Combining elements of roguelike gameplay with puzzles, exploration, and horror, Withering Rooms from Moonless Formless and Perp Games delivers a chilling experience set in a procedurally generated Victorian mansion known as the Mostyn House. As Nightingale, players find themselves trapped in a recurring nightmare within the asylum’s walls, surrounded by terrifying ghosts and ghouls. The premise sets the stage for a tense and suspenseful journey through the mansion’s ever-changing corridors and rooms, which we undertook on a PS5.
One of the game’s strongest points lies in its emphasis on exploration and puzzle-solving. Players must navigate the mansion, unlocking doors, gathering items, and completing side missions for various characters they encounter. The procedurally generated layout ensures that each playthrough offers a fresh and unpredictable experience, adding to the game’s replay value.
However, where Withering Rooms falls short is where you move past exploration and into its combat mechanics. While Nightingale has an array of weapons and abilities at her disposal, combat feels clunky and unresponsive. Attacks are slow, and dodging can be downright ineffective against certain enemies, leading to frustrating encounters. Additionally, the high difficulty level means that death can come swiftly, often punishing players harshly for what feels like relatively minor mistakes.
Despite its shortcomings in combat, Withering Rooms shines in its implementation of creative ideas and atmospheric horror. The game rewards players for their ingenuity, allowing them to customize their playstyle and tackle challenges in different ways. From solving puzzles to discovering secret passageways, there are always new avenues to explore in Mostyn House, which means there’s plenty of replay value if you’re willing to look past the rough combat.
Visually, Withering Rooms impresses with its gruesome aesthetics and haunting environments. The 2.5D graphics effectively convey the eerie atmosphere of the mansion, while the audio design adds to a sense of dread with subtle sound cues and unsettling music. While occasional visual glitches and awkward enemy movements can detract from the overall immersion, we loved the look and feel of the game.
In terms of narrative, Withering Rooms offers an intriguing premise but struggles to deliver a cohesive story. Characters feel one-dimensional, and plot details can be difficult to grasp without thorough exploration and interaction. Multiple endings add replay value, but may still leave players with unanswered questions about the game’s lore and backstory.
In conclusion, Withering Rooms is a relatively unique blend of horror, exploration, and puzzle-solving. While it excels in creating a tense atmosphere and rewarding creativity, it falters in its combat mechanics and might not satisfy those looking for a neatly wrapped up narrative. Despite its flaws, the game offers a unique and challenging experience that will appeal to fans of the genre,
Score: 7.1/10
Press Play Media 