The Christmas Cackler
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About The Christmas Cackler
The Christmas Cackler is an indie first-person comedic horror game developed by MyGrandfather Games, released on December 15, 2025 for PC. You play as little Jimmy, trapped in his bedroom on Christmas Eve, racing to finish a drawing for his mom while avoiding the eponymous Christmas Cackler, a grotesque, Santa-like monster that stalks the house. The game blends light stealth with slapstick horror, using a child’s perspective to subvert holiday tropes. It’s a short, punchy experience aimed at players who enjoy absurdity wrapped in tension. The setting is cozy yet creepy, with a focus on chaotic, low-stakes survival.
Gameplay
You spend most sessions crouched under blankets or hiding in toy boxes, using a crayon to slowly sketch your mom’s gift. The Cackler lumbers through rooms, triggered by noise or movement. You collect batteries to power a flashlight, which briefly blinds it, and toss candy to distract it. Controls are simple: WASD movement, mouse look, and a single action key for drawing or interacting. The tension comes from balancing speed with stealth, crayons squeak, footsteps echo. Each run lasts 15, 30 minutes, with procedural elements like the Cackler’s patrol path and environmental hazards. The game prioritizes frantic, replayable moments over deep mechanics, leaning into its goofy premise for laughs.
What Players Think
PlayPile community ratings average 8.9/10, with 72% of players finishing in under 4 hours. Average completion time is 3.2 hours, and 68% of players report laughing aloud during sessions. Community moods are split: 45% found it “hilariously scary,” 30% called it “overhyped,” and 25% praised its “charming absurdity.” Critics on Steam give it 82%, calling it “a quirky holiday oddity.” Achievement stats show 35 total, with 42% completion on average. Price at launch is $19.99, with 60% of buyers saying it’s “worth the cost for the novelty.”
PlayPile's Take
This game is for fans of niche humor and quick indie experiments. At under four hours, it’s a low-risk purchase if $20 feels light. The achievements add replay value, but the core experience is a single, quirky idea. It’s not for anyone seeking depth or scares, it leans fully into its silly, campy vibe. If you’ve ever wanted a horror game where the threat is a screaming, Christmas-themed goblin, this is your jam.
Game Modes
Single player
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