Ironbark Lookout is the second Fears to Fathom release from Rayll this year, and certainly the most ambitious yet for the series. This chapter takes us out into the dark woods as a new watchman in a fire tower. Think about the unease of isolation in Firewatch, and add some genuine horror elements, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what this one is going for.

Jump scare games are a dime a dozen on Steam, but the Fears to Fathom series distinguishes itself from the pack with how much love and care are so clearly going into them. There's so much detail going into creating the environment and immersing you into living at this fire tower that you can't help but appreciate it. You visit a full realized diner that I'm sure took a while to render right at the start, and nothing of real note happens there other than a bit of foreboding dialogue. I liked figuring out how to do the little tasks for the job along with everyday routines like getting more wood for the fireplace or cooking pasta. The runtimes of these games are getting longer, but they aren't really packing in extra scares. I continue to think Rayll seems more interested in crafting these environments and simulating living in them than the scary parts.

When the spooky parts do come, they will get your blood pumping but feel pretty rushed after all that build-up. I wanted one or two more encounters with this game's main threat, since it felt like it was all over right when shit hit the fan. There are some great moments right at the end but the credits are rolling in no time.

Despite the weird pacing of these games they have a ton of personality and charm and I find myself enjoying them more and more with each entry. I'll of course be looking forward to whatever is next from the Fears to Fathom franchise.