The Radio Station

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Chilla's Art

I'd like to enjoy the Radio Station more than I actually do…unfortunately, I consider this Chilla's Art game just short of passable - it just has a few too many flaws to keep me from singing its praises as much as I'd like to. In my opinion, it has three big problems. First is the map - you do have one, but the game never explains that you do, and you likely won't figure out that you have one until later on in the game where a scene forces you to turn around and look behind you in the car…then there's your map, in the front passenger seat. Next are the puzzles, which are so easy that you'd likely get the same effect by not providing puzzles at all. The puzzles basically hand you your reward anyway. Perhaps to make up for that, the last complaint I have is the open world. I love open world games, but this game is so vague about things that you may get an item…and then have no idea what to do with it, so you've left driving from place to place to try to figure out where to use it. Sometimes the name of the item gives you a strong hint on where to go, other times you kind of need to have visited a place and explored beforehand, so you remember that an item can be used somewhere. That said, there are enough positives here to make dealing with the negatives worthwhile if you're a fan of walking simulator horror games. But there just aren't enough positives here to make me feel like I can consider it a passable game. It just falls short of passable, but I'd be lying if I said that I wasn’t glad that I played through it once…and I may play through it again at some point down the road, despite my complaints.

Review added: 10/31/2024

Ratshaker

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Sunscorched Studios

Well, I may have already found my "hidden gem" in terms of horror games on the PC for this year…Ratshaker isn't going to win any game of the year awards, but I really enjoyed it for what it is. Essentially, Ratshaker is a walking simulator with minor puzzles, but with a catch - you control everything by shaking or squeezing a rat. I've always been a fan of contrasting visuals, and seeing some dark, disturbing scenery along with a comical, cartoon-style rat in your hand that you're violently shaking all over the place…well, that's a nice little contrast that works well, in my opinion. At about an hour in length, Ratshaker doesn't overstay its welcome, either. Just as I started to feel like I was done shaking the rat, I saw the credits roll. Ratshaker is far from perfect, though. While the rat shaking is a design choice that I compliment since it makes the game unique, it's also something that can make exploring frustrating. At the end of the game, specifically, you need to shake the rat a LOT and find generators to start up to advance on. Since you're wildly shaking your mouse around, which shakes the rat, as soon as you stop shaking, and let go of the mouse, it's not uncommon to get turned around and lose your direction - going backwards while thinking that you're advancing forward. Still, though, I feel like the positives outweigh the negatives here, and Ratshaker gives you a unique horror experience that's well worth checking out, even if just for the novelty alone.

Review added: 10/23/2025

Reflection

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: JustTomcuk

Reflection is a so-so game from JustTomcuk…just shy of passable. Basically, the story here is that you wake up in a basement with no idea of who you are or where you are, but you quickly find out that you're locked in a room. You eventually figure out how to escape that room…only to find that you're now in a basement and need to get out…and you eventually work your way through escaping the entire house. The house is supposedly haunted, so it's supposed to be pretty creepy…but it simply never feels creepy. The only "scares" are jump scares…and the few that are here didn't really phase me…except I lowered my volume since I'm not a big fan of high-pitched screaming in my delicate ears. The gameplay, for the most part, is passable, though…the only thing really preventing me from giving it a passing score is that I found myself getting stuck on the environments a few times. You already move at the pace of a snail, so it's not too fun when you move like a snail covered in velcro that sometimes rubs against other pieces of velcro. Still, Reflection is short and sweet - right as I was beginning to think that I was ready to be done, the credits rolled. So, if you're looking for a short, simple walking simulator-style horror game, Reflection isn't a terrible choice…but there are also better options out there.

Review added: 10/23/2025

Regular Human Basketball

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Powerhoof

In Regular Human Basketball, you play as…regular humans, I suppose? As the match starts, a giant basketball drops from the ceiling. You then take control of your regular human and run away from the ball, towards your giant robot dressed up like a basketball player. Once inside the robot, you jump around and hit the switches to control the movements and such of the robot in an effort to grab ahold of the giant ball and put it in the hoop on the opposite end of the court. Everything is pretty awkward, but since this is a two-player game only (as of this writing, anyway) the awkward aspects actually help make it a fun, goofy experience to play when you’ve got a friend over. You can play online as well…but there’s just something better about physically being in the same room and laughing along with someone struggling just as much as you are. Ultimately, I did find my experience here fun, and the more I got used to how to control the robots, the less awkward it felt…but with a lack of modes and such, I have a difficult time placing it any higher on this list.

