Siren Blood Curse

If you are a fan of horror games and survival horror games in particular. You will know that the last decade has had very little to offer in terms of AAA spooks. A certain Capcom series has provided just about the only truly memorable survival horror for year’s with next to no reply from other developers. It’s sad but it’s the new gaming world we live in where horror is not the done thing. Well, back in 2012 when horror was clinging on to the mainstream spotlight, Siren: Blood Curse was a title that came along and tried to galvanise the genre.

This game plays like titles such as Forbidden Siren, Deadly Premonition, Ebola 2, Resident Evil: Biohazard and The Evil Within 2. This game offers all the usual survival tropes of the 2010’s. It has zombies, supernatural forces at play and more than enough ways to put them in their place. However, does the latter really lend itself to a survival horror title? We find out in our review of Siren: Blood Curse.

A Haunting Tale

As this game is based on a title of a similar name from back in 2003, this game already had a leg up when it came to forging a narrative. However, thanks to it’s rather Quentin Tarantino, Pulp Fiction style timeline in which it tells a rather chilling but straightforward story, there are added levels of intrigue that get their hooks in early. Plus, the setting, the plot and the characters in this title are all well written. So if you thought this one would be lacking in storytelling quality, we can put your mind at ease there.

Then in terms of gameplay, it’s quite a mixed bag. The general approach from the developer is good on paper. The player can use special sight jacking skills to avoid the deadly Shibito. Plus, the game offers a variety of weapons to take them down if your stealthy efforts don’t come off as planned. However, these monsters will rise from the dead after a few moments, so killing only provides you a bit of respite rather than complete safety. It’s a great concept that doesn’t quite come off.

The idea of a survival horror is to be equipped with just enough to survive and to always give the player a sense of vulnerability. However, with this game, you always feel like you have a way out of any situation. The fear of the early game is all too fleeting and by the end, the Shibito are a laughable force that you can keep at arm’s length with ease.

The Verdict

Overall, Siren: Blood Curse is a game that offers an interesting story and some wonderful horror moment, especially in the early game. However, as the game progresses, the player only grows more powerful and the horrors and enemies of the game don’t scale with them.

Pros:

• Interesting plot and intriguing timeline of events
• Combat is well handled

Cons:

• The player is made to feel vulnerable throughout
• Graphics and audio are mediocre