Lincoln, Jul 2024
Scary games are dark; it’s true of pretty much every horror game I’ve played or heard of. It’s a straightforward, natural way to build atmosphere and fear – but Jangles’ Carnival is an exception, being brightly lit pretty much the whole way through.
This is of course a game about clowns, and you may not be alone in there. It’s also a game set in a funfair, and it’s full of suitable games and challenges. This includes some more traditional escape room puzzles, but Jangles is not focused on puzzle solving; the tasks tend to the physical and are more about carnival games. And because it’s also about clowns, it also has scares. But it seems designed to startle you or creep you out, and sometimes (often) make you jump, not to seriously terrify you.
The result is an unusual blend of fear and fun, creepiness and comedy. It’s pretty much guaranteed to make you jump, and also to make you laugh, and probably also swear. Horror rooms are a matter of personal taste, this one more than most, but I had a great time, even more than in the higher-rated FEAR; I guess it just jangled my funny bone. It probably won’t appeal to everyone, and if you’re looking for an intellectual workout then this isn’t the game for you, but if the description appeals even a little then you’ll probably have a great time. 
