Faith
- October 3, 2017
- Airdorf Games
- 5h median play time
"Faith: The Unholy Trinity" is a single-player horror shooter game with an intriguing story, good gameplay, and sensational graphics. As a priest, players use their holy crucifix to perform exorcisms, fight possessed cultists, and cleanse haunted objects, all while struggling with their own weakening faith. The game boasts a unique atmosphere, wholesome story, and is very replayable, although it can be quite grinding and some may find the humor not to their taste.
Reviews
- story817 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Faith: The Unholy Trinity" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, following the journey of a priest, John Ward, as he confronts his past and battles demonic forces. Players appreciate the intricate narrative woven through collectible notes and rotoscoped cutscenes, which enhance the horror experience while exploring themes of faith, guilt, and redemption. However, some find the storytelling approach—heavily reliant on text and exploration—can detract from the gameplay experience, making it feel tedious at times. Overall, the game is recognized for its compelling and haunting narrative that keeps players engaged throughout its three chapters.
“The story is amazing and I actually felt attachment to the main character and other characters.”
“Faith above all else is a heartrending story about one man's journey in restoring (or losing) his faith in himself and his lord, and wielding nothing but such faith to defeat the ultimate evil but most importantly correct his near unforgivable sin.”
“The story is deeply unsettling and masterfully woven into the game through sparse dialogue and eerie visuals.”
“The story is also decent, although it follows a somewhat overdone Christian horror trope full of exorcisms and demonic gateways and seals and whatnot.”
“However, the story, combined with the gameplay, becomes a frustrating slog.”
“The story is composed of three chapters, originally released separately, which are increasing in length and complexity.”
- graphics624 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Faith" are characterized by a retro, 8-bit aesthetic reminiscent of Atari and early PC games, which many players find surprisingly effective in enhancing the horror experience. The minimalist visuals, combined with rotoscoped cutscenes, create an unsettling atmosphere that allows players' imaginations to fill in the gaps, proving that high-end graphics are not necessary for a compelling horror narrative. While some may find the graphics simplistic or unappealing, they are widely praised for their ability to evoke tension and dread, making "Faith" a standout title in the indie horror genre.
“Faith is proof that simple graphics and sounds can amplify the horror of a game.”
“The retro graphics actually enhance the creepiness of this experience, and the rotoscopic portions are plain terrifying.”
“The graphics, especially the cutscenes, music, and harsh sound effects all add to the horror of the excellent storyline.”
“The pixel art style, while intentional, may not appeal to everyone and can sometimes obscure important details.”
“The horror aspect is kinda neat, and 8-bit isn't something you see that often, but it just isn't scary, like at all, and the novelty of the graphics being low res 8-bit wears off in about 5 minutes, making them just terrible.”
“The graphics may seem dated on the surface but you got rotoscoped cutscenes that truly made my skin crawl and the audio design here is masterful with pseudo 1-bit sounds and effects that fit the whole aesthetic perfectly.”
- gameplay425 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Faith: The Unholy Trinity" is characterized by its simplicity, relying on basic controls and mechanics that evoke a retro aesthetic reminiscent of 8-bit games. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and the engaging story, many find the gameplay tedious, frustrating, and at times overly reliant on trial and error, particularly during boss battles. Overall, the game offers a unique horror experience, but its gameplay may not appeal to everyone, especially those seeking more complex mechanics or smoother controls.
“Gameplay is surprisingly dynamic for how simplistic it is; the style and story are amazing, with lots of great ideas both in gameplay and narrative.”
“The gameplay is simple but fun, and the story is interesting!”
“The gameplay is a blast as time goes on, with some clever mechanics and level design throughout.”
“Visually this is a really cool game with its 8-bit aesthetic and rotoscoped cutscenes, but gameplay/story wise it's pretty boring and not too interesting to play.”
“The gameplay becomes annoying and tedious when you're in a boss battle; I eventually dreaded boss battles not because they are scary but because they were boring.”
“The gameplay is very simple, but in every chapter, the game always manages to change things up.”
- atmosphere266 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to create a deeply unsettling and immersive experience, utilizing retro pixel art and haunting sound design to evoke feelings of dread and tension. Reviewers highlight the effective use of minimalistic graphics and a chiptune soundtrack, which together enhance the horror elements without relying heavily on jump scares. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its standout features, drawing players into a chilling narrative that resonates with fans of psychological and religious horror.
“The music combined with the atmosphere of the game gives you this feeling of uneasiness, making you constantly on edge.”
“Airdorf achieves so much with so little - creating an amazing, morbid, dread-encrusted atmosphere, employing low-res, low-color pixel-art renderings and traced-over rotoscoped video to sketch out an incredible impressionistic impending apocalypse.”
“The atmosphere is so tense and nerve-wracking, the cutscenes are animated amazingly, and I just dig this story.”
“Annoying memorization boss fights ruin perfect horror atmosphere.”
“The creepy atmosphere is replaced with frustration really quickly due to the dev's commitment to outdated game design choices.”
“The atmosphere is pretty strong at first but is lost long before the end of the second chapter.”
- music247 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the eerie atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the haunting chiptune soundtrack and effective sound design that contribute to the overall horror experience. The retro 8-bit style and clever use of classical and religious themes in the music create a uniquely unsettling vibe, making it a standout feature that complements the game's storytelling and visuals. While some players found certain tracks grating or repetitive, the majority agree that the soundtrack is a significant factor in the game's immersive and chilling ambiance.
