Tales from Candleforth, developed by Under The Bed Games and published by Feardemic, invites players into a world where fairy tales intertwine with horror, folklore, and mystery. Set in the quaint yet eerie town of Candleforth, the game unfolds as something akin to a collection of short stories that were penned atop a forbidden book, its dark secrets seeping into the tales themselves. We tested the game’s PlayStation version.
One of the game’s strengths certainly lies in its narrative, which introduces players to Sarah, a 16-year-old girl tasked with running the family apothecary after her grandmother’s disappearance. As Sarah delves deeper into her family’s mysterious past, uncovering hidden powers and confronting occult forces, players are gradually drawn into a journey filled with intrigue and dark revelations.
The gameplay mechanics, rooted in traditional point-and-click adventure style, offer a mix of challenging puzzles and mysterious storytelling. Players navigate through hand-drawn environments, interacting with objects and solving puzzles to progress. However, the game’s transition to console platforms like the PlayStation 5 may feel clunky at times, with cursor movement and inventory management proving less intuitive compared to mouse-driven gameplay.
Visually, Tales from Candleforth excels with its hand-drawn aesthetic, reminiscent of folkloric illustrations with a touch of horror. The game’s environments are richly detailed, bringing the world of Candleforth to life with its eerie charm. However, some objects may blend into the scenery a bit too much, leading to some classic pixel hunting – a retro touch we could have done without.
The audio design further enhances the game’s atmosphere, with haunting melodies and atmospheric sounds immersing players in the dark and mysterious world of Candleforth. From eerie forests to dimly lit dungeons, each location is accompanied by a fitting soundtrack that adds depth to the narrative experience.
Despite its strengths, Tales from Candleforth is not without its flaws. Some puzzles may feel repetitive and uninspired, relying heavily on memorization and backtracking, while others suffer from obscure solutions that may frustrate players. Additionally, the game’s narrative, while intriguing, could benefit from further character development and a more satisfying conclusion, leaving players with a sense that things end rather suddenly once you complete the game.
In conclusion, Tales from Candleforth offers a captivating blend of horror, folklore, and puzzle-solving, wrapped in a visually attractive package. While its gameplay mechanics and narrative may have room for improvement, the game’s unique charm and atmospheric presentation make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre, especially those seeking a dark and immersive adventure on the PlayStation 5 platform.
Score: 7.1/10
Press Play Media 