Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets plunges players into a first-person survival horror experience, navigating the unnerving journey of Jack Holmes as he delves into a family legacy that is steeped in darkness. Developed by TonyDevGame and published by Perp Games, who are building quite the reputation for themselves in the horror genre, this PlayStation 5 release takes place in a world where sinister living puppets and twisted experiments exist alongside nightmarish creatures – here’s what we thought.
The premise of Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets is intriguing, offering a blend of horror and action as players accompany Jack Holmes on his investigation into mysterious events unfolding in an isolated residence. However, what begins as a promising narrative journey ultimately succumbs to inconsistencies in the story, losing the game’s grip on a coherent narrative as the game progresses. While the initial setup draws players in with Resident Evil-like vibes, the narrative falters in the second act, devolving into fragmented sequences of scares, combat, and exploration.
Visually, the game makes effective use of Unreal Engine 4 to create detailed and atmospheric environments, ranging from eerie abandoned houses to spider-infested mines and a sinister amusement park. For a smaller production, they’ve done a lot to create an effective horror ambiance here. But despite the impressive graphics, the experience is somewhat marred by persistent texture issues that you’ll see pop up throughout the gameplay – we’re hoping these will be fixed post-launch.
One of the game’s strengths lies in its ability to generate a palpable sense of dread, with the heavy (and sadly also often clunky) combat mechanics adding to the feeling of vulnerability. Players must navigate treacherous environments filled with traps and darkness while managing limited resources like ammunition and first aid kits. However, the combat system suffers from imbalance, with some enemies absorbing excessive damage and exhibiting erratic behavior, leading to frustration and a sense of unfairness.
Despite its flaws, Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets showcases creativity in its level design and thematic exploration. Each area presents unique challenges and themes, with nods to iconic horror franchises adding to the game’s appeal for genre fans. The inclusion of optional activities within the amusement park offers a brief respite from the main campaign, but fails to alleviate the overall pacing issues and lack of clarity in objectives that exist within the main story.
While the game’s shortcomings, including its short campaign length, narrative pacing, and technical issues, are evident, there’s an undeniable charm to Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets. Horror aficionados may find moments of genuine fright and enjoyment amidst the rough edges and frustrations. Despite its flaws, the game offers a unique horror experience that may resonate with fans of the genre.
In conclusion, Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets delivers a mixed bag of horror and action, with its strengths overshadowed by narrative inconsistencies, gameplay frustrations, and technical shortcomings. While not without its merits, including a compelling atmosphere and creative level design, the game falls short of its potential, leaving players with a haunting yet flawed horror experience on the PlayStation 5 platform.
Score: 6.7/10
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