60%PC

Reasonable collectable game. I wish there was more to the actual gameplay because a few more levels would have been enjoyable. As it is, it's just okay.

60%PC

just a cute, short horror, felt like a ps1 demo

60%PC

A good atmospheric cabin with some good PS era stylisations. It is a shame there is no major gameplay in the game and just ends up being a simple collectathon

80%PC

A pretty good game. Spooky vibes but nothing really spooky beyond that. I would even recommend this to people who don't like horror games.

80%PC

Spooky cute vibes with funny writing and a satisfying ending. Can't ask for much more in a 20 minute game.

8/10
Game #72 of 2024, December 7th

30%PC

The animation was good for what the game was trying to do and the premise of "Animal Crossing but it's a horror game about a rental house" is promising. The opening section of it was alright as well. But the notifications to click on stuff often don't make sense and lead to you hearing the same flavor dialogue over and over, the VHS interruptions didn't lead to much, they left the "good place to hide" line in even though nothing came of it, the mirror maze section was an absolute nightmare for no reason, and the ending was anticlimatic and didn't make much sense. What a waste, but 3 points for the animation (when in 3rd person) and the set-up/opening.

65%PC

The Spooky Animal Crossing art style is fun but other than that nothing to ride home about here. There's charm but I think the scares could have been a bit stronger. I won't over criticize though since it was just a silly game jam game.

6.5/10

85%PC

Cool vibe for sure. I can see it being real good if they expanded.

65%PC

fun game just too short

60%PC

Headspace for rent.

85%PC

Neat horror experience, especially the maze near the end of the game. Furthermore, the game does a great job on keeping you on edge

60%PC

I review games with all games starting at 5/10 (Average) and then deduct/add for negatives and positives:

Overall Thoughts:

Rental is one of those games where it's a neat idea at an indie jam and then eventually gets a small release after being brushed up a little. Initially made for the 32 Bit Game Jam in 2022, The Animate Project, Lonely House and Astrolabe games released this in 2024.

Being a small game and notable is hard and nothing Rental does is unique or particularly interesting it's a game built from a sort of sport of game making, but besides that there is a charm and elegance to the game that was just nice to see.

Graphics and music were well made and it fits my love of the retro aesthetic on a 32bit system ala Silent Hill and other Playstation Era games. There seemed like a decent placement of assets and the dialogue was tongue in cheek enough to get a chuckle once or twice.

Recommend:

Yes, it's free!

Positives:

+Great aesthetic and cohesiveness everything is well put together

+1

Negatives:

Nothing really negative to say

6/10

70%PC

A short game where the house which you are renting It's not what is supposed to be. Since the game is so short you won't have an amazing plot, but the atmosphere and vibes are really good nonetheless, It can make you be on edge without the needing of cheap jumpscares. The mirror zone can be a bit annoying until you grasp what is happening.

Pirika Pirilala Poporina Peperuto

60%PC

Rental is a very bare bones experience that makes it evident that it is something from a game jam, honestly the game has so little to it that it doesn't really make sense. The developer supporter DLC has more lore than the actual game itself which really should have made it's way into the game given the gap between the 2022 game jam and the 2024 release. The gameplay and scare (singular) are nothing unique but to be honest that makes the ending hit better its a cliche ending that is usually derided for being lazy writing. Though ultimately its a free, stylized, 14 minute game which makes it hard to fault the game because it's very honest about what it is. A fleshed out version of this game could be something special but a lot needs to be built upon here.

90%PC

Nice short story with some scary moments. Nice to try.

80%Linux

A really cool little short experience :D