TED is a free-to-play simulation that puts you in the shoes of John, the survivor of a train crash. The objective of this short indie survival horror seems straightforward: find your way out. However, there are obstacles and threats that the player will never see coming.

Its hyperrealistic set designs and use of atmospheric audio to set the environment make TED a fun and memorable indie experience despite its unusually short game time. If it hits your sweet spot, you might also want to check The Man from the Window, Fears to Fathom: Home Alone, or maybe Beware the Shadowcatcher.

Shock horror with a conspiracy premise

The first thing one would notice about TED is its graphics. For an indie game, it features surprisingly high-quality graphics. From the initial cutscene to the stage design, everything looks realistic at first glance. This is accompanied by smooth animations that work with the fast-paced gameplay and the chilling atmosphere that it creates. Lastly, the atmospheric sound effects keep the game eerie, even when nothing’s happening.

The gameplay itself is what extends the experience. There are a variety of puzzles to solve in order to progress. Unfortunately for non-puzzle fans, it offers minimal clues on what to do, making some puzzles especially challenging for supposedly casual players. Aside from puzzles, the game is a walking simulator with a few well-placed jump scares. The gap, timing, and positioning of these monsters make the game ultimately enjoyable.

Lastly, the main challenge with this game is its lack of content. Granted, it provides effective horror built on a rather simple premise. This hypes the game very well, and fans of the survival horror genre would definitely ask for more content. As it is, the game is only good for about 10 to 15 minutes, assuming the puzzles are solved quite quickly.

A quick fix for horror fans

If you’re a fan of horror games and looking for a quick fix to get your heart racing, TED is definitely up there. It’s a well-crafted indie title that strikes the balance between premise, video, controls, and audio. It feels like a triple AAA title. Unfortunately, the hype it generates gets cut quickly because of its short playthrough. Since it’s an indie title, make sure to check it out.