Downward Spiral: Horus Station
- May 31, 2018
- 3rd Eye Studios
- 11h median play time
Downward Spiral: Horus Station is a thoughtfully crafted VR game that puts the player in the shoes of an astronaut exploring the depths of the mysterious Horus Station on Mars.
Get on SteamDownward Spiral: Horus Station is a single-player or two-player online co-op game set in a derelict space station. Players must piece together the story through environmental clues and interpret what happened to the crew, while engaging or avoiding station threats. The game also features eight-player PvP and PvE multiplayer modes for additional gameplay. Its electronic ambient soundtrack is composed by Ville Valo of HIM.
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features competent movement mechanics in zero gravity, making traversal enjoyable and immersive.
- It has a highly atmospheric and polished design, with great audio and visuals that enhance the sci-fi experience.
- The game is fun to play in co-op mode, providing a satisfying experience with friends.
- The game suffers from heavy aliasing and performance issues, which can detract from the visual experience.
- Co-op play is hindered by frequent disconnects that require chapter restarts, making it frustrating for players.
- The gameplay becomes repetitive after a few levels, with many puzzles and environments feeling similar and lacking variety.
- story50 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling, allowing players to piece together the narrative through exploration rather than traditional dialogue or text. While some players appreciate the subtlety and immersive atmosphere, others find the storyline lacking depth and coherence, with a bare-bones plot that can leave them confused. Overall, the visuals and audio are praised, but the storytelling may not satisfy those seeking a more direct narrative experience.
“The story is told via environmental clues; you see dead bodies, destroyed robots, parts of the station broken apart out the window, and a planet close by...”
“The storytelling is really subtle, and while some may prefer a more direct approach, the objectives and areas you visit are all important to enjoy the subtle storytelling.”
“The developers drew inspiration from classic sci-fi movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey in designing the retro-futuristic station and letting the players discover the story through exploration and observation rather than through voiceovers, cinematics, or audio logs.”
“I have no idea what's going on with the story, to be honest.”
“The game is a bit light on story, and there is little information provided to help you work out what has supposed to have happened before the game starts.”
“What that really means here is the sheer lack of bothering to include any cohesive storyline or writing.”
- gameplay29 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay features competent movement mechanics, particularly in zero-gravity environments, and satisfying shooting elements, though it suffers from repetition in puzzles and level design. While the mechanics are enjoyable and the atmosphere immersive, many players desire deeper complexity and challenge as the game progresses. Overall, the game is praised for its solid mechanics and engaging VR experience, but some aspects, like inventory control and repetitive tasks, detract from its potential.
“Competent fluent movement mechanics when you learn how to drift in zero gravity, and pretty satisfying shooter moments.”
“Gameplay has you mostly grapple hooking in anti-gravity through a space station, opening doors, completing small tasks, and shooting or evading robots.”
“It has your average VR shooter mechanics, but the shooting feels good with a good amount of weapons and enemy droid types. Levels are immersive and awe-inspiring at times with that awesome zero-g movement; all I can say is this game is a gem playing co-op with a friend!”
“It's like the developer wanted to have a game that was long, so he just kept repeating the same puzzles, rooms, and mechanics until it took a couple of hours to finish the game.”
“There's a lot of repetition in the gameplay.”
“I could have sworn at one point that I was repeating a section because the gameplay actions and the corridors looked exactly the same as a prior section I had been in.”
- graphics26 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals, clean and stylish art style, and atmospheric effects that enhance the storytelling. However, some users note issues such as glitches, repetitive environments, and a lack of variety in settings, leading to a perception of lower quality in larger locales. Overall, while the graphics are generally well-received, there are areas for improvement, particularly in consistency and variety.
“The visuals are stunning, controls are perfect, lag-free, great sound.”
“The one thing that stands out about this game is the visuals, with cool graphics and effects.”
“Story is told without a single spoken word (not even tablets of text), visuals are clean and stylish (retro-futuristic, akin to Alien or 2001: A Space Odyssey), great audio and retro-inspired music.”
“The graphics are on the scrubbier end in the larger locales, but the scale itself is still very rewarding, with great layered verticality.”
