Don't Scream is a free-to-play arcade game from Tomasz Pas. This is a survival-horror experience that plays on every child’s fear: playing a video game then suddenly everything turns dark. However, its varied gameplay modes are straightforward. The objective is the same regardless of the game mode: keep the creatures of the dark from reaching you.

The use of pixel art style makes Don’t Scream a casual, replayable experience you can enjoy whenever you like. However, the modes available do not differ that much, which would bore some players. It feels like Galaga Arcade, but horror.

Survive in the darkness

Don’t Scream offers a simple story. You take on the role of an innocent kid playing a horror video game at home. As the power runs out, you are left in the dark and you start feeling a shiver near you. Armed with a flashlight, you must keep all those creatures of the dark from reaching you. This story applies to all game modes, making it straightforward yet appealing.

The game offers two main gameplay modes: Arcade and Survival. In Arcade, your character is seated smack in the middle of the screen, and you drag him around to turn the flashlight in different directions. Survival places you at the bottom of the screen, swiping left and right to avoid enemies. Monsters in the game are always depicted as a pair of red eyes.

The game is good as an arcade experience. However, it gets repetitive. You only choose between rotating around to prevent enemies from reaching you or moving from side to side to avoid them completely. This, combined with the lack of any form of progression aside from setting personal records, leaves this with poor replayability. On the plus side, it’s perfectly playable for those looking to just pass the time.

Good for passing the time

Overall, Don't Scream is good for people looking to pass the time while enjoying some nostalgia. The presence of a child playing a video game and the need to defend him from creatures lurking in every corner makes for a straightforward premise. While the different game modes feel repetitive after a while, it’s still the kind of app you’d pick up every once in a while.