Heartworm gets much of its appeal from the survival-horror games it evokes: fixed-camera rooms, retro visuals, clue-driven puzzles and a camera that doubles as a weapon. In Garri Bagdasarov’s PlayStation Universe review, those elements—especially the atmosphere, sound and puzzles—outshine sparse exploration, backtracking and a story that can be hard to follow. He scored the PS5 version 6/10.
What is Heartworm?
Heartworm is a psychological survival-horror adventure about Sam, who is grieving her grandfather and searching for a way to contact the dead. An online message board leads her to a remote house linked to the afterlife, where exploration and puzzles carry the story forward. The official site describes its setting as a surreal suburb and its presentation as low-resolution retro 3D with an original soundtrack. Heartworm’s official site
The game openly draws on late-1990s survival horror, naming Silent Hill, Resident Evil and Dino Crisis as inspirations. Its design uses both fixed-camera and over-the-shoulder perspectives, with optional tank controls. Sam’s camera is also used to stun or defeat enemies. The PlayStation Store listing
What works best in Heartworm?
Retro atmosphere and sound
Bagdasarov says the visuals successfully recall the era the game aims to evoke. He also identifies the sound design and soundtrack as major strengths, helping establish an unsettling mood in the game’s lonely spaces. These are the elements that most clearly give Heartworm its own appeal beyond recognition of its influences. PlayStation Universe’s PS5 review
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Puzzles that expect attention
The puzzles are another highlight in the review. They call back to games that expect players to remember clues encountered earlier and, at times, take notes rather than rely on constant reminders. That approach can make solving a puzzle satisfying, though it also means progress depends on paying attention to details as they appear.
Where does Heartworm fall short?
Exploration and backtracking
The review’s main concern is that exploration does not always reward the time it takes. Some areas feel empty, and searching can yield little. Progress also involves substantial backtracking, so revisiting locations may feel like a chore rather than a meaningful return to familiar ground.
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A story that asks you to read between the lines
Sam’s grief and her attempt to reach her grandfather provide a clear starting point, but Bagdasarov found the broader story difficult to follow without reading inventory files and diary entries. The ending also leaves questions unresolved. Players who want narrative context delivered directly through scenes may find the account less satisfying; those willing to inspect written materials will have more to work with, though the review does not consider them enough to make everything clear.
Basic combat and limited enemy variety
Combat stays simple: Sam uses her camera to stun or defeat enemies, and some may return. The review criticizes both the limited enemy variety and the level of challenge. This is not a weapon-heavy action game; the camera is the central tool in its encounters, and the review says players do not receive conventional weapons.
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Is Heartworm worth playing on PS5?
Heartworm is most appealing if you value retro survival-horror atmosphere, sound and puzzles, and enjoy a game that expects you to retain clues. It is a less convincing choice if you want consistently rewarding exploration, brisk progression, deeper combat or a clearly resolved story. Bagdasarov’s 6/10 review reflects that split: the game’s best ideas work, but its familiar influences are not matched by equally strong exploration and narrative clarity. The score and assessment are from PlayStation Universe, October 5, 2026.
How long is Heartworm?
The PlayStation Store estimates a 4–6 hour playthrough and notes multiple endings. This is the store’s estimate, not a guaranteed completion time; how long a run takes may depend on how quickly you solve puzzles and navigate the backtracking. PlayStation Store listing
Rank #4
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PS5 availability and release-date context
The PlayStation Store listing includes PS4 and PS5 and displays a release date of January 10, 2026. PlayStation Universe’s review page reports a US release date of October 2, 2026, and lists PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series S/X and Xbox One. GamesRadar+ also covered the console launch on October 2, 2026, mentioning Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. These are source-specific dates and platform listings; they should not be treated as one universal release date or as confirmation that availability is identical in every region. PlayStation Store · PlayStation Universe · GamesRadar+
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