Stay Out of the House Review

Puppet Combo’s Reign of Terror Continues

So I may be biased because I love Puppet Combo games. I'm gonna do my best to not get all sentimental and talk about how Puppet Combo games remind me of my childhood and make me feel like I'm watching an 80’s Grindhouse horror film. But god dammit, if Puppet Combo games don't make you feel like a 10-year-old watching a movie you aren't supposed to be watching, then clearly your parents were cooler than mine.

Stay Out of the House is one of the latest releases developed by Puppet Combo. The game first went into early access in 2018 and was eventually fully released in October of 2022. With gameplay inspired by the DVLoper game Granny and characters and settings inspired by horror films like The Hills Have Eyes and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Stay Out of the House is sort of a two-for-one in a way. With “Night Shift’ acting as a prelude to Stay Out of the House. The game is broken down into four chapters. Each has its own vibe and setting. This game, for me, is a culmination of everything that makes Puppet Combo games so damn rad. This game isn't for the faint of heart or easily disturbed. This is a rugged, raw, retro badass horror game, and I live for this shit.

Stay Out of the House is a first-person perspective game featuring stealth and combat mechanics. Items are stored in a classic inventory system that we all should be comfortable with by now. With different puzzles and obstacles to power through, the game is full of tense and terrifying moments like the classic and effective jump scares you would expect from a Puppet Combo game. Loud, and chaotic. The sound design added to the tension and really made me feel like I was being stalked throughout this game. I highly recommend headphones and a dark room for this one.

You are given three days to escape the house. Each day acts as a life in the game. You have two chances with the butcher. If he catches you a third time, it's game over. Every time the butcher catches you the game changes slightly. So keep your wits about you and use the tools the game gives you to progress. You are given a sound meter to monitor your sound to help stay clear of the butcher. And a radar to help warn if the butcher is approaching. You have a pistol to help defend yourself, but don't count on it, ammo is scarce and the butcher will only flinch at those measly bullets. But you may have time to find a hiding place.

There is a great story that unfolds throughout the game, from the Night Shift intro to the very last chapter, the tension is at an all-time high. I genuinely felt as if I was watching a classic horror movie. And the filters Puppet Combo features on their games just add to that nostalgic vibe that I'm such a fan of. With multiple endings to achieve you have replay value and an opportunity to use a different filter and see how it changes the vibe and ambiance of this grindhouse horror game.

For me, this game is a bloody good time. I can't recommend this game enough, as well as every other Puppet Combo game. These games are proof that high-end graphics and a high price tag aren't what classifies a game as good or scary. Stay Out of the House brings the scares, blood, and nostalgic horror in a way that not many games can. Completely original, while still paying homage to the media that made us love this type of horror. If you haven't had the pleasure of delving into Puppet Combo games, Stay Out of the House is a perfect place to start if you have the guts to escape the butcher.

Learn more about Stay Out of the House by visiting the official website.

DEVELOPED BY:

Puppet Combo

PUBLISHED BY:

Puppet Combo

*This review was originally published in Issue #1 of Fearzine Magazine which was distributed in June 2024.

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