So Sweden made a good game...good for them.
I enjoyed playing this game and I look forward to when I have the resources to play again.
I've already played it several times, it has great replay potential just because it's so compact and perfectly formed but yet also packed details that whole channels could run on trying to explore the theories and lore it has created for itself.
But I want to talk about the exoteric game now. There is a fairytale quality to this as opposed to the realism that a lot of horror games would use, but it is much more effective as we are plunged into a strange, dark, wordless world where you have only your wits as a weapon.
The atmosphere is palpable as I kept expecting things to appear out of nowhere all the time and my heart was pound as I desperately ran and hid more than a couple of times. Yes, a lot of it gains its power from the unseen but what we do see just likes fantastic (that is to say: traumatizing). It is tense but upon replays oddly cosy.
My only negatives are some frustrating puzzles (but I guess not being too easy is a nicer problem to have?) and I think they show at least one of their enemies too early.
I thought this was going to literally be about nightmares. I generally think that word is too on-the-nose to use in a horror title but looking into the lore, it may just be justified.
But the design, both in settings and sound, are really impeccable.
Can we talk about the protagonist, Six? How vulnerable does she look in that hadaka raincoat? No weapons except a lighter (which does literally nothing but provide light and light candles) and an unbreakable will. Good she is just this tiny little thing navigating places where there are many places to hide (thank goodness).
I think I could award this game the prize both for most nope-tastic enemy as well as cutest protagonist. Pretty easy Halloween Costume....
The secret narrative that they are obliquely telling really feels in there some where. A story of redemption and inner darkness. But it loses nothing from not being clear and probably never will. Until the sequel probably...
And I thought the only really good games were from America and Eastern Europe.
I think this will really become a cult classic or better.
