Traumada
- August 11, 2022
- James Horn
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Traumada" is a horror exploration game with puzzle-solving elements, played from a first-person perspective in a PS1/PS2 style. Uncover the mystery of a local girl's disappearance in the 1950s by exploring the nightmare version of the creator's childhood home, or descending into their own madness. The game features atmospheric horror and occasional jump scares, with a focus on uncovering clues and piecing together the past.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features beautiful art, music, and sound design, creating a captivating atmosphere.
- It offers a unique and personal storytelling experience, with many interactive elements and easter eggs to discover.
- The game is a short but engaging indie horror experience that taps into nostalgia and emotional themes.
- The game may not deliver the expected horror experience, leaving some players feeling bored or unscared.
- There are significant bugs in certain minigames that can hinder gameplay and frustrate achievement hunters.
- The story is often cryptic and loosely delivered, making it difficult for players to grasp the overall narrative.
- story26 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its ambiguous and cryptic nature, while others found it lacking and poorly delivered. The storytelling is described as unique and atmospheric, relying on environmental cues and note reading, but it may leave players needing to seek additional context to fully grasp the narrative. Overall, it appeals to horror fans who enjoy unconventional storytelling, though it may not provide the compelling or frightening experience some expect.
“Highly recommend for horror fans and someone who likes ambiguous storytelling.”
“The story, which unfolds primarily through note reading, in-game PC browsing, and environmental cues, is well-done and a fun experience (not too text heavy and stays interesting).”
“The atmosphere and storytelling is really great.”
“The story is quite lacking.”
“The story is very average and kinda poorly delivered; the main character will say things that are painfully obvious, and some of the scares were more goofy than scary.”
“All the visual tells presented in the game were quite cryptic to draw a solid conclusion as to what was happening in the story.”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the effective house design and storytelling. While some noted that the main character's commentary detracts from the tension, the overall ambiance is considered a strong point, contributing to a unique and engaging experience.
“The atmosphere and storytelling is really great.”
“Don't expect much from it, but it has some cool ideas and a great, nostalgic atmosphere.”
“Due to the main character's commentary, it builds very little tension and kills all atmosphere.”
“Despite the issues, I think this game tapped into something very special; the house design was amazing and the atmosphere alone made up for what is lacking.”
- music10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall experience, contributing to a personal and immersive atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, complementing the game's unique storytelling and art style. Overall, the sound design is considered a significant asset, adding depth to the gameplay.
“Definitely a fun time with beautiful art, music, and sound design. Above all, I liked it because it felt very personal; it was quite abstract, yet I found myself getting attached to the world created here.”
“And last but not least, the music is awesome.”
“An interesting and unique introspective horror with some cool visuals and even cooler music, along with a lot of little extra details to interact and play with.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics in Traumada are characterized by a nostalgic low-poly style combined with photorealistic textures, creating a unique visual experience that evokes a sense of unease. While the repetitive environment can feel dull at times, the art direction contributes to the game's introspective horror theme, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the blend of retro aesthetics with modern details, making it a visually intriguing title for its price.
“The graphics are strange; they evoke a very nostalgic vibe, are low-poly, yet with often photorealistic textures plastered over them.”
“An interesting and unique introspective horror with some cool visuals, even cooler music, and a lot of little extra details to interact with and play with.”
“The graphics are strange; they evoke a very nostalgic vibe, are low-poly, yet often have photorealistic textures plastered over them.”
“Traumada offered a unique horror experience with PS2 graphics and a focus on the protagonist's childhood dream, or should I say 'trauma,' that makes you feel uneasy yet not too stressed compared to other jump scare festivals.”
“It was somewhat boring at times, as you stroll around the same house, which at least changes its layout and visuals from time to time.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the quirky easter eggs and amusing achievements that add character, others are frustrated by the developer's nonchalance towards game-breaking bugs, which they find more irritating than funny.
“All the little easter eggs and some funny achievements give the game its own flair and character.”
“To make things worse, the dev knows about the bugs but he doesn't care and even finds it funny that the minigame is almost impossible to beat due to bugs.”
“Yeah, very funny.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, combining elements of horror with charm, reminiscent of titles like "Silent Hill" and "Gone Home." Reviewers note it as a significant improvement over the developer's earlier works, which, while also emotional, felt more simplistic and reminiscent of flash games.
“A cute, emotional horror game that is something like a Silent Hill-inspired Gone Home.”
“It's a huge step up from the developer's first two games, which are charming and emotional too, but feel more like Newgrounds flash titles.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is primarily driven by its multiple endings, encouraging players to complete the game at least twice to experience all content.
“The game's replay value lies in its multiple endings, encouraging players to complete the game multiple times to experience everything it has to offer.”
“The replayability is enhanced by the various choices you can make, leading to different outcomes and encouraging multiple playthroughs.”
“With numerous paths and endings, the game invites players to explore different scenarios, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“Its replay value rests in the multiple endings, requiring the player to run through the entire game twice after the first playthrough to see everything.”
