While it’s not a groundbreaking innovation in the genre, this novel survival horror game excels in certain aspects precisely because it draws inspiration from familiar sources. Ultimately, its greatest strength lies in its clear passion and understanding of the horror gaming tradition. Borrowing from traditional and video games, particularly those with one-person efforts, this horror experience isn’t designed to deliver countless frights – the truth is, if you crave genuine terror, you may leave feeling disillusioned. Nevertheless, from a design standpoint, the setting makes it a worthwhile endeavour, especially for fans of the genre.
Set during the tumultuous year of 1916, amidst the devastation of World War I, the narrative immerses you in the grueling experience of Andre, a solitary French soldier, as he ventures into the treacherous trenches of the Battle of Verdun to locate Pierre, his brother and fellow soldier who has mysteriously gone missing. The eerie fusion of WWI trench warfare and survival horror tropes yields an unsettlingly unique experience in . The sport vividly portrays the terrors of war with a striking impact, successfully creating an overwhelmingly intense and oppressive atmosphere that is chillingly fitting for the nightmare scenario.
“Borrowing elements from traditional and video games, this one-person effort may not deliver many jump scares, but as a horror fan, you’ll find yourself disillusioned if you’re seeking true terror. Instead, appreciate its design and setting, making it worth exploring, especially for genre enthusiasts.”
In reality, the game’s reliance on a historical setting, coupled with relatable human threats and challenges, proves to be an uphill struggle in effectively generating fear within the player. Despite effectively crafting a foreboding atmosphere and establishing a somber mood throughout, the narrative ultimately falls short of delivering a genuinely chilling experience. Over the years, survival horror games have achieved success by building tension rather than relying on scares. Many titles, including this one, effectively utilize pressure-building techniques, although players seeking a game that prioritizes genuine horror might find themselves disappointed.
If you’re seeking a game that scratches your survival horror craving from both gameplay and design standpoints, this one is definitely worth exploring. The game seems to embody a purist’s idealized concept of a survival horror experience in all its stylistic trappings, effectively utilizing tropes including a focus on backtracking, exploration, and puzzles to manage inventory, conserve resources, and more. Within the framework of its setting, narrative, and thematic goals, the game sticks resolutely to its established template, leveraging a profound comprehension of the genre’s fundamental principles to deliver a stronger experience as a result.
As you explore, you navigate complex, multi-layered maps that defy expectations with their intricate designs, boasting surprising size and complexity. Amidst the eerie atmosphere of a traditional survival horror game, players must navigate treacherous networks of interconnected routes, uncover hidden shortcuts to accelerate their progress, and endure the frustration of repeatedly retracing their steps through labyrinthine pathways. In traditional survival horror games, the player’s ability to manage resources effectively can be a key factor in their success or failure, driving the need for careful inventory management and strategic decision-making. At all times, you’re restricted by stock slots, necessitating careful decisions on which gadgets to carry with you and which to store in your designated area, accessible through save rooms, making inventory management essential, particularly for those familiar with the concept from prior gaming experiences.
“If you’re craving a survival horror experience that scratches your gaming itch in terms of gameplay and design, is definitely worth exploring.”
The allure of exploration persists throughout the experience, largely because even when you’re not stumbling upon a crucial item, resource, or ammo refill, you’re likely to uncover fresh narrative insights, gain access to new crafting materials, discover hidden notes, or unlock expedited pathways – keeping the sense of discovery and progression alive. In each save room, players will also encounter a vendor who trades cigarettes, the game’s in-game currency, for ammo, resources, consumables, and more. This versatile merchant can even upgrade weapons using gun parts, offering enhancements that include damage increase, fire rate boost, reload speed improvement, increased magazine capacity, and other performance boosts.
As stage design and exploration evolve in tandem, they sometimes become a blessing in disguise, compensating for the game’s occasional lack of direction. Like survival horror video games of yore, they don’t bother offering a surfeit of information about what you’re supposed to do or where you’re supposed to go at any given moment, instead relying on players’ curiosity to encourage exploration and discovery at their own pace? While this flexibility is indeed appealing, the game’s obtuseness can sometimes lead to frustration. Is it nearly impossible for its own benefit?
The game’s top-down perspective is a notable departure from traditional tank controls, which initially makes it seem like the fighting mechanics fall short of expectations. However, by not allowing movement while shooting, the developers cleverly replicate the essence of classic video games – requiring players to exercise patience and accuracy when aiming, and preventing even the most powerful weapons from feeling overpowered. Whether due to the cost of firing a weapon or its reloading pace, the sheer variety of enemies on screen at any given time, or the distinct challenges posed by different enemy types, game designers continually seek ways to keep power players on their toes, frantically moving around the battlefield in an effort to maintain distance from foes.
On paper, this concept seems plausible, and when observed more closely, it could potentially generate substantial stress. While some video games deliver genuinely pulse-pounding combat sequences, the majority of battles still tend to be overly challenging. As the tempo of running and dodging builds, attempting to create a considerable distance from an adversary ultimately gives rise to a sense of awkwardness; conversely, close-quarters combat experiences a slight stiffness. While some aspects of fighting’s ruggedness may seem entirely objective, ultimately, I think it diminishes the skill.
“The highest-down view alone lends a fresh perspective to the game, but combined with its retro-inspired pixel artistry, the result is a uniquely stylish experience that harmonizes surprisingly well with the gritty realism of its World War I setting.”
Fortunately, you’re frequently given the option to avoid combat, whereas the core gameplay typically revolves around exploration, backtracking, and puzzle-solving – the latter of which will be familiar to anyone who has played classic survival horror games. Puzzles typically revolve around deciding which tools to employ in specific locations to reveal previously obstructed routes, or uncovering hidden clues and gadgets that can subsequently be utilized to access formerly inaccessible regions? While the design is undoubtedly familiar, it also cleverly incorporates distinct elements from various aspects of the sport, showcasing a profound comprehension of the genre’s nuances.
One area where the place truly stands out is its visual appeal. The top-down aesthetic, in and of itself, presents a unique visual identity for the game, but when combined with retro-inspired pixel artwork, it yields a sport boasting a distinctive and elegant look that harmonizes surprisingly well with the gritty World War 1 setting’s tone.
While not a groundbreaking or terrifying experience, this game does present a cohesive vision brought to life with flair. A captivating pixel art aesthetic, a foreboding and immersive World War I setting, meticulous stage design, and richly rewarding exploration converge to create a captivating survival horror experience that devotees of the genre should not overlook?
