Radiolight Review

Video GamesReviews

Feb 16

Explore a spooky forest searching for missing persons in Radiolight.

*Radiolight*. Credit: Krystof Knesl / Iceberg Interactive

Solo developer Krystof Knesl’s Radiolight is a moody, slow-burn mystery with light horror elements. Played in first person and centered on exploration and narrative, it calls to mind walking simulators like Firewatch and the recent Arctic Awakening. As with those games, progression comes from wandering, observing, and uncovering narrative threads, though here the tone leans into the supernatural. If you’re looking for action, this isn’t the game for you.

The game puts you in the shoes of Ethan, a police officer in the small town of Ashwood Creek in 1985. A teen has gone missing in nearby Ashwood Creek National Park, and when a park ranger also disappears, you set out to investigate. As you explore, the radio gifted to you by your daughter increasingly picks up strange signals, drawing you further in. Meanwhile, you're in constant contact with police chief Robert over a walkie-talkie, reporting clues and discussing the events as they unfold.

Much of the success of the game's storytelling hinges on the strength of its voice actors. Unfortunately, the performances just aren't very good. Line delivery made me struggle to buy into the story’s emotional beats. The quality of the writing doesn't do the actors any favors, either. This makes it difficult to stay invested in the game's supernatural mystery, especially with gameplay that's mostly passive.

Visually, Radiolight uses stylized 3D environments that sit just outside realism. The proportions are slightly exaggerated, and the textures give everything a faintly cartoonish gloss. The style would undercut the story's tension were it not for the darkness around you. Having to explore with your flashlight does a lot to set the mood. Human characters are the weakest link here, and it’s probably for the best that you don’t encounter them often.

Despite its rough edges, Radiolight succeeds at creating a spooky, isolated atmosphere. The ambiance kept me curious, even if I never fully connected with the characters or the story. If you’re looking for a spooky adventure you can comfortably complete in a couple of evenings, check it out.

Radiolight is available now on Steam.