The Crush House Review: A Dark Satire of Reality TV in a Dystopian Playground

Title: The Crush House
Developer: Nerial
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release Date: August 9th, 2024
Platform: Windows (Steam)

Overview:

Imagine being the lone camerawoman for a ‘90s reality TV show, set on a sun-soaked island off the coast of Malibu. Welcome to The Crush House, a brilliantly unsettling blend of management sim, roguelike, and immersive experience. But don’t be fooled by the sunny exterior—beneath the surface, this game is a sharp, unflinching parody of reality TV and the content-driven digital age.

A Satirical Take on Reality TV:

The Crush House isn’t just a game; it’s a commentary on the evolution (or devolution) of entertainment. You start each season by selecting a four-person cast from a pool of 12 obnoxious archetypes, ranging from rosy-cheeked prudes to swaggering gym rats. These caricatures are slightly spaghettified versions of The Sims characters, ready to be manipulated and filmed for the pleasure of an ever-demanding audience.

As the sole camerawoman, your job is to capture footage that satisfies the whims of randomized viewer demographics. Each group has specific demands, and it’s up to you to deliver content that scratches their itches. Whether it’s zooming in on tender moments or capturing bitchy exchanges by the pool, you’re the puppet master behind the lens, orchestrating a spectacle that’s more about numbers than people.

Gameplay Mechanics:

At first glance, The Crush House feels like a playful satire of reality TV, but as you dive deeper, the game’s darker themes emerge. The mansion is a panopticon—a glass-walled, doorless trap where every moment is up for grabs. You’ll memorize the layout in no time, but the real challenge lies in navigating the ever-shifting demands of your audience.

As you progress, the game becomes less about capturing human interactions and more about generating “Content.” Viewer demographics become increasingly bizarre—plumbing enthusiasts obsessed with toilets, for example—and your role as the camerawoman transforms into that of a drone, mindlessly capturing footage that fits arbitrary data points.

A Deeply Unsettling Experience:

What makes The Crush House truly stand out is its commentary on the content-driven world we live in. It’s not just a game about reality TV; it’s a game about the dehumanizing effects of the content economy. As you scramble to satisfy the ever-growing demands of your audience, the line between reality and spectacle blurs. You’re no longer filming people—you’re capturing taggable hues and attitudes that need to be converted into numbers.

The game’s difficulty ramps up as you progress through the seasons. Some audience types are nearly impossible to please, and certain cast and viewer combinations are nigh incompatible. The game’s grind is deliberate, forcing you to juggle the pressures of your job with the need to uncover the dark secrets lurking beneath the mansion.

A Triumph of Dystopia:

While The Crush House may not be traditionally enjoyable, it’s a game that will stick with you long after you’ve put down the controller. It’s a dystopian masterpiece that offers a biting critique of our modern digital landscape. The game’s writing is sharp, its satire is on point, and its message is clear: in the world of The Crush House, there is no escape from the relentless demand for Content.

Final Thoughts:

The Crush House is a game that challenges, provokes, and enlightens. It’s not for everyone, but for those willing to dive into its dark, twisted world, it offers a uniquely unsettling experience. It’s a game that forces you to confront the ugliness of the content-driven economy, while also reminding you of the importance of empathy and community in a world that often values spectacle over substance.