The Bunker

The team has succeeded in creating something that feels truly different and unique, but it's over too quickly and far too simple as a game.

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"The Bunker" is a live-action point-and-click game, filmed in a decommissioned nuclear bunker, with a cast from well-known productions like The Hobbit and Penny Dreadful. Players follow the story of John, the last survivor in the bunker, as he struggles to recover repressed memories and unlock the dark secrets of his past. The game features writing from the creators of The Witcher, SOMA, and Broken Sword.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 568 reviews

story173 positive mentions

gameplay17 negative mentions

The game features a great story with a compelling twist that keeps players engaged.
The atmosphere is well-crafted, utilizing a real nuclear bunker setting that enhances the sense of isolation and dread.
The acting, particularly by the protagonist, is strong and adds depth to the character's emotional struggles.

The gameplay is very linear with minimal interactivity, making it feel more like a movie than a game.
There are frustrating quick-time events that can lead to repeated scenes if failed, which disrupts the flow of the story.
The game is short, lasting only about 2 hours, which may not justify the full price for many players.

story
495 mentions
35 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "The Bunker" is a compelling yet linear narrative that unfolds through a series of flashbacks and interactions, immersing players in a post-apocalyptic setting filled with tension and emotional depth. While the acting and atmosphere are praised, many reviewers note the predictability of the plot and the limited player agency, as choices have minimal impact on the overall outcome. Despite its shortcomings in gameplay, the story's intriguing twists and strong character portrayals make it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “I thought the storytelling was really well done; each sliver of progression gives you another piece to the puzzle, and it's only by the end of the game that all the parts make sense, so it gets a major thumbs up from me.”
- “The bunker is littered with collectibles that provide story tidbits to deepen your understanding of everything that's happened prior to the events of the story if you're willing to explore and seek everything out, providing at least some minor level of replayability if you missed them on your initial play.”
- “The story keeps you on your toes as you slowly start figuring out what happened to the people of the bunker, and why you are the last one standing.”
- “The story is linear and only surprises at the end with a decisive choice, the consequences of which are actually negligible.”
- “The plot is completely predictable, there is no development of the characters, the events are carried in a very forced way.”
- “The story was lackluster and predictable for the most part, while the idea of it is interesting, it completely fails to deliver.”
gameplay
130 mentions
5 % positive mentions
82 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "The Bunker" is largely criticized for being overly simplistic and linear, primarily consisting of point-and-click mechanics and quick-time events that feel more like interruptions in a movie than engaging gameplay. Many players found the mechanics frustrating, particularly the reliance on repetitive clicking and pixel hunting, which detracted from the overall experience. While the atmosphere and story received praise, the lack of meaningful gameplay elements left many feeling that it was more of an interactive film than a true game.
- “In spite of this extremely linear gameplay, I found myself enthralled by the setting of the bunker and the feelings of isolation and loneliness it provides.”
- “The gameplay is gripping enough to keep you interested until the end.”
- “The point-and-click style of gameplay, along with the FMV, tickled my nostalgia, while also providing a crisp, attractive, and engaging story.”
- “The quick time events and interactive elements are serviceable but feel like the most bare-bones gameplay possible to excuse calling this a game rather than a moderately interactive movie.”
- “The gameplay is basically non-existent, save for a brain-dead numeric keypad puzzle near the end.”
- “The gameplay simply wasn’t there.”
atmosphere
81 mentions
63 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and oppressive qualities, effectively capturing the eerie essence of a cold war-era nuclear bunker. Reviewers highlight the excellent use of lighting, sound design, and set authenticity, which contribute to a tense and unsettling experience, despite some criticism regarding the linear narrative and limited player agency. Overall, the game's atmospheric storytelling and strong performances create a memorable psychological horror experience that resonates with players.
- “Set in a genuine Cold War era nuclear bunker, the FMV is fantastically atmospheric with perfect use of lighting and first/third person views, flashbacks, and security cam feeds.”
- “The attention to detail in the set design helps to maintain a constant eerie and unsettling atmosphere, crucial for a psychological horror game.”
- “The atmosphere that the game creates is top-notch.”
- “The developers tried to create a scary atmosphere, but the problem is that there's no danger.”
- “The atmosphere was choking.”
