Great post. Your experience with the game and subsequent thoughts very closely mirror my own.
I had nearly identical feelings about the introduction. I loved the way the game opened, with the abandoned car, the road, and the subtle changes that occurred in the environment to signify an oncoming darkness, all culminating with the abandoned house.
The house terrified me. The sounds of someone - or something - walking outside, the tone of the notes, the creepy drawings... It was a much more atmospheric and immersive experience than I had originally conceived possible for the game. Then I looked out the window innocently - and I saw him. Just standing in the yard. Then my screen began to flip out, and I ducked into the next room. When I returned to that window, he was gone. And that's when I started getting chills.
I did not want to leave the house. I did not want to exit out the slightly open gate and see what awaited me in the forest. But I did, and was greeted with... a loading screen.
When I came out of it, I was, as you described, in an unfamiliar environment. I could have traveled thirty feet, or I could have trekked two miles, there was no way to know. Once I discovered that I had to collect eight pages, my mental eyes rolled to the back of my head. Why? For what purpose? It was not explained, and there was a huge disconnect between the introductory sequence with the house and the "Hur hur, collect X" objective I was faced with afterwards.
I got up to 6 out of 8 before I had had enough, and I just let Slenderman murder me to put an end to it all. I never returned to the game for a second attempt.
It's a disconnect that reminds me of similar situations like Bioshock Infinite, as if there was a dictated gameplay element that had to be present in order for the game to be made. After all, if it was a true Slender remake, it would have to have a "Collect the eight pages" facet, right? I find that concept rather frustrating, since the introduction showed such potential.
It's too bad. Here's hoping other big horror releases this year (Outlast, Machine for Pigs, etc.) are more fulfilling. I have big expectations for them!
Search
Member List
IRC
Help
