Edge of Sanity

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 61 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Edge of Sanity Game Cover
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"Edge of Sanity" is a psychological survival horror game set in the wilderness of Alaska, inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos. After a resupply mission goes wrong, you must explore caves, mines, and laboratories to uncover the truth. Manage your camp, scavenge for supplies, and make wise decisions to ensure survival in this hand-crafted 2D art style game.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 61 reviews
story13 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning art and a fantastic atmosphere that effectively captures the Lovecraftian horror theme.
  • Voice acting is well-executed, adding depth to the characters and enhancing the overall experience.
  • The gameplay offers a unique blend of survival mechanics and resource management, keeping players engaged with its strategic elements.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive and tedious, especially as players progress into later chapters where resource management becomes increasingly frustrating.
  • There are significant issues with save functionality, leading to lost progress and a lack of trust in the game's saving system.
  • The story, while interesting, is limited in scope and can feel predictable, lacking the depth and complexity that some players may expect.
  • story50 mentions

    The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it interesting yet predictable and limited in scope. While the main plot is often described as simple and repetitive, side stories related to companions add depth. The game's atmosphere and writing are praised, but many feel that the storytelling lacks skill and fails to fully engage players, leading to a sense of disconnection from the narrative.

    • “The story is interesting, the setting is a mix of Lovecraftian cosmic horror and SCP or Umbrella Corp vibes.”
    • “Having played it for several hours longer, the story starts to pick up and the game gets more interesting.”
    • “The atmosphere is great and the story is interesting.”
    • “I lost all motivation to keep going after this story event which caused me to lose everything.”
    • “The plot is boring and predictable, the enemies are just worms, and the characters are cut and paste archetypes.”
    • “But this game also fails on a storytelling level.”
  • gameplay29 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it repetitive and frustrating due to slow pacing and clunky mechanics, while others appreciate the unique blend of survival, resource management, and Lovecraftian themes. The game features a complex mechanics system that can be enjoyable once mastered, but initial confusion may deter some players. Overall, while it offers exciting challenges and a captivating atmosphere, the gameplay loop may not appeal to everyone.

    • “Confusing at first, but a good game once you learn the mechanics.”
    • “Refreshing game concepts that bring a little variety to the AAA 3D graphics monsters. It doesn't promise endless open-world entertainment but still offers exciting gameplay and tricky challenges.”
    • “The gameplay loop is very reminiscent of the games I mentioned above: stress and resource management, with an upgradable base to keep resources coming in and stress levels low; scouting/scavenging, weapon durability, and stealth are also major mechanics here. There are multiple ways to dispatch or avoid enemy encounters, with each enemy type having exploitable weaknesses and strengths, making for fun and creative survival gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is serviceable but repetitive, and the slow pacing gets more frustrating as the game goes on, making the repetitiveness a conscious flaw you're aware of.”
    • “The gameplay loop is one of the worst I've experienced in a long time.”
    • “It is just too clunky, with mechanics that are too haphazard.”
  • graphics17 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received high praise for their surreal and unsettling art style, often compared to the aesthetics of "Darkest Dungeon." Reviewers highlight the impressive visuals and atmospheric design, which effectively enhance the gameplay experience, despite some noting the game’s lack of originality and high budget. Overall, the combination of detailed 2D environments and a Lovecraftian influence creates a captivating visual experience that keeps players engaged.

    • “The graphics are breathtakingly surreal, pulling you deeper into its twisted world with every frame.”
    • “Daedlic encompasses the sensation of sanity decreasing so well; the illustrations and visuals were unsettling but very cool.”
    • “The art style is fantastic, with detailed multi-layered 2D environments.”
    • “But, this game only took inspiration from the Lovecraft lore and the art style of Darkest Dungeon.”
    • “Edge of sanity with Lovecraft elements, together with Darkest Dungeon inspired art style, make this game a thrill to play with.”
    • “The 2D graphics are really well done too.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its Lovecraftian elements, creating a sense of constant unease and danger that captivates players. The combination of gorgeous art, effective voice acting, and foreboding music enhances the overall experience, making it particularly appealing to fans of horror and indie games. However, some players noted that repetitive gameplay elements can detract from the immersive atmosphere at times.

    • “It's a Lovecraftian indie game and I really hate that I can't rate this higher because the art is gorgeous, the developer decided to add voice acting shortly before the game released and the voice acting is pretty good, and the atmosphere is truly fantastic.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game is incredible—it constantly made me feel uneasy, like something horrible was always lurking around the corner.”
    • “Edge of sanity shines when it comes to a general vibe and atmosphere of being in constant danger.”
    • “The music is also, as I said, satisfactorily foreboding and adds a lot to the atmosphere.”
    • “Creepy atmosphere combined with some retro sci-fi.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the opportunity to explore different decisions and save various survivors with unique skills, others criticize its linear structure, arguing that it lacks significant replay value. Overall, it seems that while there are elements that encourage multiple playthroughs, the game's story-driven nature may limit the extent of replayability for some players.

    • “I haven't finished the game yet, but I know that replayability is a given, considering that you can save different survivors with a different skill set.”
    • “I recognize the replay value in returning to areas to explore alternative decisions, such as opting to save a sick individual who might jeopardize your group's security, instead of prioritizing safety and dealing with the burden of guilt that lingers until the following day.”
    • “It assumes replayability and multiple playthroughs.”
    • “This is entirely linear, and there's no replayability or variety.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and atmospheric contribution, enhancing the Lovecraftian themes and overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as dynamic and foreboding, effectively complementing the game's tension and storytelling. Despite some criticisms regarding originality and budget, the music stands out as a strong point, earning positive recognition from players.

    • “The soundtrack is terrific and dynamic, and is one of my favorite elements of this game.”
    • “Because the writing, music, voice acting, and story are excellent.”
    • “The introductory scene involves the moon suddenly being replaced by a gigantic eye while a stressful musical 'sting' plays.”
    • “It's supposed to be a survival affair, but it's really a bad game of musical chairs.”
    • “The music is also, as I said, satisfactorily foreboding and adds a lot to the atmosphere.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring hours of repetitive farming to prepare for challenges. While the overarching story provides some engagement, the frequent setbacks and poorly designed environments detract from the overall enjoyment, making the grinding feel inelegant and frustrating.

    • “It wouldn't be the biggest deal if I didn't spend literal hours farming to build up a healthy supply in preparation for chapter 3.”
    • “It's inelegant, and tedious, and not frightening in the least.”
    • “After spending an hour grinding metal and wood and upgrading my food and water stations, I got one bad event that destroyed my food stockpile, another that poisoned my water, another where some survivors were thieves and punishing them ruins morale, and finally one that destroyed my upgrade to water and food stations.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of funny and poignant moments, with well-crafted writing that often leads to amusing situations, particularly highlighted by Carter's self-dialogues.

    • “Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but all well written and interesting.”
    • “This leads to hilarious situations when Carter sounds like he talks to himself in a couple of dialogues. :D”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players highlight the game's exceptional atmosphere, which effectively instills a sense of unease and anticipation, making them feel as though something ominous is always imminent.

    • “The atmosphere in this game is incredible—it constantly made me feel uneasy, like something horrible was always lurking around the corner.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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