Incubus: A ghost-hunters tale
- September 9, 2023
- Darkling Room
Get on SteamIn "Incubus: A Ghost-Hunter's Tale," players embark on their first ghost-hunting case, mentored by the O.P.G paranormal team. Armed with real gadgets, they investigate a real London house with a reputation for paranormal activity and a history of abandoned owners. The goal is to uncover the truth behind the house's troubled past and malevolent forces, discerning what makes a house haunted. This immersive game offers a chilling experience at 6 Dread Pit Road.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game successfully evokes nostalgia for classic point-and-click adventure games while incorporating modern ghost hunting mechanics.
- Players appreciate the eerie atmosphere, engaging story, and the variety of ghost hunting tools that enhance the gameplay experience.
- Despite some bugs, many found the game to be fun and entertaining, with moments that genuinely spooked them.
- The gameplay can become repetitive, with some players feeling that the mechanics lack depth and variety, leading to boredom.
- Several technical issues, including crashes and glitches, detracted from the overall experience, causing frustration for some players.
- The tutorial and controls were criticized for being unclear or awkward, making it difficult for new players to fully engage with the game.
- story32 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story in "Incubus" is described as engaging and atmospheric, drawing comparisons to previous titles in the Darkling Room series, particularly "Dark Fall: Ghost Vigil." While it may lack the intensity and complexity of earlier games, it features a well-structured narrative with intriguing characters and a mix of mystery and ghost-hunting mechanics. Players appreciated the gradual build-up of the plot and the incorporation of familiar elements, making for a fun and spooky experience overall.
“Thoroughly enjoyed playing... very well thought out short story, very fun, very spooky.”
“Shadow Tor games are quality horror storytelling, every time.”
“Loved the story and the darkling room type of atmosphere.”
“It gets a little more interesting in the last part, but still has nothing like the complexity of both puzzles and plot found in their other games.”
“To make progress in this quest involves finding and categorizing three types of ghost in different areas of the house before a section of the story is then revealed.”
“Eventually you'll get to the storyline and some mysterious phone calls.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Incubus" shifts focus from puzzle-solving to ghost hunting mechanics, making it distinct from previous titles by Boakes and Clark. While it features familiar characters and references to earlier stories, the experience is noted to be less repetitive but not significantly more immersive or engaging, positioning it as a solid, if not standout, entry in their catalog.
“To summarize, another good game by Boakes and Clark, not their best, not their worst, a bit different from the rest (less puzzles, more ghost hunting mechanics), but still very much worth your time.”
“The gameplay is less repetitive here, but not much more immersive or engaging, feeling as it does like part of a different game.”
“Incubus, in particular, is quite different from the rest, being a lot less about solving puzzles and leaning much more into the ghost hunting mechanics.”
“In most aspects, it's closer to Dark Fall: Ghost Vigil than to their other games: the main characters are the same (adding video recordings of them was a nice touch), the previous story is referenced a few times, and that game had a preliminary version of the same ghost hunting equipment mechanics now employed here.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, featuring sights and sounds that evoke different time periods and enhance the ghost hunting experience. Reviewers appreciate the original and engaging ambiance, which complements the story and mystery elements, although some express a desire for future installments to focus more on atmospheric depth and authentic ghost hunting.
“Loved the story and the dark, eerie atmosphere!”
“Eerie atmospheres with sights and sounds belonging to other time periods, as well as clues to find and a mystery to solve.”
“It's always an atmospheric romp that ends up feeling extremely original; this game included.”
“If you make a sequel, please don't add anything like that again and put the work into the atmosphere and actual ghost hunting.”
“Eerie atmospheres with sights and sounds belonging to other time periods as well as clues to find and a mystery to solve.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game experiences some stability issues, including glitches that can prevent access to the inventory and occasional crashes, particularly in later stages. While these bugs can be frustrating, they are generally not game-breaking, and frequent saving can mitigate potential setbacks. Overall, players find the stability to be a mixed aspect of the experience.
“There's a few glitches where I wasn't able to access the inventory, so I thought I was stuck in a scripted event.”
“Good game idea and creation, but it's a little buggy later in the game with crashes. As long as you save often, it won't set you back far.”
“I did find a couple of buggy bits where I couldn't access my inventory for a couple of rooms (only in the temple), but they were not game-breaking and didn't cause me too much pain.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by memorable scenes, particularly one set in the desert, which has left players in stitches and contributed to a lasting comedic impression.
“I've been laughing about this concept since that one scene in the desert.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are consistently praised for their quality, complementing the interesting storyline and enhancing the overall experience of the easy point-and-click gameplay.
“The graphics are stunning, bringing the game world to life with vibrant colors and intricate details.”
“The visual design is impressive, making every scene a feast for the eyes.”
“The graphics create an immersive experience that enhances the overall gameplay.”
