Joyville

Even though we only have chapter 1, Joyville is a horror game that I enjoyed immensely. This is one of those games that just feels like it was tailor made for me! I love horror, especially creepy stuff like this! Granted, at face value, this is another one of those “mascot horror” games that have become increasingly popular over the last few years. However, I also have to say that I feel like this one is better than most and I am super pumped for the next chapter to see where this story is going to go.

The Happiest Place On Earth!

The setting of Joyville is an old kid’s camp that was huge back in the day, but after the owner was arrested, the camp was shut down and left to decay. Well, our MC was a kid and had super happy memories of time spent at this camp, but there is something nagging him at the back of his mind. He goes to the abandoned place to try and figure out what really went down here and he finds himself in a fight for survival! I was completely sucked into this game as soon as I saw the trailer and I am happy to say that the first chapter does not disappoint.

Standing On Its Own

I know that the whole mascot horror thing that Joyville is a part of may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But, I do feel like it is doing this game a huge disservice to look at it as a knock off Poppy’s Playtime or even Garten of Banban to name a couple of the more popular recent games in this genre. I feel like there are some similarities here with the creepy ass mascots that want you dead. However, I think the mystery at play here has enough of its own thing going to ensure that it manages to stand on its own. I will say that if you do like games such as those two, I just mentioned, I have no doubt in my mind that you will love this!

Super Ted

If you are from the UK, you get that reference and we can be buddies! Joyville is a first-person horror/puzzle game. You will be exploring this messed up facility, trying to solve puzzles so that you can progress. What I think is really neat is that you have this rather mysterious teddy bear that will help you in your quest for survival. One thing that I will say is that this game has some great jump scares, no spoilers here, but there is a bit with these creep worms that well and truly got me and it was awesome. The game ran fine for the most part, but there is a chase scene that bordered on being frustrating as the margin for error felt rather harsh…. Or I could just suck!

One Of More To Come

One bit of criticism that I have seen thrown the way of Joyville is the way that it is being released. This is around 8 to 10 bucks to buy, but it is only for the first chapter. To be fair, many other games have done a similar model to this and I am sure once all the chapters are done there will be some kind of bundle that you can buy. However, as of me writing this, you can just buy this first chapter. I do wish that they had a bundle right now like a season pass type thing where they charge say 30 to 40 bucks and you get access to all the chapters that are going to be coming.

Pros:

• I loved the setting of the game
• The backstory is great and made me interested in the lore being created
• Some of the mascots are very creepy!
• Using the teddy bear to solve puzzles and progress was cool

Cons:

• This is only the first chapter and no word on when chapter 2 will drop
• There are frame stutters when the game is loading while you are playing

Joyville is a horror game with puzzle elements that offers you a trip to a cute children's camp, at least it was like that many years ago. In the distant childhood this camp was a paradise on Earth, but it was suddenly closed after the disappearance of a couple of children, among whom was a friend of the protagonist. The mysteries of the disappearance and the camp itself did not leave the hero's head all 10 years since the camp was closed and returning to the ruins of the once popular place did not seem like such a bad idea. What secrets the camp hides and is there a chance to get out of this cursed place alive?

Pros of the game:

• Atmospheric horror game
• A lot of interesting puzzles
• A monster that you will have to meet