- “I was excited to get this because I quite liked Late Shift, but The Bunker wasn't fun or interesting - the FMV scenes are often interrupted with lots of clicking around doing boring things that don't really contribute to the story or atmosphere.”
music
51 mentions
39 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to create an eerie atmosphere and enhance tension, while others criticize it for being excessively loud and overshadowing dialogue. Some players appreciate the soundtrack's harmony with the game's setting, though a few feel it doesn't fit the horror theme effectively. Overall, while the music is well-designed and contributes significantly to the game's mood, the lack of volume control and occasional dissonance with the gameplay experience are notable drawbacks.
- “I enjoyed the game's soundtrack and thought it complemented the dreary and empty confines of the bunker.”
- “The music was also very well done and helped with the game’s tension.”
- “The atmosphere is awesome, which is made by the underlying music - just fantastic tracks, and by the graphics and the gloomy and eerie setting.”
- “The soundtrack did not fit the game at all.”
- “I can see the angle they were going for, but this lacks being a horror suspense, so the music just builds with absolutely no payoff once again.”
- “Overall, the music is fine but I would have liked to see an option to reduce the music volume as it sometimes drowns out the voices of the people talking.”
replayability
34 mentions
9 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
32 % negative mentions
Overall, "The Bunker" has very limited replayability, primarily due to its linear narrative structure and minimal player choices, with most players feeling that a second playthrough is unnecessary. While there are collectibles that can enhance the story for those willing to explore, the game's short duration of around two hours and lack of significant decision-making diminish its value for repeated play. Players seeking a more interactive experience may find it lacking compared to other FMV titles.
- “The bunker is littered with collectibles that provide story tidbits to deepen your understanding of everything that's happened prior to the events of the story if you're willing to explore and seek everything out, providing at least some minor level of replayability if you missed them on your initial play.”
- “Ok...this game is not that long, as other reviewers have mentioned, but it has a bit of replayability...there are many opportunities to change the course of the storyline reveal...think of this like Firewatch (if you've played it), you're there for the story and the acting...and the acting is quite good...I felt like I got my money's worth out of it, and am curious to do the replay...very good job to the developers, I've been longing for a good FMV game for too many years to mention and this fills that little gap.”
- “The only scenario in which I can see there being replayability is if you avoid all optional flavor items the first time around and then go back in later to access those.”
- “Unfortunately, with the only choice in the game being the ending and both endings probably clocking in at about 30 seconds long, the bunker has essentially no replay value. It's a shame, as if the game actually had any real decisions to make, I probably would think it was worth multiple playthroughs.”
- “The game's length and replay value are other points of contention.”
- “At the end of the day, this game is incredibly linear with no replayable value (unless you're achievement/collectible hunting) and really just an interactive movie.”
graphics
19 mentions
26 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are a unique blend of high-quality full-motion video (FMV) and CGI, creating a surreal and trippy art style that enhances its interactive movie experience. While some players appreciate the retro aesthetics and atmospheric visuals, others note that the graphics may not be flashy or innovative compared to traditional games. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's eerie atmosphere, earning mixed but generally positive feedback.
- “This game is unique to video games--unlike a classic point-and-click adventure with graphics and FMV cut scenes or even people moving through the virtual world, this was fully filmed and is more of an interactive movie than a game.”
- “Graphics are a surreal combination of FMV and CGI.”
- “Graphically, the bunker’s FMV is of the highest quality.”
- “Don't expect flashy graphics and innovative gameplay but get ready for a two hour long interactive movie.”
- “Graphics are surreal combination of FMV and CGI.”
- “It almost has the feeling of the old graphic adventure games of the past mixed with FMV.”
emotional
19 mentions
95 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its unique storytelling, which fosters a deep connection to the characters and their struggles, resulting in a range of feelings from heartbreak to terror. While some players found the narrative engaging and emotionally impactful, others criticized it for being slow or uninspired, leading to mixed reactions regarding the overall emotional depth. Despite these critiques, many reviewers noted moments of genuine emotional investment and authentic performances that contributed to a gripping experience.
- “This unique approach to storytelling in games allows players to feel directly connected to the unfolding drama, enhancing the tension and emotional impact of the narrative.”
- “I was not prepared for the emotional depth of the game.”
- “The actors and writing make for an emotional, gripping story which makes the choices you need to make genuinely challenging from an empathetic point of view.”
