Single-player psycho horror game

GoodNight is a psychological horror game by developer Solitary Studios. This dark adventure revolves around a girl named Veronica who goes through horrifying paranormal activities after her family died in a tragic fire. Players will go through her experiences and determine whether she survives the haunting or not. 

Similar to the Outlast games, GoodNight doesn’t give players a weapon to defend themselves with. Players will need to capitalize on the flashlight the game gives them to survive the hauntings Veronica will experience. It utilizes a combination of a chilling atmosphere and smartly-placed jumpscares to terrify players. 

Gameplay and atmosphere

GoodNight’s visuals are better than most indie horror games out there. It tries to create a photorealistic world and it does a decent job. The textures look smooth and the lighting is implemented well. Moreover, the sound design complements the visuals, creating an atmosphere befitting psychological horror. The game isn’t fully voiced as the player’s thoughts are mainly expressed via subtitles, but the voice-acted parts are of high quality. 

Most of the game’s locations are dark, emphasizing the importance of the player’s flashlight. This is a staple in horror games but this game utilizes it well with the clever placement of jumpscares. Most of them have perfect timing and are backed with quality sound effects, but they can feel more annoying than scary as you progress through the game. 

Gameplay-wise, this psychological horror game doesn’t do anything innovative. You will be solving some puzzles and exploring dark rooms for keys, notes, and other objects necessary to progress to the next area—just like in many horror titles before it. Its chase sequences can sometimes be terrifying, but it’s nothing you haven’t experienced yet. In addition, some parts of the game can feel confusing and tedious to navigate. 

A decent experience

GoodNight is a mediocre horror game. Technically speaking, it’s a well-polished title, but it does not do anything remarkable as a psychological horror game. There are some well-placed jump scares, but they can eventually feel tacked on. It’s far from being the best horror game, but it’s worth picking up for its price tag and the few good scares it offers.