Trending
The definition of a true horror story changed significantly with the introduction of horror games, especially since the graphics became of such quality that we were completely immersed in the story and could live it as our own. If a game is played from the first-person perspective, then the feeling becomes even more intense.
The best example of this claim is the two latest Resident Evil games, where the perspective changed from third to first, making those games way more intimidating and genuinely scary as hell.
Such perspective and such approach to the gameplay are shared in Broken Lore: Don't Watch too, and even though this game does not enjoy the same AAA status as, for example, Resident Evil or Silent Hill, the amount of fear it will produce will be at least the same, if not even larger, and that's pretty much the main thing we all search for in a good horror title.
Broken Lore: Don't Watch is a very short game, and not as short as you might have assumed, lasting like five to ten hours, no. This game can be finished in less than an hour and a half, and if you choose one of the endings, it can be even shorter. So you probably think, is it enough to tell a good, especially horror, story on such short notice? The answer is definitely yes.
Sometimes, the stories in video games went on and on to tell a simple story, only to fill up the space and make a game worthy of its price. I mean, who would want to pay full price for a game and play it only for a couple of hours? Well, the beauty of Broken Lore: Don't Watch is that this game is an indie title and very cheap at the same time. The game costs $8.99, and for this price, it will deliver more than it's supposed to; trust me.
Broken Lore: Don't Watch tells the story about a hikikomori, an introvert called Shinji, who lives in a small, messy apartment somewhere in one of the biggest Japanese cities (Tokyo, perhaps, but it is never confirmed in the game). Shinji plays games and watches TV, orders pizza, sleeps, and repeats the process without ever leaving the apartment.
One day, he receives a call from one of his friends claiming that their mutual friend, who lives the life of an introvert like them, is in big trouble—he is seeing strange things in his apartment, and he is afraid for his life. Shinji doesn't believe him, but soon, the news on TV reports that he is found dead in his apartment, brutally decapitated, and the police never managed to reclaim his head.
Soon after this, Shinji starts to experience the same things, making his life turn upside down. The rest of the game will become a pure survival for Shinji, where he will try to learn what's hunting him and how to get out of this horrible situation with his head still attached to his neck.
This is just one aspect of Broken Lore: Don't Watch's story, which is evident. The other aspect is Shinji's internal struggle with his parents, who wanted him to be more traditional, like his brother, who got married and started his own business, while Shinji still depends on the money his parents are sending him.
Apart from this aspect, you'll be able to comprehend the story as a big warning on how this new, introvert way of life is dangerous, and perhaps everything that is happening is just in Shinji's head, induced by his way of life. In a nutshell, the story is very deep and will let you understand it in many ways.
Broken Lore: Don't Watch wouldn't be a game if it didn't have gameplay, right? Well, the gameplay in this game is minimalistic. There are no sophisticated mechanics you usually see in other games, like skills, weapons, menus and submenus; all you have here is what the game gives you in a specific moment.
For example, you'll need a knife in one situation, and the game will provide it, and once you don't need it any more, you won't have it, as simple as that. In essence, Broken Lore: Don't Watch is a first-person survival game in which you'll mostly try to escape from enemies rather than face them in combat.
There are some sections where you'll be prompted to do something without any means to defend yourself, and running will be the only option left. The other sections will allow you to face the enemies, or face your fears, more like it; in any case, the fun is guaranteed, and prepare a pair or two of new underwear because the game will scare the hell out of you.
Broken Lore: Don't Watch builds tension, and this is the most effective way of making a horrific situation. The biggest fear of this game is anticipation and waiting for what's going to happen. No jump scares or anything, only pure fear and anxiety. I tell you, for the amount of money you pay, you'll be scared more than enough.
Regarding graphical presentation, it is worth noting that Broken Lore: Don't Watch uses Unreal Engine, and the visuals are quite decent. It is evident that making a visually stunning game wasn't the main goal of the developers, probably due to a reduced budget, but still, the game looks okay, especially inside the apartment, which is, by the way, the only location of the game.
There are other places you'll visit, but during those excursions from the apartment, the game will pixelize, looking like those games from the previous century—a neat trick from the developers to avoid rendering bigger areas in modern graphics and still very commendable.
The sounds are just perfect, featuring the original Japanese voiceover, which is, hand down, of a very good quality. All voice talents are magnificent, and they did their jobs on a high level. The other sounds, especially the music that builds a scary atmosphere, are very good and apart from the great story, I'd say the sound presentation is the next best thing about this little indie gem.
Conclusion
Making such a short game with such an impactful story wasn't the easiest thing to do, and this is where the developers of Broken Lore: Don't Watch must be praised. Broken Lore: Don't Watch will give you a decent scare, especially for the very low price of just $8.99.
If you appreciate a good horror story and want to finish it for the length of a common movie, then by all means, get yourself Broken Lore: Don't Watch. Not just will you be properly scared, but the game will also give you a story you'll reflect on for a long time after the credits roll.
The Good
Immersive first-person horror experience- Deep, psychological story
- Strong sound design and voice acting
- Cheap but...
The Bad
...short experience- Minimal gameplay mechanics