“Graphics are PS2 quality.”
“Graphics: if you are looking for Lone Echo on Steam, you will be disappointed.”
- atmosphere23 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and polished design, featuring stunning graphics, excellent sound design, and a mysterious ambiance that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of engaging level design and atmospheric elements, which create a captivating environment, particularly in VR. Despite some minor glitches and a short playtime, the game's ability to evoke a strong sense of immersion and tension is consistently highlighted.
“One of the most atmospheric and polished games I've played to date.”
“Highly atmospheric and immersive VR adventure with a pinch of shooting and a bit of horror.”
“That was a blank canvas that could easily have been utilized to lay things on thick and build mood/atmosphere very easily for minimal extra effort.”
“The sound design and accompanying music are top notch, adding an essential layer to an eerie atmosphere within the station.”
“I very much like the solid design of the space station (although it could have been better with a little more detail) and the mysterious atmosphere.”
- music11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its fitting and atmospheric qualities, with a retro-inspired soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, reminiscent of 70s and 80s sci-fi films. While the sound design is top-notch and effectively uses silence to build tension, some players wish for more background music to complement the eerie ambiance of the desolate space setting. Overall, the combination of appropriate sound work and a captivating musical score contributes significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.
“The 80s style mood and action music is very welcome (although occasionally it stays in high octane mode even after you've killed off all the threats in an area).”
“Story is told without a single spoken word (not even tablets of texts), visuals are clean and stylish (retro-futuristic, akin to Alien or 2001: A Space Odyssey), great audio and retro-inspired music.”
“The sound design and accompanying music are top notch, adding an essential layer to an eerie atmosphere within the station.”
“The 80s style mood and action music is very welcome, although occasionally it stays in high octane mode even after you've killed off all the threats in an area.”
“You'll come across audio recorders, which only play back one of two things - cliché classical music or static.”
“The first time you enter space, all the ambient music stops and you hear nothing.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with good performance and a strong atmosphere from audio and level design. However, some users report occasional glitches, such as floating outside geometry, indicating potential optimization issues.
“The sounds are good, the station looks decent, and performance is great as well.”
“Fairly short and occasional glitches (floating outside geometry, possible optimization issues) but great atmosphere from audio and level design.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game experiences occasional glitches, such as floating outside geometry and potential optimization issues, but overall maintains a strong atmosphere through its audio and level design.
“Fairly short and occasional glitches (floating outside geometry, possible optimization issues) but great atmosphere from audio and level design.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players feel that the repetitive nature of the puzzles leads to a grinding experience, as they lack logical progression and seem to exist solely to extend gameplay rather than enhance the narrative or challenge.
“The puzzles you encounter going forward are all the same, to the point where you feel like you're just grinding through something that exists purely for the sake of it, not because it's logical based on the setting.”
“The repetitive tasks feel like a chore rather than an engaging part of the game, making the experience tedious and unfulfilling.”
“Grinding for resources takes away from the enjoyment of the game, turning what should be an adventure into a monotonous slog.”
Critic Reviews
Downward Spiral: Horus Station Review
Downward Spiral: Horus Station neither succeeds nor fails in any spectacular fashion, and as such, it just sort of exists. This is a boring experience that doesn’t do anything truly unforgivable, but is also unsuccessful in offering anything worthy of talking about. Downward Spiral: Horus Station is a thing, but you really don’t need to experience it.
40%Downward Spiral: Horus Station Review
PSVR has expanded its catalogue year on year, going a long way in proving that the technology is here to stay, and not the gimmick many had thought. While Downward Spiral Horus Station isn't a groundbreaking VR title, thanks to the combat and lack of variety in the "puzzles" letting it down. It still delivers on crafting an immersive and atmospheric experience. Letting its audience step into the void of space. It's another to add to the catalogue of games to introduce non-VR gamers and non-gamers in general into the wonders of virtual reality.
60%Downward Spiral: Horus Station (PC) Review
Downward Spiral: Horus Station is a thoughtfully crafted VR game that puts the player in the shoes of an astronaut exploring the depths of the mysterious Horus Station on Mars.
75%
