Narcosis
- May 10, 2017
- Honor Code, Inc.
- 4h median play time
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.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"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.
Mac OS
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game has a fantastic atmosphere and sound design that immerses players in the underwater environment.
- The story is well-written with a surprising twist at the end that keeps players engaged.
- The voice acting is excellent, adding depth to the narrative and enhancing the overall experience.
- The controls are clunky and can lead to frustration, especially during platforming sections.
- The game is very short, typically taking only 3-4 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
- There is a lack of clear direction at times, leading to confusion and potential backtracking.
- story358 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of *Narcosis* is widely praised for its engaging narrative and atmospheric depth, effectively intertwining horror elements with a compelling tale of survival in an underwater disaster. Players appreciate the unique storytelling approach, primarily delivered through narration and environmental cues, which enhances immersion and emotional impact, particularly with its surprising plot twists. While some critiques mention pacing issues and gameplay mechanics, the overall consensus is that the story is the standout feature, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
“I genuinely found myself enjoying the experience for the most part and was sincerely pleased with how the story unfolded and how it was wrapped up.”
“Narcosis tells the grim story of the crew of a methane mine called Oceanova, somewhere in the deep Pacific.”
“The story is very well told and the mood is depressing.”
“Its equally easy to get lost both in the game and in the story, because both of them are an absolute mess.”
“The fairly limited story is presented in a slightly grating fashion, in the form of a voiceover meant to play like an interview on daytime television.”
“While beautiful and atmospheric, no story is worth the pain and frustration you will experience playing Narcosis.”
- atmosphere174 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Narcosis" is widely praised for its immersive and claustrophobic qualities, effectively capturing the tension of being trapped in the dark depths of the ocean. Players appreciate the combination of stunning visuals, sound design, and a compelling narrative that enhances the overall experience, although some express frustration with gameplay mechanics that detract from fully enjoying the atmosphere. Overall, the game is recognized as a strong atmospheric horror experience, particularly effective in VR.
“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 immersive yet claustrophobic atmosphere of this game is intense yet beautifully created.”
“The atmosphere is spectacular and my god the storyline.”
“That is to say the repeating hallway, the jumpscare ineffective due to the atmosphere, reusing assets leading to lack of definition/boundaries, the lack of direction leading to being lost at times... I mean guys, it's not fun to feel lost in an area for 30 minutes, dying over and over.”
“However, this game just simply was not scary, and failed to establish its atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere of being underwater trapped could have been so awesome and on par with Soma.”
- gameplay138 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Narcosis" is primarily described as a walking simulator with simple mechanics, including light platforming, combat, and puzzles, but it suffers from clunky controls and frustrating movement mechanics. While the atmospheric horror and narrative elements are praised, many players find the gameplay to be linear, repetitive, and at times tedious, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as more of a narrative-driven experience rather than one focused on engaging gameplay.
“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.”
“The setting is pretty unique, the story and literary devices used are amazing, and the gameplay, while not groundbreaking, incorporates a little of everything and is fresh and entertaining in its own right.”
“The gameplay is very basic and linear yet manages to get the important stuff done.”
“The never-ending frustration of trying to navigate the game’s mechanics outweighs any feelings of fear or suspense.”
“The immersive and intricately crafted setting as well as a compelling narrative are constantly overshadowed by poor gameplay and other design choices.”
- graphics100 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and atmospheric design, effectively creating an immersive underwater horror experience. Many reviewers noted the impressive use of color and detail, particularly for an indie title, with some highlighting the game's ability to evoke feelings of isolation and fear. While there are occasional criticisms regarding outdated elements or minor technical issues, the overall consensus is that the graphics significantly enhance the game's narrative and ambiance.
“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 graphics in Narcosis are absolutely astonishing.”
“Graphics are very outdated, the little story there is is bland and you will have no motivation to go further.”
“The graphics aren't that great, the horror comes entirely from jumpscares, which in turn come from hard to believe, erratic behavior from the sea life.”
“Both the graphics and the interface look like a game from 2010 more than 2018 actually.”
- music23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and create immersion, particularly during scripted events and surprise encounters. While some players found the soundtrack to be subtle and occasionally forgettable, others highlighted its effectiveness in building tension and complementing the eerie ambiance. Overall, the sound design, including music and sound effects, is noted as a strong element that contributes significantly to the game's psychological horror experience.
“The atmosphere and soundtrack are immaculate.”
“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.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, often requiring repetitive gameplay that detracts from the overall experience. While the storytelling is praised, many feel that the gameplay mechanics, particularly platforming and suit jump challenges, contribute to a sense of monotony that can make the game feel overly long and boring. Despite its polished presentation, the grind can lead to a desire for shortcuts or cheat codes to alleviate the tedium.
“This meant I had to replay large parts again and again, making this feel even more grindy and boring.”
“The story is kind of interesting, and I appreciate the fact that it doesn't have too many jump scares, but it just gets tedious really quickly.”
“I never leave reviews but this game is unbelievably tedious.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the intense atmosphere of isolation and the touching ending, others find the constant focus on themes like survivor's guilt and emotional trauma detracts from the experience. Additionally, the game's mechanics, such as claustrophobic environments and nausea-inducing controls, can hinder emotional engagement for some players. Overall, the game evokes strong feelings but may not resonate positively with everyone.
“The end is touching.”
“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.”
“Platforming with clunky controls while clad in a two-ton deep diving suit in an emotional/horror survival setting...not for me.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers minimal replayability, primarily limited to achievement hunting and collecting missed items, as it is a short experience lasting around two hours. While the engaging story and immersive atmosphere provide a memorable experience, many players feel that the lack of substantial replay value diminishes its long-term appeal.
“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.”
“While a short game, the story itself and the visual atmosphere make this a worthwhile purchase despite its limited replay value.”
“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.”
“While a short game, it doesn't have much replay value. However, the story itself and the visual atmosphere make this a worthwhile purchase.”
“This game offers minimal replayability since it's story-driven and impression-based.”
- optimization7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with most users reporting solid and smooth performance, particularly in VR. However, some players noted issues with stuttering movement that detracted from the immersive experience.
“Great graphics for VR as well and good performance.”
“Performance was smooth for me in this game.”
“Most of the time it runs smoothly.”
“But the stuttering movement is very immersion breaking.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 animations of the big crabs add a lighthearted touch, though the overall immersion is often disrupted by these elements.
“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 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.”
“The immersion was quite broken by the 'sudden' jump scares, which were more funny than scary.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game is generally well-received, featuring an engaging story and manageable length, though players have noted some bugs and glitches that can affect the experience.
“The game is plagued by bugs and glitches that disrupt the experience.”
“While the story is interesting, the game is a bit buggy at points.”
“There are numerous bugs that significantly affect gameplay stability.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
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.
