The Park

 Xbox One
The Park Image
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 12 Ratings

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  • Summary: Lorraine is a single mother who has to locate her missing son, Callum, who has run into an amusement park called Atlantic Island Park just as it was closing for the day. Although she can occasionally hear him calling for her, she is unable to immediately locate him and she soon finds thatLorraine is a single mother who has to locate her missing son, Callum, who has run into an amusement park called Atlantic Island Park just as it was closing for the day. Although she can occasionally hear him calling for her, she is unable to immediately locate him and she soon finds that park has closed down despite her remaining inside. As she travels through the park calling for her son Callum, Lorraine begins to find notes and flyers that hint at the disturbing past of the park.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. MondoXbox
    May 9, 2016
    80
    A disturbing two-hour trip into the mind of a mother looking for her lost son, with great atmosphere thanks to the top-notch sound design.
  2. IGN
    May 4, 2016
    70
    The Park doesn’t really bring anything new to the horror table, but honestly, that’s okay. Its 90 minutes are filled with an impressive atmosphere, interesting themes, and spooky places to poke around. While some of the attractions are a bit long in the tooth, The Park provides enough tension and scares to warrant a playthrough from any horror fan.
  3. ICXM
    May 14, 2016
    70
    Overall, The Park is a fantastic game that everyone should experience.
  4. IGN Spain
    May 16, 2016
    65
    Interesting proposal that falls flat due being too short and shallow even for walking simulators.
  5. XBLA Fans
    Jun 2, 2016
    60
    The Park was my first entry to the genre, so I went in with an open mind, but as I gamer I do prefer my games to have less reading and more doing.
  6. Windows Central
    May 25, 2016
    60
    The Park threw me a curveball I never expected in its portrayal of severe mental illnesses and its ability to warp and distort reality. I really enjoyed the game as a whole, short as it is, but I feel my experiences with depression, and the fact I am a parent, will make me see something a little different to other players as maybe neither of these things are relatable to you. But the story is well told (when you can read the font), and without falling into a bad pun territory, it really is a ride I won't forget for a while.
  7. Gaming Age
    Jun 29, 2016
    16
    The Park is a lousy game that doesn't have any redeeming qualities, but it still isn't terrible enough that it at least has a "so bad it's good" trainwreck quality. No, The Park is just so bad that it's bad, and there's no reason for anyone, ever, to pick it up.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. GBHBL
    May 15, 2016
    9
    The short description that accompanies The Park is enough to get any horror game fan salivating.

    Set in a creepy amusement park hiding a    The short description that accompanies The Park is enough to get any horror game fan salivating.

    Set in a creepy amusement park hiding a dark & sinister secret. The Park is a one to two hour first-person psychological horror experience focusing on intense storytelling & exploration instead of combat & action.

    Don’t let the length put you off, The Park is an excellent & immersive walking-simulator. You play as Lorraine, a single mother who has been visiting Atlantic Island Park with her young son, Callum. Getting back to the car as the place is closing she realises they’ve left his favourite teddy bear inside. As she talks to the operator at the main entrance, Callum runs into the park.

    Lorraine is allowed to go after him…and this is where things get really interesting.

    Going up the long escalator the park changes before your very eyes. What was once a bright & sunny day has now become a dark & starry night, what was once colourful & exciting rides are now rusted & dangerous looking, the park has been abandoned right before your very eyes.

    Gameplay is limited, you can walk or run to try & catch up with the boy while picking up notes & other clues that have been left hinting at a much darker turn of events.

    You can also call out to Callum which can often give you visual or audio clues about what direction you should take.

    While you move around the park Lorraine will often talk about her experiences & difficulty being a single mother. The voice acting is excellent, she sells the hardships she has gone through well making her a very sympathetic character.

    At first it all seems ok but as the game goes on her narration begins to turn darker & much more troubled with her rant about how children should feel lucky & that Callum owes her everything leaving an uncomfortable feeling.

    A lot of scares come from the well built up atmosphere & odd jump scare. Often it’s just seeing something in the distance or an implied threat (such as the end of the Ferris wheel ride) but it is very effective.

    As well as walking around the park you can get on some of the rides often for more of Lorraine’s narration that add much more weight to the story. A few good scares come from these with the subtle swan head turn in the Hansel & Gretel story boat part being particularly awesome.

    That being said this ride in particular goes on for far too long, lasting over 5 minutes with no way to interrupt once you’ve started.

    It’s a minor complaint in a game that just drips atmosphere. The focus on Lorraine’s mental health left me cold & uneasy with the realisation that this was more than just a spooky park.

    It’s not a long game, I finished it in just under an hour & a half & there is little replay value (even achievement hunters can get the full 1000 in the first play-through without even trying) but for the time it does last it’s well worth every penny. I’d love to see this idea expanded on.    … Expand
  2. JTJSGamer
    May 5, 2016
    7
    This short and scary game offers you at the most 2-3 hours of game play, and a terrifying atmosphere that will give you a few jump scares thatThis short and scary game offers you at the most 2-3 hours of game play, and a terrifying atmosphere that will give you a few jump scares that will make you fall out of your chair.… Expand
  4. chuckyj1
    Aug 27, 2016
    5
    Don't buy this game without reading the description first. It is exactly as described. It is short as stated it does have a twisted ending andDon't buy this game without reading the description first. It is exactly as described. It is short as stated it does have a twisted ending and there is zero ways you can actually die. It is 100% based on the dark story telling aspect of the game. For me the game really didn't offer any real scares. There was a couple points in the game where they tried, but fell short. Interesting and twisted story, but with scares far and few between I was disappointed overall with this game especially with how dark the premise was and it already being geared towards adults. The only real question is if you get this game... Will you get all the Achievements in the 1st play through or second? Once all the achievements have been unlocked... There is ZERO reasons for another play-through... If this game was actually scary it could have an awesome ride. *please note I bought this game when it was on sale. I would not spend full-retail price on this game.* Unless you LOVE easy achievement pts.… Expand
  5. osprey
    May 8, 2016
    5
    Not a bad game but ridiculously short . Not enough here even for the $10 price. Cannot read the notes on console format. Should have addedNot a bad game but ridiculously short . Not enough here even for the $10 price. Cannot read the notes on console format. Should have added collectibles to give the gamer something more to do. Good idea but too little done with it.… Expand
  6. iozay
    Jun 28, 2018
    0
    Horrible game company that tends to suspend their players at random and refuses to give players a reason (Except: Sorry, its extremely busy weHorrible game company that tends to suspend their players at random and refuses to give players a reason (Except: Sorry, its extremely busy we can't answer)). I highly recommend to not deal with this company.

    Funcom games are also in general extremely buggy but every game does has its unique flavor. Its just that the company is too horrible that I can't recommend any of their games.    … Expand