Effective Scares and Tension
The game started strong, with the first jump scare catching me off guard. The creepy music and the task of finding and locking windows ramped up my anxiety, keeping me on edge. The second jump scare was even more effective, making me jump and close my eyes.
Harold's Unwelcome Appearances
Even the subtle appearance of Harold while heating up hot chocolate managed to startle me. The developer nailed the timing and placement of these scares.
Room for Improvement: Voice Acting
However, the voice acting detracted from the experience. It felt forced and broke my immersion. Using text instead would have maintained the eerie atmosphere.
Disappointing Tone Shift
But the biggest letdown was the abrupt shift from horror to a sappy, non-horror narrative. It felt jarring and disconnected from the rest of the game. I was invested in the scary story, only to have it veer into unfamiliar territory.
Verdict
"Amanda's Movie Night" had its moments of terror, but the tone shift and subpar voice acting held it back. If the developer had maintained the horror focus and refined the sound design, this could have been a standout title.
Rating: 3/5 stars