Oculto
- March 8, 2019
- Eteru Studio
Get on Steam"Investigate a silent mining station in the zero-gravity thriller, Oculto. As space derelict investigator Jon Gauss, you must navigate unfamiliar hazards, hack electronic devices to uncover the crew's fate, and escape if danger becomes too great, all without access to weapons. With only your wits and courage, can you solve the mystery of the abandoned Ironclaw on asteroid Umbra-133?"
Reviews
- The game effectively builds tension and creates a creepy atmosphere, making encounters with the monster thrilling and scary.
- The story is engaging, with well-executed lore elements that keep players invested in the experience.
- The minimalistic design and sound contribute to a focused and immersive horror experience, especially when played in a calm environment.
- The lack of a save system and checkpoints leads to frustrating trial-and-error gameplay, where one mistake can force players to restart entire levels.
- Gameplay mechanics can feel irritating and cumbersome, with elements that detract from exploration and enjoyment, such as the character's paranoia and the need to backtrack for health kits.
- The graphics and level design lack variety, making environments feel repetitive and diminishing the overall experience.
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The story is a central element that keeps players engaged, with many appreciating its depth and connection to the game's atmosphere. However, some players found it underwhelming and felt that gameplay mechanics, such as the lack of a save system and inventory, detracted from the overall experience. While the narrative has its strengths, it is often overshadowed by the game's atmospheric elements.
“I liked the story and it was what kept me playing.”
“Loved the creepy atmosphere and this had a really good plot under the scare factor.”
“My attention was more focused on the story than on anything else.”
“Unfortunately, as much as I enjoyed finding all the breadcrumbs (oh wow... I just noticed this is Pac-Man meets Dead Space), the story was underwhelming.”
“The story is decent, but the atmosphere is what carries this game.”
“This isn't a bad thing; it, in fact, gives its main quality, the story, to take center stage.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Gameplay is described as a mix of minimalism and irritation, with effective mechanics that create a chill yet oppressive atmosphere. While the story and damage mechanics are generally well-received, issues such as one-hit kills, a lack of a save system, and the absence of inventory and map features detract from the overall experience for some players. Ultimately, the gameplay is seen as an obstacle course that can be frustrating, particularly due to personal preferences regarding certain mechanics.
“Simple yet effective game mechanics.”
“The mechanics of this game seem oriented around making the level an obstacle course of annoyance which you must avoid so that your character isn't debuffed, which is clearly the intent for when you're chased by the goofy black smoke monster later in the game.”
“I spend not much time with the game because of two mechanics that break the game for me.”
“Some gameplay features can be irritating, especially later, but it's a fairly minimal experience where all aspects of the game are needed to allow a chill yet oppressive atmosphere to creep up on you.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally well-received, with a solid aesthetic that suits the genre, though they lack significant variation across levels. While light and shadow effects are praised, the limited graphics options and minimal environmental changes detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics score around 7/10, appealing particularly to fans of retro art styles and horror themes.
“The graphics aren't bad, but they are the same on all levels except for one change in environment.”
“Graphics: 7/10, nice, but very little difference between levels; light-shadow effects are on point though.”
“This is a great game and I recommend it to anyone and everyone who loves either the retro art style or horror genres!”
“There are no graphics options aside from VSync and film grain.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a chilling and oppressive vibe, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack that intensifies the sense of foreboding, particularly during tense moments. Players appreciate the minimalistic design that contributes to a feeling of paranoia, effectively supporting the horror elements of the plot. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, successfully immersing players in a creepy and unsettling experience.
“And that's really it, the foreboding atmosphere is palpable, and the soundtrack does a great job of selling the horror when the death blobs are on the prowl nearby.”
“Loved the creepy atmosphere and this had a really good plot under the scare factor.”
“Some gameplay features can be irritating, especially later, but it's a fairly minimal experience where all aspects of the game are needed to allow a chill yet oppressive atmosphere to creep up on you.”
“Dark atmosphere and paranoia.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game effectively enhances the foreboding atmosphere and horror elements, particularly during tense moments, though some users noted a limited variety in the soundtrack. Overall, while the sound design contributes to the experience, it is described as somewhat simplistic and uninspired.
“The foreboding atmosphere is palpable, and the soundtrack does a great job of selling the horror when the death blobs are on the prowl nearby.”
“The background music also helped with this.”
“The music and sound are dialed back, creating a unique atmosphere.”
“The controls are simple, the music and sound are dialed back, and the design is kept uninspiring with the odd splash of color from red alarms.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players generally find grinding to be tedious and a cheap mechanic that wastes their time, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“It's tedious, it's cheap, and it's a waste of the player's time.”
“The grinding feels endless and lacks any meaningful reward.”
“I find myself doing the same repetitive tasks over and over, which makes the game feel more like a chore than fun.”
