Recent reviews by SerAvium

I congratulate this game was developed by two people as a student project. I could never make a game of any quality ever. However, that being said; I play a LOT of indie horror. I have a lot of patience, understanding, and compassion for indie horror games and developers. I love jank, but this one...just no.

As a group of 8 friends, 1 person named Haley is murdered. Because of her death, 3 more friends (Eddy, Greg and William) are also murdered. You the unnamed friend, are tasked with investigating the deaths of Eddy, Greg, and William and figuring out who murdered them out of the 3 friends that are left (Mike, Matthew, and Kira/Kyra). After investigating the last location (William's) you are forced to decide who did.

This game is short and can be completed in less than an hour. Honestly I rarely give games bad reviews but this one just didn't hit the mark at all.

PROS:
* Pretty graphics
* Easy controls (M&K)
* Only costs $1.99

CONS:
* Story is basic and can be a little hard to follow
* No save option or autosave option
* Graphics are a bit dark even with the Flashlight
* Spirits can still attack you while you're reading investigation clues
* No one cares who killed Haley and that plot isn't resolved
* No/Bad Controller support (use M&K)
* The "spirits" that drains your sanity is useless as you can go back to the Office to recharge and go back to the area to investigate again. no point in having it exist
* Only able to ask each person (Matthew/Mike/Kira) 3 questions
* You can only interrogate 2 people max
* Game can glitch in the 3rd location and send you to the final showdown without you getting all the investigation clues
* Ending spoiler The ending is the same regardless of the choice you make at the end

https://www.seravium.com
https://twitch.tv/seravium

Please note I received this game for free from the developer.

I beat this game by Day 58. It's rather short, but very enjoyable. It's very simplistic and would be a good introduction to farming sims for those that feel overwhelmed by games like Stardew Valley, Fields of Mistria, Coral Island, etc. This game doesn't have a lot of options. It's still fun to play but definitely not in my 10 top for farming simulators.

Sugardew Island is a very simplistic farming simulator that involves:
1. Crops
2. Barn/Coop Animals
3. Selling Items at a Store
4. Completing 25 Tasks to Restore the Island
5 (Optional) Completing Tasks at a Bulletin Board to Increase Faction with 4 Island Residents

PROS:
* Easy to navigate UI
* Controller compatible with a few areas that are a bit tricky for controller (Feed All function for animals)
* No daytime/nighttime time limit - Switches to nighttime after you sell items in the shop, so you can take your time doing things
* Cute graphics

CONS:
* Limited music makes background sound kinda boring
* Not much to do besides farming/animals/selling rinse repeat until you have all the quests completed
* Short game in comparison to its competition
* No customization of the house
* Limited customization of the farm area
* Only three resources (Stone, Wood, Weeds)
* Limited character customization options
* Upgrading house/tools/barn/coop/shop is very expensive in comparison to what you sell crops for (you'll be the game before everything is upgraded)

https://www.seravium.com
https://www.twitch.tv/seravium

Overall I enjoyed this game. It has a reminiscent feel of older Resident Evil games with a 3rd-person, tank controls, fixed camera angles, limited inventory, and a maze-like mansion. You play as Emily a police officer looking for her sister who has gone missing. Uncover the mystery of the MUTE HOUSE and the creepy experiments going on inside. Mild trigger warnings gore, kidnappings .

I liked thee game but the one MAJOR issue that I have with it is the lack of a map. There's a few other things I disliked about the game (will list in the cons), but I don't consider it game breaking. The lack of a map really puts a huge downer on this game and makes you wander around a lot more than necessary trying to remember where certain locations are.

PROS:
* You can save as much as you want in save rooms
* You can pet the kitty
* Amazing voice acting
* Controller friendly (I used 8-bit Pro Duo)
* Great story told both via voice acting and notes you find in the mansion
* Amazing sound effects creating a spooky atmosphere
* Simplistic controls (I used a controller)
* Auto aim
* Retro fixed camera angles
* Fun puzzles that match the story
* Limited boss battles that aren't too hard to figure out battle mechanics for

CONS:
* NO MAP (it REALLY needs a map)
* No notes/memo section (you have to take manual notes to remember combinations yourself - hint hint)
* Storage chests are not universal (each save room has it's own and can only be accessed in that room)
* Tank controls (I prefer 2D controls and would have liked an option, but wasn't too big of an issue)
* Enemies are bullet sponges
* No difficulty settings
* Reload system is weird an you can accidentally drop ammo if you're not careful
* Character turns toward enemies if she's too close to them even if running (which makes h er get caught easier)
* Enemy hit boxes seem rather wide-ranged
* No melee weapon
* Seemingly no good way to throw enemies off you (mashing buttons didn't seem to help)

https://www.seravium.com
https://twitch.tv/seravium

I received this game for free from Daniele Doesn't Matter, thank you! You can also find me in the game on a Wanted Poster (go find me)!

