The Haunting of Joni Evers

Release Date: January 13, 2025

Adventure, FPP, horror, indie games, exploration games, singleplayer

91%

Steam

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A first-person horror adventure game. In The Haunting of Joni Evers we can explore the mansion as the titular character and try to learn the fate of Joni's broken family. We gradually find out more about Joni and her relatives. We also examine objects related to Joni and solve environmental puzzles.

Story
Gameplay
Technical aspects

The Haunting of Joni Evers is an adventure game with elements of horror, which allows us to learn the fate of the titular heroine and her broken family. The game was developed by the independent American team Causeway Studios and represents their debut project.

Story

The action of The Haunting of Joni Evers takes place in the town of Harvest in the American state of Oklahoma, specifically - in an old residence known as Cunningham House. Although this place once bustled with life, now Joni Evers lives here alone, separated from her family.

The argument that one day occurs between the heroine and her only friend, draws Joni into a whirlwind of strange events. In trying to understand their nature, we learn the stories and secrets from the life of the Joni's family, as well as the reasons why our protagonist leads a solitary life. We can also find out whether the protagonist is troubled by a supernatural force, or just earthly sorrow and sadness. All of this means that over time we gain a chance to reconnect Joni with her loved ones.

Gameplay

In The Haunting of Joni Evers we view events from a first-person perspective (FPP). During the game, we go through various rooms of the residence, interacting with objects and items, as well as solving environmental puzzles. By looking at family photos or reading diaries, we gradually learn more about Joni and her family.

Technical aspects

In The Haunting of Joni Evers, we can hear music composed by Gustavo Coutinho, known from the soundtrack to PayDay 3. The voice of the main character was provided by actress Kelly Pekar.

Videos and Screens

[1:00] The Haunting of Joni Evers - Release Date Announcement Trailer

91%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (89)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Emotional Storytelling: Many players praised the game's narrative, highlighting its emotional depth and themes of family, grief, and healing. The story resonates with players, often prompting personal reflections on their relationships.
Atmosphere and Visuals: The game's environment, particularly the Cunningham House, received accolades for its detailed design, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the storytelling experience.
Voice Acting: The performance of the voice actress, Kelly Pekar, was frequently noted as exceptional, adding depth to the character of Joni and contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact.
Soundtrack: The music was described as evocative and well-suited to the game's tone, enhancing the overall experience.
Exploration and Interaction: Players enjoyed the exploration aspect, with many finding joy in uncovering the story through item interactions and environmental storytelling.

The main cons of the game

Short Playtime: The game is relatively short, with most players completing it in about 3-5 hours, leading some to feel that it may not offer enough content for the price.
Slow Movement Speed: Several reviews mentioned the frustratingly slow walking speed, which detracted from the pacing and made exploration feel tedious at times.
Repetitive Puzzles: The introduction of puzzles in the latter half of the game was criticized for being repetitive and lacking challenge, leading to a sense of chore-like gameplay.
Backtracking Issues: Players noted that the game's reliance on backtracking through similar environments made it visually repetitive and less engaging over time.
Gameplay Mechanics: Some players found the linearity and the forced nature of interactions (e.g., Joni's constant commentary) to hinder immersion and reduce the sense of player agency.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

More Save Points: Players expressed a desire for additional save points, as the game only auto-saves at specific intervals, which can be inconvenient if players need to leave mid-activity.
Variety in Gameplay: Some users wished for more diverse gameplay mechanics, such as more engaging puzzles or non-linear exploration options, to enhance replayability and challenge.
Customization Options: Technical issues were noted, including limited graphics settings and resolution options, which some players found frustrating, especially those with non-standard setups.
Deeper Horror Elements: While the game is marketed with a horror tag, many players felt it was not sufficiently scary, leading to a disconnect between their expectations and the actual experience.

Summary

Overall, "The Haunting of Joni Evers" is well-received for its emotional narrative and atmospheric design, though it faces criticism for its pacing and gameplay mechanics.

Summary generated on: February 10, 2025