Here’s a review of the PC Steam game Secret Santa — what works, what doesn’t, and who it’s best for.
✅ What it does well
- Charmingly simple, stealth-arcade gameplay with holiday flavor — Secret Santa casts you as Santa sneaking into houses (past children, pets, grandparents) to deliver gifts without being caught. Steam Store+1 The concept is goofy but fun, and the game embraces that absurdity as part of the appeal.
- Good value — free and easy to run — The game is listed as “Free To Play” on Steam. Steam Store+1 System requirements are minimal (1 GB RAM, tiny storage, basic graphics), so it runs easily even on older or modest hardware. Steam Store
- Quick, casual bite-sized fun — The total playtime is short. For many players it’s a quick diversion rather than a big commitment, which works especially well if you just want a light, holiday-themed game.
- Decent stealth mechanics for an indie game — For what it is — pixel-art indie stealth — it handles stealth fairly well: hiding from guards, avoiding sight cones/shadows/traps, with a rising difficulty curve through “nice,” “naughty,” and “Krampus” lists.
- Generally positive reception on Steam — On Steam, it holds a “Very Positive” rating (around 91% positive out of roughly 100 reviews). Steam Store+1
⚠️ Where it falls short
- Pretty simple / shallow overall — Because it’s short and straightforward, it can feel basic. There isn’t a lot of narrative depth or complexity — you’re essentially sneaking, dropping presents, maybe grabbing cookies, then moving on.
- Repetitive if you play a lot or expect more depth — As with many small-scale indie games, if you try to grind for 100% or replay levels a lot, the novelty wears off. The mechanics are simple enough that after a few runs it can feel more like a small hobby project than a fully fleshed-out game.
- Graphics and audio are very basic (but that’s kind of the point) — The game uses pixel-art style and doesn’t aim for high-fidelity visuals or deep audio production. For some, that’s part of the charm; for others maybe underwhelming.
- Not for players seeking a deep, long-term game — Given its design, Secret Santa probably won’t satisfy someone looking for rich story, deep mechanics, or many hours of play. It’s more like a small, silly holiday distraction than a full-length game.
🎯 Who this game is for
Secret Santa is best if you are:
- Looking for a free, low-commitment game — maybe you have just 15–30 minutes, or want something you can try without cost.
- In the mood for lighthearted, holiday-ish mischief rather than serious, grindy gameplay.
- A fan of stealth mechanics — especially casual/slapstick stealth rather than hardcore or realism-based.
- Playing on a low-end PC or older machine — the minimal requirements make it ideal for modest hardware.
🧑💭 Verdict
Secret Santa is a cute little indie stealth game that delivers what it promises: sneaky Santa misadventures, a pixel-art Christmas vibe, and some casual fun. It’s not a “big name” or “epic” game — but for a free title, it’s a pleasant, light experience that’s easy to pick up and enjoy in short bursts. Worth playing if you want something quick, festive, and silly; but don’t expect a deep or long-term adventure.
below is the youtube video of the full game of “Secret Santa” by ToughGamingGuy