Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek from Publisher GameMill Entertainment and Developer PHL Collective
Classic Goosebumps with a new story not available in the book series. Different endings gives it replayability. Age appropriate challenge level on puzzles and game play.
A game based on R.L. Stine’s book series with an original goosebumps story. Filled with mysteries, monsters, haunted locations, puzzles, and spells.
You play as Sloane Spencer, a young teen caught up in a mystery that has taken over Little Creek, the small town. You work together with your friends to solve the mystery. You are equipped with a Slingshot that can be used on enemies as well as used to solve some of the puzzles or for hints to solve the puzzles. There are other items you will find while exploring the town, you will come across newspapers and notes which provide the exposition. You will also be able to find clues for the puzzles near most of the puzzles. Making the puzzles rather easy for older gamers but on theme for the Goosebumps audience being a little younger. The game is rated “Everyone 10+”. As the story progresses you will find a spell book that will also help you explore the town, using secret passageways, solve puzzles and get items. Some of the puzzles will reveal a new spell that will be needed to progress the story.
The story is easy to follow along with a few red herrings to keep you guessing till the end. While exploring the small town you will need to go to several of the town’s locations including the cemetery, library, gas station, and theater. It seems to us there are a few too many fetch quests and recycled locations having you circle back to the same place after getting a new spell in order to open a new path.
Most of the game can be played using the stealth mechanic to avoid the majority of the enemies. Alternatively, you can choose combat using your slingshot to take out most of the smaller enemies. There are different types of slingshot ammo to find and collect from vending machines or hidden in filing cabinets, drawers, and on top of desks. Some of these additional ammo types can be used to take out the larger enemies or for a distraction.
There are some times where using the stealth mechanic is the only way to get past the “boss” areas. At times the bosses will spot you and chase you. If this happens, you will need to run and find places to hide. This doesn’t always work though, as we have had times that the boss found us in the hiding spot and caused damage. This part seemed a little broken to us in some cases as the boss couldn’t have seen us enter the hiding place but somehow knew we were there to attack. Most of the time you will need to wait out the boss and watch their movement patterns till the coast is clear. We did have a few times where the boss kept going around in a circle blocking us in a room. None of this was game breaking as long as you have a health item; which the game has a lot of so that was never an issue.
We did notice a weird graphic issue. While using the slingshot and looking down, Sloane’s arms move through her body. It wasn’t game breaking but did look pretty weird.
The game has multiple endings based on choices you make during your gameplay. It’s always nice to see your choices matter in a game. Since the endings are based on the choices you have during the game and there is no “chapter select” it will require another full game playthrough.
Overall, we liked the story and puzzles. They are age appropriate for the target audience but older gamers may find them to be too simple.
Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek is available on Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Playstation and Steam. A digital copy of this game was provided to SimpleGameReviews for the purposes of reviewing the game.