The Park
Table of Contents
I remember playing The Park when the video game was released in 2015. The playthrough left me feeling underwhelmed. Now fast forward to 2024 and I play The Park once again. My experience with this playthrough felt completely different. I enjoyed the game and the story that comes with it. I suppose I wasn’t ready for The Park in 2015 but I’m digging it here in 2024.
THE PARK
Lorraine takes Callum to an amusement park that she visited often as a child. After a day at Atlantic Island Park, Callum realizes that he left his favorite teddy bear in the park. Lorraine seeks assistance from a park employee but Callum has different plans. He runs into the park to look for the teddy bear himself. The Park staff allows Lorraine to enter the park to look for Callum.
Upon entering the park, the day immediately turns to night. The park changes. It appears to be decrepit and in disarray. This is when Callum disappears into the park and Lorraine goes running after him. Atlantic Island Park has become a dangerous place and your child is missing. What was once an enjoyable visit to the park has now turned into a nightmare.
GAMEPLAY
The Park is a psychological horror video game that focuses on narrative. You play as Lorraine. You’ll spend a lot of time walking and encounter several automated sequences. The only action is the ability to call out to her son, Callum, but I didn’t find the action useful.
The idea of walking a lot and little action may not be attractive to many players but the story that unfolds is worth the lack of gameplay. This is a video game that you experience somewhat like a movie.
Some sequences go on a bit too long and it can be easy to get lost on where to go next. These can lead to frustration and boredom. However, I did my best to immerse myself in the story which helped me appreciate these moments. Afterall, I’ve gotten lost in large parks a few times myself.
TECHNICAL
The Park was made in 2015. The graphics may not look fantastic according to today’s standards but I think it holds up rather well. The fog and grain are what bring out the eerie in Atlantic Island Park, and it still looks good. I get Silent Hill vibes.
The sensational sound design keeps the tension alive. Sounds of breaking branches and whispers had me turning Lorraine’s head constantly. Most of the time I couldn’t figure out what was causing the noises which made the scare factor rise. I appreciate good and creative sound design in horror games because sound can bring horror to a whole other level of horror.
HORROR
Don’t let the lack of gameplay fool you. Atlantic Island Park is a terrifying place to wander around alone in such a decrepit state. It is dark and Lorraine does not have a flashlight so she has to rely on the lighting in place. There is a feeling that something is watching or following all the time. Lorraine also needs to deal with the trauma that haunts her throughout the journey and her past.
UNCOMFORTABLE SUBJECT MATTERS
The Park deals with subject matters that may be uncomfortable. Some of these subject matters include trauma, anxiety, depression, abuse, and suicide. As someone who struggles with mental health challenges, I found I was able to experience these subject matters with Lorraine and personally.
One difference between my 2015 and 2024 playthroughs is that I became a father in 2017. I can’t imagine losing my son. The idea is a terror that I didn’t know existed in 2015 but I do now in 2024. As a father, I was able to resonate with the terror Lorraine felt in losing Callum in Atlantic Island Park.
MEDIA
SCREENSHOTS
AS I SEE IT
The Park is not the most fun to play but the narrative and horror are worth the playthrough. I love many different genres of video games but sometimes time can be a factor as well. I didn’t enjoy the game so much in 2015 but I do now in 2024. My life and entertainment values have changed allowing me to enjoy The Park today.
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