I can grumble for quite a long time about the unrealized ideas in the game. Many horror moments here would be simply perfect, the plot could be much deeper and more thoughtful, and the game itself could be shorter by a third and not suffer from it. I can and will, although I realize that this is almost loving, because the project turned out good.
The gameplay, as for me, is a beautifully refined reincarnation of the Resident in interesting scenery that sometimes smacks of madness... which often smacks of the Cutter in the worst sense. Well, really, why hold on to the godless mines? We still need to look for more hacky ideas for the level. But there are still enough interesting moments in the game that distract from such troubles.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to call some of these moments plot-important. Yes, trips. Yes, every location is reasonable (even the fucking mines), but it’s all sewn on with white thread. There are too few clear plot developments. Those that exist often repeat the essence of each other, and the game sets the same goal in each chapter - “go forward, no matter what happens and you will get out.” What’s a shame is that you’ll be able to reach one of the main issues much earlier than the characters. And at the same time, there will be interest in continuing, because you realize how much can be realized, how much can be hidden, while questions remain for which you already have guesses, but you want to be surprised...
But then you realize that Not all Japanese are brilliant screenwriters. Some of the points are left unfinished, many answers to questions are not given to us, but some of them lie almost on the surface. What a deep and strong thriller could have been made, but alas.
3.5 out of 5. The game is too good for a three and has enough interesting moments, but I don’t want to give it a four because many of them could have been shitty, but Mikami decided not to dig deeper and give us just a surrealistic adventure .
P.s. It’s bad form to make action-packed final chapters in horror. It would be better if the plot was chewed up abruptly with the proper drama.