Atmospheric sci-fi adventure game for PC
Decrypt is a free adventure game created by indie developer Crux Games Studios for PC. It’s a first-person survival horror title set in space. In it, players will conduct an investigation of an abandoned freight ship to find the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of its crew.
Similar to System Shock 2 or Dead Space 3, Decrypt is a game that boasts of a dark and atmospheric presentation. Compared to the former, its gameplay focuses more on exploration, as well as deep storytelling and world-building. All of this is told from a first-person perspective for an immersive and thrilling experience.
What happened to the crew?
The story of Decrypt revolves around the ISS Travan, a freight ship that has veered off its original course and finds itself at the outer edges of the system. The GiS Trade Federation suspects foul play, assuming its crew of abandoning the vessel to avoid exorbitant trade fines. You play as a Data Forensics Officer that gets sent to the site to conduct an investigation into the matter.
Your primary objective is to head to the bridge and obtain all the primary data logs you can get. Most of the ship’s power systems are down and you have no access to a navigation map, which means you’ll have to explore and find your way around. You’ll come across Terminals which you’ll need to activate to progress through sections and gain bits of information.
Without giving too much away, you’ll soon realize that there is something far more horrifying and insidious behind what happened to the crew of the Travan. One thing to note, though, is the game’s runtime, which clocks around 45 minutes to 1 hour. It might seem short for some players, but it will feel just about right for others, considering the type of gameplay that it offers.
Alone inside a metal box in space
Overall, Decrypt is a scary and atmospheric adventure game that is definitely worth checking out. The presentation is great, the narrative is riveting, and it packs in a surprise. While there’s no action gameplay, playing it was a satisfying experience. Some might find it a bit short, but apart from that, this is a must-play for any survival horror fan.
