THE TAG-ALONG OBSESSION Review: Terrifying Atmosphere, Flawed Design

If you are looking for a game to fill your house with blood-curdling screams, THE TAG-ALONG OBSESSION is a strong contender. While it struggles with some dated design choices, its ability to cultivate genuine terror from start to finish makes it a notable, if flawed, entry in the survival horror genre.

You step into the role of Hui-Ting, a TV reporter returning to an abandoned resort where her crew met a grisly end. The narrative is rooted in popular Taiwanese urban legends, which provides a fresh, unsettling aesthetic compared to many Western horror titles. As you navigate the resort, you are pursued by stalker foes—like the terrifying Lantern Sister—that are based on these same dark myths.

A Fresh Take on Crafting

While the game follows the familiar Resident Evil or Silent Hill formula of finding keys and solving environmental puzzles, it manages to distinguish itself with the Talisman system. By using tables scattered throughout the resort, you can craft items that grant abilities like invisibility or health regeneration. It is essentially an alchemy system, but the way it is woven into the narrative as a reflection of emotional development makes it feel surprisingly cohesive with the game's tone.

Stagnant Level Design

Unfortunately, the game’s biggest weakness lies in its map design. You will frequently encounter locked doors where the key is located only a few steps away, rendering the "challenge" of finding the key completely redundant. In one instance, a puzzle involving a padlocked door was solved simply by reading a note right beside it that listed the exact answer. These moments pull you out of the horror and highlight a lack of polish in the progression compared to genre staples.

Verdict

The presentation is where THE TAG-ALONG OBSESSION truly shines. From the hand-drawn canvas cutscenes to the chilling documents and spiritual imagery, the visual design is a masterclass in East Asian horror aesthetics. If you can look past the occasionally questionable level design, the pure atmosphere of dread makes this a ride worth taking for any horror fan.