Narcosis | Xbox One | Review

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If the name Narcosis sounds familiar, it’s probably because the game originally launched over a year ago, but, with the debut of a spanking new PS4 port, comes an opportunity for the existing versions to claw back a little spotlight for themselves. Initially taking to digital storefronts like a stone to water, the ripples have now reached our shores, but is Narcosis a horror that should’ve stayed dormant in the deep?

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by Sam Sant

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@SlamShotSam

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Developer: Honor Code
Publisher: Honor Code
Platforms: Xbox One,
PS4, PC
Players: 1

Like most, ourselves included, you probably aren’t crazy about water levels in gaming; they’re typically more frustrating than fun, so a game set entirely under the sea can pose immediate cause for concern. In this instance, continuing the legacy of BioShock and SOMA, heading to the bottom of ol’ big blue instead serves to establish an almost alien atmosphere conducive to terror.

Sci-fi is inherently scary owing to the fact we’re peering into the unknown, usually whilst exploring the supposed final frontier of outer space. You might think there’s nothing ‘supposed’ about it, but, in reality, we haven’t even come close to conquering the oceans that cover a majority of our very own planet. Establishing mystery closer to home makes it far easier (and arguably more exciting) to engage with, as Narcosis’ face-hugging fish, arachnophobia-inducing giant crabs, foreign locations and bizarre plant life replicate their famous fictional counterparts without requiring the same suspension of disbelief.

Even as surrealist elements are introduced to the mix, tying them to the protagonist’s decaying sanity ensures that one foot is kept firmly rooted in reality. After an earthquake scatters them and their crew across the unforgiving ocean floor, you’re simply tasked with helping everyone regroup, though that's easier said than done with dwindling oxygen supplies and caput technologies. As the bleak reality of your situation gradually settles in, matter of fact monologues are startlingly accepting of every actuality, meanwhile hallucinogenic visuals betray the serene narration by illustrating the mindset of a fearful man. This makes for an effective juxtaposition throughout, though things take an even more intriguing turn when you realise these might not be internal musings.

You probably aren’t crazy about water levels in gaming, but, In this instance, heading to the bottom of ol’ big blue serves to establish an almost alien atmosphere conducive to terror.

Developer Honor Code clearly took great care in crafting Narcosis’ world and narrative, though the same can’t quite be said when it comes to the limited gameplay. Labelled a survival horror walking simulator - we’ll let you decide whether affectionately or not - slightly tank-y controls harken back to early examples of the genre whilst conveying the immense weight of the bulky diving suit you occupy. The slow pace and initially unintuitive controls take a little getting used to, as does independently looking down to view the suit’s integrated HUD, but limited-use thrusters do accommodate sparing speed boosts.

They also allow for a spot of light platforming, which is fine, if unremarkable, whilst sides of simple puzzle solving and rudimentary combat are also thrown in to tick the necessary boxes. Fights are rare, thankfully, as you have but one cumbersome slash manoeuvre to execute with a short knife. More often than not, you’ll instead utilise an abundance of flares to distract enemies and allow you to slip by, but not always unseen. You’re predisposed to run when spotted by a deadly predator, though, in Narcosis’ case, your heavy diving suit disallows that response, contributing further tension.

​Your helmet also obscures peripheral vision, adding another unnerving wrinkle, but the apparatus is far too efficient in the one area that could’ve made things outright harrowing. As we mentioned earlier, oxygen levels are limited, so you’ll continually need to accrue the element, while also doing your best to avoid any situations that’ll cause panic, resultantly accelerating your breathing and elevating your intake. It’s a novel conceit, but the game doesn’t fully commit, seemingly scared of imposing too great a challenge, resulting in the mechanic never becoming a major factor.

​As such, it only really serves to keep you moving, but even that’s largely unnecessary when Narcosis is so linear. A couple of chapters make for notable exceptions, though most areas only open up into brief offshoots housing text-based collectibles serving to flesh out crew members’ characters.

While Narcosis doesn’t boast a great gameplay experience, rather just palatable, it works as a vehicle for interacting with Honor Code’s atmospheric locations and concise story. At around three hours long, it isn’t too much to ask that you stick out the relative lows in order to enjoy the twisting, psychological highs.

Pros

• Subtle narrative with an effective, but not too outlandish, twist
• Juxtaposes real vs. surreal whilst striking a convincing balance
• Short enough to remain sweet
• Diving suit constitutes a few interesting mechanics
• Dark, atmospheric underwater locations...

Cons

• … That beg to be more openly explorable
• Doesn’t commit to survival horror, with overabundant resources
• Tank-like controls are a nice homage, though not immediately welcoming
• Particularly weak combat

7/10