Surreal horror adventure game

0_abyssalSomewhere is a free indie game developed by Nonoise. This game will have you play a lean-looking knight who woke up in a monochromatic environment straight out of Half-Life 2. Armed with your buckler and estoc, you will set out to have an adventure in the strange dead world.

Gameplay-wise, 0_abyssalSomewhere is along the lines of Dark Souls walking simulator. Here, you will mostly explore the world you are in with modest combat put in. However, unlike Dark Souls, this game is a tad too slow that it feels sluggish. The combat is also unresponsive and stiff.

What is 0_abyssalSomewhere?

0_abyssalSomewhere is a surreal atmospheric horror game that takes place in a monochromatic world. Here, you will play as a knight in a not so medieval setting. As you explore, you will encounter bizarre creatures and more mundane places. However, your mission is not clear. Some texts go back and forth between a ton of concepts, but it will still be difficult to piece the game’s mission together.

For a horror game, this title lacks jumpscares. Instead, what you will get is a powerful sound design. The game begins with almost no sound aside from your armor shifting. However, it will be loud and reverberating when you enter a new room. Then, it will return to near silence, which makes the introduction of sound jarring and unexpected. Although, it could also induce stress and headache to the player.

The game also features combat elements. However, while the sword has an awesome effect that freezes the enemy when hit, the stiff combat puts a damper on it. Most of the time, it takes a full second to hit the enemy. The animation reset also takes a considerable amount of time. If your timing is a bit off, you will land either too far or too near your foe.

Is the game good?

0_abyssalSomewhere is a game that gives players a unique experience. It offers a premise that the usual horror games on the market lack. However, its mundane setup makes it difficult for players to piece the entire concept together. With this, you can finish the game without even knowing the character’s mission. Additionally, while the sound design adds thrill, it can trigger stress and headaches for some.