Reviews - Spooky's Jump Scare Mansion

Having reached 1000 rooms (despite the warning at about room 600), I can say this is an exceptionally entertaining game with much potential. It is, after all, the one that got me to create an IndieDB account!
First of all, the game has a charming atmosphere right from the get-go. The title music is lovely and the graphics appeasing to look at. When the game starts, the main hall has a style that is cartoonish, but not so much that it detracts from the atmosphere. Spooky herself is adorable and always makes me laugh.
The jumpscares are perfect in that the characters are cute and still surprising. There is a wonderful array of them as well, so they never get old. Then comes the best part: the transition. As soon as you read the first note, you know something is wrong. The game is cute, but it has an eerie feeling. As the notes take a darker turn, my personal favorite part of the game comes up. I’m not only talking about Specimen 2, I mean that the whole cute façade falls and you feel uncomfortable knowing where you are. It makes for a not-so-sudden but still surprising turn for the worst once Specimen 2 appears.
Speaking of the Specimens, their designs are perfect. I love how they all vaguely resemble some trope without being uncreative. Whether they are organic, ghosts, spiders, or puppets, all of them are charming and make for a fun yet creepy chase scene. Their “influences” (slowing you down, etc.) make the game nonrepetitive. This does not mean they are used to their full potentials, however.
First, Specimen 5 is probably my favorite monster graphically. It has a moving animation not scene in the other specimens. I unfortunately only encountered Specimen 3 about twice, so I don’t recall it, however. I feel the other monsters would be much more terrifying if they had some sort of movement to them. Perhaps Specimen 2 could twitch or Specimen 4 could bob up and down. It gives a more realistic sense of danger that would only make the game better. On top of movement, some of the “influences” could be worked on as well. For Specimen 5, I quickly grew tired of the white haze and constantly stopping. Not only did it make it frustrating to see, it also annoyed me to keep stopping. I feel that it would be better to lessen the haze a tiny bit and, rather than periodically stopping, perhaps lower the player’s speed in general. The puppet, on the other hand, is too easy to escape. I was only ever in real danger once, and this is because the room itself curved around so he could get me from inside the wall. Maybe a blinking mechanic of some sort would help: not only would it make it creepier to see him inch closer, it would make the player rush for their life.
Finally, I have an interesting note on Specimen 1. After about room 500 (with the moving red wall), I once encountered a jumpscare with one of the more violent faces on the character. If this was intentional, then it was ingenious. The only problem is that it happened once. If it became more common, it would take something familiar since the start of the game and change it (thus making the player feel more uneasy).
Overall I rate 9/10 because there were quite a few repetitive points because of similar rooms. This game is still great, though, because everything works together. A few updates here and there would perfect it in a heartbeat. I look forward to seeing the completed project, and I look forward to more of your work!

A truly amazing game, the game did what not many horror games can do, and it caught me off guard with some of the rooms and enemies fought. Each enemy felt unique and it really was since they did different things and affected you and the environment in different ways. Even i was a bit scared every time one of the cardboard cutouts came out at me.
...that spider... ugh...
The scariest one for me was the subject that caused the walls to go red and you had no idea where you were going. I loved this game and will definetly play it to the end.. and make it to room 1000!!! Cx

I really like this game! I jump in my chair every time the cardboard thingies pop out and then I think "seriously?! This far into the game and I still haven't gotten used to >>the cardboard<< of all things!" Hahah, it's cool how it gives you the feeling of false security and then - BAM!

Keep up the good work! I'm looking forward to more levels!

The fact that this game already is Nr 2 on indieDB is an explanation in itself. While highly unfinished currently, the game delivers a fresh, comedic and rather horrifying view on your general "run like a bitch" horror games, and has plenty homages to other horror games. The concept is interesting, and as are the creatures that currently lurk the halls. The sound in the game is incredible, and manages to create an atmosphere that i previously only felt in The Dark Descent games, highly unsettling, but yet curious enough to make you wander further within, just so you can discover what lies in store for you.

I am currently giving it a 9 because there is still huge potential in this game, and while it may still be a little repetitive, and the mobs are currently a bit too easy to escape/has a lack of unique abilities, i have high hopes for this little gem.

It's not a bad game. That collision detection needs fixing though.

"Engine: Custom Built" what

It's really good. Like, really good. Rather than taking the Slender approach and just throwing you in there with a slap on the bum, it lures you into a false sense of security. And then it takes that sense, throws it out the window, screams in your face, and rip your heart straight out of your chest. Hopefully this will make waves in the horror community like Slender or Amnesia, or even Five Nights at Freddy's. Minus the unneeded sequel.

*Since the rating 9/10 requires a review I shall give onto Indie DB what it desires*

Solid game with a great style of atmosphere and tension, the jump from cute to terrifying is a unique twist that only Akuma Kira could deliver in such spades.

With every update more is fixed and tons of content is added, and the game becomes even more enjoyable as time goes on. The Comic/Cartoon style is a welcome addition, and the sound design is well crafted and composed.

As simple as this game may appear at first, it has a lot of neat and fun layers, the tongue-in-cheek approach to the humor of horror stereotypes in this game is very entertaining and the gradual descent into pure darkness makes for a great venture.

*Just enough water 9/10 IGN*

I could say the OG version of spooky's isn't bad, but they are some bugs that are needed to be patched and sometimes the game crashes unexpectedly for no reason at all, but to be honest, I honestly prefer the HD version of Spooky's in my opinion because of the bug fixes and the improvements and sometimes OG endless mode can be a piece of **** in my opinion, but I would rate this game a 6/10 but although the game that haves bugs needs to be fixed and so the game won't get bugged.

Loved this game to death! The blend of cute and creepy was just right. Using repetition in the level design to build up suspense. Having minor scares to keep your senses sharp. Enough lore within it's world to keep you fascinated. Probably the first horror game I've played to have me fall for so many jump scares. ;_;

Very well done 10/10 one of the few games I've played over and over. Also Spooky's definitely one of my favorite characters in a long while.

It's awesome! It's cool, cute, scary and interesting! I really liked it. I would want to play other games! I am waiting for a game like this.