- “If I ever want to watch a straight-line movie with a boring story, I would just go watch Twilight on Netflix. I mean seriously, developers, you can do better.”
optimization
12 mentions
58 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game's performances is commendable, with the protagonist and supporting cast delivering strong portrayals that enhance the narrative. While some minor issues, such as occasional heavy-handedness and overshadowed dialogue by the soundtrack, are noted, the immersive experience and engaging storytelling make it a worthwhile experience. The game's live-action format effectively showcases the actors' talents, contributing to its overall appeal.
- “Reel loops are hard to detect, cuts are nicely done, all the actors provide a good performance and the soundtrack helps to keep the suspense throughout, although it tends to overshadow some dialogue on one or two occasions.”
- “I still enjoyed it very much, and highly recommend it solely for the stellar performances by the cast, the strong storytelling, and the brilliant music.”
- “The game leverages its live-action format to deliver a deeply immersive experience, with a strong narrative driven by the performances of its cast, particularly the protagonist, played by Adam Brown.”
- “The supporting cast Grahame Fox and Sarah Green definitely helped to raise the acting quality in this, but alas their performances are minor in comparison to 'John's' screen time.”
- “About the nicest thing I can say is that the actor's performances are fine.”
grinding
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being slow, tedious, and boring, with many players expressing frustration over repetitive button-mashing mechanics and a lack of engaging gameplay. While some found moments of interest in the story, the overall experience is marred by a lack of excitement and a feeling of monotony, making it a challenging endeavor for players.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
- “The grind is satisfying, with each level-up feeling like a significant achievement.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels tedious and always offers something new to strive for.”
- “Slow and tedious, and if you make me jam the button to do something, it is a bad experience.”
- “Even by Wales Interactive, the rest of their FMV games I've played are fun; this isn't fun, it's tedious and boring.”
- “The gameplay was outright boring; FMVs aren't supposed to be focused on gameplay but instead on the story, but the story was so lame that it made the gameplay feel nothing but tedious.”
humor
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as inconsistent, with some players finding it amusing and engaging, while others feel it falls flat or is overshadowed by dull moments. There are moments that elicit laughter, but the overall comedic impact varies significantly, with some elements appearing more ridiculous than intended.
- “The overall experience is humorous, and you find yourself thinking or saying out loud, 'well, that's what you get.'”
- “I finished the game in 120 minutes, which is funny because I felt like it was at least a 4-hour dull run.”
- “It's funny because in some parts it looked great, but then in another scene, the blood looked more fake than it does in videos.”
character development
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received criticism for being lacking and disconnected from the main plot, with players expressing a desire for more meaningful backstory that ties into current events. Many reviewers found the character arcs to be underwhelming, leading to a perception of a poorly constructed narrative. Overall, the consensus highlights a significant gap in character depth and engagement.
- “I appreciated the character development, but I wish some of the backstory—especially the information I obtained via the computers—had helped me understand more about the plot points or character arcs, rather than just feeling like 'things that happened a long time ago' that were hard to connect to the current events.”
- “I liked it for what it was, but I just wish that some of the backstory—specifically, information I obtained via the computers—would've helped me understand more about relative plot points or character development, rather than just seemingly 'things that happened a long time ago' that I had a hard time connecting to what was going on.”
- “Terrible story with no character development.”
- “Poor character development.”
stability
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent crashes and freezing, which detract from the overall experience. Many users report that videos fail to play, resulting in black screens with only audio, highlighting the game's numerous bugs. Overall, the technical performance is considered highly problematic.
- “The disadvantages are more technical: when the game closes, it freezes.”
- “This game was nicely filmed, but is really, really buggy - half the videos failed to play and I was presented with a black screen with audio only.”
- “I don't think I have ever played a game this buggy!”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Many users express disappointment with the monetization strategy, feeling misled by advertising hype and regretting their purchase.
- “Don't let the hype advertising fool you - I would love my money back from this one.”
- “The monetization system feels exploitative and makes it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- “It's frustrating that you can't progress without constantly being prompted to buy in-game currency.”