Sylvio

55%
Game Brain Score Based on 173 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • atmosphere
Sylvio Game Cover
A novel take on the first-person horror mould, Sylvio does, on occasion, bring some unsettling moments of paranormal investigation. Unfortunately Sylvio also brings dire, uninventive visuals, a dreary protagonist, and wholly unnecessary combat to nullify any promise it may have had.
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Sylvio is a single-player, horror action game with a dense atmosphere and multi-layered story. As ghost recorder Juliette Waters, explore an abandoned family park while conducting seances, searching for voices in the static, and analyzing recordings with a unique audio gameplay mechanic. With full controller support, immerse yourself in this psychological horror game, nominated as Best Original Game at the TIGA Awards.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

55%
Audience ScoreBased on 173 reviews
gameplay24 positive mentions
graphics9 negative mentions
  • Unique gameplay mechanic centered around EVP recording, providing a fresh take on horror.
  • Atmospheric sound design and a haunting soundtrack enhance the eerie experience.
  • Engaging story that unfolds gradually, encouraging exploration and discovery.
  • Rough graphics and clunky controls detract from the overall experience.
  • Puzzles can be confusing and lack clear guidance, leading to frustration.
  • Repetitive gameplay with tedious backtracking and minimal combat can make the game feel drawn out.
  • gameplay120 mentions

    The gameplay of *Sylvio* is characterized by its simplicity, focusing on exploration and puzzle-solving rather than challenging combat, which some players find meditative despite its clunky execution. The unique audio-recording mechanic adds depth to the experience, though many reviewers note that the game suffers from a lack of polish, poor navigation guidance, and limited variety in gameplay elements. While the atmosphere and innovative mechanics are praised, the overall execution leaves much to be desired, making it a mixed experience for players who prioritize gameplay quality.

    • “Sylvio boasts the unique gameplay mechanic of audio-record investigation, as you'll be collecting scraps of audio to review and investigate, only to eventually further parse and evaluate.”
    • “Its unique story premise, creepy atmosphere, and bone-chilling ghost recording gameplay left me in awe and hooked till the end.”
    • “Graphically speaking, it is not the best looking game out there, but the gameplay and the attention to the audio and recording device is really what drives the narrative of this game.”
    • “The gameplay is very clunky and it isn't scary at all.”
    • “I found this game being a combination of good ideas implemented in a horrible and buggy gameplay.”
    • “While each area fills you with unease, they're too sprawling and lacking in guidance to successfully navigate given the lack of a map or even a compass; expect to look up a guide if you want to actually find all the hidden messages, as well as plenty of failed experimentation over actual progress given the poor tutorial/mechanical explanation and physics-related bugs.”
  • story112 mentions

    The story in Sylvio is a cryptic and fragmented narrative that unfolds gradually through ghost recordings and environmental clues, requiring players to piece together the plot themselves. While the unique premise and eerie atmosphere are praised, many players find the execution confusing and disjointed, leading to mixed feelings about the overall coherence and impact of the story. Despite its challenges, the haunting themes and intriguing mechanics keep players engaged, making it a memorable experience for those willing to delve into its complexities.

    • “The story builds gradually and with a sense of dread.”
    • “Its unique story premise, creepy atmosphere, and bone-chilling ghost recording gameplay left me in awe and hooked till the end.”
    • “Sure, collecting EVPs and hearing those ghostly voices from 'beyond the grave' is enough of a horror premise, but it's the story that you slowly put together from the ravaged land around you and these little voices whispering about the trees and these mysterious deaths they suffered.”
    • “The story is a little cryptic, told through snippets of information gleaned from listening to ghosts or from tape reels left in the environment - so the plot is, to an extent, left to the player to figure out.”
    • “At last the story is fragmented so much I didn't understand anything; at the end I was just like, 'Okay, that's it?'”
    • “The story was dark alright, but pretty hard to grasp, and I assumed either it would make more sense as you went along, or I'd stop near the end and try to piece everything together.”
  • atmosphere90 mentions

    The atmosphere in Sylvio is consistently praised for its eerie, haunting quality, creating a sense of dread that is both unsettling and strangely calming. Reviewers highlight the effective use of sound design and ghost recording mechanics to enhance the immersive experience, steering clear of cheap jump scares in favor of a more psychological horror approach. Despite some criticisms regarding the game's polish and gameplay mechanics, the compelling atmosphere and intriguing narrative keep players engaged throughout their exploration.

