The Shadow Over Route 80

Alright. **The Shadow Over Route 80** is done and dusted. This is my kind of horror game: creepy, atmospheric, keeps you on edge; but doesn't throw jump scares at you. It's also a game that does a lot with a little. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3053409258 Visually, the game is pretty basic, but as you unlock events, the world starts to change, getting darker, creepier, and more evocative as you progress. The audio likewise is simple, but really contributes to your immersion into the experience. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3053409124 Ultimately, it's a walking simulator at its core, the bonus unlock notwithstanding. The first playthrough will probably take you longer than the advertised 15 minutes as you figure out where everything is, the actions necessary to trigger each part of the game, and the necessary sequence of events (modified slightly for each ending). Subsequent playthroughs will be in that 10-15 minute range though. Maybe a little less. There is a little bit of that old school point and click logic in solving a couple puzzles, but it's still fairly intuitive throughout. The best ending is also the worst ending (in a way), which I thought was kind of funny. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3053409314 **The Shadow Over Route 80** is fully Steam Deck compatible. B is your interaction button, R2 is your action button, Y toggles your flashlight, L3/R3 for movement. There was one bug during my playthroughs, where the flashlight didn't drop, so I had to end that specific playthrough early. I also note that picking up skulls from the ground can be a challenge. You have to position yourself just right or it won't give you the prompt. All in all, I thought this was a stellar experience and an example of Indie development done right. It's focused, accomplishes what it sets out to do, and doesn't overstay its welcome. I'd say cost vs value is there at retail price. [code]If you found this review helpful and would be interested in supporting my Curator group, it would be appreciated. Cheers. https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32549618/[/code]