Ad Infinitum

Ad Infinitum tells an engaging and unique story in a great way. To really enjoy it, though, you’d have to be willing to play with the voice setting set to German.

71%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

gameplay, stability

80% User Score Based on 395 reviews

Critic Score 62%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $2.30

Buy NowGet on Steam€34.99

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About

In Ad Infinitum, play as a German soldier torn between the trenches of WWI and his childhood home, haunted by war horrors and supernatural creatures. Traverse through a dreamlike world, uncovering memories and seeking inner peace. With a blend of narrative management and psychological thriller, this game explores the enduring impact of war on the human psyche, challenging you to break the cycle and confront your past.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 407 reviews

story125 positive mentions

gameplay18 negative mentions

The game features a great story that explores the psychological impact of World War I on the protagonist and his family, with multiple endings that enhance replayability.
The atmosphere is immersive, with stunning graphics and a haunting soundtrack that effectively convey the horrors of war.
The monster designs are unique and creatively tied to the themes of trauma and mental illness, adding depth to the horror experience.

The gameplay can feel tedious and repetitive, often resembling a walking simulator with minimal interaction and simplistic puzzles.
There are technical issues, including bugs and performance problems, which can detract from the overall experience.
The pacing is uneven, with long stretches of exploration that may lead to confusion about objectives and a lack of engaging action.

