stage for a chilling adventure.

I had the opportunity to play a demo of Fear The Spotlight at the Summer Game Fest 2024’s Play Days event, and I was immediately drawn into the eerie atmosphere of the game. The dynamic between Vivian and Amy felt authentic, blending elements of 1990s teen horror stories with a survival-horror aesthetic reminiscent of early PlayStation games like Silent Hill.

Developed by the husband-and-wife team at Cozy Game Pals, Fear The Spotlight originally released in 2023 before being picked up by Blumhouse Games for re-release in Fall 2024. Despite flying under the radar for some time, the game’s unique blend of storytelling and gameplay left a lasting impression on me.

Exploring the School: A Mix of Stealth and Puzzle-Solving

The demo thrusts players into the halls of the school as Vivian and Amy make their way to the library. A stealth segment challenges players to evade surveillance cameras, setting the tone for the importance of staying hidden in the shadows. Upon reaching the library, the focus shifts to first-person puzzle-solving as Vivian searches for a spirit board to begin the séance.

The library quickly becomes dark, creepy, and uncanny.

Interacting with objects in the environment not only progresses the gameplay but also provides insights into the characters and their relationships. The attention to detail in these moments adds depth to the narrative, enhancing the overall experience for players.

Puzzles seem like they are usually handled in first-person, where you can interact with objects.
Puzzles seem like they are usually handled in first-person, where you can interact with objects.

As the séance begins, the unexpected occurs, setting off a chain of events that plunge Vivian into a nightmarish journey through the transformed library. The shifting environment, coupled with the unsettling graphics, creates a sense of unease that lingers throughout the gameplay.

You will need to sneak behind objects and under tables to avoid being seen.
You will need to sneak behind objects and under tables to avoid being seen.

A Haunting Experience Awaits

Fear The Spotlight’s demo offers a tantalizing glimpse into the world of the game, promising a blend of horror and mystery that will captivate players. While the demo leaves much to be explored, it sets the stage for a thrilling adventure filled with eerie encounters and supernatural events.

With its re-release scheduled to include additional content in 2024, Fear The Spotlight is poised to deliver a haunting experience across multiple platforms. Prepare to immerse yourself in a tale of fear and darkness unlike any other.

Experience Fear The Spotlight on PC, PlayStation 4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox 360.

Be sure to stay tuned for more coverage of Summer Game Fest on GameSpot.