Radiolight Preview

I’m not much of a camper in my day-to-day life, but I’ve always been drawn to games that send me into the woods, especially if there’s a high chance of some supernatural shenanigans taking place. It’s no surprise that Radiolight's Next Fest demo was an instant download for me. After playing it a couple times over, I can say this ‘80s story-driven thriller is already shaping up to be a compelling and spooky romp.

Radiolight puts you in the shoes of Ethan, a police officer who’s been tasked with investigating Ashwood Creek National Park after two people have gone missing: 14-year-old Elliot Laire and park ranger Harvey Waters. The game begins with you pulling up to the park’s entrance to find Harvey’s abandoned car; from there, you get to venture deeper into the wilderness, seeking out the Visitor Center, Ranger Cabin, and more in your search for the missing ranger.

All the while, you’ll be talking to Rob (another police officer) over your walkie-talkie, reporting your findings and asking questions in a very Firewatch-esque fashion. Sometimes, all you can do is inspect an item and tell Rob about it, but other times, you get a few different options to control how Ethan responds, such as stating that you think someone has been snooping around an office or you can just say that it looks abandoned. Whatever you choose changes the way Rob reacts as well.

The banter in the demo is a mix of friendly jabs between colleagues, tidbits about the park, and good ol’ downplaying whenever Ethan thinks he has discovered something strange. It’s almost as if you have a companion to brave the eerie woods with you, giving you a sense of security and much-needed guidance on where to go, which makes the end of the demo that much spookier when Rob’s end of the line goes silent. As for the voice acting, the performances sound natural and compelling; I hope the full release keeps up the quality.

While there’s still a tonne of mystery surrounding the plot, I think it’s safe to assume a supernatural force is haunting Ashwood Creek. Similar to Oxenfree, you’ll use your radio to tune into different frequencies that you find during your search, and when you do, a lot of weird stuff happens — your radio’s dial turns red, the environment shakes violently, and ominous messages are aired through the speaker.

Regarding other gameplay aspects, it seems like you’ll be able to pick up items to assist you through your time in Ashwood. I equipped an axe to help me break down overgrown brush blocking the path, and I was pleasantly surprised that I could use it to shatter a cabin’s windows to get inside (even though Rob told me to find a key, instead). There were also plenty of good hiding spots I passed through the demo, which could be useful in the future, as the ending teased a strange, red-eyed monster stalking Ethan.

I’m already loving Radiolight’s blend of Firewatch and Oxenfree vibes with its realistic dialogue, atmospheric wilderness, and spooky disappearances. I’m excited to see what else solo dev Krystof Knesl has planned for the full release. If you’d like to experience it yourself, then I have good news. The developer has decided to leave the demo up, so you can still give it a try!