Review: A Night on the Farm

Initial release date: February 13, 2024

Genres: Adventure game, Puzzle, Adventure

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S

Developers: Frozen Flame Interactive, East Asiasoft Limited

Publishers: Frozen Flame Interactive, East Asiasoft Limited

Engine: Unity

A farm has a slightly unnerving quality. Is it because they are typically located in the middle of nowhere? Or is it because those massive barns and sheds could hide all kinds of secrets and horrors? Whatever, if you look at a farm at night, you can see why hundreds of writers, game developers, and filmmakers have chosen it as the setting for their horror stories.

A Night on the Farm is no exception in this regard, but for a low-budget game, it has a lot more going for it than shock and awe. Sing along with me – Old MacDonald had a farm…

Ready for a Night on the Farm?

A Night on the Farm begins in the dark, next to a crashed car, beside a cornfield, in the middle of the night. At first, it’s unclear who you are or what you’re doing as you follow a fence line and arrive at a little farm. There are a few sheds, a main home, and a basement secured by an electronic combination lock. You start to unearth notes from the folks who were there and indicate something they were keeping behind lock and key.

This game surprised me a lot, especially with its story and setting. It transported me to places and environments I would never have imagined, all told through a superb sci-fi plot. I don’t want to spoil it, but the premise and writing are of high quality. It’s all aided by tapes you come upon, including a woman discussing the property and eventually the end. It’s well-done and a terrific piece of writing.

It takes place in the first person, much like a typical first-person survival horror experience. You explore the surroundings, opening doors and gathering items for your inventory as you go. Some of these may be keys and passes, while a flashlight comes in quite handy, especially because A Night on the Farm is fairly dark at times.

A torch? You’re going to need it.

There is some light puzzle solving to be done while you explore, but don’t expect anything too taxing on your brain. Again, I won’t go into detail about what happens in the game’s second half, but A Night on the Farm’s gameplay does take a turn.

The game uses some lo-fi, early 2000s PS1-style pixelated graphics, and it does so well. It creates a great atmosphere, exactly on tone, with a bizarre, menacing sky and terrifying unending cornfields. Later on, when things become stranger, it does so with imagination and passion.

The audio is also good; a droning synth soundtrack works well with the graphics and ambiance. It also has some amazing tiny effects, and the voice-over that you find on the recordings does an excellent job of delivering the unusual material.

What the…?

A Night on the Farm stands out from many other low-budget horror games due to its strong story and atmosphere. Powered by a brilliant sci-fi narrative that is intriguing and unconventional, the writing is excellent, while the lo-fi images and audio add to the atmosphere.

Some small bonuses, such as buried toys, add to the challenge, so if you enjoy horror, it may be worth getting in your tractor and heading down to unravel the mystery of A Night on the Farm.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 75%

Controls: 78%

Aesthetics: 80%

Content: 72%

Accessibility: 79%

Value: 76%

Overall: 76%

GOOD

Summary: “A Night on the Farm” transports players to a quiet and attractive world where they can enjoy the serenity of rural life. The game has basic yet interesting gameplay that allows for exploration and participation with farm chores under the starry sky. The visuals are vivid and inviting, creating an immersive environment that heightens the experience. However, the content may feel limiting, and some gamers may want for greater depth or variety in activities. Overall, “A Night on the Farm” is a great pick for people looking for a calm gaming experience, and it’s a welcome addition to any casual gaming library.