Narcosis

Narcosis is a survival horror game that provides so much more than a few gimmicky jump-scares. This is a beautifully written, immersive psychological thriller which tells a compelling, tragic story, demands observation, planning and problem solving, and yes, also throws a few shriek-worthy jump-scares into the mix. It leaves you questioning reality and explores just what a person and the human mind can handle when pushed to the limit. Solid voice acting and narration makes this an incredibly personal story, and while it's not entirely free of motion sickness, being aware of where your head and body are can help you avoid the worst of it. Odds are, you'll be so full of adrenaline that you probably won't fully register the motion sickness until you take off the headgear. Narcosis is a shining example of a virtual reality psychological thriller done right, and a is must play for any horror junkie.

66%Game Brain Score

story, atmosphere

grinding, replayability

77% User Score Based on 728 reviews

Critic Score 90%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $1.05

Buy NowGet on Steam$14.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

"Narcosis" is a single-player horror shooter game set in the sunless depths of the Pacific Ocean, where an industrial diver battles to surface with low oxygen and sanity. The game features stunning graphics, good music, and a dense atmosphere, with gameplay elements like pressure-induced hallucinations and hostile marine life. The phantom narrative and haunting soundtrack add to the eerie experience of this reality-based survival story.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 729 reviews

story208 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

Engaging story with a surprising twist at the end.
Atmospheric and immersive experience, especially in VR.
Well-crafted visuals and sound design that enhance the sense of dread.

Clunky controls and slow movement can be frustrating.
Limited gameplay mechanics and linear progression.
Short playtime (around 3-4 hours) may not justify the full price.

