“In this circus, it’s not the clowns you should fear, but the memories you’re trying to forget.”
REVEIL is a game that feels designed to prey on your mind more than your nerves. It’s the type of experience that – thankfully for this horror gaming novice – doesn’t rely too heavily on cheap scares, but instead cultivates an atmosphere of unease and psychological tension. As someone who is more likely to sit on the sidelines than rush into the deep end of horror, I can say that REVEIL struck a careful balance between unsettling mystery and moments of intensity without leaning too hard into heart-racing terror. If you’re like me — hesitant about games that make you constantly look over your shoulder — REVEIL might be worth considering for its intriguing story, even if it occasionally throws in a jolt or two.
Set in a circus, the game follows Walter Thompson as he searches for his missing family, wandering through an increasingly surreal world. As the game progresses, the visual design leans heavily into a blood-red colour palette that amplifies the sense of disorientation as reality starts to unravel. The circus setting is more than just a backdrop, it’s the very soul of the game, adding a layer of intrigue as the story slowly peels back Walter’s troubled past. If you’re scared of clowns, play with the lights on!
What really works in REVEIL is its pacing. Rather than throwing every mechanic at you all at once, it takes its time. Early on, the game is a slow-burn exploration of eerie spaces, letting you piece together clues and solve puzzles. The shift into stealth sections and encounters with unsettling creatures feels gradual and deliberate. Even then, the stakes are kept low. There’s no real “death” in REVEIL, as each failure rewinds you to a slightly altered version of your starting point. This design choice helped keep the game from feeling overwhelming, which, as a horror lightweight, I appreciated.
REVEIL excels in creating an immersive soundscape, perfect for headphones. From the ominous ambient noise to the haunting indie-folk soundtrack, it knows how to fill quiet moments with a lingering sense of dread. Combined with its photorealistic visuals, the game delivers a world that is as believable as it is nightmarish.
However, the game isn’t without its drawbacks. The voice acting, while competent, felt oddly detached at times. Walter’s reactions to the grotesque things happening around him often didn’t match the horror unfolding on-screen. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it does break the immersion when you feel more concerned than the protagonist seems to be. Additionally, some technical issues such as stuttering when entering new areas can pull you out of the moment at crucial times.
The puzzles in REVEIL are varied, from environmental challenges to more intricate brainteasers, and they generally fit well within the world. That said, a few moments felt a little convoluted, pushing the complexity just a step too far, though these were exceptions rather than the rule.
REVEIL manages to build tension in creative ways, particularly in the shifting circus environments, where rooms warp and twist as if mocking your perception of reality. The game may not be packed with outright scares, but its unsettling atmosphere lingers long after you’ve turned it off. For those who appreciate psychological horror with a dash of the surreal, REVEIL offers a compelling, if imperfect, experience. And if you’re like me, easily spooked but intrigued by the darker side of gaming, it provides just the right balance of thrills and chills.
REVEIL is available on Playstation, Xbox and on Steam.
Check out the DREADPIXELS YouTube channel where I’ll be sharing horror game trailers and, eventually, playthroughs of games. You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram if that’s your thing.