INDIKA

Very few games can shock and blow me away these days, but that is exactly what INDIKA did. I am a huge horror fan, movies, games, books, toys, and pretty much everything else that the genre has to offer. However, this here is something very special and one of the most memorable gaming experiences I have had in quite some time. It is the kind of game that stuck with me for a few days when the credits rolled, and while this is a very story-driven kind of game, I can easily see myself coming back to experience this tale once again. Plus, before I even started the game, it really creeped me out as some of those nuns on the box were super sinister looking!

A Nun With A Special Pal

The story of INDIKA is fantastic. I was invested right from the start, and I found Indika to be an interesting character. The game takes place in an alternate version of Russia during the 19th century, and Indika is a nun. She is a nun who is not well-liked or respected, and the other nuns make sure she has the worst jobs to do. However, Indika causes some trouble, and the nuns decide to send her on a mission to deliver a letter. But, Indika is not alone on this journey as she has frequent conversations with…. The Devil! Not only that, she meets a man along the way, and their journeys become intertwined, too. The whole Devil talking to a nun thing is just fantastic.

A Letter To Be Delivered

INDIKA is a fantastic-looking game with very real-looking characters, and this world that the developer has created feels like a character in itself! You control Indika in the third person as you travel around these hellish and depressing-looking landscapes, as you make your way to deliver the letter and also find a special religious artifact. I guess you could say that this part of the game is like a walking simulator (although you go get a bike) and a puzzle game. I always felt like the game was pushing me forward, and while I did like to look around and take in the sights. I found that the game did a good job of making sure that I stayed focused on what I was supposed to be doing.

Not What I Was Expecting

I went into INDIKA pretty blind, only seeing one of the story trailers, so I was shocked to see that there was a whole second part to the game! This is all done in a 16-bit style, where you get to experience Indika when she was younger and before she was a nun. There are a selection of mini-games here as you explore her youth, doing stuff like riding a bike, which reminded me of Super Off Road, and jumping across a river as if it were some kind of 16-bit version of Frogger. These are just amazing, and honestly, I could have taken a whole other game that was made in this style. These sections of the game manage to be wholesome in some parts, but that just makes the horror elements hit even harder.

The Complete Package

If you are into horror, especially psychological horror and stuff that deals with The Devil, INDIKA is a game that you will have a fantastic time with. In many ways, this was like playing through a movie as I felt truly connected to everything that was happening. Off the top of my head, I cannot think of another horror game that had an atmosphere like this one. It just gripped me and did not let go, and best of all, I really do think that they managed to stick the landing with how they brought the story to a close. Sure, I have played lots of great horror games, but I would have to say this is easily one of the best that I have played in the last decade.

Pros:

• The horror story told here is incredible
• I love how real the characters look
• The retro sections are fantastic
• If you love horror, this game is a must-play!

Cons:

• You do have to be into horror to appreciate this
• I am interested to see if a second play-through has the same wow factor