2024 Review: Exit 8 is the perfect “baby’s first horror game” to dip your toes into the genre

Ever felt curious about horror games but too scared to try? Enter Exit 8, your friendly neighborhood “baby’s first horror game.”

This unique title blends spot-the-difference puzzles with a spooky atmosphere, creating a perfect introduction to the horror genre.

Set in a mysterious subway, Exit 8 challenges you to spot subtle changes in your environment. No jump scares, no chasing monsters just a growing sense of unease that’ll give you goosebumps without the nightmares.

Developed by KOTAKE CREATE, Exit 8 offers a gentle dive into psychological horror. It’s the ideal way to dip your toes into the genre without getting in over your head.

Ready to face your fears… sort of?

Some sort of information in table:

FeatureDescription
Game TypeSpot-the-difference horror
DeveloperKOTAKE CREATE
PublisherActive Gaming Media
PlatformsPC, Nintendo Switch
Price$3.99
Playtime15-45 minutes per run
Scare LevelMild, psychological
ReplayabilityHigh due to randomized anomalies

What is Exit 8, and why should you care?

2024 Review: Exit 8 is the perfect “baby’s first horror game” to dip your toes into the genre

Exit 8 is essentially a spot the difference game wrapped in a creepy, atmospheric package. Developed by KOTAKE CREATE and published in collaboration with Active Gaming Media, this game takes the familiar concept of finding differences and turns it into a nail-biting experience that’ll have you second-guessing everything you see.

The premise is simple: you’re trapped in an underground subway, trying to find your way out through eight levels of increasingly eerie corridors. Sounds straightforward, right? Well, here’s the twist to progress, you need to spot subtle changes in your environment. These changes, or “anomalies” as the game calls them, can be anything from a shifted poster to a mysteriously appearing figure in the distance.

What sets Exit 8 apart from other horror games is its gentle approach to scares. There are no jump scares here, no monsters chasing you down dark hallways. Instead, the horror comes from the growing sense of unease as you realize things aren’t quite as they should be. It’s this subtle approach that makes Exit 8 the perfect “baby’s first horror game” for those wanting to dip their toes into the genre without diving headfirst into nightmare fuel.

Exit 8; You’ve definitely been here before

As you start your journey through Exit 8, you might find yourself experiencing a strange sense of déjà vu. The game’s setting a seemingly endless corridor in an underground subway taps into that universal feeling of being lost in a familiar yet unsettling place.

Remember that time you took a wrong turn in a mall and suddenly felt like you were in an alternate dimension where everything looked the same but felt off? That’s Exit 8 in a nutshell. The game brilliantly plays on our innate fear of the familiar becoming unfamiliar, a concept that horror aficionados might recognize from games like P.T. or the “I’m on Observation Duty series.

But don’t worry if you’re new to horror games. Exit 8 eases you into this unsettling world gently. Your first walk down the corridor serves as a tutorial of sorts. You’ll notice the man walking down the hallway, his briefcase swinging rhythmically. You’ll see the posters lining the walls, the doors leading to who-knows-where. It all seems normal until it’s not.

This gradual build-up is what makes Exit 8 so accessible to newcomers. It doesn’t throw you into the deep end of horror. Instead, it lets you wade in slowly, allowing you to acclimatize to its unique brand of psychological unease at your own pace.

How to play Exit 8: It’s all in the details

2024 Review: Exit 8 is the perfect “baby’s first horror game” to dip your toes into the genre

So, how exactly do you play Exit 8? Well, it’s all about observation and attention to detail. Your goal is to progress through eight levels, each represented by a section of the subway corridor. To move forward, you need to spot any changes or anomalies in your current level.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the gameplay:

  1. Observe your surroundings carefully on your first run-through. This is your baseline.
  2. Move forward if you think everything is normal.
  3. If you spot a change, no matter how small, turn back.
  4. Get it right, and you’ll progress to the next level. Get it wrong, and it’s back to the start.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But trust me, it’s trickier than it seems. The changes can be incredibly subtle. Maybe a poster has shifted slightly, or a door handle has changed color. Or perhaps there’s suddenly a creepy figure standing at the end of the hallway that definitely wasn’t there before (yikes!).

