Prisoner of Ice

About

Prisoner of Ice is a single player action game with horror, thriller and science fiction themes. It was developed by Infogrames and was released on November 4, 2015. It received neutral reviews from players.

Amid an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue you'll launch your voyage in the icy cold wastelands of the Antarctic aboard a Royal Navy submarine - the H.M.S. Victoria. As an American agent of the Office of Naval Intelligence, your mission is to thwart a Nazi plot and recover top secret cargo. Horrific creatures capable of shifting the balance of world power must be conquered. World War II looms ahe…

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Single-Player

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53%

Audience ScoreBased on 51 reviews

story7 positive mentions

The game successfully captures the atmosphere and dread of Lovecraft's work while blending it with a pulpy narrative of war and occult science.
Many players appreciate the game's brisk pacing and intriguing story, which includes twists and connections to the earlier title, Shadow of the Comet.
The implementation of autosaves during timed sections allows players to experiment with puzzles without the fear of losing significant progress.

The story can feel rushed and uneven, often leaving players confused due to its disjointed narrative and lack of depth.
Puzzles are frequently criticized for being illogical and requiring excessive pixel hunting, making gameplay frustrating and reliant on walkthroughs.
The technical presentation is inconsistent, with dated graphics and subpar voice acting that detracts from the overall experience.

