Caliban Below

About

Caliban Below is a single player action game. It was developed by Blackthorn Media, Inc. and was released on June 19, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

A short interactive story for room-scale VR: Become Caliban, the scion of a broken lineage struggling to understand your dark inheritance. Explore the ruins of the family estate, and the incredible realm below seeking clues to your past, and to the events that severed you from your family long ago.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 168 reviews

story24 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Caliban Below offers a captivating atmosphere and immersive storytelling, making it a standout example of early VR narrative experiences.
The pixel art style, combined with modern detailing, creates a charming retro aesthetic that enhances the game's eerie ambiance.
As a free experience, it provides a worthwhile glimpse into a dark, gothic world, leaving players eager for more content.

The game is very short, lasting only about 10-15 minutes, which may leave players wanting more depth and content.
Many players found the graphics too dark and washed out, making it difficult to appreciate the detailed environments.
The limited interaction and reliance on teleportation for movement can detract from the immersion and overall gameplay experience.

story
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The story aspect of the game is generally praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its engaging narration and Lovecraftian influences. While the narrative is often described as short and sometimes abstract, it effectively draws players into a creepy and intriguing world, leaving them wanting more. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a promising example of how VR can enhance narrative experiences, despite some critiques regarding clarity and depth.
- “The story, voice, and sound are absolutely phenomenal.”
- “Superbly atmospheric VR experience with an amazing sting in the tail that illustrates just how powerful VR can be for storytelling.”
- “The story seems pure Lovecraft and really nails the genre - the narration too is perfect.”
- “The story didn't have any big surprises, and while the reveal was cool, it wasn't a big surprise.”
- “No gameplay or interaction, which is okay, but the story was also minimal and abstract - it's mostly just the narrator saying some pseudo-profound/dark stuff at you as you teleport around some really short environments - which are too dark to see in any great detail.”
- “An interesting 15 minutes or so exploring the catacombs which are nicely done, but there is no gameplay in this, just the slow unraveling of what seems like a somewhat pretentious storyline.”
atmosphere
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
14%
8%
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, evoking a sense of dark, gothic horror reminiscent of classic literature. Players appreciate the stunning environments, soundscapes, and storytelling, which create a captivating yet brief experience, often wishing for a longer playtime. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature, enhancing the game's narrative and emotional impact.
- “The atmosphere is stunning and fits so well; I could sense a little horror in the game too, and I love that feature.”
- “Superbly atmospheric VR experience with an amazing sting in the tail that illustrates just how powerful VR can be for storytelling.”
- “The environments are beautifully dark and atmospheric.”
- “It gave me a scary atmosphere that reminded me of the 19th century gothic horror stories that I used to read.”
- “However, the torch dynamics and interactive dialogue in the first demo and the chain physics in this demo have me convinced that the eventual product might have one of the most realistic atmospheres in VR to date.”
- “The experience is dripping with atmosphere.”
graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
24%
13%
The graphics in the game receive a mixed reception, with many praising their beauty and immersive quality, while some note issues with darkness and clarity. Overall, the visuals are described as top-notch and engaging, though a few reviewers feel they could benefit from more color and crispness. Despite some criticisms, the graphics are generally considered a strong point of the game, contributing to its atmospheric experience.
- “The graphics are gorgeous with barely any exception.”
- “Fantastic graphics.”
- “It was a visceral treat and at the same time an aesthetic and engrossing visual entertainment at the highest calibre.”
- “However, the graphics seemed off.”
- “The story is interesting so far and has potential, but the graphics are a bit of a letdown.”
- “I understand that we are underground, with only moonlight for illumination, but there has to be a way to introduce some more color, or at least make the visuals crisper.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics and minimal interaction, focusing more on narrative and atmosphere than traditional gameplay elements. While some players appreciate the professional execution and engaging storyline, others find the experience abstract and lacking in depth, with limited visibility in darker environments. Overall, it offers a unique blend of storytelling and exploration, appealing to those who enjoy immersive narratives.
- “The narrator's voice acting, the amazing scenery and creepy effects, the simple gameplay, and 'I must know more' storyline, and the twist at the end.”
- “After taking a minute to learn some of the mechanics, I loved every moment afterward.”
- “No gameplay or interaction, which is okay, but the story was also minimal and abstract - it's mostly just the narrator saying some pseudo-profound/dark stuff at you as you teleport around some really short environments - which are too dark to see in any great detail.”
- “It's just gameplay.”
- “Surprised it's free because it's done very professionally and offers much gameplay and story.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring an unrealistic amount of effort akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is noted for its strong optimization, running smoothly on a variety of hardware configurations, including older setups like the 3770k and GTX 1080. Users appreciate the performance stability across different systems.
- “The only game that runs smoothly with a combination of the aforementioned.”
- “Well optimized for my machine (i7 3770k, GTX 1080).”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music and voice acting in the game received high praise, being described as exceptional and contributing significantly to the overall experience.
- “The music and voice acting were top-notch.”