It's winter break 1994 and schools out at Harthorn High School, but not all is silent in its empty classrooms and dark hallways...
The game immerses players in the creepy, unsettling ambiance of Harthorn High School's detailed environments. Through exploration, players uncover clues and notes that slowly reveal the game's larger narrative mystery. Reviewers praise the game's ability to build tension and dread, noting the effective use of sound design, environmental cues, and a lurking antagonist to heighten the horror elements. The constant sense of being watched and the underlying threat create a palpable feeling of unease, without relying heavily on traditional jump scares.
In addition to exploration, the game incorporates stealth and evasion gameplay. Players must occasionally sneak past or hide from an aggressive, patrolling antagonist. Reviewers note that these stealth sequences, while not overly complex, add an extra layer of tension and challenge to the gameplay loop. Some players felt the stealth mechanics could be inconsistent or buggy at times, with the antagonist's AI occasionally behaving erratically. However, many still found these sections to be effective in building suspense and driving the narrative forward.
The gameplay also involves solving relatively simple puzzles to progress the story. Players must find keys, codes, and other items scattered throughout the school environment in order to access new areas and uncover more of the mystery. Reviewers appreciated that the puzzles, while not overly difficult, still required some thought and exploration to solve, helping to maintain the game's pacing and sense of discovery.
While the experience is primarily linear and story-driven, the game's multiple endings and hidden clues/notes encourage replayability. The ability to revisit earlier chapters and discover new details was seen as a positive, allowing players to deepen their understanding of the narrative and themes.