"Summer of '58" is a first-person psychological thriller game that takes place in an abandoned Soviet Young Pioneer camp called "Yunost" [1]. The game follows the story of Alex Morton, a video blogger who investigates paranormal phenomena around the world [2]. In the summer of 2008, Alex visits the abandoned camp at the request of his followers to explore the rumors of restless souls inhabiting the place [3]. Gameplay and Features
The gameplay is categorized as a "Walking Simulator" where the player walks through the abandoned camp, noticing changes, and uncovering the dark history of the place [4]. The game is divided into day and night sequences, with the days spent uncovering the story and the nights being more terrifying [5]. The player has to explore the camp, listen to the natural sounds, and find hidden objects to immerse themselves in the atmosphere [6]. Story and Atmosphere
The story revolves around the tragic events that occurred at the camp in the summer of 1958, where residents and counselors were killed, and one of the children was accused of being involved [7]. The game's atmosphere is designed to be frightening, with the isolation of the camp and the changing environment between day and night contributing to the tension [8]. The game's developer, Emika Games, has received praise for creating a terrifying experience with good pacing and jumpscares [9]. System Requirements and Availability
The game is available on Steam and requires a 64-bit processor and operating system, with minimum system requirements including an Intel Core i5-3470 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 processor, 8 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or AMD Radeon R9 280 graphics [10]. The game is priced at around $0.89 USD on itch.io and was initially available for $8.99 on Steam [11]. Reception and Criticism
The game has received positive reviews for its atmosphere, story, and pacing, with some critics noting that it relies heavily on jumpscares [12]. The game's short duration, around 60-90 minutes, has been criticized, and the developer has faced challenges due to the Steam refund policy, which has led to mass refunds and put the developer on hiatus [13].
The game "Summer of '58" is a first-person psychological thriller that offers a frightening experience with good pacing and atmosphere, although it has some shortcomings, including a short duration and reliance on jumpscares.
