ROAM0120 Is Less a Game and More an Unsettling Experience

ROAM0120 is a simple point-and-click horror game built entirely around real-life photos, and that choice alone makes it stand out. The game frequently uses black boxes to obscure parts of the screen, sometimes for dramatic tension, other times because it genuinely feels like you’re not supposed to see what’s there. Either way, it works, and it adds a constant sense of unease.

The sound design is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The audio feels uncomfortably real, which makes every environment more terrifying. Even small sounds carry weight, and they all come together to create an atmosphere that feels both grounded and immersive.

Gameplay is straightforward: click around to find notes, keys, and other important items. However, there’s a catch... everything must be done in a specific order. Explore too freely or make the wrong choice, and the game will punish you for it.

As you progress, the game gets noticeably creepier. There’s a section where the lights are completely out that lasts way longer than it needs to. I didn’t love that part, but I understand why it’s there; it forces vulnerability and heightens tension, even if it drags a bit.

One of the most brutal mechanics is how jump scares are handled. If you trigger one, the game restarts. No checkpoints. No saves. You’re sent all the way back to the beginning. It’s a nice touch that raises the stakes, even if it’s a little cruel. Normally, I can play horror games without much issue, but something about ROAM0120 got to me. On my first playthrough, I wasn’t just uncomfortable, I was genuinely terrified. That said, the jump scares do lose some impact after a while since it’s usually the same scare happening at different moments.

The story is revealed slowly and in fragments. A boy, or a “the dweller,”?, appears to be receiving some kind of brain broadcast or transmission, likely connected to the AT Program. The main character and his friend Julia, attempt to sneak into a facility to save him. The problem is, the facility knows you’re coming and actively tries to erase all evidence. By the time they reach the boy, he’s already been mutilated. Panicked and terrified, Julia shoots and sets him on fire. They flee, but the main character believes the boy is still alive. He eventually returns to the facility to end the experiments once and for all.

ROAM0120 also leans heavily into ARG elements. I’m not entirely sure if the ARG is still active, the itch.io page mentions future uploads, but that was years ago, and every video I’ve seen shows the same experience I had. Still, the puzzles are creative and genuinely challenging. I had to look things up at one point because I was completely lost. The game does a decent job of letting you know when something matters and when it doesn’t, but almost every area serves a purpose. In true ARG fashion, some answers aren’t found directly in the game...they’re posted elsewhere.

The use of real-life photos and locations adds a huge amount to the overall style. Every time I had to restart, I dreaded going back in. One wrong move and you’re done, but the game doesn’t always make it clear what that wrong move is, which makes the jump scares feel truly unexpected.

Even the itch.io page adds to the immersion. The game is listed as if it was uploaded by a character from the story itself. When you download the game, you don’t just get the executable; you also receive several image files. Most of them seem normal, but one photo is more important than the others. It may or may not contain a secret you may or may not need. I highly recommend paying attention, because if you don’t, the boy might not be where you expect him to be.

From the moment I started the game, I felt a sense of dread, like I was playing something I wasn’t supposed to find. That feeling never really went away. The game is framed as something created by the main character, Jeremy, to communicate what happened, which only adds to how personal and unsettling it feels.

Yes, the game has jump scares, and yes, they’re well placed. But that’s not what makes ROAM0120 truly terrifying. What makes it scary is how real it feels. I’m a sucker for FMV style horror and anything involving real footage, and this game fully delivers on that.

The ending is a great final touch. If you do things in the correct order, the game plays out in reverse, starting with the aftermath and slowly transitioning into the “before.” It’s a clever way to wrap everything up and makes the full story finally click.

Overall, this is my favorite kind of horror. It’s been a long time since a game made me feel genuinely weird while playing—so much so that I kept looking around my room for no real reason. ROAM0120 isn’t just a game; it’s an experience. I highly recommend going in blind. Exploring, discovering things for the first time, and piecing everything together is where it shines. It’s unique, unsettling, and truly one of a kind.

ROAM0120 is available for free on itch.io.