story
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
74%
8%
The story of "Call of Cthulhu: Prisoner of Ice" revolves around a shipment of mysterious crates linked to Lovecraftian horrors, connecting to previous titles like "Shadow of the Comet." While some players appreciate its ambition and twists, many criticize the pacing, coherence, and depth of the narrative, often finding it rushed, confusing, or lacking in the expected Lovecraftian atmosphere. Overall, the story elicits mixed reactions, with nostalgia playing a significant role in some players' enjoyment despite its flaws.
- “A shipment of mysterious crates, stolen from the Nazis, forms the central mystery, and as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the cargo houses horrors beyond human comprehension.”
- “Though readers familiar with that universe will know that even in most Cthulhu stories the octopus monster does not show up much, it still has a story full of twists and turns the way you might expect from a Lovecraft story.”
- “It does well overall on every aspect, with a story that gets really exciting when it starts to deal with time travel and connects with Shadow of the Comet, a previous game based on Call of Cthulhu.”
- “While the ambition is admirable, the story can sometimes feel rushed or uneven, as though it tries to balance too many ideas without fully fleshing them out.”
- “The entire game can be completed in just a few hours, and plot developments sometimes arrive so quickly that they lack the dramatic weight they deserve.”
- “The story is an absolute mess, trying to loosely branch off of the Mountains of Madness, and serve as a kind of continuation of Shadow of the Comet within 3-4 hours.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The graphics of the game are generally viewed as dated and pixelated, with many reviewers noting that they have not aged well, making it difficult to interact with smaller items. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm of the unique blend of 2D and 3D graphics from its era, others criticize the poor animations and the reliance on pixel hunting, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics evoke a sense of nostalgia but may frustrate players accustomed to modern standards.
- “And the first thing chronologically I noticed that made me love this game was that the 3D graphics are trapped in that amazing era where they are utterly comical no matter how hard they try, which could not possibly be less appropriate for Call of Cthulhu, but somehow that adds to the whole bonkers throw-so-much-in-a-blender-and-drink-whatever-comes-out approach the team took in designing this game.”
- “Sure, the graphics are dated -- but at the same time they're kinda cool!”
- “- Combination of 2D and 3D graphics is unique for the time.”
- “While graphics are improved and some of the gameplay is better, it has hideous animations, a lot more pixel hunting but way less puzzles (it often felt more like a hidden object game than a normal point-and-click), it's a lot shorter, and the story is so much worse that it makes the original look like one of the best of the Cthulhu mythos' stories.”
- “Graphically, Prisoner of Ice uses a mix of sprite work, pre-rendered 3D models, and motion capture that for the time might have looked good but leaves a sore mark nowadays.”
- “The graphics didn't age very well - it's pixelated and sometimes almost impossible to find smaller items on the screen (e.g. the needle in the doctor's office).”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it amusingly absurd and fitting for the game's tone, while others describe it as mediocre and occasionally inappropriate. There is an option to switch to MIDI music, which some players appreciate, but overall, the soundtrack seems to evoke a sense of nostalgia rather than high praise. Additionally, some users noted issues with music glitching, leading to a less stable audio experience.
- “I mean the opening action sees a bunch of little blobby dudes fleeing machine gun fire while music that sounds straight out of Stunt Island plays over the top (where are my Stunt Island fans???).”
- “The music also sets the tone pretty well.”
- “I remember being amazed by the game's OST (soundtrack) and characters.”
- “The soundtrack to this game was so utterly ridiculous and sometimes inappropriate (like, again, the game ending outro) that I could not help but roll with it.”
- “The music is mediocre.”
- “Like many games from the time, I can't say much about the music or the voices other than I found it helpful just to turn them off.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The gameplay of "Prisoner of Ice" follows a traditional point-and-click format but is criticized for its lack of ambition compared to its predecessor, "Shadow of the Comet." Players note issues such as pixel hunting, illogical puzzle design, and a shorter playtime, which detracts from the overall experience. However, it may appeal to beginners due to its straightforward mechanics and helpful quick save feature.
- “From a gameplay perspective, Prisoner of Ice adheres closely to the point-and-click formula popular in its era.”
- “It's story is enjoyable, the investigative part is well done and, maybe, for someone used to much better graphics or game mechanics that are way younger than this game, is still something worth checking out for such a small price and a very few hours of relax.”
- “This is a good game for beginning players: the mechanics are fairly simple, the puzzles make more sense than many other point-and-clicks of the time and every sudden death is preceded by an automatic quick save - which is great, because I often forget to save at regular intervals.”
- “Compared to Shadow of the Comet, Prisoner of Ice is seen as less ambitious in its mechanics and less effective in its world-building.”
- “While graphics are improved and some of the gameplay is better, it has hideous animations, a lot more pixel hunting but way less puzzles (it often felt more like a hidden object game than a normal point-and-click), it's a lot shorter, and the story is so much worse that it makes the original look like one of the best of the Cthulhu mythos' stories.”
- “...because the gameplay is also bad.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
43%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its well-drawn backgrounds and moody environments that effectively blend supernatural thriller elements with Lovecraftian horror and pulp narratives. While it captures a sense of dread and tension, some players note that it lacks the depth and unique atmosphere found in other titles, particularly for fans of Lovecraft. Overall, it maintains an engaging pace and interesting settings, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a true Lovecraftian experience.
- “The backgrounds are well-drawn and often atmospheric, creating moody environments that capture the tone of a supernatural thriller.”
- “It successfully captures some of the atmosphere and dread of Lovecraft’s work while wrapping it in a pulpy narrative of war and occult science.”
- “Its shortcomings in depth, challenge, and polish are clear, but its pace and atmosphere keep it engaging enough for fans of classic adventure games.”
- “It has very little to do with Lovecraft, other than a few references here and there, and a loose connection to the first game; none of the atmosphere is present.”
- “The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the world.”
- “Despite its attempts, the atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the tension and immersion expected from a horror-themed game.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the game features a deeply engaging storyline complemented by significant character development, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
- “The storyline and character development are very deep.”
- “The characters evolve in meaningful ways, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
- “I love how each character has a unique backstory that influences their growth throughout the game.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is hit-or-miss; while some find it amusing, others feel it falls flat and would prefer a different approach. The voice acting and dialogue are often described as "hilariously awful," contributing to a mixed reception of the comedic elements.
- “The voice acting and dialogue are hilariously awful, adding to the game's charm.”
- “It's funny in a way that keeps you entertained throughout the experience.”