Sylvio 2

64%
Game Brain Score Based on 46 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Sylvio 2 Game Cover
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In Sylvio 2, Juliette Waters finds herself trapped in an abandoned apartment and communicates with spirits using her ghost recording equipment. She embarks on a journey to find her boyfriend, exploring flooded landscapes and uncovering hidden messages with her unique analysis tool. This atmospheric horror game offers nine levels and a free-to-explore main area, with an estimated 6-hour gameplay experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

64%
Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews
story9 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The EVP mechanics, especially the addition of video recording, are innovative and enhance the ghost-hunting experience.
  • The atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, creating a sense of dread and intrigue that permeates the gameplay.
  • The game offers a unique interactive experience that can be appreciated as a storytelling medium rather than a traditional game.
  • The gameplay is overly linear and repetitive, often reducing exploration to simply following glowing orbs from one point to another.
  • Many features from the original game, such as puzzles and combat, have been stripped away, leading to a less engaging experience.
  • The ending is widely criticized for being confusing and unsatisfying, leaving many players feeling disappointed.
  • story45 mentions

    The story of Sylvio 2 continues from the original but is described as confusing and lacking depth, with many players feeling it doesn't fully capitalize on its predecessor's narrative. While some appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and the anthology-style approach, others criticize the fragmented and shallow nature of the plot, leading to disappointment for those expecting a more cohesive continuation. Overall, the game offers intriguing moments and ghost encounters, but its storytelling is seen as inconsistent and underdeveloped.

    • “It's very atmospheric, I love the EVP mechanics. I discovered a part of an achievement that seemingly hasn't been uncovered before, and while the end of the story is a bit weird, I can see why the developer wanted to put out a game for people who wanted a sequel.”
    • “It has an interesting story that can both stand on its own and continues what was started in the first game.”
    • “The story is well written and I enjoyed the ending.”
    • “The story feels more like seven different stories wrapped up into one.”
    • “The storyline is practically nonexistent.”
    • “The story is terrible, mostly shuffling you along one too-obvious 'tragedy' to the next without any depth to the characters or situations presented.”
  • gameplay31 mentions

    The gameplay in Sylvio 2 primarily revolves around EVP investigation mechanics, which are praised for their innovation and effectiveness, enhancing the eerie atmosphere. However, many players find the overall gameplay to be somewhat linear and passive, involving repetitive tasks of moving to marked points and recording audio or video, which can feel underwhelming compared to the first game. While the new video recording feature adds a creepy element, some players miss the more dynamic mechanics of the original, leading to mixed feelings about the game's design choices.

    • “The basic audio recording mechanic has definitely been improved in that upon recording some ghostly noise, you are then presented with a readout of the sound oscillations, which makes identifying and deciphering spectral voices smoother.”
    • “But above all, the video recording mechanic is probably Sylvio 2's standout addition, as it really lends itself to the creepiness when you take a recording, play it back and see some ghoulish silhouette looming in the background of the footage.”
    • “The overall atmosphere is lovely with the main mechanic of interacting with the world being the linear scrubbing through recorded audio and video to ascertain the circumstances of each area.”
    • “I can see the vision for this project very clearly, and in my opinion, it's still very effective despite the gameplay being somewhat basic outside of the EVP mechanic.”
    • “I miss the microphone mechanics that were from the first game, when finding voices in the static, and I would rather be back in the park than exploring the seas to get to the coordinates.”
    • “You can get hard-locked out of a save due to a bug involving the game’s main mechanic, video scrubbing.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and unsettling qualities, effectively immersing players in a creepy environment that relies on audio and visual mechanics rather than jump scares. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of dread and curiosity through its ghostly elements and exploration of abandoned spaces, making it a standout experience for fans of atmospheric horror. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its strongest aspect, appealing to those who appreciate a more nuanced and immersive horror experience.

    • “What really shines for this game for me, what lodged this game into my brain, was the atmosphere.”
    • “It’s one of the scariest games I’ve ever played, not because of jumpscares but because of its atmosphere.”
    • “The overall atmosphere is lovely with the main mechanic of interacting with the world being the linear scrubbing through recorded audio and video to ascertain the circumstances of each area.”
    • “It’s one of the scariest games I’ve ever played, not because of jump scares but because of its atmosphere.”
    • “On the other hand, if you think you'd enjoy a walking simulator with a creepy horror atmosphere, no jump scares, and a mission to tease out every clue you can about the spirits, their lives and their deaths, then it's well worth a playthrough.”
    • “And the atmosphere created by these ghost voices is way better than any jump scare.”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics in the game show a notable improvement over the original, though opinions are mixed, with some players finding them lacking for a 2017 release. While the visuals may not be exceptional, they effectively complement the game's spooky atmosphere, making it enjoyable for those who prioritize the horror experience over graphical fidelity.

    • “The graphics are definitely a step up from the original, and as always the music and sound design is handled well.”
    • “Yes, Sylvio 1 is a far more interesting game, with better visuals, more mechanics, and less hand-holding.”
    • “Video analysis is still here, but it feels more like the audio analysis combined with visuals.”
    • “Terrible graphics, I cannot believe this came out in 2017. The controls are not much better either.”
    • “Video analysis is still here, but it feels more like the audio analysis with visuals.”
    • “The graphics are not fantastic or anything, but they work really, really well with this type of game.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is consistently praised for its high quality, maintaining the beautiful and unsettling soundtrack of the original. Reviewers note that the sound design enhances the overall mood, contributing positively to the gaming experience despite other flaws.

    • “The graphics are definitely a step up from the original, and as always the music and sound design are handled well.”
    • “The original Sylvio was flawed, yes, but it was full of unique ideas and unsettling moments with a beautiful soundtrack.”
    • “The mood is still top notch when you filter out all these huge issues mentioned above, and the music is as fantastic as it was in the original game.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the removal of tedious puzzles and the flawed combat system has led to a monotonous experience, where players are left with repetitive tasks and a flow of messages that detracts from engagement. Overall, the grinding aspect is viewed as tedious and lacking in challenge or excitement.

    • “The combat system (which admittedly was flawed) has been removed altogether, so there is no longer anything you actually have to be scared about; save for some events which quickly get tedious as you simply switch the forward/backward buttons at various speeds to get the info you want.”
    • “Everything good has been removed and replaced by a tedious flow of messages.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players highlight the game's emotional impact, particularly during the poignant revelation of Jonathan and Captain Walters' deaths, which evokes a strong sense of loss and reflection.

    • “You finish the game, discovering that Jonathan and Captain Walters are dead, and you're left in this incredibly emotional moment.”
    • “The game masterfully captures the depth of loss, leaving players in a state of reflection and sorrow.”
    • “Every character's journey is filled with poignant moments that resonate deeply, making the emotional impact unforgettable.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs and glitches reported by users, impacting the overall experience.

    • “On the technical side, the game is full of bugs and glitches.”
    • “The frequent crashes make it nearly impossible to enjoy the gameplay.”
    • “I experienced constant frame drops and instability during crucial moments.”
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