Tormented Souls

Tormented Souls is a throwback to PS1/PS2 style console Action Horror games, and in that category I think it really nails the mark for a budget title. I have issues with the Map though, I find the way it doesn't track your location easily, and the way it colour codes rooms, to be rather confusing. I never had a hard time with any of the puzzles, but I will admit from a plot perspective that some of them are a little obtuse in knowing why or how you can do the things you are doing, which brings me to my big complaint: Localization. The games "plot" isn't complicated, but it is very poorly explained the player, often left explained in collectible notes you can find. The plot it hints at is interesting and something I wanted to learn more from, so I hunted down all those notes only to find that many of them are incomplete. What I mean by this is that it will show you the art for the note behind the text box telling you what the note says, but often the text box would only contain one of the pages, not the other, and I only learned of this after I curiously snapped a picture of one of the notes when I noticed the art for the note looked a lot longer then what it was telling me it said and Google Translate showed me that indeed that was the case, localization just didn't include many of the note pages, and when they did put them in, half the dates were wrong. This is something the Developer has failed to address, which is why I deducted some stars.

Games are a young medium compared to movies or books. And unlike movies or books that have decades or even centuries to build off of, video games don't often have that luxury considering they're tied to the technology of their time. Games that pioneer genres like DOOM, or in this case, Resident Evil are often lauded for showcasing the possibilities of what games are capable of. And more often than not, games are way more complicated to make compared to movies or books simply because of the vast multimedia approach it has to take on top of having to make something fun and interesting. All that to say that Tormented Souls, following in the footsteps of the pioneering Resident Evil, take up most of its flaws, and even miss the point at times, but in my opinion, exceed it where it matters. If you're thinking of buying this game because you're a fan of Resident Evil's survival horror, I'd say go for it. I'd say it's an apt comparison to pit it against the early Resident Evils in terms of plotting (meaning, it's pretty bad) but on par with modern RE when it shuts its mouth. The atmosphere, music, and (some) of the puzzles are definitely the highlight for me, and I'd recommend it more than not. If you're here for quality writing, I'd say find another game. But if you like to bathe in a game's atmosphere and enjoy its vibe, this game will deliver on that.

What can I add that every else has already said? If you're a fan of Resident Evil, Silent Hill, or Alone in the Dark, pick this gem up and experience the horror!

Already 100% the game on Steam and this was on like a crazy discount for like $1, so I couldn't pass up, I mainly got it to 100% it again. Nothing I say haven't been said in the other reviews, it's a good game, good pacing except the last part is kind of a meh for me thought it's most likely the most tense. Really deep connection with this game since it got me into survival horror as a whole which opened the doors for RE and SH and the likes, if you like those older RE and SH titles you'll heavily connect with this one.

Fantastic hidden gem, can't wait for its sequel! Lovers of old school Resident Evil and fixed camera enthusiasts will really have a good time with this one. I suggest you use a guide if you don't want to think about where to go for hours, however. There is a lot of puzzles, but I found them to be particularly satisfying when you manage to resolve them on your own.