The beauty of Exit 8 is that it trains your eye to notice these small details. It’s like a workout for your observation skills, wrapped in a package of psychological horror. And the best part? There’s no penalty for taking your time. So feel free to scrutinize every inch of that corridor. Your sanity might depend on it!

There have been three corridors of no changes; it’s like high school testing all over again.

Remember those nerve-wracking moments in high school exams when you’d answered “C” three times in a row and started doubting everything you knew? Exit 8 recreates that feeling with spine-tingling precision.

As you progress through the game, you’ll inevitably hit a streak where nothing seems to change. The posters remain stubbornly in place, the doors don’t budge, and that businessman keeps walking down the corridor like nothing’s amiss. It’s in these moments that Exit 8 really starts to mess with your head.

You’ll find yourself second-guessing every decision. Surely something must have changed by now, you’ll think, squinting at the screen and analyzing every pixel. But has it really? Or is the game just lulling you into a false sense of security before pulling the rug out from under you?

This psychological mind game is where Exit 8 truly shines. It’s not about monsters jumping out at you or gore splattered across the screen. The real horror comes from within your own mind, as you grapple with uncertainty and paranoia. It’s a masterclass in psychological horror that even seasoned genre fans can appreciate.

But for those new to horror games, don’t worry. This mental challenge is part of what makes Exit 8 so engaging without being overwhelming. It keeps you on your toes without resorting to cheap scares, making it the perfect introduction to the psychological aspects of horror gaming.

It’s like a whacky horror version of Pokémon; you gotta see’em all.

If you’ve ever played Pokémon, you’ll be familiar with the drive to “catch ’em all.” Well, Exit 8 takes that concept and gives it a delightfully creepy twist. Instead of cute monsters, you’re collecting anomalies and trust me, some of them are far from cute.

As you progress through the game, you’ll encounter a wide variety of anomalies. Some might be subtle changes to the environment, while others could be downright unsettling appearances. And just like in Pokémon, there’s a certain thrill in discovering a new one.

But here’s where Exit 8 adds another layer of intrigue: once you’ve seen all the anomalies, the game lets you know. A small sign appears at the start of each level, indicating that you’ve experienced everything the game has to offer. It’s a neat feature that adds a collectible aspect to the game, encouraging replayability.

This “gotta see ’em all” aspect of Exit 8 is part of what makes it so addictive. Even after you’ve successfully navigated all eight levels and escaped the subway, you might find yourself jumping back in, curious to see if you’ve missed any anomalies. It’s this blend of horror and collection that keeps players coming back for more, even long after they’ve technically “beaten” the game.

The perfect balance of horror and accessibility

2024 Review: Exit 8 is the perfect “baby’s first horror game” to dip your toes into the genre

One of the most impressive things about Exit 8 is how it manages to be both a genuine horror experience and an accessible game for newcomers to the genre. It’s a delicate balance, but KOTAKE CREATE has nailed it.

For horror newbies, Exit 8 offers a gentle introduction to the genre. There are no jump scares to send your heart racing, no grotesque monsters to haunt your dreams. Instead, the horror is psychological, building slowly through atmosphere and tension. It’s the kind of horror that makes you feel uneasy rather than terrified, perfect for those who want to explore the genre without diving into the deep end.

But don’t think that means Exit 8 skimps on the horror elements. Far from it. The game masterfully builds a sense of dread and unease that even seasoned horror fans can appreciate. The repetitive nature of the corridors, the subtle changes in the environment, the growing paranoia as you second-guess every detail it all combines to create a genuinely unsettling experience.

This balance makes Exit 8 a versatile game that can appeal to a wide range of players. Whether you’re a horror newcomer looking to test the waters or a genre veteran seeking a unique psychological challenge, Exit 8 has something to offer.

The technical side: How Exit 8 looks and feels

Let’s talk about the nuts and bolts of Exit 8 for a moment. Visually, the game isn’t going to blow you away with hyper-realistic graphics or elaborate set pieces. But that’s not the point. The game’s relatively simple visual style serves its purpose perfectly, allowing you to focus on the subtle changes that drive the gameplay.

