FEAR ASSESSMENT

About FEAR ASSESSMENT

FEAR ASSESSMENT is a short horror game by ALEXANDER, released on itch.io in June 2023 and made with Construct. The page introduces it in character: the FEAR ASSESSMENT program is a specialized test developed by government agencies to collect data on psychological torture techniques and their effect on people. It warns that the test uses your webcam and information on your hard drive, and that it contains loud noises and flashing lights.

You sit in front of what looks like an old CRT monitor, each screen stamped with a date and time. The test moves from level to level: grainy blue photographs, a smiling face lit red out of the dark, an audio test you may skip with Space if you cannot handle it, and instructions such as if you see a face on the right you are experiencing psychosis and must end this test. Messages speak straight to you: and we will fix you, we know where you live.

The horror comes from being addressed and observed rather than chased. It suits players who like creepypasta-style horror that plays with the line between the game and the person in front of it, such as Imscared or survey horror games.

It takes about half an hour. The page notes that AI tools assisted with some graphics. It costs at least 1 US dollar on itch.io, and once bought it plays in the browser or on Windows, macOS and Linux.

How to play FEAR ASSESSMENT

1. Buy it on itch.io (1 US dollar or more), then play in the browser or download it.
2. Allow the camera if asked, turn the sound up and go full screen.
3. Click through each level of the test and follow its instructions.
4. Press Space to skip the audio test if it is too much.

Tips

• Play in a dark room with headphones, but keep the volume reasonable: the maker warns of loud noises.
• If flashing lights affect you, this game is not a good choice.
• Read every instruction on screen; the test is built around what it tells you to look at.

Questions