The Park

The game was just my speed! Due to the game art emphasizing the park's chipmunk character, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was some kind of Five Nights at Freddy's animatronic jumpscare game - it's not. Instead, it's more of a traditional 'walking sim' as much as those can be considered to have traditions.

You're playing the perspective of a mother running after her bratty kid who ran back into the park after it closed. You are walking along, exploring, and reading as the story unfolds. You don't have to RUN for safety, and you're not in danger if you take a leisurely pace to explore the creepy park. It's pretty intuitive where you need to go, following the path, and towards the end, there's a brilliant sequence going through a portion of rooms repeatedly as little things change each time, revealing more of the story and getting scarier.

It took just about an hour and a half to beat with all the achievements, and most of them were unlocked by naturally exploring the different areas. I only returned for one or two, which I missed at the end. It was a great break between long 100+ hour jrpgs. Give it a whirl if you're looking for a short, creepy tale to unfold.

Decent graphics, Story was interesting & had some decent cut scenes. The vibes are good and it can be creepy. Don’t expect a long game it’s fairly short and you can do the whole game under 2 hours easy. It is a walking simulator so keep that in mind if you don’t enjoy walking sims you're not going to enjoy this game. It’s not a gory game, more for spooks.

Protagonist Lorraine has to cope with serious, drastic issues from the past. Set in a creepy amusement park hiding a dark and sinister secret, the player gets into the mind of a traumatized, broken mother.

This part of the storyline qualifies for the psychological horror aspect of the game. Beware, if you are a parent yourself, the topics used can be very disturbing and emotionally distressing.

Attention has to be paid, however, to the narrative. If the player wants to get the maximum experience, all notes have to be read carefully and interpreted. There are clips available on YouTube as well, with content creators explaining the story, after having done their research themselves.

Make sure not expecting a survival horror game here, the player cannot die on any way in this game. There are a few jumpscares here and there, but most of the creepiness comes the captivating, intensifying and ultimately climaxing psychological storyline.

Also note this title qualifies as a walking simulator as well, with the movement speed being very slow. There is an option to run, by toggling the shift button, but the movement still is not fast. At some walks, when there is spoken monologue, the option to run is disabled as well. The Park is definately intended not to be rushed.

Graphics and aestethics do a very good job trying to immerse the player into the world. At the time of writing this review, the game has been released more than 8 years ago, and the graphics still hold up fine. Developers used the Unreal engine to accomplish this. It runs extremely well and flawlessly on newer PC’s. Moving flora, mist, reflections in various objects,... it is all there.

Music and sound effects are what one expects from games similar to this one. On given times the sound effects enhance the experience for the player. Spooky, grinding sounds to create a creepy atmosphere.

Duration of The Park is very short, the amusement park itself is not very large, with only a few attractions in it. Game can be completed easily under 2 hours, without having to rush anything. Consider purchasing on a sale, because of this fact, also taking into account, the game also has nearly no replay value.

Fourtheen achievements can be unlocked to achieve a perfect game. Some of them are missable, but are very easy to retrieve later on during the playthrough or on a subsequent playthrough. The hardest achievement, the one that has the least percentage of players completed, is at the very start of the game. All this can be done in one playthrough and easily under 2 hours, which lends The Park excellently for achievement hunters and completionists.

To conclude: When buying The Park on a discount sale, i did not do any research beforehand. Simply assessing the screenshots on the Steam store page, my mind was creating its own horror game in an amusent park, what a great setting! I was dissapointed at first, when i found out the game is very linear and non-action focused. Later on, when the storyline unfolds, i started to enjoy myself more and could see what the developers had in mind. Make sure to do your research yourself about the game before making the purchase. As this does not qualify as a game, more as a story in my opinion.

Recommended for: narrative & psychological horror story loving people, walking simulator fans, low-non-survival horror gamers, achievement hunters and completionists.

