IIt’s very interesting to play a game made by a developer who grew up playing 3D games. Crow Country’s affectionate reference to Silent Hill is a prime example of this. A survival horror game about the dark secrets that lurk inside and outside an abandoned theme park, it’s also a gorgeous homage to groundbreaking games from the past.
The look of the game is breathtaking. The thick, grainy patina on the screen gives the impression that you’re playing in someone’s dimly lit bedroom in 1997 on his CRT monitor. The thick polygonal figures of the main character, the mysterious Mara Forest, create a sharp contrast against sets and landscapes that give the impression of Final Fantasy VII’s pre-rendered lush backgrounds. However, these environments are not static like previous versions, but fully and fun interactive. This is a game made with great attention to detail and a clear passion for a specific time in game design. The sound design, in perfect harmony with the aesthetics, is a sublime pleasure to watch and listen to, adding even more tension to the already grimy and desolate world we have to navigate.
A game center in the land of crows. Photo: SFB Games
The title screen offers two play modes: Survival or Exploration. I initially chose exploration mode, and was able to get into the game for about 10 hours. Even without the grotesque Cronenberg-esque beasts roaming the park, the game continues to be a chilling adventure set in the ever-decaying world of theme parks. If the player leaves a room and returns to it later, they may find the walls littered with corpses and bloody writing. At some point, heavy rain begins. Eventually the lights go out. The environment is truly alive and packed with tricky puzzles that may seem circuitous at first, but are extremely satisfying to decipher.
After completing this mode, I embarked on a bloodier route. The fear was appropriately heightened in the face of guests and other grotesque creatures in the park. Combat is simple: shoot or run, and the game thoughtfully provides a series of control options for gunfire so players can choose their approach. The origins of the creatures are very tragic and strange, but the game provides great suspense with or without their presence. Even when we know that Mara has chosen a route out of harm’s way, the sense that something terrible lurks around every corner remains. The game is like a hallway horror, and things only get worse as you dig tunnels behind the park and underground.
“Mystery in the Land of Crows” was much richer than I expected. The story is very fully drawn and not without levity and playfulness in the face of darkness. I thought the final sequence was really bold. Sticking with the weird and unsettling from start to finish, it certainly hit the nail on the head. Crow Country is far more than an imitation of his PS1-era giant, and that in itself is a true triumph.
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Source: www.theguardian.com
