Ancra
- October 29, 2021
- For7s
Get on Steam"Ancra" is a narrative-driven puzzle-horror game where players explore a dying photographer's home, solving cryptic puzzles to uncover a haunting story. With open level design and multiple routes, players must decide who to trust and navigate unreliable sources of information. The game features classic survival horror puzzles, dynamic environments, and multiple endings based on player choices, with secret unlockables and a hidden true story to discover.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a compelling atmosphere and an intriguing, cryptic story with many mysteries to uncover.
- Puzzles are intelligent and original, seamlessly integrated into the narrative, providing a satisfying challenge.
- The game encourages multiple playthroughs to discover different endings and secrets, enhancing replayability.
- Some puzzles can be overly complex or illogical, making them difficult to solve.
- Achieving all endings and achievements can be confusing and time-consuming, requiring significant effort.
- There are occasional technical issues, such as game crashes, which can lead to lost progress.
- story6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its creepy and compelling atmosphere, featuring a cryptic narrative filled with mysteries and enigmatic characters. Reviewers appreciate how the complex puzzles are organically integrated into the plot, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the story is described as intriguing and original, effectively keeping players engaged.
“Creepy and compelling atmosphere, cryptic story with many mysteries to uncover, intelligent and often original puzzles.”
“It really knows how to keep us on our toes with its mysterious story and enigmatic characters.”
“I enjoyed the way the more complex puzzles were organic to the story rather than being just puzzles for the sake of puzzles.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent narrative, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character development is shallow, leaving me feeling disconnected from their motivations and actions.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or emotional impact.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its creepy and compelling nature, enhanced by ominous sound effects and effective graphical glitches that create a spine-chilling experience. Players appreciate the cryptic story filled with mysteries and the intelligent, original puzzles that complement the excellent spooky ambiance. Overall, the combination of horror elements and engaging gameplay contributes to a captivating atmosphere.
“Creepy and compelling atmosphere, cryptic story with many mysteries to uncover, intelligent and often original puzzles.”
“The atmosphere is wonderful; it sends shivers down my spine.”
“The horror atmosphere is very well done, using ominous sound effects, mild jumpscares, and graphical glitch effects.”
“The horror atmosphere is very well done using ominous sound effects, mild jumpscares, and graphical glitch effects.”
“The game fails to create a truly immersive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the environment.”
“Despite the potential for a chilling atmosphere, the repetitive sound design and lack of environmental detail make it feel flat.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Ancra is praised for its innovative mechanics and clever puzzles, set within a gripping horror adventure narrative. Players appreciate the unique blend of a grim yet beautiful aesthetic, enhancing the overall experience.
“I love the mechanics, the puzzles, and the story; it's something I haven't seen in a video game like this.”
“The aesthetic is grim but beautiful, and the gameplay and documents are nuanced and clever.”
“I love the mechanics, the puzzles, the story; it's something I yet haven't seen in a video game like this.”
“Ancra is an intriguing puzzle horror adventure game with very innovative gameplay and a gripping plot.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for creating a compelling horror atmosphere, characterized by a unique art style and effective use of graphical glitches. The aesthetic is described as both grim and beautiful, complemented by nuanced gameplay and strong sound design.
“The horror atmosphere is very well done using ominous sound effects, mild jumpscares, and graphical glitch effects.”
“The aesthetic is grim but beautiful; the gameplay and documents are nuanced and clever.”
“Unique art style and great sound design.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
“Character models look flat and lifeless, making it hard to connect with the story.”
“The environments feel bland and uninspired, failing to create an immersive experience.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally solid, with users noting that the horror atmosphere is effectively enhanced by sound effects and graphical glitches, which contribute to the overall experience without causing significant disruptions.
