Villa Nocturne

I played Villa Nocturne the day it released. The trailers looked really good, and it seemed like the kind of game I’d enjoy.

And overall—I did.

This isn’t a game that relies heavily on jumpscares, but when they do happen, they’re done well. They don’t feel cheap, and they hit when they need to.

The atmosphere carries a lot of the experience, with a steady pace that keeps you moving forward—though I will say, there’s a fair amount of walking back and forth. There were definitely moments where I wasn’t entirely sure if I had triggered the next event or if I had missed something.

That’s something you see pretty often in indie horror games, though. It’s not necessarily a bad thing—it just means the game doesn’t always stand out in that area.

The story itself was interesting enough to keep me engaged, and the puzzles were a nice touch. There were a few moments where I had to stop and actually think through what I was supposed to do, which I always appreciate.

Overall, Villa Nocturne is a solid experience.

It’s not the most memorable horror game I’ve ever played, but it does what it sets out to do, and it does it well. If you’re looking for a shorter indie horror game with a good atmosphere and a few thoughtful puzzles, this is definitely one worth checking out. 👀