Summary
- Release Year: 2020
- Genres: Adventure, Indie, Puzzle, Simulator
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
- Developers: SadSquare Studio
- Publishers: SadSquare Studio
Visage (2020): A Hauntingly Realistic Horror Experience
Visage is a first-person psychological horror game developed by SadSquare Studio and published by SHADE Inc. It was released on October 30, 2020, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The game is set in a mysterious and ever-changing house, where players explore the dark and disturbing history of the previous tenants.
Visage is a slow-paced, atmospheric horror game that relies on psychological terror rather than jump scares. The game’s environments are incredibly detailed and realistic, and the sound design is equally impressive. The game’s soundtrack is composed of ambient noise and eerie sound effects that create a truly immersive and unsettling experience.
The game’s story is told through a series of interconnected chapters, each of which focuses on a different character and their experiences in the house. The player character is never named, and their identity is left ambiguous. This adds to the game’s sense of mystery and dread, as the player is never sure who they are or why they are in the house.
As the player explores the house, they will uncover fragments of the previous tenants’ lives. These fragments are presented through environmental storytelling, such as日記 entries, photographs, and audio recordings. The player can also interact with objects in the environment to trigger hallucinations and visions, which provide further insight into the house’s dark history.
The house itself is a character in its own right. It is a constantly changing labyrinth of rooms and corridors, and its layout is never the same twice. The house is also home to a number of ghosts and other supernatural entities, which can be seen and heard throughout the game.
Visage is a truly terrifying horror game that will stay with you long after you finish playing. The game’s atmosphere is incredibly oppressive, and the scares are both effective and unsettling. If you’re a fan of horror games, this is one you definitely don’t want to miss.
Gameplay
Visage is a first-person horror game that is played from the perspective of the player character. The player explores the house, interacts with objects, and solves puzzles in order to progress through the game. The game’s controls are simple and intuitive, and the player character moves smoothly and realistically through the environment.
The game’s combat is limited to melee attacks, and the player character is vulnerable to attack from the ghosts and other supernatural entities that inhabit the house. The player must use stealth and avoidance to survive, and they must be careful not to make too much noise, as this will attract the attention of the ghosts.
The game’s puzzles are mostly environmental, and they require the player to use their wits and observation skills to solve them. The puzzles are not overly difficult, but they can be challenging at times.
Setting
Visage is set in a large, old house that is located in a remote area. The house is in a state of disrepair, and it is clear that it has been abandoned for many years. The house is also home to a number of ghosts and other supernatural entities, which makes it a dangerous place to explore.
The house is divided into a number of different rooms and corridors, each of which has its own unique atmosphere. The rooms are filled with old furniture and other objects, which give the house a sense of history and realism. The corridors are dark and narrow, and they are often filled with cobwebs and dust.
The house is also surrounded by a large forest, which is equally as dangerous as the house itself. The forest is home to a number of wild animals, as well as a number of ghosts and other supernatural entities.
Characters
The player character in Visage is never named, and their identity is left ambiguous. This adds to the game’s sense of mystery and dread, as the player is never sure who they are or why they are in the house.
The game features a number of other characters, including the ghosts and other supernatural entities that inhabit the house. These characters are all well-developed and believable, and they add to the game’s sense of atmosphere and dread.
Themes
Visage explores a number of dark and disturbing themes, including death, loss, and grief. The game also explores the concept of the haunted house, and it uses this concept to create a truly terrifying and unsettling experience.
The game’s story is told through a series of interconnected chapters, each of which focuses on a different character and their experiences in the house. These chapters are all well-written and engaging, and they add to the game’s overall sense of mystery and dread.
Reception
Visage received positive reviews from critics upon release. The game was praised for its atmosphere, graphics, and sound design. The game was also praised for its story and characters.
Visage was a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. The game was also nominated for a number of awards, including the Game of the Year award at the Golden Joystick Awards.
Legacy
Visage is considered to be one of the best horror games of all time. The game has been praised for its atmosphere, graphics, sound design, and story. Visage has also been credited with helping to revive the psychological horror genre.
The game has inspired a number of other horror games, including Layers of Fear and The Medium. Visage has also been adapted into a comic book series.
Conclusion
Visage is a truly terrifying horror game that will stay with you long after you finish playing
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