This is the 2nd installment to the Scary Shadow Spot series - a Twilight Zone-like indie horror game franchise. In this game you play as John Doe who is wandering in a deserted (mostly) town to learn about the deaths of the cowboy gang the "Demons of the Apocalypse" and find out how/why they died while exploring your own mysterious existence in this eerie location.

If you like puzzles and intriguing story lines, you'll love this game! There is no combat. I think this is the weakest of Daniele's games so far (and I've played them all), but it was still a lot of fun to play and I was very entertained by it.

I can't wait to see what the next installment in the Scary Shadow Spot series brings!

PROS:
* Engaging story
* Easy controls (K&M only)
* Easy UI system
* Items replenish over time so you'll never run out (healing, save tokens, etc)
* Once you get the lantern, you'll never need candles (so throw them and matches away)
* Pretty graphics
* Fun puzzles
* Fun collectables (streamer "Wanted" posters)
* Manual saves with coins at cash registers (must have a coin to save)
* Large inventory
* Interesting use of health/anxiety meter (BARFING!)

CONS:
* No controller support
* Limited sound effects and music
* No voice acting other than the narrator (which is AI)
* AI voice acting from the narrator feels a bit off and the accent doesn't fit the genre
* I could only find one hiding spot to get away from the female witch/ghoul; otherwise you just have to keep running until she disappears or you go to the correct building location
* The only "deadly" monster is the female witch/ghoul

https://www.seravium.com
https://twitch.tv/seravium

I want to start by stating I was BLOWN away by the absolute quality of this game. I haven't played a game this detailed, engaging, and exciting in a long while. Pick up this game NOW if you're a fan of retro horror, indie horror, Silent Hill, Resident Evil, or any story-driven high-action horror RPG. 1000/10 for this game.

It's 2D pixel horror. The retro feel doesn't take away from the immersion one bit. All AAA game developers need to take note of this game and learn from it. Absolutely worth the price and then some.

This game does have some serious trigger warnings (I'll list as a spoiler) which are listed at the beginning of the game. Nothing is shown specifically on screen besides the blood/gore, but it is mentioned in the documentation you read while exploring the game. TW: human trafficking, kidnapping, sexual assault, rape, eugenics, physical abuse, child abuse.

I absolutely cannot wait for a sequel or more titles from this developer. *throws money at the screen*

PROS:
* Fully voice acted (GREAT voice acting)
* Beautiful pixel graphics
* Beautiful anime style character profile icons
* One of the BEST written horror stories I've seen in a LONG while (I play a LOT of horror)
* Amazing sound design and music which immerses you
* Horrifying and scary monster design
* Auto mapping system and map pickup system (to show full areas of the game)
* Controller friendly and recommended (I used an 8-bit Pro Duo)
* 5 difficulty levels, each explained in detail how they affect the game
* New Game + Mode
* Plenty of save spots & you can save as much as you want (no save tokens to deal with)
* Universal item box to store all extra items
* Plenty of ammo and healing items
* Lengthy game play
* Fun and engaging boss battles

CONS:
* No auto saves (not a big deal and the game warns you ahead of time)
* Limited item space with no bag upgrades (not a big deal since the universal item box system is well done)
* Game does NOT pause while you're in your inventory screen

https://www.seravium.com
https://twitch.tv/seravium

I had the opportunity to do some beta testing on this game before release to check out some of the game. Thank you to Poopsy for a copy. Sad I didn't make the QA credits however, even though I did give a lot of good feedback for the dev. RIP.

This is the first chapter of a multi-chapter story rich game series. It is a psychological horror game with a deep story narrative consisting of lots of puzzles. There is no fighting (except for the last boss battle which is more of a puzzle boss), so if you're looking for a fast-paced game, this is the wrong game for you. if you want something more thought provoking and story-driven, you will enjoy this game. Overall I enjoyed the game a lot and can't wait until Chapter 2 to see where the story of Vinnie continues towards.

TW: Game contains subject matter containing substance abuse, child abuse (neglect, emotional abuse, verbal abuse). No visuals, only audio and memos.

PROS:
* Excellent story narrative
* Great voice acting
* Beautiful graphics
* Engaging environments
* Lots of puzzles
* Autosaves and checkpoints
* Simple UI system and inventory management

CONS:
* Some glitches with keyboard and gamepad wanting to switch back and forth unexpectedly
* Gamepad not always working (Using 8-Bit Pro Duo) and would cut out randomly
* Reticle is way too small to be seen, needs to be larger
* Text is a bit small for those of us with visual issues (glasses!)
* Needs some more ambient sound effects or music to make it more immersive

https://www.seravium.com
htts:/twitch.tv/seravium

I honestly went into this game thinking it was a complete $#*& post or love letter to Silent Hill 4 and wasn't expecting much. But I was VERY wrong. This game was actually VERY entertaining and took just over an hour to complete. You play as Ethan who was tasked with investigating apartment (yes they spell the word Apartament incorrectly on purpose) 1406 for a colleague/friend in search of a missing person. You become trapped inside and must complete puzzles, fight spooky monsters, and find your way out!

