Lunacy: Saint Rhodes, developed by Stormling Studios and published by Iceberg Interactive, beckons players to delve into a dark family history through a chilling first-person horror adventure. Set in the haunted town of Saint Rhodes, the game promises a terrifying experience where players seek the truth behind their family’s gruesome murder. While the game presents some intriguing elements, it falls short of fully realizing its potential, leaving players with mixed emotions about this macabre journey – though Stormling once again shows off their expertise is crafting atmospheric titles. This one’s a PC exclusive for now, so we checked it out on Steam.
The game’s premise revolves around a protagonist’s quest to uncover the sinister secrets hidden within their ancestral home and the eerie town of Saint Rhodes. The story unfolds through the exploration of atmospheric environments and the discovery of haunting clues scattered throughout the game world, which at times can appear quite terrifying through its well-crafted environments. The narrative, about a troubled family’s dark past, also fits this well, though it’s a shame that part of the delivery is through voice acting that can feel a bit wooden, thus detracting from the immersive experience that was crafted so well visually.
Lunacy: Saint Rhodes’s gameplay offers a blend of survival, puzzle-solving, and backtracking elements. The protagonist must navigate the sinister Rhodes House and the abandoned town while evading terrifying entities lurking in the shadows. Players will not engage in traditional combat though, but must rely instead on evasion tactics. To keep players on their toes, the developers mix up jump scares with stealth and a well-paced and engaging storyline – though the AI’s relentless and all-knowing pursuit in certain sections becomes frustrating. The game could benefit from more dynamic AI behavior, allowing players to outwit and outmaneuver their pursuers more effectively and get a more realistic sense of the cat and mouse game you’re playing.
The game’s visuals and audio are a mixed bag. On one hand, the detailed world design and spooky atmosphere successfully immerse players in the haunting ambiance of Saint Rhodes. Stormling makes clever use of camera perspectives to create eerie moments, and these events add depth to the game’s creepy environment. On the other hand, the game suffers from a significant lighting issue that makes navigation challenging. While the intention is to enhance the horror experience by limiting visibility, it can become more frustrating than immersive. Moreover, the lack of appropriate sound effects in various scenarios diminishes the overall fear factor, depriving players of an essential element in horror games. Addressing these shortcomings would enhance the game’s overall appeal, and based on their work on Transient we know they’re up to the task.
Lunacy: Saint Rhodes possesses a captivating premise and intriguing story that engages players in a haunting journey of discovery and terror. The developers’ shift towards a more reflective and atmospheric approach to horror is commendable, as they avoid relying solely on jump scares. However, the game struggles with unpolished AI, lighting issues, and missed opportunities in sound design. While it can provide enjoyment for hardcore horror enthusiasts, it falls short of reaching its full potential. With further development and updates, Lunacy: Saint Rhodes could evolve into a truly spine-chilling experience that captivates a broader audience. Until then, players should approach this horror adventure with tempered expectations. Let’s hope they keep polishing this one, and that we’ll see a console launch at some point as well.
Score: 6.7/10
Press Play Media 