Cheers,
SultanK

I actually really enjoyed this game, it is rather slow with not alot of action but the further you get into the game you begin to see another twisted side of the character you play, it kept me wanting to play until the end of the game

"The Park" is a unique psychological horror game that takes players on a chilling journey through the haunted Atlantic Island Park. Developed by Funcom and released in 2015, this game offers a gripping narrative, immersive atmosphere, and simple controls that combine to create a truly unsettling experience.
Story Plot (8/10):
The game revolves around the story of Lorraine, a mother searching for her missing son, Callum, within the dark and twisted confines of the Atlantic Island Park. As Lorraine ventures deeper into the eerie amusement park, the narrative gradually unfolds, revealing a disturbing tale of sorrow, trauma, and supernatural forces. The storyline is the game's strongest aspect, but it can be somewhat predictable for seasoned horror enthusiasts.
Details and Atmosphere (9/10):
"The Park" excels in building a genuinely eerie and unsettling atmosphere. The deserted amusement park, with its creaking rides, flickering lights, and unsettling ambient sounds, creates a sense of dread that persists throughout the game. The game's visual design is well-crafted, featuring dilapidated structures and eerie landscapes that add to the overall sense of foreboding. The attention to detail in both the park's design and the psychological elements of the story is commendable.
Gameplay and Controls (7/10):
The gameplay in "The Park" is more of an interactive storytelling experience than a traditional game. It leans heavily on exploration, puzzle-solving, and uncovering the narrative. The controls are straightforward and accessible, making it easy for players to navigate Lorraine through the park. However, the lack of real challenges or complex gameplay mechanics may disappoint those looking for more interactive elements in their horror games. The game's length is also relatively short, which might leave some players craving more content.
Horror Elements (8/10):
"The Park" doesn't rely on jump scares but instead aims for a slow-burning psychological horror. It succeeds in creating an uncomfortable atmosphere and unsettling moments through clever storytelling and disturbing imagery. The voice acting and audio design contribute significantly to the game's creepiness, enhancing the overall horror experience.
Conclusion:
"The Park" is a psychological horror game that stands out for its compelling narrative, eerie atmosphere, and attention to detail. While it may not offer complex gameplay or extensive replayability, it excels at delivering a chilling and thought-provoking experience. If you're a fan of atmospheric horror games that prioritize storytelling over action, "The Park" is worth a visit to explore its dark secrets and confront the demons that haunt its haunted amusement park. The only thing I wish for is for it to have lasted longer than it did.

First let's get one thing perfectly clear, I did like this game quite a lot.. However.. This is a pretty short game, under 2 hours if you take your time and actually explore the environment and on top of that it is the epitome of a horror-themed walking simulator. There is some interaction with a number of set objects, but beyond that the focus is solely on the emerging narrative that comes from the viewpoint of a person growing increasingly unstable.
So do I recommend it? Well, this is a hard sell unless you are a genuine fan of creeping psychological horror and if you are judging this game by the cover you might explicit a Five Nights at Freddy's animatronic gore galore, and you would be wrong. The game is more about a psychotic breakdown turned into an interpersonal tragedy played out in reverse and the game's second act is pretty brutal in its slow and deliberate descent into madness.. In the end I went on a journey and found it to be just the right amount of spooky atmosphere combined with a gripping personal story about how life can truly go haywire.. The mind is a terrible thing to taste and this game feeds you spoonfuls by the end.
However.. The asking price of 12,99€ I find to be a tad on the steep side, especially since you can get the excellent The Shore for a mere 9,99€.. At a steep discount it gets more palpable however and if you are looking for a good solo-experience that wrenches away at you mind this might be something to pick up during the next Samhain-Sale or similar. In the end it is a recommendation, if the game is discounted and if you can stomach a walking simulator with elements of terror..

I absolutely love this game, it brings me joy and I managed to complete it within 2.3 hours, I recommend this horror game if you enjoy psychological horror games, and want a quick 2-hour game for an afternoon, this is definitely a good game even though it's older (2015), but it's still a fantastic game written and developed by a very talented group of people! :D