Blood on the Campfire
We all know the story. A group of teens go to summer camp in the woods. One by one, they disappear. Or worse, they get murdered. The Quarry, from the makers of
Until Dawn, leans into the familiar horror movie setup with full confidence, giving us a playable love letter to 80´s slashers, monster flicks, and late-night campfire stories.
Supermassive Games clearly knows the formulary now, and they’re not shy about embracing every horror trope in the book. It’s campy, a bit over-the-top, and occasionally ridiculous, but that’s part of what makes it so much fun. Beneath the clichés lies a surprisingly well-constructed horror experience that still manages to surprise you.
The hook is very simple: nine playable characters, and your choices determine who lives and who dies. It’s an interactive horror film where one wrong dialogue option or mistimed quick-time event can turn a romantic evening into a bloodbath. The branching storylines make each playthrough unpredictable and after watching a few of my happy campers meet their grisly ends, I’m already planning a second run to see if I can do better.
What really sets The Quarry apart, though, is its cast. The ensemble features familiar faces like Ted Raimi, David Arquette, and Ariel Winter, all delivering solid performances that elevate the story beyond standard slasher fare. The characters themselves are genuinely interesting and surprisingly likable, the kind you actually want to keep alive, which makes every decision feel that much heavier. Watching them banter, panic, and bond gives the game a heart that many horror titles don’t bother to find.
Visually, The Quarry also impresses. The motion capture and facial animations are top-notch, the lighting feels straight out of a Hollywood horror, and the soundtrack perfectly sells the mood. It has some pacing issues, and other annoyances, but overall, it’s a slick and immersive experience that never forgets what it’s trying to be.
The Quarry isn’t subtle, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a fun, tense, and surprisingly heartfelt throwback that rewards curiosity and punishes carelessness in equal measure. If you’re into interactive horror where every decision counts and where “don’t go in there” never works, this one’s worth a camping trip.
Final Rating: 8/10
Pros:
Great performances and motion capture
Genuinely tense and unpredictable story
Interesting and likable characters you actually care about
Perfectly nails the campy teen-slasher tone
Cons:
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