The Excavation of Hob's Barrow

 PC
The Excavation of Hob's Barrow Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

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  • Summary: The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a folk horror narrative-driven adventure. Explore the isolated moors of rural Victorian England as you uncover the mysteries of Hob's Barrow. The answers lie in the soil...

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Cubed3
    Oct 11, 2022
    90
    Narrative-driven adventure done right, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow goes from suspenseful to downright ghastly, with the in-between being filled with excellent writing, awesome presentation, and flawless atmosphere. Lovecraft meets Edgar Alan Poe, meets Pagan folk horror, in a point-and-click that won't challenge your puzzle-solving skills, but will masterfully play with your mind, and force you follow the main heroine's journey towards her inevitable demise. The actual game requires five or so hours. The experience will stay with you far longer.
  2. Ragequit.gr
    Sep 28, 2022
    90
    The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is an adventure of a rare "harvest", which, if it had been released in the golden age of adventures, would now be remembered as a top example of the genre. With its brilliantly written plot and a thrilling finale, Cloak & Dagger's creation has already carved out a lofty place among the best indie games of the year.
  3. Softpedia
    Feb 27, 2023
    85
    I had a great time playing The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow, so I’m compelled to recommend this to anyone who loves point & click adventure games. The outstanding voice-acting, stellar soundtrack and well-written story are easily among the best things this game has to offer. Hail, Abraxas Rex!
  4. Checkpoint Gaming
    Sep 28, 2022
    80
    With its skilled application of a foreboding atmosphere instead of cheap jumpscares, The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is the perfect game to lead us into the spooky season. It’s a well-crafted mystery that is creepy in all the right places, taking us back to a not-too-distant past of superstition. If you’re in the mood for a suspenseful tale of oft-overlooked folklore and themes of grief and loss, the Excavation of Hob’s Barrow gets my firm recommendation.
  5. CD-Action
    Oct 10, 2022
    80
    The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is charged with the aura of moors and local folklore. I really enjoyed taking part in the experience of the heroine stranded in a strange place were the real and supernatural worlds intertwine, but I also have to applaud logical puzzles and a really engaging story.
  6. GamesHub
    Sep 28, 2022
    80
    Despite this inevitable deflation, The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is a very strong and cohesive experience that deftly executes an absorbing folk horror atmosphere in virtually every moving part. No element of the traditional adventure game format is wasted, with every facet contributing to make it a focused and memorable journey, with a very strong identity. It’s the kind of game that immediately makes you want to play more adventure games.
  7. Edge Magazine
    Oct 6, 2022
    70
    This is a cautionary tale of what happens when our human need for answers overrides common sense - and its disturbing finale drives that home with commendably blunt force. [Issue#377, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Erta
    Jan 8, 2023
    10
    The game has been marvelous and fascinating until the very last moment. In this game you are playing as Thomasina Bateman, a young ladyThe game has been marvelous and fascinating until the very last moment. In this game you are playing as Thomasina Bateman, a young lady seeking to excavate the Hob's Barrow in order to complete her book on the Barrows of the East England.On her arrival she's warned by the locals not to seek the barrow as it can bring unfortunate events. but will she listen and break the promise she made with her father? The story itself is quite interesting and left me yearning for more as the excitement of what is yet to come was lurking beneath my skin everytime I put it down and decided I was done for the day. I, myself, love pixel games and I'd say the pixel art added a lot more to to the creepiness and although the game was in pixels it didn't take much of its details. One thing that I really enjoyed was the map. It gain access to fast travel and didn't cause many troubles while doing so. Although I suggest walking instead of fast travelling as it can trigger some scenes. The voice overs were charming and hearing them speak in perfect British accent was soothing to the ear and also the music. I have nothing bad to say about this game. 10/10 definitely will recommend it to anyone that I encounter.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best PC Game of 2022

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