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Review: Narcosis

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Vanri The Rogue

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We all know how much I love me some horror games. I’m always looking for new games to play, especially from amazing indie developers. I was ecstatic to get a review copy of Narcosis from indie developer, Honor Code, thanks to my fellow Mixer streamer and friend, Rorifett, who put me in contact with David, one of the writers and the marketer for the game.

What’s it about?
A hundred leagues under the sea lies several research facilities. Narcosis follows a nameless man as he attempts to find his way back to the surface after an earthquake destroys these facilities and kills almost everyone else down there. He must find his way to the single escape pod, while avoiding aggressive squids, bloodthirsty fish, and terrifying spider crabs. All the while, the game is being framed and narrated by an interview, possibly on a talk show.

What did I think?
This game is visually stunning. The detail in each chapter was so painstakingly realistic, both visually and atmospherically. Each piece of floating debris made me jump. Each spider crab injected a new nightmare into my brain. Each squid caused a mini panic attack.

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The story was slow building and kept me at the edge of my seat. What happened to the other survivors? Would we ever get out of here? All questions were answered in the end, which is extremely satisfying in a horror game. I don’t want to be left with more questions than I started with. I want to be left wanting more content, not answers. Narcosis accomplished this in bounds.

The most important thing – to me – is that this game actually terrified me. My stress level was so high throughout the entire game that I had to take my anxiety meds. Not only am I terrified of the ocean as it is, but the creatures in the deepest, darkest reaches also fuel the worst nightmares. If I never see a spider crab again, it will be too soon.

Do I recommend it?
Highly. If you like horror games, this game is for you. If you like deep sea exploring, this game is for you. If you want to be afraid to go into the ocean for the rest of your life, this game is for you. (That last one’s a joke, of course, I was already afraid to go into the ocean!)

Narcosis can be found on PC and Xbox One.

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Review: Cursed

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Crymson Pleasure

Dev/Pub: Jetdogs Studioscursed_1
Medium: PC

I received Cursed and had a hell of a time playing it at first. I was trying to record it for Let’s Plays, but my software wanted NOTHING to do with this game. Finally I was able to stream the game.

What is it?
Cursed is a point-and-click horror type game with a female protagonist. Her fiance has been offered quite a sum of money to rebuild something at a far off estate. It’s odd, but you both want to get married and he takes the job. Off he goes, but it’s been sometime since you’ve heard from him. You do the only sensible thing, you go find him.

What did I think?
Well, that is a complicated answer. I liked and hated this game. It is gorgeously done, the graphics are great. I like the story concept and they added in some great touches. There is a lot to like about the game.

However, it felt disconnected. It lacked fluidity. You were given random puzzles with no inclination of what you were supposed to do. The clues were non-existent. It felt like dumb luck that I figured some things out. There were plenty of instances that it took me longer than it should have to get it, my fault. There were also plenty of times that I was using the hint button over and over because I had no idea what I was supposed to do.

At one point, you need to make a freeze potion to freeze the fountain. Unless I’m the only person who’s never seen an alchemy machine, I was lost. The lack of fluidity made me more frustrated than I would have liked for such a relaxing game. I found myself roaming around trying to figure out what I was supposed to do next. I really wanted to love this game, but I walked away from an anti-climactic ending feeling… meh.

It’s only $5 on Steam so give it a try if you want, but it isn’t one I’d recommend.

Watch Crymson’s stream of Cursed here:
https://www.twitch.tv/realwomenofgaming/v/111729543

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Review: The Ritual on Weylyn Island

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Vanri The Rogue

Dev. by: zemaGamez
Platform: PC
Release Date: Dec. 4, 2015

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This horror game came out just last month and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. The Ritual on Weylyn Island combines the idea of Slender: The Eight Pages with black magic rituals, creating a scary story of epic proportions.

What’s it about?
The Ritual on Weylyn Island follows Moira, a 22-year-old woman who travels to Blessed Island to help her remaining family members settle the death of their patriarch, her grandfather. When she arrives, however, the house is in ruins, with strange symbols on the walls in blood, and her family is nowhere to be found. Your goal is to find your twin sister, Rowena, and get off the island.

What did I think?
This game is absolutely terrifying. I would say it’s even worse than Slender: The Arrival and you all know how that game affected me. The mixture of a dread-inducing score, gut-wrenching graphics and horrifying whispers leaves you on the edge of your seat.

Instead of finding notes, you find tapes for a walkman you pick up in the beginning of the game. This is a nice change from finding notes in other horror games because you don’t have to read anything. You can continue to explore the area or meet your objective while the information you need is being told to you.

The story itself is interesting, too. It’s Moira’s goal to become close with her sister once more, but when Rowena is nowhere to be found, Moira has to brave the unknown to rescue her. Along the way, we get little snippets of what’s happening on the island with some jump scares peppered in.

Do I recommend it?
Oh, yes. If you liked being scared out of your wits, this is the game for you. The graphics are good, the story is interesting and the concept is very well done. You can find The Ritual on Weylyn Island on Steam.

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Review: Until Dawn (2015)

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Vanri The Rogue
Review: Until Dawn (2015)

Developer: Supermassive Games
Platform: Playstation 4
Genre: Horror

Okay, okay. I’ll admit it. I didn’t play this game because I don’t have a PS4. BUT! I watched a ton of gameplay on YouTube. Now, I will admit that watching someone play a horror game and actually playing it are two completely different things. That being said, please note that all of my comments are based on watching gameplay from YouTubers such as JackSepticEye and Markiplier.

What’s it about?
A group of friends go to a ski lodge owned by their friend Josh Washington exactly 1 year after the death of his sisters, Beth and Hannah. These friends are subjected to horror after horror almost immediately upon arrival. It is your goal, as the gamer, to keep all friends alive until the end of the game.

What did I think?
This game plays out like a horror movie. A group of friends go to a secluded cabin in the woods to drink and take part in all sorts of debauchery. Everything in this game is a horror cliche, but it’s fairly self-aware and actually scary in a lot of parts.

I really enjoy the graphics and the motion capture. I like that the characters look like their actors and it’s not just voice acting. I’m very impressed by how realistic it all looked.

Until Dawn is the kind of game with multiple endings, which I always love. You make decisions throughout the game that determine the outcome. Different decisions can kill off characters, cause you to overlook items or make you miss huge chunks of the story.

Watching the game being played felt a lot like watching a horror movie with commentary. It made me laugh, but, best of all, it made me jump. And cringe. Until Dawn is actually quite scary and incredibly fascinating. I tell you, if I had a PS4, I’d definitely buy this game.

Would I recommend it?
I can’t say much about what it’s like to actually play the game. According to JackSepticEye, it’s really fun and challenging to play. All I know is that it was fun to watch, so I’m going to say yes. I would recommend at least watching gameplay on YouTube. And if I ever get a PS4, I’ll buy the game and update you all if I change my mind.

-Vanri the Rogue

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