Developer: Kryštof Knesl
Platform: PC (Reviewed)
Genre: Adventure
Publisher: Iceberg Interactive
Radiolight is an investigative sci-fi thriller developed by Kryštof Knesl and published by Iceberg Interactive. Inspired by games like Oxenfree and Firewatch, it brings that same atmospheric, slow-burning mystery vibe. Radiolight is currently available on Windows.
Set in the small town of Ashwood Creek, Radiolight drops you into the shoes of Ethan, a local police officer searching the woods for a missing boy named Elliot. The game opens in Ethan’s home, staring at a messy bulletin board covered with notes and papers about the case. Elliot, a Boy Scout, wandered away from his campsite in the middle of the night and vanished.
Most of the gameplay revolves around exploring Ashwood Creek National Park, picking up clues, collecting items and radioing your findings back to dispatch. The radio mechanic is genuinely cool, as it allows you to get extra content on clues you find in real time and offers dialogue options that shape your investigation. Radiolight really leans into observation and curiosity. If you are the kind of player who wants to poke at every corner for more story, then this game is rewarding in that sense.
I actually appreciated that the exploration is not open-world. The game guides you through key areas without feeling restricted, and it works well with the pacing. The controls are super smooth and simple, too.
As someone who loved Firewatch and Oxenfree, I immediately picked up on familiar vibes, especially with the radio mechanic. Like Oxenfree’s tuning frequencies, you can dial into weird, distorted messages or even ward off spirits. I love how the radio is a storytelling tool and a kind of ‘weapon’ when you tune it to the right station.
What’s so immersive about this game is that the horror, spooky aspect does not come from gore and shock values, but more from the subtle creepiness that builds up as you explore and learn more about the truth of the disappearance. You walk around a forest, not even in daylight, but as dim as night, as you hear crickets chirping, and the silence that fills around you feels unsettling. The general occurrences of noises you hear in the distance make you feel alarmed, which sets the tone and atmosphere of this game so nicely.
The visuals for Radiolight blend realistic and cartoon-like art in a way that feels soft but still unsettling. Ashwood Creek looks lively, but once you step into the first, everything becomes cinematic and moody. The lighting is especially stunning, with moonlight cutting through the trees and casting shadows over you. The details put into every campfire, every room you explore, are exceptional, from finding opened soda cans on the floor to muddy footprints on the wooden boards. The game creates a balance between peaceful and unsettling vibes, which was perfect for the narrative of this game. I will say that the sound design was also exceptional, especially with the voice acting that helped the player feel more immersed. You could hear the panic and calmness in Ethan’s voice, which, in some cases, brought the distress to life and was quite nice with the atmosphere. The music itself is subtle in dull moments, then changes as things start to progress. The worst part is when the music stops, which is like a sign that something is present, and you begin to feel worried. What’s nicer are the little cassettes you can find.
You pretty much go around collecting stuff that will help you later on. Sometimes, collecting certain items was just a filler and did not serve much purpose. This game, being developed by a solo developer, is honestly remarkable. To be able to write a story that is compelling to uncover and create an atmosphere that creeps up on you is everything. I would like to say that at certain points, the narrative gets a bit confusing, especially with the massive amount of leads you collect as you explore. Like, for instance, mentioning the premise of a cult that has been going around town gets thrown into the narrative and is not thoroughly fleshed out.
Radiolight nails that slow-burning tension and eerie mood. Some scares hit surprisingly hard and linger with you long after they happen. If you are into atmospheric mysteries with supernatural twists, then you should definitely check out Radiolight!
Overall: 8/10
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