story
292 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
The story of "Ad Infinitum" is widely praised for its emotional depth and exploration of the psychological impacts of World War I, focusing on a German family's trauma and the horrors of war. While many reviewers commend its well-crafted narrative and atmospheric storytelling, some criticize the pacing and reliance on scattered notes for plot comprehension, which can detract from immersion. Overall, the game is recognized as a compelling experience for those who appreciate narrative-driven gameplay, despite some gameplay and structural flaws.
- “When this game was recommended to me, I thought it was nothing more than a WW1 horror game, but I was not ready for such a well-written story about the impact of the First World War on people's lives and minds.”
- “Ad Infinitum offers a haunting tale of a German family ripped apart by the unspeakable horrors of World War 1, which you will experience first-hand in the bloody, dangerous trenches and through the story-progressing explorations of a mansion.”
- “The story is wonderfully done, capturing the emotional journey of the characters and the devastating effects of war on families.”
- “Overall, it's almost like they didn't know how to adapt the story properly into video game form, so for the next time, I hope they work on that.”
- “However, the storytelling was painfully slow sometimes, especially in the mansion scenes, which was made even worse by how predictable it is.”
- “The story itself is convoluted and difficult to figure out if you don’t read the papers spread throughout the game.”
gameplay
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
74%
15%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive, simplistic, and lacking depth, often comparing it to walking simulators. While some appreciate the atmospheric elements and story, they criticize the clunky mechanics, underwhelming horror aspects, and the overuse of basic puzzles and stealth elements. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a significant drawback, detracting from the otherwise intriguing narrative and visuals.
- “The gameplay and story are good, and I really liked the soundtrack.”
- “Ad Infinitum balances engaging gameplay with a deep, dark, and fascinating story that tells a tale of a family torn apart by war.”
- “Its immersive atmosphere, captivating story, and nerve-wracking gameplay combine to deliver an unforgettable adventure.”
- “What little gameplay it has just flat out sucks and the horror aspect doesn't really help.”
- “The gameplay is boring, at the best of times, and tedious at the worst.”
- “Unfortunately, general clunkiness and lackluster gameplay bring down the experience as a whole.”
graphics
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
28%
6%
The graphics of the game have received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising the stunning visuals, detailed environments, and atmospheric elements that enhance the overall experience. However, some critiques highlight a lack of detail in certain areas and performance issues, suggesting that while the graphics are impressive, they may not be consistently optimized across all settings. Overall, the game's visual presentation is considered a strong point, contributing significantly to its immersive storytelling and horror atmosphere.
- “The game's graphics are stunning, with meticulously detailed environments that pull you into its dark, oppressive world.”
- “Stunning graphics, atmospheric and immersive.”
- “The graphics and sound design work in harmony to immerse you in an eerie, unsettling world that feels as real as it is terrifying.”
- “34 euros is definitely too much for a game you finish in 6-7 hours and that lacks so much detail (graphics are often raw, voice acting is not really convincing, monsters and environment tend to lack details).”
- “Overall just another 'horror' game that is all graphics, zero interesting mechanics, some shitty 'stealth', and their version of telling a story is 'hey guys let's just leave a million notes around and they will figure it out'.”
- “Everything else - graphics and gameplay - is just overall meh.”
atmosphere
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
40%
4%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing the horrors and tensions of World War I through stunning visuals, sound design, and a compelling narrative. Players appreciate the consistent sense of unease and emotional depth, although some note that the gameplay can feel secondary to the atmospheric experience. Overall, the game excels in creating a captivating and eerie environment that enhances its storytelling.
- “The scenery and the atmosphere of the game carries the horrors and the tensions of WW1 incredibly well.”
- “With a fantastic atmosphere supported by great use of light/shadow and a soundtrack fit for a feature-length film, the environments the player moves through are haunting and anxiety-inducing.”
- “Ad infinitum is a very atmospheric horror walking sim that intelligently deals with the trauma suffered by the soldiers of the Great War, the game feels like Otto Dix's paintings come to life.”
- “The atmosphere and the tension were so consistent the whole way through, and the plot twists are just *chef's kiss*.”
- “The best part of the game was just the overall atmosphere of the trenches, the old German manor, and the history.”
- “The horror elements from this game come from the atmosphere and stories themselves; the monsters are simply the icing on top and provide for some memorable scenes and encounters.”
music
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
38%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its outstanding quality, often compared favorably to that of AAA titles, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and storytelling. However, some players noted instances where the music felt out of place or was poorly implemented, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the soundtrack is generally regarded as a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's emotional and immersive qualities.
- “The soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous too.”
- “The music, the map, the atmosphere are very well done.”
- “Enjoyable music: the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack perfectly complements the eerie atmosphere.”
- “The only thing I'll give credit for this game is the trailer, the story, and the music production, but even when playing the game, the music seems very out of place.”
- “Unfortunately, in the last chapter, there were a lot of moments where there was no music at all, and one of them was the final battle, which made the ending anti-climactic when I defeated the last boss.”
- “The music at certain parts is inappropriate and ruins all tension if there ever was any.”
emotional
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many reviewers highlighting its powerful and touching narrative centered around the horrors of World War I and the impact on familial bonds. Players describe the experience as an emotional roller coaster, filled with heart-wrenching moments and a beautifully crafted atmosphere that enhances the story's depth. The game effectively combines magical realism with a haunting portrayal of trauma, leaving a lasting emotional impact that resonates long after playing.
- “Fantastic emotionally driven story about the horrors of WW1 and a good game to boot.”
- “It’s rather unique, has a heart-breaking story of war and familial bonds, and features a finely crafted atmosphere that’s bleak and terrible but beautiful in its own horrific ways.”
- “The story was hard-hitting and emotional; it really captures the effect WW1 had on families at the time.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, including stuttering frames and technical bugs. While the graphics are praised for their quality, the Unity engine's limitations at high resolutions, particularly 4K, have led to a reliance on technologies like DLSS for smoother gameplay. Despite ongoing patches, many users feel that the game lacks polish and that optimization remains a notable downside.
- “Some areas were not as optimized as others and would lag a little, but it didn't affect my experience much as I got through those areas quickly.”
- “It does not really run smoothly at first, but if you fix it up, it will stop crashing.”
- “Unfortunately, I have a 4090 and various optimization issues.”
- “Unity engine isn't nearly as performant as other engines for this level of graphical fidelity, so I suspect DLSS might be necessary for satisfactory performance with 4K resolution.”
- “Other than that, 'Ad Infinitum' is let down by its lack of polish and optimization.”
stability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been a common point of contention among users, with many reporting various glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during puzzles and checkpoint saves. While some players experienced a smooth experience overall, others noted significant issues that detracted from their enjoyment, suggesting that the game feels outdated and clunky at times. Overall, the stability is inconsistent, with a mix of minor and major glitches affecting the overall experience.
- “Now for my dislikes and issues: it was not surprising, as this is not the only game to have this issue, but I did encounter more and more glitches the further along in the game I went--nothing major or game breaking, but I did at one point encounter a ladder that would not let me climb down; it would just push me up and out every time.”
- “My only issue was the glitches that occurred during puzzles for some reason; they made completing puzzles impossible, and keys seemed to never get used even though I had them. A few checkpoint reloads seemed to get things back on track, but a fix would've been better.”
- “It is riddled with glitches, big and small.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
11%
78%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely viewed as tedious and unengaging, with players frequently expressing frustration over the excessive walking and lack of meaningful challenges. While some appreciate the blend of story and puzzles, many find the gameplay monotonous and lacking in excitement, leading to a sense of boredom throughout the experience. Overall, the game is criticized for its linearity and repetitive nature, making the grinding feel more like a chore than an enjoyable part of the gameplay.
- “A well-blended mix of story-driven walkthrough, puzzles (not punishing) and enemy/boss moments which are challenging enough, but not grindy.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The gameplay is boring, at the best of times, and tedious at the worst.”
- “This game... I really wanted to like it, I gave it enough chances but it's just boring... nothing happens you walk to a place you read a ton of stuff with meh alright not bad, not good acting and then walk some more then an enemy comes at you and it's super easy to deal with them and it's just tedious.. the whole game is just a bore and them charging $35 for this is criminal.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The game offers limited replayability, primarily due to its three different endings based on player choices, which encourages a second playthrough for a fuller understanding of the story. However, the inability to skip cutscenes and dialogues significantly detracts from the overall replay value, leading to a mixed reception among users. Overall, while there is some potential for replay, it is hampered by poor implementation.
- “There are three different endings depending on choices you make at critical points, so there is some built-in replayability (and a second playthrough would probably also help to more fully understand the story anyway).”
- “Replay value is close to zero + you cannot skip most of the cutscenes/dialogues.”
- “Replay value is close to zero, and you cannot skip most of the cutscenes/dialogues.”
- “There is a replayability value to this game, but unfortunately the way that they implemented it is really bad.”
- “There are three different endings depending on choices you make at critical points, so there is some built-in replayability, but a second playthrough would probably also help to more fully understand the story.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is noted for its ability to uplift players during tough times, with jokes that resonate deeply. Additionally, the design of certain monsters evokes a nostalgic, comedic vibe reminiscent of early 2000s films, adding a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.
- “He made me laugh when nobody else could when I was going through the deepest depression I've ever experienced.”
- “Some of the monsters are similar to those funny little jungle zombies from the early 00s sequel of 'The Mummy', and the whole Mother of Sorrows thing reminds me of Dario Argento's universe.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews do not provide relevant information about monetization in the context of gaming; instead, they focus on historical and cultural commentary regarding Spanish colonial education and the impact on indigenous languages. Therefore, no summary on monetization can be derived from the provided texts.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The character development in the game is criticized for being shallow and disjointed, with many reviewers noting that it heavily relies on outdated mechanics from other titles, resulting in a lack of depth and engagement in the characters' growth.
- “The story feels disjointed, and the character development is shallow, relying too much on stale mechanics from other games.”
- “Character development is lacking depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “The characters feel one-dimensional, and their growth throughout the game is minimal and unconvincing.”