Not enough nu-metal and cheese to truly be the the video game version all those edgy serial killer thrillers that got made in the wake of Seven. Think The Watcher starring Keanu Reeves as a serial killer who serial kills while dancing to Dragula. But it's as close to those as we have gotten, so I'll take it.
It's not really well-worn territory when it comes to games. There's this and i dunno, Murdered: Soul Suspect or the Saw games. So it's interesting, even if it's not great. I feel it's pretty underwritten, and would have liked it if the characters felt like more than expository devices. Ethan especially is as bland as his name.
Also not sure how much i like the unexplained vaguely supernatural stuff, to me the interesting and unique part to this game is the serial killer stuff as supernatural spookiness is a dime a dozen in games.
Gameplay is pretty simple, combat especially is very basic and clunky, but that does work in the games favor. It's not supposed to be flashy or even satisfying. The game is also well-paced and doesn't overstay it's welcome. Decent variety of levels too. Sure, every level is a variation of abandoned and decaying place but they are different kinds of abandoned and decaying place. The investigative stuff could have been expanded more, it's mostly just taking photos while your Hunnigan support NPC tells you about it.
Overall it's a solid game, the foundation of something great, maybe the sequel improves it, i haven't played it so can't say. Kinda surprised no indie or AA studio has taken a whack at making a spiritual successor to this, feels like that is where a great version of this could come from.
It's not really well-worn territory when it comes to games. There's this and i dunno, Murdered: Soul Suspect or the Saw games. So it's interesting, even if it's not great. I feel it's pretty underwritten, and would have liked it if the characters felt like more than expository devices. Ethan especially is as bland as his name.
Also not sure how much i like the unexplained vaguely supernatural stuff, to me the interesting and unique part to this game is the serial killer stuff as supernatural spookiness is a dime a dozen in games.
Gameplay is pretty simple, combat especially is very basic and clunky, but that does work in the games favor. It's not supposed to be flashy or even satisfying. The game is also well-paced and doesn't overstay it's welcome. Decent variety of levels too. Sure, every level is a variation of abandoned and decaying place but they are different kinds of abandoned and decaying place. The investigative stuff could have been expanded more, it's mostly just taking photos while your Hunnigan support NPC tells you about it.
Overall it's a solid game, the foundation of something great, maybe the sequel improves it, i haven't played it so can't say. Kinda surprised no indie or AA studio has taken a whack at making a spiritual successor to this, feels like that is where a great version of this could come from.