The Crush House is one of those weird games that feels perfectly in line with everything that Devolver Digital has put a value on over the previous years, the anti-consumerism that felt at home on 2000’s Adult Swim when Tim and Eric still had a show on it. Looking at the game objectively it’s hard to even believe developer Nerial came up with the idea on their own, but with Devolver having arguably the best track record of letting developers be as insane as they want to, I have little doubt.
What I do know, is when The Crush House was announced, it was pretty much all I wanted. This may or may not have anything to do with my addiction at the time to Love Island: The Game which was arguably the least greedy game based on reality TV at the time, not really a high bar to clear. But here we have a complete game, that seems to know what I want. What I want of course is more Ian Stirling narration, less sad music trying to convince me the two hot people arguing in paradise about some minor thing after being together for a week is anything less than hilarious.
The Crush House takes us back to the glorious year of 1999 as a newly hired producer on the hottest reality TV show of the Summer. For those unaware, this puts it 1 year prior to the explosion of reality that was the year 2000 when Big Brother and Survivor would premier to name a few. As the new producer Jae, you will be tasked with casting each season of the show, as well as making sure that when you see action in front of you, you know instinctively to center it right in front of you. Additionally, you will be able to schedule ads for extra revenue, which based on the trailer look like products straight out of Tim and Eric… I don’t know what dog milk is, I just know I don’t want it.
At its core, the game will play similarly to a third-person shooter, with a camera rather than a gun. Players will also take control of Jae in a first-person perspective. Using the player’s camera they need to film the action in the house from wherever they can to get the best possible shot and keep the action going.
While this seems simple enough, it is also where the game changes up its management runs for each player. A cast chosen by the player can vary and drastically alter the house’s dynamic. On top of that, your trashy TV-loving audience will expect certain things each season that you as the producer need to deliver on, or else cancellation is a real threat. But, not the only one.
The big twist that has been hinted at in promotional material but smartly kept in the shadows links back to what the roster of Devolver Digital games does best. There is a dark secret at the underbelly of this show and once it is off the air you can explore the house and talk to the cast to begin unraveling this mystery. Of course, all of this isn’t something you are supposed to do so be careful and don’t get caught.
The Crush House has it all, hot contestants, romance, drama, ad revenue, and a dark secret to uncover. With a little something for everybody and an unapologetic attitude to what it is, this is the place to be. The Crush House is launching soon on August 9th for PC.
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