Venatrix

About

Venatrix is a single player action adventure game with a horror theme. It was developed by Playstige Interactive and was released on May 23, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

Venatrix is a single-player horror stealth game where you choose to play as Matthew Kolth, a paranormal investigator battling Lovecraftian monsters, or Della Hartfort, who uses stealth to evade these terrifying creatures. Both characters navigate nightmarish realms blending reality and dream as they uncover dark truths within Hartford Mansion. Survival depends on confronting evil in both this world and beyond.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 34 reviews

humor5 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The game features two distinct characters with unique gameplay styles, allowing players to choose between action and stealth, which adds depth to the experience.
The atmosphere is immersive and dark, with some levels providing a genuinely spooky experience, particularly in the later chapters.
Voice acting, especially for the character Della, is well-received and adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.

The graphics are below average, with issues like blurriness and poor optimization that detract from the overall experience.
The narrative is poorly presented, with disjointed storytelling and technical issues such as desynchronized voiceovers and subtitles that hinder understanding.
Gameplay is plagued by bugs, clunky mechanics, and uninspired enemy AI, leading to a frustrating experience for players.

story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
64%
18%
The game's story features an intriguing premise with two intersecting storylines and characters, drawing inspiration from Lovecraftian themes. However, it suffers from issues such as disjointed narrative, poor voice acting, and a lack of coherence, leading to a mixed reception. While some players found the story immersive and engaging, others criticized it for being weak and filled with clichés, ultimately detracting from the overall experience.
- “The plot is intriguing.”
- “Two storylines, two characters, two completely different types of gameplay masterfully intersect in this game.”
- “Story is pretty touching, held my level of intrigue throughout the whole game.”
- “The story is weak, with a promising premise of intertwining perspectives undermined by terrible voice acting described as echoing and poorly recorded and a disjointed narrative that fails to leverage its Lovecraftian roots.”
- “Shamefully bad, with a drunk camera, a stuttering response to environmental interactions, and a mundane story.”
- “The story is... I don't know, to be honest, I have no idea what is going on because the gameplay is so abysmal that I completely forgot to pay attention to it.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The gameplay in this title features two distinct characters and storylines, offering a mix of combat and stealth mechanics; however, players have reported issues with clunky controls, bugs, and a lack of engagement, particularly with the stealth gameplay. While some appreciate the polished feel and variety in gameplay experiences, others find it frustrating and unfulfilling, leading to a generally mixed reception. Overall, the transitions between cutscenes and gameplay detract from the experience, leaving players confused about the story.
- “Two storylines, two characters, two completely different types of gameplay masterfully intersect in this game.”
- “First, gameplay: feels smooth and polished, original assets and mechanics.”
- “The gameplay was varied - from intense battles with monsters to quiet moments of stealth to avoid dangers.”
- “Gameplay is poor, with Matthew’s gunplay limited by short range and clunky mechanics, while Della’s stealth feels mindless and unrewarding, plagued by bugs like sensitivity resets or unresponsive controls.”
- “The transitions between cutscenes and gameplay are awful.”
- “The story is... I don't know, to be honest, I have no idea what is going on because the gameplay is so abysmal that I completely forgot to pay attention to it.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The graphics in the game are generally considered below average, with issues such as blurry textures and poor optimization detracting from the experience. While some environments exhibit decent design, many visuals are criticized for being washed out or overly shiny. Overall, the graphics are seen as a weak point, overshadowed by the game's plot and gameplay.
- “Let's start with the game's graphics, which are its cornerstone.”
- “That was the strongest part of the game along with some of the graphical level designs further in the game in some places.”
- “Great dark graphics”
- “The graphics are below average, with environments aiming for detail but hampered by blurry textures, overly shiny surfaces, and poor optimization.”
- “Venatrix disappoints with its subpar graphics, weak story, and poor gameplay, but here’s hoping Playstige Interactive refines their craft for their next title.”
- “Yes, the graphics leave much to be desired, but the plot and the actions taking place in the game are the best substitute.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The atmosphere in these games is often characterized by a dark, spooky, and mystical quality, particularly in settings like the Hartford mansion, which enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the unique blend of old-school stealth mechanics and an immersive narrative that contributes to a compelling and sometimes chilling ambiance.
- “Since it takes place in an old era, I was drawn to the atmosphere.”
- “But, what I remember most is the dark atmosphere.”
- “But, what I remember most is the daaaaaaaaaaaaark atmosphere.”
- “From the very beginning, I was struck by the atmosphere of mysticism and horror that enveloped the Hartford mansion and the surrounding worlds.”
- “Old-school stealth with a dark atmosphere; gameplay-wise, you play as Della or Matthew.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in these games is a mixed bag, with some moments being intentionally funny while others stem from poor design choices, leading to unintentional hilarity. Players have noted amusing elements like bizarre sound effects and absurd ragdoll physics, though not all games succeed in delivering humor, with some being simply bad rather than "so bad it's funny." Overall, the humor can range from clever and engaging to awkward and unintentional, contributing to a unique gaming experience.
- “Sometimes these games turn out to be surprisingly great, sometimes they’re hilariously bad (intentionally or not), and sometimes they at least offer something unusual in their narrative or atmosphere.”
- “Then I found an unintentionally hilarious 'secret lever' in the maiden’s room that opens a door to the house’s basement.”
- “The enemies are random asset-flip monsters that have a set amount of health, and when you or the enemy dies, the ragdolling is crazy, which was quite hilarious.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight significant stability issues, including visual glitches and blurriness that can be straining for players, as well as poor framerates, particularly on consoles like the Switch.
- “Reviews note visual glitches and blurriness that strain the eyes, alongside atrocious framerates on consoles like the Switch.”
- “The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I experienced constant lag and stuttering, which ruined the overall experience.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a touching story that maintains a strong level of intrigue, effectively engaging players throughout the experience.
- “The story is incredibly touching and kept my level of intrigue throughout the entire game.”
- “I felt a deep emotional connection to the characters, which made the experience unforgettable.”
- “The game's narrative evoked a range of emotions, from joy to sadness, leaving a lasting impact on me.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, featuring a poorly functioning camera and sluggish responses to interactions, which detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the graphics are considered subpar, suffering from blurry textures and excessive shine, further highlighting the lack of effective optimization.
- “The graphics are below average, with environments aiming for detail but hampered by blurry textures, overly shiny surfaces, and poor optimization.”
- “Shamefully bad, with a drunk camera, a stuttering response to environmental interactions, and a mundane story.”