Hi there, I am DragonExplosion and I am a Youtuber. If you like my comments, do leave a like and subscribe at my channel.
Being a horror game Youtuber that is not very consistent in my uploads XD, the only good thing about it is that I get to see the amount of progress and improvements that game creators have made along the years. The last time I played a horror game from TaintedPact Games was I believe, 4 years ago which was called "Weeping Falls Massacre". During this period of time, I missed out a lot of games created by the creator but what I am really happy about is that the creators never stopped the creation of horror games and have improved a lot since then.
Putting memories aside, I knew I had to play this game the moment I saw the name and design of the cover page "The Skin Stapler". The sound of the game itself was enough to attract my attention and play it myself. The game makes use of the classic VHS style graphics to tell a narrative story with amazing voice acting from the start until the end. Some of the more memorable voice acting for me was the Batman sounding main character (Dick), the maniac killer (The Skin Stapler) along with the other 2 characters we get to experience which are (Hexy) and (Blair). All their voice acting was great and really added on to the experience.
I have to say that VHS Retro Horror really appeals to me and I really enjoy horror games that puts in effort in telling a horror story in horror games. I liked that the game doesn't rush in each segment of the game, really putting in the effort in making each conversation with the killer a memorable one rather than a meaningless one. Every conversation added on to the creepiness and chills. Despite the addition of "mundane" tasks during Hexy and Blair's segments, the tasks weren't added on just for the sake of extending the duration of the game but it worked to intensify the mood of the game where the player would want to keep their eyes on the killer at all times to monitor the strange behaviour that the killer partakes in (I really liked that everytime you complete a portion of the tasks, the killer would behave differently as it added on to the creepiness).
I also liked the small details within the game such as being able to converse with every single person in the police station, all locations being properly furnished and designed, the hot dog alarm (Great Addition!) along with the polishing of bowling balls section. The music for the game was good too as it really suit the classic 80s/90s slasher music theme as well.
The cutscenes in the game was amazing as well. I wasn't too sure as to whether Hexy is all right after the toilet incident (I don't know if he is dead or he just fainted) but my favourite part of the demo was the cutscene of the "Skin Stapler" doing his work and interaction with Blair at the end. It was definitely terrifying to see the "Skin Stapler"s true face and how he performs his "Art". It makes the player instantly realise the insanity and how cold-blooded the "Skin Stapler" truly is.
Moving on to some things that I didn't like about the game was the sexualising of the hotdog consumption section as I guess there are definitely audience that would have a good laugh from it but it felt abit uncomfortable for me after each customer did the same action. It probably be more effective if there was some form of background/conversation as to why they eat the hotdog like that before eating in such a manner. Generally for the hotdog segment, I think the duration was all right for me but I think more could have been done with the customers to support the length of the segment. Having the customers converse about the "Skin Stapler" with Hexy to further push the horrors of the "Skin Stapler" may be a good idea. For the "Blair" section, I think it was done quite well overall and that the spraying of so much deodorant into the shoes really made me wonder whether the shoes needed so much deodorant.
Some thoughts from me generally regarding the next parts of the game would be the importance of leveling up the craziness of the "Skin Stapler" in the next few killings he performs while the 2 police officers get closer and closer to catching him. I would assume that both police officers are quite intelligent and that if the "Skin Stapler" doesn't make the next few killings harder for the police officers to trace, it would be quite quick before the "Skin Stapler" gets caught. Additionally, another important push for the game itself would be the narrative, especially the backstory of the "Skin Stapler". During Blair's conversation with him, there were already some information I would say that was being suggested about his reasons for killing people in such a gruesome manner but it will be cool if the backstory of the "Skin Stapler" was more of a tragic one or it could be an entirely nonsensical one depending on the creator's thought process for the killer.
Overall, I really enjoyed the game and can't wait to see how the main characters will pursue the "Skin Stapler" and how the "Skin Stapler" will continue his crimes while under pursuit.
Thank you for reading my loooonnnngggg comment and I wish you good luck in your future endeavours.