Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 9:35 pm
Your name is Daniel and you just woke up in an unfamiliar castle. You're not exactly sure who you are or where you are, but you do have some clue as to what you need to do. See, you just found a note from yourself telling you to kill Alexander.
A:TDD is a survival horror FPS with a very well told storyline. It is unlike any other FPS out there in terms of environment and gameplay.
First, there is no gunplay nor swords nor fists. You are defenseless. You know how a lot of FPS games come out promising stealth options in missions, only they all become shootouts? This game is all stealth and no l33t skills required.
Second, this game is all about story and atmosphere. They tell you immediately to play in the dark and alone or don't expect to get a great experience from the game. Listen to them. The developers were quite brilliant at making this game immersive. Some details are so subtle that you might miss not even realize they are they or aren't there later. I cannot overstate how impressed I am with the design of this game.
The story is amazingly told and expertly paced. Overall, it's a bit light on details of the main "thing", but that's ok. Your character's journey and ultimate solution to his problems are the true driving force. The sound and voice acting are top notch and turning up your speakers is a must.
Gameplay is standard for any FPS, minus the weapons, and your mission is to figure out what is going on. Exploration is a major part of the game and it's difficult. Not because there are jumping puzzles, but because it's scary and your character will lose his mind if you don't do it right.
Your character has two health levels: body and mind. Your body is like any other game, but won't be a big worry for you. Your mind is fragile and this is where you'll have to spend time healing and thinking about what to do next. As you become emotionally unstable you'll begin seeing the room spin or sway. You'll see things that aren't there. You'll move slower. You'll drop into a fetal position at the hint of danger. Etc. It's awesome. Seriously.
The cure is light. Sunlight is best, but you don't see a ton of it. Torches and candles provide light the majority of the game. You'll be able to light them with limited tinderboxes you find, but be smart about it. Use up all your tinderboxes and you'll be in trouble later. Plus, if you light up everything, where will you hide when "they" come for you?
Who are they? You'll see. I will say that I want to specifically mention how fantastic the AI is in this game. Not because it's so smart, but because smart AI is pointless here. It's the tricks behind them that make them dangerous and scary. For example, I got one to chase me and it shambled slowly towards me. I sprinted around a large hallway laughing as I tricked it. Reached a door and happened to turn by mistake and I was dead. The creature was on top of me.
Another one gets honorable mention because it's the stuff of gaming legend. I won't tell you anything about it, but when you first reach water...get ready.
I loved this indie game, and highly recommend it to any FPS players, horror game lovers, people who like good stories, etc. This would be a great game for even the most casual gamers as a doorway to FPSs. Again, it's the story, puzzles, and survival that drive the game, not twitch reactions to events.
Also, I love the save system. Don't bother saving until you're ready to end your current gaming session. The game will take care of it for you. The developers seriously went out of their way to really make this an experience. Don't taint it by playing in a bright room or with a TV on.
The game isn't massive, I beat it in about 10-15 hours, but I had a bit of help. Saw a few tips and spoilers by accident while reading articles on the game. I might even recommend researching a touch of help towards a very, very later part of the game. There's one area where you could spend a lot of time searching because of the limited visibility and wandering baddies. But that's WAY at the end. Also, there's three endings.
8 out of 10.
P.S. This game is getting a lot of positive word and Steam pushed it hard during their Holiday Sale. I look forward to another horror survival game like this in the future. I just hope they don't cop out on weapons. Just a totally new feeling to play an FPS without to ability to fight.
Edited By Leisher on 1294083199
A:TDD is a survival horror FPS with a very well told storyline. It is unlike any other FPS out there in terms of environment and gameplay.
First, there is no gunplay nor swords nor fists. You are defenseless. You know how a lot of FPS games come out promising stealth options in missions, only they all become shootouts? This game is all stealth and no l33t skills required.
Second, this game is all about story and atmosphere. They tell you immediately to play in the dark and alone or don't expect to get a great experience from the game. Listen to them. The developers were quite brilliant at making this game immersive. Some details are so subtle that you might miss not even realize they are they or aren't there later. I cannot overstate how impressed I am with the design of this game.
The story is amazingly told and expertly paced. Overall, it's a bit light on details of the main "thing", but that's ok. Your character's journey and ultimate solution to his problems are the true driving force. The sound and voice acting are top notch and turning up your speakers is a must.
Gameplay is standard for any FPS, minus the weapons, and your mission is to figure out what is going on. Exploration is a major part of the game and it's difficult. Not because there are jumping puzzles, but because it's scary and your character will lose his mind if you don't do it right.
Your character has two health levels: body and mind. Your body is like any other game, but won't be a big worry for you. Your mind is fragile and this is where you'll have to spend time healing and thinking about what to do next. As you become emotionally unstable you'll begin seeing the room spin or sway. You'll see things that aren't there. You'll move slower. You'll drop into a fetal position at the hint of danger. Etc. It's awesome. Seriously.
The cure is light. Sunlight is best, but you don't see a ton of it. Torches and candles provide light the majority of the game. You'll be able to light them with limited tinderboxes you find, but be smart about it. Use up all your tinderboxes and you'll be in trouble later. Plus, if you light up everything, where will you hide when "they" come for you?
Who are they? You'll see. I will say that I want to specifically mention how fantastic the AI is in this game. Not because it's so smart, but because smart AI is pointless here. It's the tricks behind them that make them dangerous and scary. For example, I got one to chase me and it shambled slowly towards me. I sprinted around a large hallway laughing as I tricked it. Reached a door and happened to turn by mistake and I was dead. The creature was on top of me.
Another one gets honorable mention because it's the stuff of gaming legend. I won't tell you anything about it, but when you first reach water...get ready.
I loved this indie game, and highly recommend it to any FPS players, horror game lovers, people who like good stories, etc. This would be a great game for even the most casual gamers as a doorway to FPSs. Again, it's the story, puzzles, and survival that drive the game, not twitch reactions to events.
Also, I love the save system. Don't bother saving until you're ready to end your current gaming session. The game will take care of it for you. The developers seriously went out of their way to really make this an experience. Don't taint it by playing in a bright room or with a TV on.
The game isn't massive, I beat it in about 10-15 hours, but I had a bit of help. Saw a few tips and spoilers by accident while reading articles on the game. I might even recommend researching a touch of help towards a very, very later part of the game. There's one area where you could spend a lot of time searching because of the limited visibility and wandering baddies. But that's WAY at the end. Also, there's three endings.
8 out of 10.
P.S. This game is getting a lot of positive word and Steam pushed it hard during their Holiday Sale. I look forward to another horror survival game like this in the future. I just hope they don't cop out on weapons. Just a totally new feeling to play an FPS without to ability to fight.
Edited By Leisher on 1294083199