The Haunting Of Joni Evers Is A Atmospheric Wonder That Works Great As A Narrative But Less So As A Game (Review)

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As a horror gamer, I’ve noticed something interesting: good horror games, especially the ones that really focus on story, always seem to be walking a tightrope. They need to scare you right now with creepy stuff happening, but they also need a really good mystery that pulls you in and feels satisfying when you finally figure it out. It’s a tough balance to strike!

The Haunting of Joni Evers excels at telling a deeply emotional story, enhanced by its beautiful visuals, voice acting, and music. While the game builds suspense effectively, its horror aspects aren’t as memorable. Overall, it’s a strong visual novel and mystery, but doesn’t quite succeed as a horror game.

Review: 3/5

Pros: Cons:
Strong writing and a compelling lead performance keep the game emotionally effective. “Walking Simulator” gameplay can become repetitive.
Great graphics and music lend to the sense of atmosphere. Scares take a backseat to narrative, speaking to an uneven balance in terms of gameplay and storytelling.
A surprisingly emotional core gives The Haunting of Joni Evers a solid thematic narrative. Short run-time.

The Haunting Of The Evers House

“The Haunting of Joni Evers” is more successful as a story-driven experience than a traditional game. Its strong atmosphere works well as a ‘walking simulator,’ even if the scares lose some impact over time. Though its slow, deliberate pace won’t appeal to everyone, the compelling story creates a creepy and emotionally resonant experience. The game centers around Joni Evers, who returns to her family home and begins to uncover secrets about her family’s past—and the lasting trauma experienced by herself, her sister, mother, and grandmother.

Throughout the game, Joni follows glowing lights and is stalked by the unsettling Skull Man, who can manipulate the house itself. The most interesting part of the experience is uncovering the hidden history of the Evers family, and the story is captivating enough to hold your attention, particularly as the house becomes more frightening and the Skull Man’s influence grows.

The game’s stunning visuals create a realistic and captivating world that begs to be discovered. It cleverly uses glowing text to draw players further into a story that explores the connection between trauma and horror. As the game’s central message becomes clear, the narrative takes a surprisingly touching turn, making it even more engaging. This all culminates in a powerful and satisfying finale, where Joni confronts not only the evil within the house, but also the deep sadness she’s carried for years.

Causeway Studios has created a fantastic game with a strong story, impressive visuals, and a genuinely creepy atmosphere. All of these elements come together to make a truly captivating experience. If you enjoy story-focused horror games, The Haunting of Joni Evers is a powerful and emotionally resonant choice.

Slow And Steady

The Haunting of Joni Evers tells a good story and lets you explore effectively, but the gameplay itself can feel repetitive after a while. Everything moves slowly, which fits the game’s focus on uncovering the house’s history. Instead of fighting monsters, you’ll be piecing together the stories of those who lived there before.

The Skull Man can create some startling moments by changing the surroundings, but these tricks become predictable after a while. Mostly, The Haunting of Joni Evers is a game where you walk around and explore a large mansion, focusing on finding clues and uncovering the story. If you’re hoping for a fast-paced, action-packed horror experience, this game might feel a bit too slow.

The game is fairly brief, taking just a few hours to finish. This works well with its story-focused design and prevents the core gameplay from becoming stale as you discover the secrets of the past. However, some players might find the experience a bit too short overall.

Haunted By More Than Just Spirits

When The Haunting of Joni Evers focuses on storytelling – much like a visual novel – it truly shines. The game prioritizes narrative over typical horror gameplay, and Kelly Pekar delivers a strong performance as Joni, effectively portraying her anxieties and past experiences as players investigate her family’s history. These emotional scenes are the game’s strongest points, creating a genuinely unsettling atmosphere that complements the story.

The game unfolds gradually, mirroring its narrative, though the scares lose some impact over time. While not the most thrilling horror game available, The Haunting of Joni Evers offers a deeply emotional experience best enjoyed when players immerse themselves in its atmospheric soundtrack and captivating visuals.

While this method successfully builds the story and mood, it can feel a little slow at times. Players hoping for constant thrills and jump scares might find it lacking, but they’ll likely still appreciate the intriguing story of Joni Evers uncovering the past. Ultimately, The Haunting of Joni Evers is a well-crafted mystery that works better as an interactive story than a traditional horror game. It’s a strong narrative experience where the deliberate pace of the story is reflected in the gameplay, which is both a strength and a weakness.

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2025-11-01 02:41