Loading into Crow Country, by SFB Games, and after looking at the online store, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As a retro horror game, I was intrigued to see what was in store for this one, as it isn’t something that I would usually gravitate to – but I am sure glad I did. As the game starts, the screen rewinds from 2024 back to 1990 – a clever touch that sets the nostalgic tone perfectly for the player.

Once the rewind is complete, three options appear on the screen; Survival Horror, Exploration Mode, and Murder of Crows, with each promising a unique experience. Survival Horror should be self-explanatory, but it offers the traditional experience of trying to stay alive while solving the mystery. Exploration removes the horror and blood, letting you focus on the puzzles and making it relatively family-friendly, while Murder of Crows ramps everything to ten, testing the player’s skills and pushing them to their limits.

You arrive at the Crow Country theme park as Mara Forest, a special agent tasked with finding Edward Crow, the missing owner of the now-derelict theme park. Following its sudden and mysterious closure, your mission is to uncover the secrets hidden within its grounds and try and piece together what actually happened. The journey unfolds across a pseudo-open-world map, in that there’s a loading screen between every scene, filled with clues, puzzles, and resources to scavenge.

Navigating through dilapidated rides and abandoned attractions, the atmosphere of the once-thriving theme park draws you in, enhancing the sense of mystery and suspense around every scene.

Each clue you find brings you closer to unravelling the dark happenings, leading to what actually happened at Crow Country, and closer to finding Edward Crow – even if it is through the old Polaroid photos lying around the grounds, though this is just one of the types of clues you can find.

There is no keymap or instructions on how to navigate Crow Country, but after experimenting with some buttons, I found the controls standard for most games of its genre. The game mode you choose at the start sets the scene for the intensity and frequency of horrors within the theme park, with challenges escalating in numbers and difficulty as you delve deeper into solving the mystery.

You’ll have to use your observational skills throughout your time in the park to solve an array of obstacles and puzzles, including the odd bear trap on the path that keeps you on your toes. There is also a slight survival aspect to the game – I discovered a med pack in a toilet cubicle and a red dot sight on the floor for my pistol, emphasizing the importance of scavenging for items, ammo, and medicines, and adding a layer of strategy and resource management, enhancing the overall experience of the indie game.

In contrast, most puzzles can be solved with items conveniently located near each other on the map, so you don’t have to search far before moving on, and this thoughtful design choice from SFB Games keeps the gameplay smooth, preventing a lot of frustration and allowing you to maintain a decent pace as you work your way to discover the dark secrets of Crow Country.

The graphics in Crow Country are on point for a retro title; exactly what you’d expect from a 90’s game, yet they manage to still be visually appealing by today’s standards. They’re keeping it simple, but maintaining a good level of detail.

Rubbish scattered around the park grounds, rusty and run-down fair rides, and worn-down shops all contribute to the immersive environment. It’s detailed without having too much detail, and SFB Games strikes a perfect balance in this contradiction.

An isometric third-person helps with the retro-detailed effect, offering a top-down perspective that allows you to appreciate the intricacies of the environment. The classical graphic style not only captures the essence of the era but also adds a layer of charm and authenticity to the eerie abandoned theme park. Complementing the visual experience is the game’s audio design, blending eerie soundscapes with subtle ambient noises. The classical horror background soundtracks, lonely footsteps, and crows barking, its all there, and it helps to keep you on edge as you navigate around the abandoned park.

If you’re looking to rewind the clock and journey back to the golden era of gaming to remind yourself of what games looked like in your youth, look no further than Crow Country. With its engaging storyline and charming gameplay, it offers an engaging adventure through a world of horror and guided adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer reminiscing about the classics, or an eager newcomer looking to experience the magic of retro gaming, Crow Country promises a journey fuelled by mystery, intrigue, and good old-fashioned fun.

Will I continue my journey and explore the other game modes? It wasn’t initially on my radar, but Absolutely! The team at SFB Games has found the perfect balance of fun and adventure, making for a very enjoyable gaming experience.

Written by: Mikey B