In Nightmare from Maximum Games is a puzzle-solving horror-themed game that looks creepy on the surface. Players will take on the role of a small child that’s fallen into a deep slumber and it all seems quite mysterious at first. So does In Nightmare succeed at what it sets out to do?
Players in In Nightmare will play as a child that’s in a deep slumber. Players however don’t know this at first. The game’s story is slowly revealed to you through text logs and visual storytelling throughout the game. Soon enough you’ll come to the realisation that you’re trapped inside a recurring nightmare world. This is because your playable character has been subjected to numerous traumas in their childhood. It’s pretty dark stuff, to be honest, and younger gamers might not really understand the severity of what’s been put forward here.
In Nightmare’s storytelling is incredibly dark with talk about domestic emotional abuse, depression, anxiety and more. Some of the text logs also delve into the child’s medical history and it can hit a bit close to home for a lot of gamers out there who have been in similar real-life situations. The story of this game is intense if not a tad cliche and predictable at times.
In Nightmare Gameplay
Moving onto the actual gameplay, In Nightmare introduces new gameplay mechanics to you at a gradual pace. Players will at first only be able to walk, run, crouch and hide from the monster that’s out to get them. Soon you’ll discover a spirit named Bikti. Bikti is effectively your partner and will help you get through the levels in the game by letting you use his illumination powers.
Players can send Bikti out a set distance and he will light up the game world revealing more of your surroundings to you. You can also give Bikti’s power a boost and send him out further than usual but this is limited to how much spirit you have available. Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy way to tell how much of this additional charge you have as there’s no gauge or meter available on the screen. Chances are you won’t run out often though because it’s constantly replenished during levels and there are consumables which you can pick up which can replenish it too.
The puzzles in In Nightmare involve traversing a level without being captured by the nightmarish monster that inhabits the areas you are in. Some areas don’t have the monster while others do. There’s a level of tenseness in the game whenever you enter a new area since you’re not sure if the monster is around or will show up. Be prepared for some jump scares as well as some frustration when you’re caught out.
When the monster is around, players will have to be stealthy and avoid being detected by her. If you are detected, all is not lost since you can still run away, deploy a flash mechanic to blind the monster or crawl into spaces where the monster cannot reach you. You can also hide inside closets, lockers and side rooms until the monster goes away and returns to its set patrol path.
Some levels in In Nightmare require you to bring objects to a specific location, press switches, depress levers and more. It’s standard puzzle game fare and it’s well done throughout the entire game. There weren’t many moments in the game where you’d be stumped because the visuals guide you towards solving the puzzles. However, there is still a layer of difficulty though because of the fact that the monster is present in levels and adds to the sense of urgency that you have in solving puzzles and escaping safely.
Later on in the game, once you’ve reached a hub world of sorts, players will be able to piece together the story via the text logs and collectables and learn more about the child. The world of In Nightmare is incredibly detailed with each area looking quite different to the last. These areas are related to the child’s memories and the creepy atmosphere created by the level design and objects within levels is excellent.
Cartoony Aesthetic Graphics
Graphically, In Nightmare looks great. There’s a cartoony aesthetic but it’s not overdone and it fits perfectly into the horror genre with the lighting in levels being extremely important to the game’s atmosphere. The top-down view adds to the creepiness factor since it obscures your vision to a limited scene and you never really know what can be lurking around the corner unless you send Bikti out. The overall theme of darkness and light interacting with each other and the mystery and intrigue this creates, along with the psychologically driven story, is surprisingly good.
Creepy Orchestral Soundtrack
The soundtrack of In Nightmare is also just as good with the creepy orchestral soundtrack taking centre stage and adding to the tense atmosphere of the game. This is especially noticeable when being chased by the monster throughout the levels. Sound effects are used quite well in the game too to add to the creepy vibe it gives off.
Overall, In Nightmare is a great puzzle horror game that delivers a solid experience all around. There is a level of “jankyness” to it with rough around the edges UI aspects as well as some lack of polish. Despite this though, the game is definitely worth checking out and it’s just a shame that the narrative involves reading through so many text logs to piece together the deeper story. Gamers who lack patience might not be pleased by this but for everyone else who doesn’t mind some cerebral puzzle solving with a touch of horror and reading, In Nightmare is worth checking out.
Grab your copy here https://store.playstation.com/en-in/product/EP2955-PPSA06109_00-INNIGHTMARE00000
Developer: Beijing Magic Fish Technology Co., Ltd.
Publisher: Maximum Games
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
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