Bad Parenting 1: Mr. Red Face became a viral horror hit thanks to its gritty retro look and a story that stays with you long after the screen goes dark. Made by a small Vietnamese indie team, it follows Ron, a little boy whose mother works late and misses his birthday, while his father stays home drinking and taking his anger out on him. To comfort him, Ron's mother tells him about Mr. Red Face, a jolly, Santa-like figure who brings gifts to children who behave. As the nights go on, that bedtime tale turns into something much darker, and a strange doll that looks just like Ron starts guiding you through what really happened. The game is short, around half an hour, and tells its story through quiet rooms, small details and sudden frights rather than combat. This browser version is a faithful port of the original game. If you want another short scare with a very different mood, try The Man from the Window.
Click Play on the title screen, then move with W, A, S, D and look around with the mouse. Walk up to people and objects and click to talk to them or examine them. Read every line of dialogue and look at the small things in each room, because the story is hidden in the details: notes, toys and what the adults say to Ron. Explore each area fully before you move on, and follow the doll when it shows you the way. Play with the sound on and the lights low, since most of the tension comes from the music and what you hear behind closed doors. You can resize or zoom the window at any time and the game adjusts to fit.