“The eerie chiptune soundtrack and creepy sound effects perfectly enhance the horror atmosphere.”
“The soundtrack and sound design in general are used to unsettle you, at times restrained in such a way that you wish something was playing.”
“The music combined with the atmosphere of the game gives you this feeling of uneasiness, making you constantly on edge.”
“The oppressive silence will frequently be interrupted by piercing shrieks or by chiptune renditions of chilling melodies, mostly coming from classical music pieces.”
“The soundtrack is creepy and atmospheric, while the creature and demonic sound effects seem to gnaw on your bones every time they screech for your blood.”
- humor58 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending dark comedy with absurd moments that provide a refreshing contrast to its horror elements. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, quirky characters like the blue priest, and the use of retro-style voice synthesis, which adds a humorous undertone to the experience. Overall, the game successfully balances scares with laughter, making it both entertaining and engaging.
“Good writing with moments of dark humor.”
“A great premise, great style, great humor and great horror.”
“The perfect level of difficult puzzles, amazing bosses and tons of content when you finish your first playthrough, and it has a subtle but very present and funny sense of humor that does not at all infringe upon the ambiance.”
- grinding53 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being tedious and frustrating, particularly during boss battles and exploration, which can feel repetitive and unengaging. Many players noted that the slow pacing and lack of meaningful progression detract from the overall experience, making it more of a chore than an enjoyable challenge. While some appreciate the story and atmosphere, the gameplay often leads to moments of boredom and annoyance, especially when attempting to achieve 100% completion or replaying sections after dying.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The gameplay becomes annoying and tedious during boss battles; I eventually dreaded them not because they were scary, but because they were boring.”
“Unfortunately, the actual gameplay is a tedious slog.”
“The game tends to get really tedious when going for 100% due to the slow movement and having to replay every chapter multiple times from the start.”
- replayability48 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its episodic structure, multiple endings for each chapter, and various unlockables, including alternate game modes and secrets. Players appreciate the depth of content available, encouraging multiple playthroughs despite some concerns about pacing. Overall, the combination of diverse endings and exploration elements makes it a standout in terms of replay value.
“Each chapter has branching paths and multiple endings promoting replayability.”
“There are alternate endings and harder game modes to encourage replayability.”
“The game’s episodic structure and multiple endings encourage replayability.”
“It aims to get replayability by having multiple endings, but I don't want to endure the slog of painstakingly walking around slowly to collect all the notes and do the different things.”
“Although relatively short, there is plenty of replayability with multiple endings for all 3 games.”
- emotional32 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with players describing it as a heartrending journey of redemption and self-discovery that evokes strong feelings of attachment and unease. The narrative, centered around a middle-aged Catholic priest, intertwines horror with moments of humor and warmth, leading to a range of emotional responses from joy to heartbreak. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create lasting emotional impressions, making it a standout experience in the horror genre.
“Faith above all else is a heartrending story about one man's journey in restoring (or losing) his faith in himself and his lord, and wielding nothing but such faith to defeat the ultimate evil. The endings are the perfect capstone of all the emotional buildup for John's rise or fall.”
“A beautifully written, heartbreaking story about redemption.”
“The story is harrowing, heartbreaking, and sticks in your mind long after you've finished playing it.”
- stability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed; while some players report experiencing frustrating AI bugs and glitches, particularly in specific boss fights, others note that the overall performance is solid with no major issues during gameplay. The graphics and aesthetic are generally well-received, and the game runs smoothly on platforms like the Steam Deck.
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
“The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
“I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which makes for a stable gameplay experience.”
“While a short chapter, the fight with the girl is one of the most buggy, broken, and busted fights I've ever experienced in a game.”
“It is a game that has really grown on me with time; at first, I would spend hours in frustration over the enemy AI being unfair and buggy. However, it turned out that most of these enemies take some mere basic memorization to render harmless, as even the teleportation becomes predictable after fighting the few demons that possess the ability. Many attack patterns are reused throughout the game, meaning half the cast shares most of their move sets with each other.”
“Although the game offers some nice graphics and a pleasant aesthetic, there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is commendable, as it runs smoothly at 1280x800 resolution with a stable 60 fps, showing no significant graphical issues or performance concerns on the tested hardware.
“With the game running at 1280x800 and set to a framerate of 60 fps, I saw little to no issues with the deck's performance, and there were no major or minor graphical concerns to report.”
“The game struggles to maintain a stable framerate, often dropping below 30 fps during intense scenes.”
“Despite having a high-end PC, I experienced significant lag and stuttering, which ruined the gameplay experience.”
“The optimization is poor; even on lower settings, the game frequently crashes and has long loading times.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's monetization strategy has been criticized for prioritizing advertising over actual content delivery, leading to a perception that it lacks substance despite not being a typical cash grab. Reviewers express frustration with the disconnect between the game's promotional efforts and its overall quality.
“This game does a lot better at advertising than providing.”
“What is wrong with the advertisement team of this game?”
- character development1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for more character development for certain characters, noting that some feel underdeveloped or abruptly introduced, which detracts from their overall impact in the story.
“The character development in this game is phenomenal; each character feels unique and evolves in meaningful ways throughout the story.”
“I love how the characters grow and change based on the choices you make, making every playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“I wish she had more screen time and character development like the others because she felt out of place, even including her appearance in the ending.”
“The character development is lacking; many characters feel one-dimensional and their arcs are rushed.”
“I was disappointed by how some characters didn't evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel unimportant.”