Project Songbird [REVIEW] – A Frightening Twist on Artistic Burnout 

Putting your creative work out into the world is a genuinely scary thing, and anyone who has ever tried to write, paint, compose, and so forth, knows that paralysing sense of dread of a blank page or the sting of harsh feedback. Trust me, I get stressed when I have writer’s block when trying to put together a review… it’s not fun. Project Songbird takes that mental block and turns it into a literal survival horror experience, and it makes for an incredibly engrossing game that wears its heart on its sleeve right from the jump. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Project Songbird puts players in the role of Dakota (better known by her stage name, Neon Songbird), a musician who is struggling badly with creative burnout and the pressure to churn out another hit. She just wants to make something honest and relatable to her own personal struggles, but her label wants something that… well… sells. In a desperate bid to cure her writer’s block, her manager Rob ships her off to a secluded cabin in the Appalachian woods for a month to focus on the new album. And hey, maybe she’ll even be able to conquer her own demons in the process? 

At first, Dakota is a bit tough to warm up to – she’s defensive, cynical, and a bit immature – but as the story unfolds, she becomes a remarkably relatable protagonist that’s easy to root for. A lot of this is thanks to a brilliant vocal performance, which really helps you feel the emotional weight she’s carrying – but at the same time, the better understanding of her struggles as you progress also makes her more endearing. Project Songbird tackles some deep themes, and when you really understand what Dakota is going through, you’ll want her to find a way to express herself that feels meaningful to her. It helps make the tale more engaging, and when you add to that a supporting cast that help strengthen each narrative thread, it’s easy to find yourself invested from start to end. 

The gameplay of Project Songbird is split into a fascinating day-and-night cycle. During the daylight hours, the game is a wonderfully paced, slow-burn exploration experience, where you’ll spend your time wandering the woods, repairing items, and trying to find inspiration. The standout mechanic here involves using a handheld microphone to sample environmental noises like rustling leaves or snapping twigs, with these samples not just for show – you actually get to play a neat little music composition minigame where you arrange a track by selecting from different musical styles. It is a highly engaging way to put you right in Dakota’s creative headspace, and afterwards, you can relax in the cabin and listen to records from actual indie bands. And you know what? I actually put a few songs from these bands into my Spotify playlist after playing… they’re pretty good. 

“Project Songbird offers a raw, vulnerable, and moving narrative about the brutal reality of creating art that is complemented by a blend of serene exploration and thrilling horror.” 

There is zero hand-holding in the day-time sections of the game. However, whilst the lack of objective markers does make it feel immersive, it does mean you might occasionally miss a crucial hidden item that you need to progress. The puzzles you encounter during the day are logical and fair, giving you all the clues you need rather than relying on frustrating leaps of logic, but I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t an occasion or two where I wasn’t left wandering because I couldn’t quite see an item I needed to collect or interact with. 

And when the sun goes down? That’s when the horror kicks in, with Dakota’s mental struggles manifesting physically, and the game shifting into a surreal, claustrophobic psychological thrill. The environments morph into twisted, red-hued reflections of her own trauma and self-doubt, and there’ll be vicious monsters that’ll bring a swift end to your life. 

This brings us to the combat, which is arguably the game’s weakest link. There are only two types of enemies, though they perfectly match the story’s themes. The first is a heavy-hitting brawler that represents the blunt force of negative criticism, and you can fight them off with a variety of weapons. Survival means scavenging for resources, so you have to keep an eye out for scrap scattered around the woods to upgrade your weapons at the cabin’s workbench, whilst you also have to manage a modest inventory of survival tools to keep Dakota on her feet. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

However, despite these neat survival elements, the combat itself feels a bit stiff. The rigid animations and a parry system that doesn’t quite click mean that giving the player weapons actually detracts slightly from the vulnerability that makes the game so scary in the first place, and if I’m being honest, the encounters just never feel particularly fun. They’re fine, sure, but don’t offer anything that really elevates the experience. 

The second enemy type is much more intimidating: an invincible stalker that represents Dakota’s internal self-doubt. It only moves when you aren’t looking at it, and this results in some of the most terrifying moments in the game. Sure, it makes for some frustrating moments here and there too (mostly because of the tension and fear of failure), but I always enjoyed the encounters. Honestly? I would have preferred the game stuck to this enemy alone, if only because it feels more fitting for the overall theme. And come on, who doesn’t like being chased by an unstoppable monster in a horror game? 

Presentation-wise, I loved the visuals of Project Songbird. The cinematic framing, complete with film grain, looks fantastic, and whilst you will notice some framerate stutters or texture pop-in on the PlayStation 5, it’s all very atmospheric and pretty to look at. Then you have the audio design, which completely steals the show. The ambient noise is incredibly atmospheric, especially in the cabin during the day-time that feels alive with nature, whilst there’s an oppressive, whisper-filled dread at night where you’re constantly worried about what’s lurking in the shadows. It’s all absolutely top-tier design, and whilst there are some obvious limitations that come with indie development, Project Songbird nails its visuals and audio. 

Developer: FYRE Games 
Publisher: Dojo System 
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, PC 
Website: https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/concept/10016429