Thirstiest Time of The Year
a game by | Norboo |
Platform: | PC (2018) |
Editor Rating: | 6.8/10, based on 2 reviews |
User Rating: | 7.9/10 - 14 votes |
Rate this game: | |
See also: | Horror Games, Walking Simulator Games, Christmas Games |
Horror games come in all shapes and forms – and none are weirder than Thirstiest Time of the Year. While the idea of a parody horror game has been done to death by now, this one feels special, somehow. Maybe it's because you can feel how indie it is – or maybe it's because it makes me thirsty for some Sprite Cranberry. Maybe it's both.
As simple as it is on the surface, Thirstiest Time of the Year is one of those titles that proves that all you need is a good idea to create a compelling horror title. All else, like an engaging gameplay loop or "good visuals" comes second. This is a game about LeBron first and foremost, and we sure can't forget it.
From Commercials to Nightmares
Parody horror has come a long way in recent years. From games like Baldi's Basics to Five Nights at Freddy's – and even Poppy Playtime – the genre has seen its highs and lows in the past decade.
I'm not sure if I should call Thirstiest Time of the Year one of the "highs" of the genre, but it sure is something. Have you ever seen that unexpectedly creepy Sprite commercial starring LeBron James? You know the one, where LeBron says "Wanna Sprite Cranberry?" Well, ElThundercloud apparently found the spot a bit too scary for the season, and decided to turn the whole thing into a short horror experience.
Parody is King
As "horrific" as the plot might seem, Thirstiest Time of the Year leans heavily into the parody aspect of its premise. Don't expect too much horror from this one – instead, be prepared for one of the funniest horror games you've ever played.
If Baldi's Basics was a parody of edutainment titles, then Thirstiest Time of the Year parodies the absurdity of Sprite's commercial decisions. There's nothing as overtly scary in the game, and everything plays with a tongue-in-cheek tone that's clearly not trying to scare anyone.
Escape, Collect, Repeat
The basic gameplay loop of Thirstiest Time of the Year is something we've seen before in games like Slender: The Arrival. The player has to escape a "monstrous" version of LeBron while they navigate hallways and forests.
For a short horror experience, Thirstiest Time of the Year delivers. Nothing feels broken or anything – this is more like a proof of concept for ElThundercloud's future horror repertoire than a full game.
If you come in expecting a new Resident Evil, you'll leave sorely disappointed. However, if what you're looking for is a meme game that feels mechanically solid – and with a premise so absurd it deserves some kudos – then Thirstiest Time of the Year deserves a yearly playthrough around the holidays. By the way, wanna Sprite Cranberry?
Short, sweet, and refreshing as a Sprite, Thirstiest Time of the Year is great for a few laughs, but don't expect any great scares in this horror parody.
Pros
- Great performance with no glitches
- Funny character models
- Well-designed maps with superb ambiance
Cons
- Very short
- Lacks scares
- Not much else to do beyond having a few laughs
Download Thirstiest Time of The Year
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Game Reviews
The Thirstiest Time of Year proves that people will make a game based on just about anything. This title is a humorous survival horror game that uses the lore of the infamous Sprite ad that filled the homes of unsuspecting holiday revelers towards the end of 2018. Honestly, it's one of the silliest internet games you've ever seen. Still, without question, one of the most clever takes on popular media.
The developer decided to transform a piece of media that was horrific in the production sense into something horrifying. The Thirstiest Time of Year is a meme game in every sense of the word, where you can tell that everything was pieced together in a rush. That doesn't mean that it can't be entertaining, though. We've seen plenty of successes before!
Only One Question
So are we seeing the rise of a video game genre based on TV advertisements? Probably not. But the developer saw an opportunity here to turn one of the most cultishly polarizing Sprite ads into something playable. The premise speaks for itself - the Christmas ghost of LeBron James is at your door, and he's got a question that he won't let up. "Do you want a Sprite Cranberry?"
The game doesn't last more than a few minutes and has very elementary mechanics. Players will awaken to the sound of vigorous knocking, only to look out the window and find LeBron outside, trying to break into your home. There's something a little eerie about the whole setup, actually making players feel uncomfortable. You'll have to find a way to escape your home.
LeBron will chase you down, where players are armed with cans to make him fall and delay your inevitable demise. If he catches up, he'll swing at you, and it's lights out. It's all visually and mechanically a simple game that won't last more than a few minutes and provide a few scares and chuckles, but that's about it. You won't get anything more out of this title.
The big picture of game critique wouldn't precisely highlight The Thirstiest Time of Year as a blockbuster. However, it's a title worth playing simply for the art. If we want to overanalyze it, the game is a commentary on social nuances. It is transformed into a piece of playable media remarkably cleverly.
Do You Want a Sprite Cranberry?
But let's not forget that The Thirstiest Time of Year isn't going to break boundaries. It's still a meme game where you'll play it, share a laugh, and leave it never to be touched again. The title doesn't exactly live up to similar games like Slender, which features a high level of replayability and some seriously terrifying moments. Avoiding Sprite Cranberries isn't precisely a theme shrouded in darkness.
However, that's no reason not to play The Thirstiest Time of Year. It's a little title lovingly made by a solo developer who wants to share his joy with the world. You can get it for free and enjoy a silly playthrough for a few minutes, then await the next meme game that will inevitably arrive.
Round-Up - Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Great concept for a game
- Easy-to-play to get the maximum enjoyment from the idea
- It doesn't overplay its welcome
Cons:
- Visuals are assets threaded together from other places
- The game will be over in a few minutes
- Not much replayability factor