Christmas Nightmare is a horror game developed by the indie game developer named JustTomcuk, who has previously given us atmospheric games like In My Head, Abandoned Souls, and There’s Something in The Ice. It is a very short-duration game that takes place inside a house, around the time of Christmas, and attempts to make the cozy, cold, cheerful days of Christmas unbearably creepy and scary. Let’s find out whether this nightmare will haunt you forever or get lost in the mysterious depths of countless goofy horror games found in Steam’s indie game section. Here’s our review of Christmas Nightmare.
Christmas Nightmare Review
1. A horrifying nuisance is inside your house
The game has only one horrific aspect, i.e., a weird-looking alien-like creature who lurks in the darkest corners of the house and pounces on you whenever it pleases. This creature is going to cause unprecedented gore in the house, making your house look like a canvas for the devil. There is blood spilled everywhere, blood-stained letters, floors, and walls, and a sense of dread spread across the house. You’re going to feel like you’re Kevin McCallister, except a bloodthirsty alien is posing a threat to you instead of the wet bandits, i.e., Harry and Marv. The entire situation feels like you’re trapped with a satanic entity who is trying to sacrifice you to summon the devil.
2. The loneliness of the streets have an eerie effect
Snow-covered streets that are gorgeously illuminated by the street lamps, hope-inspiring music playing in the background, snowflakes aggressively swaying with the gusts of wind, decorated trees, and the ambient sounds of wind combine to create an oddly peaceful yet mysteriously eerie vibe. You are going to feel lonesome while walking these unevenly lit streets; these streets are a beautiful amalgamation of peaceful winds & terrifying solitude. The comforting feel of a walk out in the cold is beautifully portrayed in Christmas Nightmare. It makes you feel like you’re taking a therapeutic walk by yourself, but you also feel like, “It’s weirdly calm out here. Let’s head back home”.
3. There are effective jumpscares waiting for you
If you are a seasoned horror gamer and have played games like Outlast, Resident Evil 7, Amnesia: The Bunker, or even Silent Hill 2, then you might not feel as excited while playing this game. However, if you are new to horror games, then Christmas Nightmare could work as an affordable introduction to the genre. For a while, you might think that nothing is happening, but then there are going to be 2-3 jumpscare moments where your life will flash before your eyes. There is a great atmospheric vibe, a brilliant use of pitch-black darkness and anticipation, but a lack of heart-palpitating moments that will make you scream with terror.
4. The visuals look quite nice
The glistening of the metallic surfaces upon lumination, the dense texture of snow dunes, the gritty visual appeal of the dried-out tree branches covered with snow, the vibrant colors, and the beautiful contrasts of pitch darkness and blinding lights look jaw-droppingly gorgeous. The visuals are so earthy and well-polished that you’re not going to feel like it’s an indie game. The textures of gore look unbelievably real. Overall, Christmas Nightmare is a treat for the eyes and your wallet.
Overall, we review the game a respectable 3 out of 5. The reasons for the 2 reduced points are its lack of horrifying moments, short duration, and average storyline.
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