Absolutely worth the price and playtime.

PROS:
* Surprisingly good graphics
* Good voice acting
* Great use of ambient sound and sound effects
* Easy controls and UI
* Controller supported (used 8-Bit Pro Duo)
* Humorous/entertaining homage to classic PS2 horror games
* Story is a bit confusing - BUT THERE IS ONE
* Fun puzzles
* Flashlight actually lights stuff up

CONS:
* Some text/grammatical errors
* Short (beat it in about 1.3 hours) - I actually wanted more by the end
* Not as spooky as I would have hoped
* Limited ammo, but didn't seem to be a big issue


https://www.seravium.com
https://twitch.tv/seravium

If you like Silent Hill or retro-PS2 era feeling horror games, you're gonna love Hollowbody. You play as Mica who is looking for her lost friend named Sasha in the ruins of an abandoned city riddled with corporate conspiracy and biohazards. This game has multiple endings and a NG+ mode allowing for extended gameplay and enjoyment.

PROS:
* 2D or Tank control option
* M&K or Controller option (I used controller and it worked great)
* Amazing voice acting
* Great atmospheric sounds
* Fun weapons with lots of ammo
* Two difficulty settings (easy and normal)
* Autosaves and manual saves (as many as you want)
* Beautiful environments
* Puzzles that make sense to the game
* Good story that is enhanced by reading notes around the environments
* Multiple endings based on choices made throughout game play
* Collectibles to find
* Easy to understand UI system

CONS:
* Needs a quick reload option/button for guns
* Swapping between weapons (melee or gun types) requires you to go into menu. Not a big deal but would be nice with a quick button. Can swap between melee and gun quickly but not between each melee and each gun type
* Map is terrible

https://www.seravium.com
https://twitch.tv/seravium

Another amazing and quirky title from Daniele Doesn't Matter. Thank you again for the copy & hanging out while I played it live!

This game is part one of a series of games themed like a "Twilight Zone" episode. In this game you play as Mark who is stuck inside a house learning the mystery behind his wife's death (?) and the car accident that changed everything. If you like puzzles, this game is full of them! Also there's lots of easter eggs floating around (look at the book titles, and translate them if you don't know Italian haha).

Absolutely worth playing if you enjoy puzzle horror titles with mystery story vibes.

Maybe one day Daniele will have me voice a monster or something for him in a game (HINT HINT)

PROS
* Engaging story
* Respawnable consumables (don't worry, you'll never run out!)
* Large inventory, though a little clunky to organize
* Engaging puzzles that make sense to the story
* Great voice acting
* Fun secrets/easter eggs to find
* Sound quality is EXCELLENT and fits atmospherically
* Engaging health/faith/anxiety meter
* Can save anytime with coins (respawnable) found throughout the house

CONS
* No controller support
* Candles seem useless with light switches and flashlight
* Can only hide from monster when you lose line of sight with them. Hard to tell if you do without turning around and getting smacked
* Load after death is bugged (Dev aware and is fixing) - so go into the menu and Load manually after hitting Restart
* Didn't have the streamer easter eggs that it normally does, but that's ok - though I wish there were stupid collectibles like his previous games (those are fun)
* AI artwork (♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Daniele)


https://www.seravium.com
https://twitch.tv/seravium

I received this game for free, thank you! This game you play as a small toddler named Aiden who is trying to escape his perception of reality or is it his nightmare (?); and find his comfort plushies in the process.

I had fun with this game. It's a basic collect xyz items with hide and seek monster scheme. It's not an overly deep game, but worth a playthrough if you enjoy a good hide-and seek style horror title.

Trigger Warning: domestic violence, spousal abuse, physical abuse

PROS:
* Simplistic controls (M&K)
* Game guides you well with child pictures and tutorials throughout the whole game
* Few fun jump-scares
* Crying meter is a fun touch to the game
* Plenty of places to hide
* Plenty of stamina, anxiety recovery items
* Toggle on/off crouch (THANK YOU)
* GREAT voice acting

CONS:
* Not much of a story until the very end when you realize what's going on
* Controller support is lacking and a can't use all functions that M&K have
* Game doesn't state the above mentioned trigger warnings at the beginning of the game (I think it should. It hits home for a lot of players/viewers)
* The one "map" you find in the game sincerely sucks and is worthless
* Some bugs (?) with being able to save multiple times at the Totoro beds
* No autosaves
* In-game volume control seems broken (had to turn down manually via Windows)
* Not enough health recovery items (apples)
* Sound design is minimal and could be enhanced for better immersion
* Tricycle is useless


https://www.seravium.com
https://twitch.tv/seravium