If you’ve ever wished Resident Evil and Silent Hill had a weird little baby… who grew up in an abandoned theme park… and then got really into puzzles… meet Crow Country.
This bite-sized survival horror gem throws you into a spooky, PS1-style nightmare full of creepy secrets, clunky-but-charming combat, and puzzles that’ll have you reaching for your notepad. It’s eerie, it’s clever, and it’s got that lo-fi retro vibe down to a science.
Don’t be fooled by the cutesy low-poly look; there’s something deeply unsettling lurking under the surface. And we’re 100% here for it.
🕵️♀️ So, what is Crow Country?
🎢 Step right up, horror fans!
Set in the mysteriously abandoned Crow Country theme park in 1990, you play as Mara Forest – a no-nonsense investigator with a mission: find missing park owner Edward Crow and figure out why this place went full creepy carnival. What starts as a spooky scavenger hunt quickly spirals into something way weirder, involving zombie-like monsters called “Guests”, cryptic gold-growing roots, and a sci-fi twist that hits like a sucker punch to the gut.
Think classic survival horror: fixed camera angles, limited resources, save rooms by fireplaces (because of course), and loads of notes to piece together a dark, twisted story. But it’s also full of charm, clever writing, and a surprisingly emotional core. Oh, and you can choose to play it with or without combat, depending on your vibe.
🎮 Meta Info
- Release Date: May 9, 2024
- Developer: SFB Games (aka the minds behind Tangle Tower)
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Survival Horror / Puzzle
- Played on: PS5
🔍 Our Thoughts: Puzzles, Pistols, and Pixelated Peril
If you’re a survival horror fan with love for the classics – Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and their fixed-camera forebears—Crow Country is like slipping into your favourite eerie jumper. The puzzles are a real standout: satisfyingly complex without feeling unfair, and they’ll have you scribbling down weird clues and codes like it’s 1998.
Weapon mechanics feel a little clunky at first – combat isn’t the star here – but it’s something you quickly adapt to. And the game rewards exploration in a big way. From hidden upgrades to lore-filled secrets, it’s packed with little “a-ha!” moments that make you feel smart for poking around.
🎢 Crow Country Review – A Creepy, Clever Throwback That’s Well Worth the Ride
As a longtime survival horror fan, I’ve played through countless haunted mansions, zombie-infested cities, and fog-covered towns. So when Crow Country promised a retro-styled return to the golden era of PS1 horror, I had to check it out. And I’m glad I did.
Developed by SFB Games, Crow Country is a short but satisfying horror experience that nails the atmosphere and puzzle-centric gameplay of the genre’s early days. You play as Mara Forest, an investigator exploring an abandoned theme park in 1990, uncovering buried secrets, dodging grotesque monsters, and slowly piecing together a surprisingly rich narrative. Think Resident Evil meets Silent Hill with a heavy dose of lost-in-time weirdness.
🧩 Puzzling Through the Past
What really stood out for me were the puzzles. They’re clever, layered, and just the right amount of tricky – enough to slow you down and get the gears turning, but never so obscure you want to throw the controller. They often require observation and intuition, which is something I miss in more modern, hand-holdy design.
🔫 Combat That Grows On You
Combat is functional, if a bit clunky at first. Aiming can feel stiff early on, but once you get into the rhythm – and unlock a few weapon upgrades – it becomes much more manageable. There’s also an exploration mode if you prefer to skip combat entirely, which I thought was a great inclusion for puzzle fans or those who just want to soak in the story.
🕵️ Secrets and Surprises
The game rewards curiosity. There are hidden upgrades, notes that flesh out the story, and secret puzzles that tie into both the gameplay and the lore. Plus, ammo and health packs are always handy to find – just rummage through bins or give vending machines a good kick. If you enjoy backtracking and uncovering every nook and cranny, there’s plenty here to enjoy despite the game’s relatively short runtime.
📖 A Dark Tale With Heart
Without spoiling too much, the story ends up going places I didn’t expect. What starts as a mysterious disappearance morphs into something more sci-fi and emotional, with some genuine twists and a surprisingly human core. It’s not just about monsters – it’s about guilt, identity, and what we leave behind.
