The story takes its sweet time. Most of the game might feel meandering, and the main plot doesn’t kick into high gear until quite late. Instead of throwing you into high-stakes melodrama from the start, it invites you to live in its world first. Thanks to this, by the time the big twists arrived, I found myself caring, not just about what’s happening, but who it’s happening to. Granted, it’s an unusual approach in today’s fast-paced gaming landscape, but in retrospect, it’s what made the emotional beats land harder. If you’re a JRPG fan who values rich worldbuilding, grounded characters, and meticulous attention to detail, I think this is a gem worth discovering, even if it asks for a little more patience than you’re used to. OK, OK, fine: a lot more patience… But once you finish, you’ll probably (like me) start eyeing the next entry immediately.
This one’s an interesting dive into the origins of Benoît Sokal’s storytelling, especially for fans of the ‘Syberia’ series, like myself. As one of his earliest works, the game introduces many of the themes that would later define ‘Syberia’: a melancholic journey, exotic yet decaying environments, and a deep sense of mystery tied to forgotten civilizations. However, while the worldbuilding is compelling, the gameplay might not appeal to those who prefer third-person adventures. I had a hard time with it, as well, as it follows a classic first-person, point ‘n’ click format, which can feel a bit clunky compared to the smoother third-person exploration of the ‘Syberia’ series. That said, the puzzles are engaging, although sometimes quite challenging, and the story, centered around a journalist uncovering the secrets of a mysterious bird species, has that same wistful, dreamlike quality that made Sokal’s later works so beloved. It’s a pity the mute protagonist is a complete blank slate, and that we hardly meet any other characters during our short journey. And I also would have loved subtitles… With a full remake set to release in April (honestly, reading about the remake is how I learned about the original one), this is a great time to revisit or discover Amerzone. Hopefully, the new version will refine the experience while preserving the unique atmosphere that made the original stand out.
Even though I absolutely love point ‘n’ click adventures, I have to admit, I’ve only learned about this game recently. I understand it’s based on Harlan Ellison’s classic dystopian short story, and oh boy, it couldn’t be more dystopian than this! It plunges players into a bleak, psychological horror experience, where five tormented survivors must navigate the twisted challenges set by AM, a malevolent AI that has eradicated humanity (a plot that’s getting more and more relevant these days…). The game excels in its mature, thought-provoking storytelling, delving into themes of trauma, morality, and redemption. Each character’s scenario presents deeply personal and often disturbing dilemmas, demanding tough ethical choices. The atmosphere is haunting, amplified by eerie visuals and a chilling score. While the gameplay can be clunky by modern standards, the writing and voice acting, especially of AM, remain gripping. This is definitely an unforgettable experience, a must-play for fans of nightmarish, narrative-driven adventures, but for me sometimes it was too dark, so it’s absolutely not for the faint of heart. The fact that you can die quite often, and you have to try over and over again (unless you save diligently) can also be a bit tedious for some, and the story is not easy to follow, either, especially because it’s basically cut into five almost completely separate episodes. But it’s a very unique experience, so yeah, if you’re up for it, give it a try.
I’ve just finished 'Stasis' and jumped straight into this one, and yeah, it wasn’t difficult to immediately recognize the signature grim atmosphere, detailed isometric environments, and unsettling body horror from the previous installment. However, 'Cayne' takes a slightly different approach: it’s a standalone side story (sequel or prequel, I’m not even sure) with a new protagonist, a tighter runtime, and a sharper focus on narrative intensity. Instead of John’s desperate search for his family, this time we follow Hadley, a young, expectant lady who wakes up in a mysterious medical facility and quickly realizes she’s the unwilling subject of a grotesque experiment. I have to admit, I find it always extremely uncomfortable watching a pregnant woman suffer in a game, especially if I’m the one controlling her… This was my main issue with 'Amnesia: Rebirth', too, and it’s not any better here. That said, the game’s writing is just as strong as 'Stasis', delivering a disturbing yet compelling mystery full of grotesque biotech and morally bankrupt corporations. Hadley is more vocal and snarky than John, which gives the whole experience a different tone, with less bleak introspection and more defiant survival. As a matter of fact, her jokes quite often undermine some dramatic and/or creepy scenes, so I’m not sure if they were really needed here. You know, horror works on building tension, and humor breaks it. The puzzles are well-designed, though some solutions require a bit of trial and error, just like in the previous chapter. The atmosphere, enhanced by the excellent sound design and eerie visuals, keeps the tension high throughout the short runtime. So yes, this is an interesting standalone experience that expands the universe in new and terrifying ways, I guess it’s worth your time, the story is much easier to follow, too. Just don’t expect too much from it, or a direct continuation of John’s story.
In theory, I should love this: an isometric point ‘n’ click sci-fi horror adventure should be my dream come true, a combination of my favorite genres. Set in a desolate spaceship, the Groomlake, the game follows John Maracheck as he searches for his missing family while uncovering the ship’s gruesome secrets. 'Stasis' excels in atmosphere, delivering a blend of deep space horror reminiscent of 'Alien', 'Event Horizon' and 'Dead Space', with eerie environments, disturbing body horror, and a haunting soundtrack. The isometric perspective adds a unique cinematic feel, enhancing the sense of isolation and helplessness. Puzzles are engaging and well-integrated into the narrative, though some can be frustratingly obtuse. Good luck solving some of them without a guide… The storytelling is dark and immersive, with diary logs (all good horror games must have those scattered around!) and environmental storytelling deepening the mystery. Unfortunately, movement can feel sluggish at times, even if the gripping atmosphere and chilling plot twists can make up for minor pacing issues. Somehow I feel that this game is a huge missed opportunity. Even though I love point ‘n’ click adventures, maybe in this case choosing this genre wasn’t the best idea. I would have loved to fight or escape at least one or two creatures, maybe add some stealth sections, something to speed up things a bit. Let’s face it, solving difficult puzzles one after another can get boring after a while, even with such a creepy setting. And I have to admit, I still don’t really understand the plot completely, but that’s probably my fault for not reading all logs carefully enough. Eh. All in all, not great, not terrible.
I've never had such mixed feelings about a game before... On the one hand, I really liked the story, the characters (the English voice acting not so much...) and the atmosphere. It was like playing the video game version of 'Twin Peaks', one of my favorite shows of all time - and I didn't quite understand every detail in the plot, which is another similarity for me between the two. :D On the other hand, I simply can't overlook all the technical issues and glitches I encountered during my playthrough. I don't know about other versions, but the PC port is downright terrible: random crashes which make you lose your progress, frame rate and resolution problems, no proper controller support, horrible controls... Seriously, I lost track how many times I had to restart my PC while playing. As for the gameplay, I think it might have been better if the game was more like 'Silent Hill' or 'Alan Wake', and less like 'Grand Theft Auto' or 'The Sims'. The main quest was fun, but the open-world setting with all the side activities, and navigating through unnecessarily large but mostly empty environments with a car while paying attention to your hunger and tiredness... Personally, I wasn't very fond of those aspects. Anyway, Iif you want to give this one a go, maybe try it on another platform, I really wouldn't recommend the PC version.
Starts out as a psychological horror, but not much later turns into a really strange, surreal journey (everything gets explained in the end, though). It's definitely a unique experience, but not very scary. Most of the puzzles are fun, however, I could never get used to the weird movement controls.
