Ad Infinitum, developed by Hekate GmbH and published by Nacon, is a chilling title that succeeds in being both a chilling ode to the horrors of World War I, and a solid supernatural terror experience simultaneously. It is a game that deftly utilizes an array of various horror techniques to craft an immersive and haunting experience.
The first thing that strikes the player upon booting up Ad Infinitum is the audio design. From the moment that the game opens, the player is greeted by the cacophonous symphony of war. Relentless artillery bombardments, haunting cries of dying soldiers, and the ever-present rumble of war machinery combine to immerse you in the grim reality of trench warfare.
The audio is not just a backdrop here; it is a character in its own right. It doesn’t merely serve to provide ambiance but actively drives the narrative and gameplay. The nauseating screams of the battlefield, coupled with the stifling feeling of claustrophobia, convey the horrifying conditions of the trenches. The audio design does a great job of keeping the player on edge during the game’s opening moments.
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The lighting and environmental design marry to craft a visually striking and foreboding world. The game employs a dark and moody aesthetic, using ominous shadows to keep players’ senses heightened. The trench environments are impressively detailed, immersing you in the muck and grime of a war-ravaged landscape. Mud, debris, and barbed wire feel tangible.
This attention to detail amplifies the sense of dread the player feels as they traverse these grim locations, knowing that they are in constant danger. The stark beams of light that pierce through the murky darkness create an unsettling contrast. Shadows dance, and the environment feels alive, breathing with an eerie energy. This juxtaposition serves to heighten tension, making each step forward an act of trepidation.
The detailed gun models in the game add a realistic touch to the otherwise supernatural narrative. The weapons feel weighty, and the reload animations are a standout feature. These animations help to contribute to a sense of realism in a world where reality is increasingly distorted.
Ad Infinitum presents itself as a game that doesn’t merely rely on jump scares or cheap tricks to terrify players. Instead, it opts for a slow-burning, psychological approach that burrows deep into the player’s psyche. The presentation is graceful in its subtlety. The introduction sets the bleak tone for things to come impeccably.
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As the game progresses, it goes from being creepy and ominous, to downright aggressively scary conveying a feeling of cruelty that I haven’t personally witnessed in a horror game for a long time. Some of the stuff present here makes Scorn look like a children’s TV show. It was refreshing to feel like the kid gloves had truly come off.
The monster design in Ad Infinitum is truly grotesque. These nightmarish entities feel like they’ve crawled straight out of the darkest corners of the human subconscious. Their appearance is visually distressing, their movements are unsettling, and their presence elicits genuine fear in the player.
Ad Infinitum understands the power of the unseen, and it leverages this knowledge in order to keep players in a perpetual state of unease. It is never about knowing what’s around the corner, it is about capitalizing on one’s fear of the unknown; the anticipation of horrors lurking just out of sight. This is where the game excels – in its ability to create an atmosphere of constant dread.
In conclusion, Ad Infinitum is a game that is well worth playing for fans of psychological horror. It doesn’t rely on cheap scares or overt horror tropes. Instead, it chooses to haunt players on a psychological level in order to keep the terror constant and palpable. It is a journey into the depths of fear and the human psyche and serves as a testament to the power of audio and visuals in when it comes to creating a truly immersive and spine-tingling experience.
Ad Infinitum – 8/10
Ad Infinitum was reviewed on PC with a code supplied to FandomWire by Dead Good PR.