    • “The atmosphere and setting are intriguing, and the ghost recording elements are fascinating and really draw you into the plot.”
    • “Instead it succeeds in crafting a masterful atmosphere that is an absolute joy to revel in.”
    • “The music is eerie, the atmosphere is just perfect and the recordings will give you pause.”
    • “And speaking of atmosphere, there's plenty of it - no cheap jump-scares or fast-paced monster chases (though there are definitely threats you need to watch out for), just a dark and unsettling vibe as you traverse the foggy landscape and rusty, decaying landmarks of Saginaw Park.”
    • “It has no atmosphere at all and my god, what's with the voice of the woman you're playing? It's just one tone; is it really that hard to find someone with some emotion in their voice?”
    • “At first glance, it's very obvious that it’s a first-person Unity horror game, what with its very unpolished appearance, and the game is a bit buggy and janky with some uneven and unfocused gameplay elements like awkward platforming, driving, and combat, but what really elevates the game to make it far superior to most of its indie horror brethren is the ghost recording mechanic and its atmosphere.”
  • graphics60 mentions

    The graphics of Sylvio are generally considered dated and low-quality, with many reviewers noting their crude and simplistic nature. While some appreciate the unique art direction and atmospheric fit of the visuals, others criticize them for being ugly and lacking polish, contributing to a bleak and oppressive environment. Overall, the game's graphics may not appeal to those seeking high-quality visuals, but they are often seen as forgivable given the game's focus on narrative and audio design.

    • “The graphics may be somewhat dated, but personally I felt that they still work well for the atmosphere that the game is seeking to create.”
    • “Sylvio is subtle, generous, mechanically original and simply beautiful despite its simplistic graphics.”
    • “The graphics are okay, but the art direction is amazing.”
    • “Ugly, clunky graphics make it even more oppressive.”
    • “On the one hand, there's a lot not to like - the game has some serious lack of polish, with many terrain objects without collision boxes, a very lackluster vehicle level which you have to play through repeatedly, the graphics in itself really are nothing to write home about, the gameplay not particularly varied, and I was kind of disappointed to see that most of the game takes place in large, open areas rather than in the confined spaces you see in the first level.”
    • “Unfortunately, Sylvio also brings dire, uninventive visuals, a dreary protagonist, and wholly unnecessary combat to nullify any promise it may have had.”
  • music46 mentions

    The music in the game has been widely praised for its atmospheric and haunting qualities, drawing comparisons to the works of John Carpenter and the eerie soundscapes of "Twin Peaks." Reviewers highlight the minimalist synth soundtrack as a key element that enhances the game's mood, creating a tense and immersive experience. Overall, the sound design, including the music and environmental audio, is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's unique atmosphere.

    • “Regardless, the outstanding sound and music immersed me completely and sealed the deal for me.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic and it's a very moody indie horror game.”
    • “With a feel that brings to mind the early works of John Carpenter's films from the 70's and 80's, the music in this game is absolutely phenomenal and it's practically worth owning the soundtrack on its own.”
    • “No intense music, no screamer, just the raging static in your mic.”
    • “When you're looking for a game with a repetitive soundtrack, lagging controls, and a very boring story, you should buy this.”
    • “The music is eerie, the atmosphere is just perfect and the recordings will give you pause.”
  • grinding14 mentions

    Players consistently criticize the grinding aspect of the game, describing it as tedious and repetitive, particularly due to excessive backtracking and a lack of diversity in environments, enemies, and objectives. This repetitiveness detracts from the overall experience, leading to a sense of boredom that overshadows the game's initial strengths, particularly in its horror elements. Ultimately, many feel that the grinding significantly undermines the game's potential enjoyment.

    • “My biggest gripe being that, as others have criticized the game for, it can eventually feel a bit tedious at times due to backtracking.”
    • “Add to this a lack of diversity for just about everything (environment, enemies, items, collectibles, objectives, etc.) and you get a game that has exhausted all its positive, and in one case unique, attributes within the first few levels--and by the later levels completely ruined by its merciless repetitiveness and tediousness.”
    • “It took me 9 hours to complete and, by the end, it was becoming a little tedious and repetitive.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The game's stability is notably poor, with numerous bugs and glitches affecting gameplay, leading to a janky experience. While some players appreciate the atmosphere and unique mechanics, the overall execution suffers from significant technical issues that detract from the enjoyment.

    • “I found this game to be a combination of good ideas implemented in a horrible and buggy gameplay.”
    • “Unfortunately, they're wrapped in a seriously buggy product.”
    • “At first glance, it's very obvious that it’s a first-person Unity horror game, with its very unpolished appearance, and the game is a bit buggy and janky with some uneven and unfocused gameplay elements like awkward platforming, driving, and combat.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The game effectively utilizes audio as a core mechanic, creating a strong emotional impact that resonates with players. However, it is criticized for having a repetitive soundtrack, lagging controls, and a lackluster story, which may detract from the overall experience.

    • “I cannot think of another game that manipulates audio with such efficacy: it's the core mechanic driving the game, and it works both functionally and emotionally.”
    • “When you're looking for a game with a repetitive soundtrack, lagging controls, and a very boring story, you should buy this.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is primarily derived from occasional glitches and amusing textures, which add a lighthearted touch to the overall experience. While these elements may not be intentional, they contribute to a fun atmosphere that players appreciate.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

33% average critic score

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