Review added: 06/29/2020

Reveal the Deep

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Lazy Monday Games

This was unexpectedly good...really good. Reveal the Deep is usually $1 USD...I got it for half price....and it's well worth the small amount of money that the developer is asking for. While it's short - maybe an hour and a half long total - it is very good while it lasts. It has very minor horror elements to it, but this is mostly about exploration and solving some puzzles via the neat concept of turning the lights on and off to show different paths. It's not complicated, and as I said earlier, it's not very long...but this is a good, cheap game that you could play and complete on a day when you're bored and looking for something a little different....And for this game's price, it could be half as good as it is and still be more than worth every penny. So, if Reveal the Deep sounds even slightly interesting to you, I recommend purchasing a copy and trying it out for yourself. I bet you'll enjoy it.  

Review added: 08/12/2019

Rewind or Die

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Comp-3 Interactive

My very first job was behind the cash register at the local video rental store, and I have fond memories of visiting all of the local video stores around while they lasted. So, when I saw Rewind or Die, it instantly got my attention. I'll start by saying that it's not for everyone. With the exception of the final part of the game, there is ZERO combat. It's exploring, running away, or exploring while running away. The first part of the game takes place in the rental store, and may be a bit slow-paced for some…and then you'll eventually find yourself in a meat factory, trying your best to escape from a deranged killer named Slaw who wears a pig mask. The worst parts of the game, in my opinion, are the chase sequences. To me, it felt awkward holding down the left shift key while running…couldn't there be an option where tapping the shift key locks you into running until you tap it again? Same with crouching - though that isn't used for long periods like running can be. The story is also kind of flawed…the "big reveal" at the end of the game is given away at the beginning of the game if you're able to discover a secret room. Awkward that I found that room before a police officer visited the rental store and the putz I controlled didn't tell the officer. Anyway, this isn't a perfect game by any means, but if you like retro-style horror gameplay based off of cheesy, 80's horror movies, then you may find some enjoyment in Rewind or Die like I did.

Review added: 10/31/2023

Rogue Legacy

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Cellar Door Games

Rogue Legacy is a game that keeps on giving. You'll die at least one hundred times....and you'll still want to keep playing because each time you play, you'll both be getting better and be getting a unique experience. The basic concept is that when you die, you're dead. The next time you play, you're playing as one of the children of the person that died and that child may have beneficial genetics, negative ones, or stuff that really has no impact on the game other than amusement. You play one game where you're near-sighted, another where you've got gigantism, another where you have tourette syndrome...Half the fun is just seeing what attributes the next generation you'll play as will have. It's also worth mentioning that if you can find it while exploring the castle, this game quotes the Wheel of Fish scene from UHF, which automatically makes it better than most games I've ever played. Anyway, if the idea of Symphony of the Night with one life, random level generation, and unlimited continues sounds like it could be fun, then you'll likely find plenty of enjoyment in Rouge Legacy.

Review added: 07/19/2020

Rusty Lake Hotel

Also known as:  N/A

Developer: Rusty Lake

I like bizarre things and I have a warped sense of humor, so it really did not take much convincing for me to want to play Rusty Lake Hotel. Basically, you watch five guests (all different animals) arrive at a hotel. Each night, you visit one of your animal friend guests in their bedroom and solve puzzles that ultimately lead to them being killed and served to the other guests the following day at dinner. Because that's what puzzles do - they kills stuff and make them edible for you to consume the following day. The game lasts maybe 2 hours on your first playthrough, but I imagine that someone could beat this game in about 20 minutes if they already know all of the puzzle solutions. Rusty Lake Hotel is fun while it lasts, especially if you have a warped sense of humor like I do…but unfortunately, it doesn't last long.

Review added: 08/12/2019