20 people found this review helpful
1 person found this review funny
Recommended
0.0 hrs last two weeks / 2.3 hrs on record
Posted: 20 Sep, 2021 @ 7:11am
Updated: 24 Sep, 2021 @ 10:44pm

Curator page here--> DaRevieweD #135 <-- New review every Weekend

"A Vicious Cycle…"
https://gtm.you1.cn/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2607089010

Here's The Thing:
You are Sara, who’s preggers and bunking with a round-the-clock wasted boyfriend who never goes as far out as the bathroom. Anyway, so instead of getting her behind out that door, she decides to focus on that job interview for the next day but OH NO- no clean clothes to wear! So begins her little detour to the 24/7 laundromat where not only fear but blood washes over her~


[+] PROS;

:) A TYPICAL BASKET CASE… OR IS IT…!
The plot is already better and more tied-up than most slashers, but what I liked most was that it didn’t skimp on the details. For instance, there was the general rumor and modus operandi of the killer to start you off, then the additional background which is only revealed if you did some legwork a.k.a. stole the police’s job. Next, there’s a break to leave you room to speculate as to who the killer could be. Finally, the twist ending to spin all that load... and pull the plug.

Characters are also not THAT foolish and there’s a healthy mix of concerned neighbors, smarmy business owners, uggos, freaks and types that totally do not look like they have someone holed up in a basement. Doesn’t go for deadpan serious, it’s more of a satire but the pacing is reasonable like a washing machine, in that it takes its time and ends when you least suspect it~


:) SUDS TO BE YOU~
Be the protagonist of this horror flick and get some laundry done. While they rinse and dry in real-time, you can occupy yourself by playing violent minigames, listening to the radio, watching trailers, even reading actual comics, you know like a normie! Or I guess you could also do some questionable things like walking into an alleyway, dumpster diving or browsing the stores that are about to close for the day!

Perhaps you’d like to poke your nose and act like a copper to interrogate “perps” to see if they know anything about the string of disappearances and the old laundromat that burnt down… Enjoy this downtime because true to a slasher fashion, things hit the fan pretty soon and weirder, stalkery shi* seem to tail you around!! It is exactly like the length of those blood-soaked movies you watch but can stretch close to 2 hours if you’re feeling frisky for some achievements~

TIPS:
1) Advise? Get the laundry bit out of the way first.
2) Do in one go for full spooky experience.
https://gtm.you1.cn/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2607092224

:) OH LOOK AT THE TIME… BLOODY GOOD TIMES.
The PS1-era visuals remind and really place you in what seems like forever ago, assuming you lived through said decades. The cloudy textures bring out the flaky, run-down walls and make the stained bus seats to be even nastier. That and together with the decision to include as many obscure, black-and-white, old-timey shows and promotional material; which may or may not be legit works help convince of the setting.

In terms of audio, there is the impossible to not recognize “bloodletting” and “coming for yo ass” sound that has you without fail to look over your shoulder! That said, most of the time a combination of shrill and feedback-like noises cranked way too loud will keep you on edge. The voice cast deserve a round of applause for their campy but persuasive performances too~


:) WOMB-AN IN DISTRESS!!
Is it scary? Abso-friggin-lutely… It preys on your deepest fears by letting you know beforehand there is a serial killer is on the prowl, one with a very particular taste for expecting women. And then force you- who fits the bill, to walk around at night while as many creeps as possible invade, skulk and merely lurk around so you constantly have your guard up! Then the arresting coincidences of the tragic fate to a comic book character with whom you share similarities with… Little things such as those emphasize anything can happen to ANYONE.

When the jumpscares strike, they hit hard. Although a bit on the frequent side initially, it then relishes in driving tension to your shoulders as you brave whatever lies at the next corner. Or brace yourself for the shocks that don’t ever seem to drop!! It’s also not shy to bloody its hands with equal squeamish yet awesome kills. At one point, it was literally the penultimate final girl scene of every slasher- you’re familiar with the one whom you hurl expletives at for failing to catch on that the killer was behind them…!!! Channel your inner Jodie Foster~


[-] CONS;

:( WUT- IT ATE MY MONEY…!!!
Just kidding, I needed a subheading… But it has the capacity to do people dirty! For instance, there are no saves and so I wish a little heads up would’ve been nice! Progress is retained by chapters which are quite handy to get to once you unlock each one. However, I wish that there was some indication of sorts whenever a new chapter starts.

Just for players to know they’re in the clear to quit. For who exactly- I don’t know, maybe say someone suffered a mini heart attack or had some laundry to do of their own? I suppose it’s okay since it can be finished in one sitting, or their intention was that you’d be hooked into the action you wouldn’t even want to stop, which I could definitely see that~


:( THERE GOES THAT CLEAN BREAK~
All slashers are guilty of what I’m about to point out so it’s just a rant at this point- but come on, do we really need an antagonist that becomes less and less believable? Not to mention how there is sly hint of a sequel and you know exactly what happens to those!

I’m not going to even touch on the logistical implausibility of the still functioning deserted laundromat. I feel like it could have done without some of those platitudes when it already had so much going for it. But again, this is just an inconsequential creative difference~


BUGS:
x The black background prompted through examining documents or items of interest will sometime be bypassed.


NITPICKS:
~ When you play as the cop; examining any objects will still state that it is Sara who says them.
~ There’s a sound let out like a click right before sound effects and upon entry of new areas.
~ The vibration effect during the jumpscare bits should automatically be followed by the text after like 3 seconds in.
~ Instead of having to manually trigger them while said effect goes on indefinitely.
~ Technically you could finish it without learning much of anything and come to exact same conclusion!


"But That’s Laundry DIE For Ya~"
https://gtm.you1.cn/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2607096671

Last Words?
Slasher’s both a film throwback and needed horror palette cleanser for genre fans! Looks and plays like a classic, chances are you’ll feel like one too. Gruesome, worrisome and then some. WASH out~

If you are a huge horror movie buff of the 70s-80s and want to step back into that fine decade. If you want another short, bloodcurdling experience like Fears to Fathom: Home Alone but with more content and budget all for the price of a popcorn…! Or you just love a well-rounded scary game that will soil some laundry, then Bloodwash, lather, rinse and repeat~

9.2 / 10

Don't forget to follow my curator DaRevieweD for more games!!
Was this review helpful? Yes No Funny Award
7 Comments
pilk 11 Oct, 2021 @ 5:47pm 
sounds great! thanks dude!
DeadeGuard98 11 Oct, 2021 @ 5:44pm 
@wormpaste If you check out "Stay Out of The House" or any other Puppet Combo games from itchio, really!

I also mentioned one shorter version "Fears to Fathom: Home Alone" which is a free-to-play horror anthology!
pilk 11 Oct, 2021 @ 4:19pm 
What games would be similar to this? I loved it and would love anything similar.
DeadeGuard98 26 Sep, 2021 @ 7:17am 
@AviaRa I leave it to your interpretation XD

It was meant to be both actually, so das gud to hear ;)
AviaRa 26 Sep, 2021 @ 6:36am 
That head/mask on your last pic looks both creepy and funny at the same time.
DeadeGuard98 25 Sep, 2021 @ 7:37pm 
@garnetofeden GAH THANK YOU KINDLY~

That's alright- definitely not for everyone. But for me, I want to try out more Puppet Combo games because of this XD

I hope so too, again- thank you. Thank you~~ :ditrustlove::redblooddrop:
garnetofeden 25 Sep, 2021 @ 7:13pm 
Very well-written review! Well-written enough for me to know that this game is not for me since I cannot handle slashers lol, but I really hope it convinces fans to give the game a go!