The Park (2015)

The Plucky Squire presents a truly inspired concept and art direction, managing to be loved at first sight. As the game progresses there is a certain monotony in the gameplay, but both budding and seasoned players will not fail to appreciate the colorful design on the one hand, and the sophistication of certain quirks and situations on the other.

The Park is a psychological horror narrative adventure that takes place in the creepy theme park of Atlantic Island Park, and it is featured by Lorraine, a mother desperate to find her son Callum, who seems to play the game of cat and mouse with her inside the park. The easy fright will evolve into a more psychological and distressing terror as we discover the truth of what happens in The Park. It is a pity its outdated technical section and its duration so short, but still enjoyable if we find it very cheap.

The Park is a tale of tragedy that takes you on a literal and metaphorical roller coaster. Although the game lacks in the graphics department and sticks to the bare minimum in terms of gameplay mechanics, it is one that story seekers will probably want to check out. Get your box of tissues ready.

The Park's best moments come from the sense of dread and uneasiness in an abandoned amusement as you search for your kid. I wouldn't call it a scary experience, although there are a handful of jump scares, it's more unnerving than anything else. The climatic area drove home the narrative; however, if you were rushing to the end, you may not appreciate the message it is trying to convey.

Generally, though, The Park is an effective experience. It avoids the first-person horror genre’s worst habits while conveying an engaging story. It leans hard on horror tropes (and fails to interrogate well-trod stereotypical presentations of mental illness) but manages to unearth something potent in the process. Your mileage will certainly vary; roller coasters are thrilling for some, nauseating for others. I enjoyed this ride.