Fear The Spotlight is an excellently crafted horror experience in a world that harkens back to simpler horror games of the 2000s era. This game shines with an intriguingly told story complemented by a dreadful atmosphere that had me wanting to solve its dark mystery. The gameplay is simple, though it can be repetitive, it doesn’t take away from the fun and constant fear I had from my playthrough. A five-hour campaign means it’s perfect for those looking for a late-night spooky gaming session.
A frightening tale
You play as Vivian, a student of Sunny Side High, who is sneaking in after hours with her crush, Amy, to use the school’s Ouija board in the library. Leading up to the séance, you learn the campus had endured a terrible fire that caused the loss of many students’ lives. Vivan and Amy contacting the supernatural reveals that the fire that had thought to have long passed is still burning after all of these years. Soon after, Amy has gone missing in the darkness of Sunny Side’s past. Vivian takes it upon herself to find her and put out the school’s sinister fire for good. The story that unfolds is purely told through finding class notes, documents, and some cutscenes. Every piece of information found drew me closer and closer to finding the school’s dark secrets.
Upon finishing Vivian’s playthrough, I was pleasantly surprised to see Amy’s story become available. From Vivian’s perspective, it may seem like Amy has no agency and succumbed to the ghostly influence, but upon playing Amy’s perspective, this is far from the case. Amy’s playthrough gave me a breath of fresh air, but not for long as the scares continued. Bringing a new setting, new tool kit, and new story elements. I was contemplating whether or not to reveal this, but I had such a delightful experience playing through Amy’s story I couldn’t help but talk about how much this was a highlight for me. Playing as the second character in this duo may not seem like much, but it adds too much significance to the game as a whole.
Fear the Spotlight has legitimately scary moments without having to resort to cheap jump scares. While it won’t leave you screaming or jumping in fear, this game has very intense moments. There are plenty of stealth and chase scenes that will have your heart exhilaratingly beating. Also, as cliché as an abandoned school may seem for a horror game, it nails the atmosphere. There were several moments where I was shaking in my boots just in anticipation of what will happen next.
For the most part, Vivan and Amy can’t do much to defend themselves, besides use of healing items and hiding. As helpless as the characters may seem, the game seems to not let them die. I didn’t die once in my playthrough which means this is highly accessible for those where playing under intense horror gameplay can be difficult. If I’m being honest, I thought the difficulty was a little too easy, but in no way did it diminish the scares or the game’s puzzles.
Notable things worth mentioning — I played on the Nintendo Switch, and the game runs solidly. One thing that takes getting used to is the wobble effect the game has to emulate that PS1 low-frame rate and polygonal feel. Luckily, the game allows you to adjust this in the settings menu if it were to become too bothersome. I actually really enjoyed this effect, and I believe it embodies the charm and lure that a retro 2000s game would have back then. The Nintendo Switch being known as the family-friendly console means notable spooky releases like Silent Hill 2 Remake, A Quiet Place, and Phasmophobia usually skip the platform. This is a great alternative for those looking for a spooky experience. It is also available on all platforms, so pick the one that suits you best.
The verdict
Fear the Spotlight is a chillingly fun playthrough that is perfect for those craving a late-night spooky romp that can be finished in about five hours. The ominous and cryptic plot that unfolds had me hooked from start to finish. Just when you think it ends, it doubles down with an additional and equally scary campaign with Amy to shake things up. While the easy difficulty and slightly repeated gameplay are noticeable, it is never frustrating, nor does it detract from the eerie experience. The retro 2000s graphics are more than just for charming looks; they will have you trembling with the controller in your hands. Cozy Game Pals and Blumhouse provide one of the spookiest playthroughs I’ve had on my Nintendo Switch.
