Summary

Release Year: 2019
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Puzzle
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Developers: Red Thread Games
Publishers: Red Thread Games

Draugen: A Haunting and Atmospheric Horror Adventure

Draugen is a first-person psychological horror adventure game developed by Red Thread Games and published by Humble Bundle. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on May 29, 2019. The game is set in the deep fjords and towering mountains of Norway’s awe-inspiring west coast.

The player takes on the role of Edward Charles Harden, an American nature photographer, botanist, and entomologist who travels to Norway in 1898 to find his missing sister. Edward soon discovers that the village of Graavik is shrouded in mystery and superstition, and that his sister may have been the victim of a sinister force.

Draugen is a dark and disturbing journey into the pitch black heart of Norwegian national romanticism. The game’s visuals are stunning, with a painterly quality that brings the Norwegian landscape to life. The sound design is also top-notch, with a haunting soundtrack that perfectly captures the game’s atmosphere of dread and isolation.

The gameplay in Draugen is fairly straightforward. Edward can explore the environment, interact with objects, and solve puzzles. However, the game’s focus is on atmosphere and storytelling, rather than on action or combat.

One of the things that makes Draugen so unique is its use of Norwegian folklore and mythology. The game is filled with references to Norwegian trolls, huldra, and other creatures of legend. This gives the game a truly unsettling and otherworldly feel.

The story of Draugen is also very well-written, with a cast of complex and believable characters. Edward is a sympathetic protagonist, and his journey to find his sister is both heartbreaking and suspenseful.

However, Draugen is not without its flaws. The game can be slow-paced at times, and some of the puzzles can be frustrating. Additionally, the game’s ending is somewhat ambiguous, which may leave some players feeling unsatisfied.

Overall, Draugen is a haunting and atmospheric horror adventure that is well worth experiencing. The game’s stunning visuals, excellent sound design, and well-written story make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Gameplay

Draugen is a first-person adventure game with a focus on exploration and storytelling. The player controls Edward Charles Harden, an American nature photographer, botanist, and entomologist who travels to Norway in 1898 to find his missing sister.

Edward can explore the environment, interact with objects, and solve puzzles. The game’s puzzles are mostly environmental, and they require the player to use their wits to find solutions.

One of the things that makes Draugen unique is its use of Norwegian folklore and mythology. The game is filled with references to Norwegian trolls, huldra, and other creatures of legend. This gives the game a truly unsettling and otherworldly feel.

The game’s story is also very well-written, with a cast of complex and believable characters. Edward is a sympathetic protagonist, and his journey to find his sister is both heartbreaking and suspenseful.

Setting

Draugen is set in the deep fjords and towering mountains of Norway’s awe-inspiring west coast. The game’s visuals are stunning, with a painterly quality that brings the Norwegian landscape to life.

The game’s setting is also very important to the story. The Norwegian landscape is a harsh and unforgiving place, and it is easy to see how someone could get lost or trapped in the wilderness. This sense of isolation and danger adds to the game’s atmosphere of dread and suspense.

Characters

The cast of characters in Draugen is small, but each character is well-developed and believable.

Edward Charles Harden is an American nature photographer, botanist, and entomologist. He travels to Norway in 1898 to find his missing sister. Edward is a kind and compassionate man, but he is also haunted by the loss of his sister.
Lissie is Edward’s missing sister. She is a strong and independent woman, but she is also very vulnerable. Lissie is a talented artist, and she loves to explore the Norwegian wilderness.
Alexei is a Russian sailor who helps Edward on his journey. Alexei is a gruff and taciturn man, but he is also very loyal and compassionate.

Themes

Draugen is a game about many things, but at its core, it is a game about loss and grief. Edward is haunted by the loss of his sister, and he is desperate to find her. However, he soon realizes that the Norwegian wilderness is a dangerous place, and that he may not be able to save her.

The game also explores the themes of isolation and loneliness. Edward is a stranger in a strange land, and he is often alone in his journey. This sense of isolation adds to the game’s atmosphere of dread and suspense.

Reception

Draugen received positive reviews from critics. The game was praised for its stunning visuals, excellent sound design, and well-written story. However, some critics found the game to be slow-paced and frustrating at times.