Ten Bells Review: A Claustrophobic Dive into the Unknown

TL;DR - Ten Bells in a Nutshell

A tense, anomaly-spotting horror game set in a pub, Ten Bells combines repetition, sharp observation, and creeping dread into a short but gripping experience!

In Ten Bells, horror is served with a pint and a side of paranoia. Set inside a pub that feels both familiar and unnervingly alien, the game traps you in a cycle of strange events, asking you to piece together a mystery that unfolds through unsettling encounters and shifting surroundings. It’s not your standard jumpscare game. It thrives on atmosphere, tension, and the creeping dread of the unknown.

Gameplay & Experience

Ten Bells is an anomaly-based horror game. You’re tasked with observing changes in your environment and identifying what feels “off” before it’s too late. Each loop through the pub is slightly different, with anomalies ranging from the subtle (a misplaced object) to the disturbingly obvious (entities appearing where they shouldn’t).

The brilliance of Ten Bells lies in how it blends repetition with surprise. The familiarity of the setting gives you a false sense of security, while the anomalies keep you second-guessing your own memory.

Atmosphere & Presentation

The dim, amber glow of the pub’s lighting, combined with muffled ambient sounds, creates a space that feels lived-in yet haunted. The visuals aren’t hyper-realistic, but their stylized simplicity works in favor of the game’s unsettling tone. The soundtrack is sparse, letting moments of silence amplify the tension.

Why It Works

Ten Bells doesn’t just scare, it engages. It’s a test of observation, memory, and nerve, making each run feel like a battle against both the anomalies and your own perception. The replay value is high, as the anomalies are randomized, keeping you guessing each time.

Verdict

If you enjoy horror that leans into psychological tension rather than relying solely on cheap shocks, Ten Bells will captivate you. It’s a short, replayable, and deeply atmospheric experience that proves you don’t need a sprawling map to deliver chills.

A must-play for fans of atmospheric horror and anomaly-spotting challenges!

Check it on Steam!