🎯 Final Verdict
Crow Country doesn’t reinvent survival horror, but that’s kind of the point. It’s a loving tribute to a very specific era of gaming, wrapped up in a stylish, creepy package. If you’re into old-school horror games, especially the early Resident Evil titles, it’s definitely worth the few hours it’ll take to complete.
It may be short, but like any good theme park ride, it’s all about the experience – and Crow Country is a ride I’ll remember.
Rating: 8/10 – Short, spooky, and smartly designed. A must-play for fans of retro survival horror.
🏆 For the Trophy Hunters…
I’m something of a trophy chaser myself and I’m just one trophy short of the platinum – yep, the elusive S Rank completion. I’m tempted to go back for it, but I’ll admit: I’m not sure I’ve got the survival horror skills to pull it off. Still, for fellow completionists, there’s good replay value here if you’re up for the challenge.
👻 Loved Crow Country? Try These Next
If Crow Country left you craving more retro chills, creepy mysteries, and clever puzzles, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up a few games that scratch a similar itch – whether you’re here for the spooky vibes, survival horror nostalgia, or just really like unlocking doors with oddly shaped keys. 🗝️
🧟♂️ Resident Evil HD Remaster
The blueprint. Fixed camera angles, spooky mansions, and tense inventory juggling. A must-play if you somehow haven’t already.
🌫️ Silent Hill 2 (or the upcoming remake!)
Moody, psychological, and emotionally devastating. It’s the ultimate “lonely horror” vibe.
🎭 Signalis
A modern take on PS1-style horror with sci-fi, surrealism, and heartbreak. Like Crow Country, it’s short, sharp, and weird – in the best way.
🧩 Tormented Souls
Gory, gritty, and proudly old-school. Less subtle than Crow Country, but it scratches the same puzzle-heavy survival horror itch.
🎢 World of Horror
Stylised like a 1-bit manga, it’s full of cosmic horror and small-town weirdness. If you liked the creepy vibe and mystery-solving in Crow Country, this is a great match.
🛒 Where to Buy or Play Crow Country
Ready to brave the horrors of the abandoned theme park? Crow Country is available on:
- Steam (PC): Crow Country on Steam
- PlayStation 5: Crow Country on PS Store
- Xbox Series X|S: Crow Country on Xbox
- Switch: Crow Country on Nintendo Store
It’s digital-only for now, but fingers crossed for a physical edition down the line. (We’d totally buy that creepy box art.)
🤔 Crow Country FAQs – What Everyone’s Asking
If you’re curious about Crow Country but don’t want to dive into a full review, here’s a quick hit of the questions popping up online. Wondering how tough it is? How long it takes? Or if it’s more Resident Evil or Silent Hill vibes? We’ve got you covered with all the essentials, fast.
How difficult is Crow Country?
It’s fairly easy on normal mode, but puzzles provide a good challenge. Hard mode ramps up the difficulty for players wanting more tension.
Is Crow Country like Silent Hill?
Yes, it shares a similar eerie atmosphere and psychological horror vibe, mixed with retro visuals reminiscent of early survival horror games.
How long does it take to beat Crow Country?
Expect around 5 to 6 hours for a full playthrough, including exploring and solving most puzzles.
Is Crow Country a horror game?
Definitely! It’s a survival horror game with creepy monsters, unsettling environments, and a dark story.
Does Crow Country have jump scares?
A few! Some monsters pop out unexpectedly, but it’s more about building a creepy, tense mood than constant scares.
Is Crow Country like Resident Evil?
Yes, especially the early Resident Evil games with fixed camera angles, puzzle-solving, and resource management, but with its own unique twist.
🎮 That’s a Wrap on Crow Country
Whether you came for the puzzles, the park, or the pixelated monsters, Crow Country delivers a spooky-good time that’s short but satisfying.
Looking for your next creepy fix or curious about what other hidden gems are out there?
👉 Check out more of our game reviews here!
And hey – if you’ve played Crow Country, let us know what you thought in the comments! What was your favourite puzzle? Did the story surprise you too? We love hearing from fellow horror nerds. 💀💬