Narcosis (Video Game)
Ted Hentschke
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Developed by Honor Code, Inc.
Available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One
Rated M for Mature
I’m not really pumped on the whole VR craze. The technology is awesome, and I have to admit that every time I go to E3 I’m floored by their latest glorified tech demo. I am always just almost sold when I get home and check out the games library. “Oooooh, right,” I say to myself, “It’s all glorified tech demos.” Yes, the biggest problem with VR is that it’s mostly just gimmick bullshit. Yes, I get that an interactive office where everything is wacky is fun. Ha ha. Now give me an actual game.
I was even less enthused about VR two years ago when the technology was still in the mystical ether of early prototypes. It was with this mindset that I first encountered Narcosis on a rooftop after event during E3 2015. I had sat through about two dozen nauseating VR demos at this point, and had zero interest in another. But their marketing dude David was willing to buy me a beer, so the least I could do was play it.
What I saw kept me interested enough to follow Narcosis for the next two years. I’d periodically check in and see what was new on the horizon, and when the game would finally be ready. I actually assumed it dead for a while, suffering the same fate as other promising indie titles like Routine. It’s been a long journey, but Narcosis is finally here. And it was worth the wait.
I’m already afraid of the deep sea enough without your spooky ghosts.
Booting up the game and stepping into the dive suit, the sense of claustrophobia is immediate and intense. This isn’t just a HUD, you are trapped within an exoskeleton. Looking around, your head moves independently of the suit. If you want to check your oxygen levels, you have to look down at the display. Actually moving your character requires you to turn with tank controls, meaning that movement and vision are two different functions. It forces you to be constantly aware of your trapped and uncomfortable condition.
This is going to be a spoiler-free review, but the premise of Narcosis is that an earthquake rocks the underwater base, Oceanova. As the initially nameless protagonist, you were outside on assignment when the shockwaves hit. Your dive suit proves your salvation, allowing you to survive the ocean floor while most everyone else drowns. But this suit also becomes your sarcophagus, a “walking coffin.” Your oxygen supply is constantly dwindling, and you must try to lumber your way to safety before you run out.
Also, don’t get murdered by giant spider crabs.
What this translates to in gameplay terms is that you have a constantly ticking timer pushing you towards the next objective. Oxygen depletion is a slow process, but so is your movement. Everything from turning to attacking takes laborious seconds to complete. This may sound tedious, but it perfectly rides the line between frustrating and immersive. I was always aware of the limitations of my suit.
So you’ll travel to various locations and complete crucial tasks, all while managing your oxygen and getting spooked. Narcosis doesn’t really have many puzzles, but the aesthetic design makes just experiencing it all wonderful. The flooded corridors and alien ocean floors are a marvel to behold, well above the quality you’d expect from an indie game. The monsters that harass you are real deep sea horrors, made even more terrifying by your only means of defense being a diving knife. On top of that, you’re also assaulted by terrible visions brought on by trauma and oxygen deprivation. These horrifying moments are truly scary. Even if you come to expect the “turn around and something is different” gimmick, it still works all the way to the end.
You’re damn right my oxygen intake is elevated!
There are only two negatives I can think of for Narcosis. First, the game is short. This is expected for VR games, but it’s worth mentioning. Second, there are a number of collectibles that are kind of annoying to get. I’m a completionist, but even I only found 3 of the 20 knickknacks in my playthrough. Given the constantly ticking timer, taking the precious minute to go hunting for a collectible just doesn’t come naturally. These are minor complaints given the game’s overall accomplishment.
What is truly fantastic about Narcosis is the narrative. The story is good, but the way it is presented is phenomenal. While you lurch about completing your vital objectives, a retrospective narration recounts various aspects of the endeavor. It’s doled out piece by piece, giving you just enough information to be hungry for the next bite. By the time it all comes together, the picture it paints is heartbreaking. Supplemented by surreal imagery and the personnel files, this is a game that you can hit you right in the feels.
God I love me some symbolism
You might be reading this review and thinking that Narcosis falls under the umbrella of being good, “for a VR game.” Here’s the kicker: I didn’t even play it in VR. This is just a great game. Even without the headset, the gimmick of looking around inside my suit with my eyeballs, I still loved this game. This is what VR needs. Not good tech demos, but good games. Narcosis is a step in the right direction, and the industry should follow suit. The good people at Honor Code should be proud.
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Game
Categorized:Horror Gaming Reviews