story
475 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
The story of "Narcosis" is widely praised for its engaging narrative and atmospheric depth, effectively blending psychological horror with a compelling tale of survival in the depths of the ocean. Players appreciate the unique storytelling approach, which unfolds through narration and environmental cues, culminating in a surprising plot twist that leaves a lasting impact. While some find the pacing slow and the gameplay mechanics clunky, the overall consensus is that the story is the game's strongest element, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “The story and hallucinations are pretty cool, though not always easy to understand.”
- “Oppressive atmosphere and engaging story with an excellently done twist ending.”
- “The pacing felt terribly slow and the story felt a little predictable.”
- “Its equally easy to get lost both in the game and in the story, because both of them are an absolute mess.”
- “The story is very well told and the mood is depressing.”
atmosphere
232 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
33%
2%
The atmosphere in "Narcosis" is widely praised for its immersive and oppressive qualities, effectively capturing the isolation and tension of being deep underwater. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a haunting experience through sound design, visuals, and storytelling, often comparing it favorably to other atmospheric horror titles like "Soma." While some players note frustrations with gameplay mechanics, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is the game's strongest asset, making it a compelling choice for fans of psychological horror.
- “The atmosphere is intense, best played in a dark room with surround sound and the screen slightly dimmer.”
- “The atmosphere really sold me, but when I finally installed and played it, I found I was pretty disappointed.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing and really captures that 'alone in the darkness' feeling of isolation and even panic at times during parts of the game, while throwing in some really heavy emotional pieces here and there.”
- “But the gameplay experience isn't helping the atmosphere any and makes the game just feel like a sluggish truck through a railroad with little meaningful inputs.”
- “There are a few jump scares but the atmosphere is where the real horror lies.”
- “However, this game just simply was not scary, and failed to establish its atmosphere.”
gameplay
196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
75%
10%
The gameplay of "Narcosis" is primarily a slow-paced walking simulator with some light platforming and puzzle elements, often described as clunky and frustrating due to its mechanics and movement controls. While the atmosphere and narrative are praised, many players find the gameplay lacking in depth and engagement, with some mechanics feeling underdeveloped or cumbersome. Overall, the game is seen as more focused on storytelling and atmosphere than on delivering a compelling gameplay experience.
- “The gameplay is good; it’s rather simple. It's basically a walking simulator with some light platforming and light combat, as well as some simple puzzles.”
- “The gameplay immerses you given your limited movement, oxygen supply monitoring, and even navigating past the various fauna trying to kill you.”
- “Fear of the unknown – darkness, confusion, isolation – keeps the gameplay in Narcosis tense and terrifying as you navigate deep sea ocean floors or caverns in a half-ton, high-tech dive suit.”
- “But the gameplay experience isn't helping the atmosphere any and makes the game just feel like a sluggish truck through a railroad with little meaningful inputs.”
- “The gameplay is mostly a walking simulator with some platforming sections and chase sequences.”
- “The slow and simple movements and game mechanics also hinder the game's pace and psychological effects on the player.”
graphics
133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
40%
7%
The graphics of the game have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many reviewers praising the atmospheric visuals that effectively convey a deep-sea horror experience. While some noted that the graphics may not be cutting-edge by 2024 standards, they are considered solid for an indie title, with particular commendation for the detailed underwater environments and the immersive ambiance. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's eerie atmosphere, enhancing the storytelling and emotional engagement.
- “The graphics are really good with a nice use of somber colors that makes you feel alone and makes it feel like you're under the ocean.”
- “The graphics and care in the construction of this deep, sub-aquatic experience are breathtaking -- and equally matched by the top-notch voice acting.”
- “The visuals were stunning (hats off to the design team), and the ending has a cool twist, but I still can't escape the feeling that this was four hours of my life that I'll never get back.”
- “However, it only has a short playtime of maybe 5 hours and the graphics are rather VR standard.”
- “For one, the graphics are (at first glance) dull, gray and almost Doom 3-like.”
- “Graphics are very outdated, the little story there is is bland and you will have no motivation to go further.”
music
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
58%
9%
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its ability to create tension and immersion through eerie soundscapes and subtle accents. While some found the soundtrack to be decent but not memorable, others highlighted its effectiveness in complementing the gameplay experience, particularly in a horror context. Overall, the audio design, including music and sound effects, is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to its unsettling ambiance.
- “The soundtrack is nothing less than absolute ominous goodness!”
- “With an unsettling ambiance, surprise encounters, and an eerie soundtrack to top it off, this video game will make you feel the relentless pressure of the abyss.”
- “The sound effects and ambient music are quite nice and really help set the mood.”
- “The music is discrete to non-existent, mostly.”
- “To be honest, I almost don't remember the music and the sounds.”
- “The ambiance is meh; it's pretty much a looping 'oooooooh' of music.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke feelings of isolation, trauma, and ultimately, a touching conclusion that resonates with players. While some found the narrative elements, such as survivor's guilt, to detract from the atmosphere, others appreciated the heavy emotional weight and satisfying ending that left them reflective and moved. Overall, the game successfully captures a sense of loneliness and emotional depth, despite some gameplay frustrations.
- “The end was satisfying and emotional, if not super surprising.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing and really captures that 'alone in the darkness' feeling of isolation and even panic at times during parts of the game, while throwing in some really heavy emotional pieces here and there.”
- “The ending was emotional and I felt like crying when I looked back on things that happened during the game.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
92%
The reviews highlight a significant issue with grinding in the game, describing it as tedious and frustrating, often requiring players to replay sections multiple times. While some appreciate the storytelling and polish of the game, many find the gameplay repetitive and lacking excitement, leading to a sense of boredom and a desire for shortcuts. Overall, the grinding aspect detracts from the experience, overshadowing the game's strengths.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “This meant I had to replay large parts again and again, making this feel even more grindy and boring.”
- “I never leave reviews but this game is unbelievably tedious.”
- “That being said, I wish I could say I liked the game, but it was tedious in gameplay terms. I don't expect much from walking simulators; however, even as a walking sim, it was boring. The strong point is storytelling; the devs did a wonderful job, and the ending really surprised me.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
Overall, the optimization of the game is generally praised, with most users reporting solid and smooth performance, even in VR settings. However, some players noted issues with stuttering movement that can disrupt immersion. Compatibility with Linux using Proton also received positive feedback, indicating a well-optimized experience across different platforms.
- “Great graphics for VR as well and good performance.”
- “I cannot fault the performance; on my second play, I kept an eye on reprojection (the usual cause of nausea in VR players) and it stayed at 1%. Given that I was recording in HD as well, that is very impressive.”
- “But the stuttering movement is very immersion breaking.”
- “I cannot fault the performance; on my second play, I kept an eye on reprojection (the usual cause of nausea in VR players) and it stayed at 1%. Given that I was recording in HD, that is very impressive.”
- “Performance was smooth for me in this game.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
Overall, the game has limited replayability, primarily due to its short length and story-driven nature, with most players noting that the main incentive to replay is for achievements or to collect missed items. While some appreciate the atmospheric experience and may find value in exploring different aspects of the game, the consensus is that it lacks substantial replay value.
- “While this game isn't 'long' and won't have much replay value, it kept things fresh for me the entire time -- all within a very enveloping atmosphere and with a great deal of care.”
- “One that even offers a bit of replay value if you’re like me and enjoy walking around the bottom of the ocean finding all the collectibles, or if you want to see the game in a new light after the ending.”
- “Expect a great short game with light replayability to collect anything you miss while rushing to fill up your oxygen tank and progress to the end, and oh, that ending.”
- “The only replay value here would be for achievements, but the thought of doing that feels like a slog.”
- “Short and very limited replay value.”
- “This game offers minimal replayability since its story and impression are based.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is marked by notable bugs and glitches, particularly affecting movement, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating repetition after dying. While the overall experience is positive and the story engaging, these technical issues detract from its potential.
- “Would have been a great game if the movement wasn't so buggy and if you didn't have to repeat so much when you die.”
- “Bugs and glitches.”
- “An overall good game, not overly long, with an interesting story, but a bit buggy at points.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely derived from its predictable jump scares, which can become amusing rather than frightening, especially during repetitive gameplay. Additionally, the comical animation of the big crabs adds a lighthearted touch, though the overall experience may suffer from broken immersion.
- “The big crabs have a funny animation of just suddenly pointing out a leg when you approach, which just pierces your armor... almost looks comical.”
- “The immersion was quite broken by the 'sudden' jump scares, which were more funny than scary.”
- “The jump scares are predictable, and when you're replaying the same bits over and over again because the game crashed and lost your progress, the same jump scares are just funny at best and irritating at worst.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is minimal, with users noting that it does not rely heavily on ads or motion controls, suggesting a more streamlined experience.