There’s a creeping dread that settles in when a game makes you question whether you’re truly in control or if some unseen force is nudging you along, watching you squirm.
From the team behind Nobodies and Kelvin and the Infamous Machine, Slender Threads thrives on that exact unease.
It’s a slow-burning mystery, equal parts eerie and darkly funny, that constantly pulls the rug out from under you just when you think you’ve found solid footing.
Welcome to Villa Ventana – Population: Unsettling
Our reluctant protagonist, Harvey Green, isn’t exactly leading a thrilling life. He’s a travelling book salesman – because nothing says thriving industry quite like selling books door-to-door in the digital age.
His latest stop is the seemingly quaint coastal town of Villa Ventana, the kind of place that, at first glance, seems perfectly normal. But scratch the surface, and you’ll find a town teetering on the edge of something far more sinister.
What starts as an unremarkable pit stop quickly spirals into a waking nightmare. People vanish, and strange symbols appear.
And Harvey begins to suspect that he’s not just passing through—he’s been ensnared in something far bigger than himself, something that doesn’t particularly care whether he makes it out alive.
I first encountered Slender Threads through its demo, and even then, it was clear this game was something special.
The full release builds on that foundation, weaving an engrossing, slow-burning horror that never lets up. It’s the kind of game where even the most mundane interactions feel like they’re leading to something dreadful. Spoiler: They usually are.
A Nightmare with a Sense of Humour
From the very start, Harvey is haunted by a vision: his own severed head mounted on a wall alongside a growing collection of other unfortunate souls. Each time a local meets a grim fate, another head joins the macabre display.
It’s not exactly the kind of vacation scrapbook you want to be a part of. His only lead? A woman named Lena who might just hold the key to the nightmare unravelling around him.
Despite its oppressive atmosphere, Slender Threads never loses its wit. The game masterfully balances horror with humour, keeping the tension high while allowing for moments of bizarre levity.
One moment, you’re sifting through eerie visions of doom; the next, you’re in an absurdly mundane conversation. The writing is razor-sharp, packed with dry wit that makes even the bleakest moments strangely entertaining.
A Town That Breathes (And Lurks)
Villa Ventana is the kind of fictional town that feels eerily plausible. Whether you’re fast-travelling via its beautifully illustrated map or wandering through its streets, there’s an uncanny realism to it all.
Pigeons scatter as you approach. Shadows flicker at the edge of your vision. Puddles ripple when you step through them; tiny details that make the world feel alive… or at least like it’s watching you.
And while not every object you can interact with is vital to the plot, they all add to the immersion. Let’s be honest; half the fun of adventure games is clicking on everything to hear the protagonist’s sarcastic commentary.
The Point, Click, and Pray Approach
Gameplay-wise, Slender Threads sticks to classic point-and-click sensibilities. You’ll collect an assortment of seemingly random inventory items and put them to use in increasingly convoluted ways.
Thankfully, the game never lets your inventory balloon into a mess of unusable junk. Once an item has served its purpose, it’s gone. No second-guessing whether you need to backtrack to use that fish-shaped wrench on an unrelated puzzle.
When it comes to puzzles, in Slender Threads, they range from intuitive to “I’ve clicked everything, help,” but there’s a handy notebook-based hint system for when frustration starts to creep in. It’s a nice touch that keeps the game moving while still making you feel clever for figuring things out.
Atmosphere That Lingers (Whether You Want It To or Not)
A game like this lives or dies by its presentation, and Slender Threads absolutely nails it. The blend of 2D and 3D visuals creates a striking diorama-like effect, drawing you deeper into its unsettling world.
Characters sport exaggerated, almost puppet-like designs, their pearl-like eyes and boxy features only adding to the uncanny feel of it all. The voice acting is excellent, with every line delivered in a way that enhances the game’s offbeat charm and creeping dread.
The orchestral score is equally impressive, seamlessly shifting between moody, ominous compositions and moments of deceptively lighthearted tension. Nothing makes you question your safety quite like a cheerful violin cue right before something goes horribly, horribly wrong.
Final Thoughts: A Must-Play for Fans of the Strange and Supernatural
Slender Threads isn’t out to revolutionise the point-and-click genre, but what it does, it does exceptionally well. It’s eerie, engaging, and laced with just enough dark humour to keep the existential dread palatable.
Some puzzles could use a bit more clarity, but overall, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who loves atmospheric, story-driven adventures with a supernatural twist.
If you enjoyed this review then be sure to stay tuned over the next couple of days for our interview with the developers where we dive a little deeper into what inspired Slender Threads.