Homebody Review: The Fear of Isolation (PS5)

Homebody is the newest game to come from popular YouTube channel GameGrumps, the second game they’ve developed. The first being 2017’s Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator. Homebody is a huge departure from their previous offering. A psychological horror puzzle game set in a strange old Pennsylvania house, home to a demented creature who really loves killing you.

Homebody is part classic horror love letter, part contemporary commentary on the struggles of anxiety and isolation. The timed nature and limited structure make you feel the stress the main character, Emily, is feeling. And the scenes that dive deeper into her psyche and backstory help you get attached to this semi-successful artist. It’s not long until you actively want to see her survive this nightmare.

However, that can’t be said for everything. A lot of the side characters feel superfluous, only there to die. Also, as indie games tend to do, a majority of the game’s story is conveyed through half-truths, riddles, and symbolism that can easily be missed by those not fully committed to the world. The cyclical nature of the game can also be annoying to some players and pull them out of the experience. On top of that, the game stops being scary rather early on as you focus more on solving the puzzles. The killer quickly goes from terror to annoyance, compounded by long cutscenes after you die that only sometimes add relevant information, though it’s mostly just more symbolism.

Homebody is available on Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox One & Series X|S, PlayStation 4 & 5, and Nintendo Switch for $19.99. 

This review contains minor spoilers for Homebody.

Story – Groundhog Night

Homebody follows the introverted Emily as she reconnects with her old friends at a creepy house to watch a meteor shower. Things go alright, if a bit awkward, for a couple hours. Then, the power goes out and Emily and all her friends are brutally slaughtered. And that’s where the story begins. Every time Emily dies, she restarts the night at 7 PM. From that point on, the goal is simple: Escape. 

However, that is much harder than you think. The house is filled to the brim with puzzles that you have to solve. And the Homunculus chasing after you gets smarter as time goes on. Not only that, but the puzzles get more convoluted as you dig deeper into the mystery of the house and of your own mind. 

Homebody doesn’t have much of a main plot. You just infer a lot of the main story through symbolism and vague flashbacks. There’s not even a proper explanation at the end. However, the final cutscene does clear things up. Given you’ve been paying attention. While the game suffers from the way too common indie game pitfall of gratuitous symbolism because explaining things isn’t high brow enough, there’s enough interest to keep you going. 

Emily, the main character

Gameplay – Residence Evil

Homebody is Resident Evil without the survival elements. All that leaves is a house full of puzzles. 

The game consists of three main acts, all with a different main goal and puzzles to solve. The puzzles and the time loop are the two main mechanics of this game, and they don’t always work together. There are a few events that go off at a set time in each loop, including when the Homunculus comes out. However, you are constantly on the clock with very little time to breathe. So it’s not for people who stress out easily.

Though, there are a few nice touches. There’s a menu that stores and connects important clues and solutions, and some puzzles remain solved in each subsequent time loop. Along with that, hints will be provided between loops, getting more detailed the longer it takes for you to figure it out. I do hope you keep a notepad handy, as some things are better written down. Warning: There is math involved.

These water pressure puzzles are easier with a notepad

However, not everything is great. The time loop element means certain aspects of the game become very repetitive, especially if you’re stuck on a puzzle for a while. Along with that, the Homunculus doesn’t stay scary for very long. It adheres to a schedule for most of the game. So it becomes accepted and expected rather than a terrifying force. Also, it might be overwhelming for some players. Lots of things are available right from the start, and it’s not very clear where to begin. Finally, the game uses fixed camera angles, which are always annoying.

Graphics & Sound – Children of the Elder Gen

Homebody is an homage to classic PS2-era survival horror in the best and worst ways.

The game goes for a mix of pixelated graphics and smooth, unpolished 3D models. The best way I can describe it is that the characters look akin to Xbox 360 avatars. Though, that’s not a bad thing. Games don’t have to look hyper-realistic to be good. Emily isn’t nearly as polished as, say, Frey from Forspoken. But she’s a well-rounded and realistic character, which is all that really matters at the end of the day.

However, it does have its issues. The Homunculus design is unique and creepy, though not enough to really elicit any strong reactions for a sustained period. And the lack of some detailed animations and voice acting robs some moments. 

The Homunculus

The sound design is great though, aside from the lack of voice acting. There’s a plethora of unnerving sound effects and ambiance to keep you on your toes. Though the ominous chimes of the clock every hour can get a bit annoying, given how often you have to hear them. So while the graphics and sound design are nothing groundbreaking, they are perfectly serviceable for the size and price of the experience.

Homebody was reviewed on PS5 with a key provided by reverbinc.com