Loading critic reviews...
Deals
Finding deals...
Live Streams
Finding live streams...
About On Tape << Rewind
On Tape << Rewind is a first-person adventure game that leans into psychological horror. Developed by Pixfork Games and released on April 1 2027 it’s built around exploring a decaying research facility through audio recordings. Players navigate a nonlinear narrative by interacting with cassette tapes each holding fragmented stories and clues. The setting is a claustrophobic blend of abandoned labs and eerie residential spaces. Controls are minimalist focusing on audio manipulation like rewinding fast-forwarding and adjusting volume. It’s a slow-burn mystery where environmental details and sound design drive the tension. The game thrives on ambiguity leaving players to piece together a scientist’s disappearance and his descent into obsession through disjointed audio logs.
Gameplay
You spend most sessions toggling between tape decks and physical exploration. A typical hour involves scanning rooms for hidden cassettes then analyzing their recordings for subtle anomalies. The interface overlays waveforms allowing precise jumps to dialogue snippets or ambient noises. Some tapes loop others distort when manipulated creating red herrings. You frequently backtrack to earlier scenes with new context audio cues shifting in meaning as you uncover more. The camera lingers on static-filled screens or flickering lights to heighten unease. Puzzles revolve around syncing overlapping tapes to reveal hidden messages. There’s no combat or time pressure but the lack of visual guidance makes progression feel fragile. The game’s tension stems from its reliance on audio alone to build dread.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate it 8.7 out of 10 with a 4.2 average score from critics. 72% of players finish the main story though 43% abandon it before uncovering all hidden tapes. Average playtime is 8.5 hours but completionists log 15+ hours chasing achievements. Community moods skew "Uneasy" (68%) and "Curious" (55%) but some label it "Frustrating" (22%) for vague puzzles. One review calls it "a masterclass in audio storytelling" while another gripes "feels like solving riddles with half the clues." The game features 42 achievements including "Perfect Sync" (aligning three tapes simultaneously) and "Lost Signal" (finding the final hidden recording). 61% of players unlock at least 10 achievements.
PlayPile's Take
This is a niche pick for fans of audio-driven mysteries. At $29.99 it offers moderate value for its atmospheric story but lacks replayability beyond completion. The lack of visual context might alienate players expecting traditional horror tropes. Achievements add structure but don’t salvage weaker late-game puzzles. If you enjoy parsing layered soundscapes and piecing together fractured narratives it’s worth the price. Skip if you prefer action or clear objectives. The game’s true strength lies in its haunting use of audio to evoke isolation.
Game Modes
Single player
Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...
Buzzing on Bluesky
Checking Bluesky...