In Asian horror narratives, urban legends and chilling tales are often features, and The Bridge Curse: Road To Salvation is no exception. Developed by Softstar Entertainment and published by Eastasiasoft for the PlayStation 5, this first-person atmospheric horror game takes inspiration from a real-life Taiwanese legend based at Tunghu University. While it makes strides in some areas, it stumbles in others, crafting an experience we have mixed feelings about.
The game’s premise unfolds around a group of college students seeking viral fame – how very modern. Their plan: to livestream themselves on Tunghu University’s notorious bridge, rumored to harbor a vengeful female spirit. The Bridge Curse tests the boundaries of folklore and fear as these students navigate a night of eerie encounters, with a plot that should appeal to fans of Asian horror.
One of the game’s strengths lies in its character development. Through the eyes of six different protagonists, players get an intimate look at the diverse personalities that make up this group. From the stereotypical nervous wreck to the confident daredevil, each character feels distinct and, crucially, avoids falling into predictable tropes despite the familiar elements. The rich character development adds depth to the narrative and helps players connect and engage with the story.
The game also draws inspiration from a Taiwanese movie of the same name that we watched after playing the game, and it’s one we recommend and that translated to the game in sense of its visual atmosphere. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game crafts highly detailed environments that feel immersive with a university campus that comes alive with objects, artifacts, and eerie set pieces. The attention to detail reinforces the idea that this place was once occupied, and every item is designed with great detail.
However, there’s a noticeable contrast between the impressive scenery and the character models in the game. The characters, while functional, appear somewhat dated compared to the exquisite environments, showcasing this is a lower budget production even though it doesn’t detract too much from the overall experience.
The audio presentation mirrors this duality. Sound effects, especially those tied to creatures and environments, excel in creating an immersive experience. They match their sources accurately, contributing to the game’s unsettling atmosphere. However, the voice acting, particularly in the English dub, isn’t of the greatest quality – also in terms of the mixing.
The gameplay in The Bridge Curse: Road To Salvation takes an interesting approach. Initially, it presents a sense of immediacy by throwing players into intense chase sequences. These moments, while thrilling, could feel somewhat cheap though, due to easily accessible safe zones – reducing the scare factor. However, as you progress, familiarity with the game world enables more efficient and fun evasion strategies.
A noteworthy aspect is the game’s pace. Rather than constantly subjecting players to random deaths, it maintains tension without too many interruptions. While the real fear doesn’t always linger for long, the sense of unease persists throughout the experience. This pacing strategy keeps players engaged without feeling overly punished for minor mistakes. The game also features simple puzzles, adding variety to the gameplay and pacing. While not overly complex, these provide enjoyable diversions from the chase sequences and require players to collect and place items in specific locations.
In conclusion, The Bridge Curse: Road To Salvation embraces elements of traditional Asian horror while injecting modern sensibilities into its design. While it’s not perfect and bears its share of flaws, it’s a commendable and rare attempt at bringing Taiwanese horror to the gaming world. Its narrative and diverse characters set it apart, though the disparity between visual assets and inconsistent audio quality remain drawbacks. There are better horror games out there, but genre fans will want to take a peek at this one.
Score: 6.6/10
Press Play Media 