Then, as it neared closer to the game’s launch, Remedy announced the decision to cancel the superior PC version (zing!), opting instead to go 360 exclusive (naturally, I blamed on Microsoft Game Studios, not Remedy). Neither pass that level of quality of the classics, but In Sound Mind does edge closer and does so more creatively.I was always under the impression that Alan Wake was touted as being an Xbox and PC title. In Sound Mind clearly has a lot of inspiration from horror games past, not too dissimilar to Tormented Souls, another heavily inspired experience I played earlier in the year. Looking at all these pieces In Sound Mind has crafted for itself, it serves as a promising recipe. In light Metroid fashion, they’ll help you reach previously inaccessible areas, both in levels and outside, around the abandoned apartment complex our hero has found themself in. A flare gun that helps fight off some areas of darkness (akin to Alan Wake), a mask that helps you pass through gas, and a shotgun and pistol used to give you a fighting chance against smaller foes, are just some of the devices and items you’ll nab. This shard of glass isn’t the only item you’ll obtain throughout your time with In Sound Mind. “…environments are intriguing in the sense that while they look of this world, taking a further glimpse at the surrounding areas reminds you of the nightmarish dreamscape you’re in.” A delightful, weird, creepy and fun level indeed. At first, they seem like a villain, but pay more attention and it becomes clear this figure (cutely labelled with a name tag titled ‘Dave,’) is your ally, guiding you where to go. As you’re making your way through the superstore, you’ll have a mannequin following you around when you don’t look at it. It’s a great means of both defending yourself against the spirit and also using the shard as a looking glass to see items not normally visible to the naked eye. As you’re making your way through the maze-like channel of aisles and backrooms, you’re tasked with guiding the ghost to mirrors to damage them.Īt a certain point in the supermarket level, you’re provided with a magical shard of glass, used to look behind you. Her story here is that she can’t bear the sight of herself, which comes into play in the gameplay.
#In sound mind alan wake series
This abandoned store is home to a ghostly girl that died tragically due to suicide after experiencing a series of mental health issues (thankfully, these themes err in the inoffensive territory). My favourite area to explore had to be the first, the supermarket superstore. He’s a fun character, and working out his story was interesting, though the same can’t be said for all the other reveals in-game.
There’s a haunting figure in a coat that will periodically appear in-person or through phone calls that come from the payphones spread around maps. What this allowed me to do is take the world in. Environments are thrilling and do have some deep horrors around each corner, but they all remain at a slow atmospheric pace.
Where In Sound Mind will win some and lose others is that it isn’t as terrifying as trailers may suggest. Domineering architecture and dark corners await. Skies are purple and dark clouds roll in. These environments are intriguing in the sense that while they look of this world, taking a further glimpse at the surrounding areas reminds you of the nightmarish dreamscape you’re in. A large shopping superstore, a beachside area with a lighthouse and an abandoned trainyard are just some of these places. These locations you visit are largely the scene of the crime where your past patients have tragically died. It’s a loop that works quite well in a horror setting. At the end of any given level, you’ll have completed your task of calming the spirit of the patient down and helping them pass on. Doors (serving as portals) to these other areas are revealed by listening to tapes with a given ex-patient. Travelling into these worlds is visually striking and at times share vibes with Silent Hill. Where these worlds come from are realities based on patients our hero has previously failed. In Sound Mind has players controlling a washed-up therapist, offering constant delving into other worlds that are vivid and imaginative. In Sound Mind’s ethereal worlds aren’t perfect, but they are tantalising It’s a solid horror game with some good ideas, just shy of greatness. In Sound Mind, an atmospheric experience that’ll likely go under many’s radars, is just this.
When these succeed, they’re a great feat and a wonder to behold. It’s when you have a little less budget that creating horrors can prove more challenging and beg for more creative solutions. With a big budget, horror games can be encapsulating, cinematic and enthralling. The smaller, more indie leaning side of horror games has always been intriguing to me.
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