The Goosebumps brand has been around for decades, but translating its spooky yet playful tone into video games has often proven tricky. With Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek, published by GameMill Entertainment and developed by PHL Collective, the series takes a fresh stab at interactive horror. Instead of chasing pure scares, the game finds a middle ground between stealthy tension, light puzzle-solving, and eerie exploration, all wrapped in an original story that feels like it could have been plucked from R.L. Stine’s library. The result is a family-friendly horror experience that works best for younger players but has just enough charm to intrigue older fans as well.
You play as Sloane Spencer, a teenager who discovers that their hometown has been overrun by supernatural forces. The narrative weaves in familiar Goosebumps-style monsters and settings while offering a new mystery that encourages players to dig into the secrets of Little Creek. The writing captures the playful menace of the books, striking a tone that mixes tension with just enough camp to keep things accessible. That said, the stakes never feel particularly high, and veteran horror players may find the scares too mild and the twists somewhat predictable. For younger audiences, however, the approachable storytelling strikes a good balance between spooky and fun.
Gameplay alternates between stealth, exploration, and puzzles. Much of the tension comes from sneaking past creatures that patrol areas like abandoned theaters and haunted libraries. The stealth is simple, relying on crouching and timing rather than complex mechanics, but it effectively builds suspense without overwhelming younger players. Puzzles, meanwhile, are varied enough to keep the pace moving, though they rarely rise above the level of light brainteasers. The inclusion of a slingshot as a basic defensive tool adds a small sense of empowerment, but combat is intentionally limited to reinforce the theme of survival rather than domination. This design choice works in context, though it may feel underwhelming to those expecting a more action-driven experience.
Controls on PlayStation 5 are straightforward and easy to grasp, aligning with the game’s younger target audience. Movement and interactions are responsive, though there are moments where stealth sections can feel slightly clunky, with enemy detection being inconsistent at times. While this doesn’t ruin the experience, it can cause brief moments of frustration when a well-planned sneak is undone by unpredictable AI behavior.
Visually, Terror in Little Creek makes strong use of atmosphere. The town is drenched in fog and shadow, with lighting effects that enhance the eerie vibe without pushing into realism. Environments are stylized enough to feel approachable, while monster designs strike a nice balance between creepy and cartoonish. Still, the limited budget is evident in repeated textures and environments that don’t always offer much variety. Performance on PS5 is smooth, however, keeping the focus on immersion rather than technical hiccups.
Audio does a lot of the heavy lifting in setting the tone. The soundtrack leans on ominous cues that rise and fall with encounters, while sound effects like creaking doors and distant growls give each location a sense of unease. Voice acting is minimal but serviceable, keeping the narrative grounded without distracting from the atmosphere. Like the visuals, the sound design never pushes into truly terrifying territory, but that accessibility is part of what makes the game fit so neatly into the Goosebumps brand.
In the end, Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek is a game with clear intentions: to deliver a horror-themed adventure that younger players can enjoy without it crossing into nightmare fuel. It succeeds in creating an eerie atmosphere, mixing stealth and puzzles with a story that feels authentically Goosebumps. At the same time, its simplicity and mild scares mean it won’t hold much long-term appeal for seasoned horror fans. Still, as an accessible gateway into the genre, it’s one of the stronger Goosebumps adaptations to date and a fun detour for anyone curious about a spooky mystery in small-town America.
Score: 7.0/10
Press Play Media 