Virtual Festivals: A Delightful Surprise for Halloween Enthusiasts
As the annual tradition of spending hours in damp parks searching for mediocre spooky decorations failed me once again, I turned to a unique alternative: a virtual Halloween festival. The concept was born out of necessity during the 2020 pandemic, when game developer Adam Robinson-Yu's real-life neighbourhood pumpkin festival was cancelled. Since then, it has become an annual event, inviting players to explore a creepy micro-world filled with player-created pumpkins.
Upon entering the virtual festival, I was greeted by other players masquerading as sheet-ghosts with drawn-on faces and fetching hats. The atmosphere was lively, with pumpkins crowding every surface – from the benches outside a skeleton-filled barn to the corridors of a haunted house. I spotted a range of creative tributes, including gaming-themed pumpkins inspired by Hollow Knight and Majora's Mask.
While initially hesitant about spending time indoors on a digital pumpkin-picking adventure, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and complexity of Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival. The game features a variety of attractions, from a challenging hedge maze to a tractor ride through barns filled with endearingly bad creepy decorations and jump scares. However, it's the hidden secrets and collectible pin badges that truly add to the experience.
A key part of this virtual world is its exploration element – hidden doors, secret passageways, and Easter eggs await those willing to venture off the beaten path. I discovered a movie theatre playing eerie silent films for an audience of nobody, complete with a haunted house escape room that took me and my children over an hour to solve.
Perhaps the most delightful aspect of Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival is its flexibility and accessibility. No need to worry about spending £80 on tickets or braving inclement weather; you can carve as many virtual pumpkins as you like and undo your mistakes if needed. My six-year-old refused to wear a coat, but that didn't hold them back from enjoying the experience.
If you're looking for an alternative to traditional Halloween celebrations, consider downloading Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival on itch.io for a pay-what-you-want basis. The game is available until a week or so after Halloween, and I highly recommend sticking around to explore more hidden secrets and surprises.
As the annual tradition of spending hours in damp parks searching for mediocre spooky decorations failed me once again, I turned to a unique alternative: a virtual Halloween festival. The concept was born out of necessity during the 2020 pandemic, when game developer Adam Robinson-Yu's real-life neighbourhood pumpkin festival was cancelled. Since then, it has become an annual event, inviting players to explore a creepy micro-world filled with player-created pumpkins.
Upon entering the virtual festival, I was greeted by other players masquerading as sheet-ghosts with drawn-on faces and fetching hats. The atmosphere was lively, with pumpkins crowding every surface – from the benches outside a skeleton-filled barn to the corridors of a haunted house. I spotted a range of creative tributes, including gaming-themed pumpkins inspired by Hollow Knight and Majora's Mask.
While initially hesitant about spending time indoors on a digital pumpkin-picking adventure, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and complexity of Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival. The game features a variety of attractions, from a challenging hedge maze to a tractor ride through barns filled with endearingly bad creepy decorations and jump scares. However, it's the hidden secrets and collectible pin badges that truly add to the experience.
A key part of this virtual world is its exploration element – hidden doors, secret passageways, and Easter eggs await those willing to venture off the beaten path. I discovered a movie theatre playing eerie silent films for an audience of nobody, complete with a haunted house escape room that took me and my children over an hour to solve.
Perhaps the most delightful aspect of Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival is its flexibility and accessibility. No need to worry about spending £80 on tickets or braving inclement weather; you can carve as many virtual pumpkins as you like and undo your mistakes if needed. My six-year-old refused to wear a coat, but that didn't hold them back from enjoying the experience.
If you're looking for an alternative to traditional Halloween celebrations, consider downloading Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival on itch.io for a pay-what-you-want basis. The game is available until a week or so after Halloween, and I highly recommend sticking around to explore more hidden secrets and surprises.