Trending
I Shall Name The Dead might be one of the weirdest games I ever tried, and I mean that as a compliment. I didn't know what to expect when I booted the demo up, and I really mean that, I had zero ideas what I was going to see and what I am supposed to do.
You follow Imaculada, a woman who has the ability to talk with the bones of the dead. She has a task, and that is to help the Uninterred, those who never got a proper burial. She visits the Metropolis, a cemetery in the city of São Paulo, and the demo asks you to try and figure out the name of one of the bones in a chapel, one of the Uninterred. You get very few clues at the start, and now it's on you to take a stroll through the cemetery and talk with other people - some dead and some alive - in order to find out as much info as you can about the person whose name you're looking for.
You piece together the info that you're getting, and also use the environment around you to help you, all while being followed by some deity called The Worm. Obviously, it's not friendly, and it's creating this feeling of dread, which builds up even in the short duration of the demo. I assume it'll be even worse in the full game, as I know I don't want to be consumed (as it says) by a malevolent thing.
At its core, this is a visual novel/walking simulator where you have certain choices to make. Weird things are happening, and you'll see them too, but I didn't get an explanation for any of them during my time with the demo. You can click on things, read grave inscriptions, and observe the people and animals around you. The game has a slow pace, so if you're looking for something action-packed, this isn't the one for you.
Visually, this is such a beautiful game; I can't stress this enough. The contrast and combination of the orange and blue colours, as well as some yellow and red, created this feeling that Imaculada is the sun that is walking around the cemetery, and trying to bring some peace to the departed, a little bit of warmth and light in all that gloom. It really makes her stand out in every scene.
Final thoughts
I Shall Name The Dead isn't a game for everyone, that's for sure. When I booted it up, I wasn't sure if it was a game for me, but I'm glad it changed my mind and made me really excited for the final product.
It's slow, it's strange, and it asks of you to pay attention to the little things and think of every possibility, from talking busts to horses that can see the future. But that is what makes this a little gem of a game; once it clicks, it'll be so worth it.
I encourage you to try this demo for yourself, as I believe if you're someone who enjoys a little mystery, you might miss out if you ignore this game. If the full game keeps the same odd, unsettling and a little bit trippy charm, it could really be something special.
I'll be keeping a box of matches in my pocket until then.