The corridors are rendered in enough detail to make spotting differences challenging but not frustrating. The lighting is key here the fluorescent glow of the subway lights creates an appropriately sterile and slightly off-putting atmosphere that contributes to the overall sense of unease.

Sound design in Exit 8 is minimal but effective. The hum of electricity, the echo of footsteps, the occasional unsettling noise it all works together to keep you on edge without resorting to cheap audio stings or loud noises.

In terms of controls, Exit 8 keeps things simple. You’re essentially just moving forward and backward, with the ability to look around. This straightforward control scheme makes the game accessible to players of all skill levels, allowing you to focus on observation rather than complex mechanics.

Replayability and value: Is Exit 8 worth your time and money?

2024 Review: Exit 8 is the perfect “baby’s first horror game” to dip your toes into the genre

One question that often comes up with indie games like Exit 8 is whether they offer enough content to justify their price tag. In the case of Exit 8, the answer is a resounding yes.

While a single playthrough of Exit 8 might only take you 15-45 minutes, depending on how quickly you spot the anomalies, the game encourages multiple playthroughs. Remember that “gotta see ’em all” aspect we talked about earlier? That’s a big part of what gives Exit 8 its replay value.

Each time you play, the anomalies are randomized, ensuring that no two playthroughs are exactly the same. This keeps the game fresh and challenging, even after you’ve successfully escaped the subway once or twice.

Moreover, at its price point (usually around $3.99 on platforms like Steam and Nintendo Switch), Exit 8 offers excellent value for money. It’s the kind of game you can easily pick up for a quick session when you’re in the mood for some light horror, or dive into for a longer session as you try to uncover all its secrets.

Who should play Exit 8?

After spending quite a bit of time with Exit 8, I can confidently say it’s a game that can appeal to a wide range of players. Here’s a quick breakdown of who might enjoy this unique horror experience:

  1. Horror newcomers: If you’ve always been curious about horror games but found most of them too intense, Exit 8 is the perfect starting point. It introduces you to horror elements gradually, without overwhelming you.
  2. Puzzle enthusiasts: At its core, Exit 8 is a puzzle game. If you enjoy brain teasers and paying attention to details, you’ll find a lot to love here.
  3. Casual gamers: With its simple controls and short play sessions, Exit 8 is ideal for casual gaming sessions. It’s easy to pick up and play for a few minutes at a time.
  4. Horror veterans looking for something different: If you’re tired of the same old jump scares and want to experience a more psychological form of horror, Exit 8 offers a refreshing change of pace.
  5. Nintendo Switch owners: Exit 8 is particularly well-suited to the Switch’s portable nature. It’s perfect for quick gaming sessions on the go.

In Closing: Is Exit 8 your ticket to the horror genre?

Exit 8 is a unique horror game that’s perfect for beginners. It combines spot-the-difference puzzles with a creepy subway setting, creating a psychological horror experience without relying on jump scares. You’ll navigate through eight levels, spotting subtle changes in your environment. The game builds tension through atmosphere and uncertainty, making it an ideal introduction to horror gaming. With its simple controls and replayability, Exit 8 offers great value for both newcomers and seasoned horror fans looking for a fresh take on the genre.

FAQ’s

Is exit 8 scary? 

Exit 8 is mildly scary, focusing on psychological unease rather than intense frights. It’s designed to be unsettling without being overwhelming.

Is escape first a horror game? 

“Escape First” is a different game. Exit 8 is the horror game being discussed here, which combines puzzle elements with a spooky atmosphere.

What is the scary game where you play as a baby? 

You might be thinking of “Among the Sleep.” Exit 8 doesn’t feature playing as a baby you explore as an adult in a subway setting.

What is the first scariest game? 

This is subjective, but many consider “Alone in the Dark” (1992) one of the first truly scary games. Exit 8 is a modern, gentler introduction to horror gaming.

Is exit worth watching? 

If you’re referring to Exit 8, it’s a game to play rather than watch. And yes, it’s worth experiencing, especially for horror newcomers.

Does Exit 8 have jump scares? 

No, Exit 8 doesn’t rely on jump scares. It creates tension through subtle environmental changes and psychological unease.

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