The Bathhouse Game Review
Have you ever wanted to quit your terrible job and do something impulsive? Like move to the countryside and take the first job you can find? Even if it’s in a clearly haunted bathhouse? That’s what we decide to do in The Bathhouse, the latest release from indie (and cult sensation) developers Chilla’s Art.
We’re thrown into a town and a new job, which mingles moments of increasing unease with the humdrum tedium of the workplace. A thick gray malaise covers everything, and missing person posters paper the buildings in glaring red sheaths. Someone even stole the cat.
As the days pass, the eeriness that pervades our new life accelerates. The second day literally begins with hair spilling through a hole in your wall and the decision on whether to rip it out. And that’s one of the cornerstones of The Bathhouse: exploring every nook and cranny and making a choice. Both are extremely important because they’ll dictate what ending you’ll get. And I think it’s safe to say that most people will get the bad ending on their first play through. Myself included. In fact, you should probably consider your very first play through a trial run if you want a good ending.
The horror of the game draws most from its environment and the slow unraveling of the mystery you find yourself in the center of. There’s also the occasional jump scare, which doesn’t really meet the definition. But many of the spooky moments you’ll have to hunt down or pay close attention to catch, and they lean heavily into the subtle. But seeing a soft silhouette in the steam of the baths will linger with you long after the adrenaline spike from the jump scare fades.
Graphically, it’s pretty on par with what you might expect from the Chilla’s Art brothers. The environments are fine, but the animations of the people you interact with are robotic and unnatural. It scarcely helps that bugs riddle the game, so they occasionally glitch, with their models teleporting slightly or jerking in a disjointed way. But these spasms weave some unease into the atmosphere.
The town you find yourself in feels empty and lifeless if you look too closely at it. And you’ll spend a lot of time looking closely at it. The NPCs appear only where they serve the game, which hurts the immersion and they’re a straightforward indicator of how to progress.
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And that’s helpful, because there’s no handholding in The Bathhouse. You’re meant to explore the town and your job, throwing yourself into your new life. But some things are just confusing. You fish, you get a sack. What are you meant to do with it? The answer still leaves me confused. Gathering items and finding out what to do with them (a process that sometimes is neither intuitive nor logical) is what The Bathhouse is built around. It’s one of the weaker aspects, but this dominates so much of you’ll do.
But the story, and the mystery, will set its claws into you. The buildup is gradual but well-paced. The Chilla’s Art brothers know how to trickle in just enough information to keep you guessing right up to the game’s climax. That being said, if you really want to understand the story, you need to get the good ending. There simply isn’t enough information to glean from the bad.
So, is it worth the $8 bucks it costs on steam? If you enjoy indie games, slow burns, and games that skew heavier to mystery than horror, yes. It’s one of Chilla Art’s better games, right on up there with The Convenience Store and The Caregiver. The more games they produce, the more the Chilla brothers seem to learn their niche and I’m excited to see what else they’ll send down the chute in 2003.
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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