Monstrum Hands-On - Monstrous

Monstrum is the kind of game where a tense atmosphere and claustrophobic corridor is key to the entire experience.  Aboard a darkened cruise ship, in Monstrum you slowly creep about narrow pathways trying not to disturb one of several monsters that lurk the halls.

Atmosphere is key in Monstrum. Dark halls are only lit by your torch and the narrow areas naturally limit your field of view. This all works to offer a sense of being trapped and isolated, but still with danger potentially around every corner.

Should a monster spot you, you have no chance of killing it, the only option is to flee. Running into a room and hiding in a locker or cupboard – anywhere you can fit – is the best thing to do, but it doesn’t alleviate the tension. Seeing a destructive monster just outside where you’re hiding is simply a scary experience.

But that’s not all that sets Monstrum apart from other games. Perma-death is a constant fear, if one of the indestructible creatures takes you out, then you will have to begin your exploration from the beginning. What’s more is that the ship’s layout is procedurally generated, meaning the layout of these corridors and hiding places will be changing every time you load up the game. It’s an intense experience, and perma-death only gives you more to lose since you will not be able to continue where you left off.

 

You’ll be on edge constantly as Monstrum’s three creatures chase you through the ship, which will be constantly unfamiliar. Hiding spots will change places, items to pick up and collect won’t be where they were last time you played… It’s a unique approach that discards linearity in hopes of the most atmospheric and consistently scary game we’ve seen in a very long time.

Oculus Rift support is already available and adds that extra bit of immersion that makes a huge difference in horror games. At one point, as I ran from a destructive beast, I attempted to cower in the corner of a room, only to have the creature run towards me. I looked up as it raised its arms and smashed me into oblivion, the Oculus Rift making all the difference. Looking up literally by tilting my head adds more immersion than you might think, and seeing this hulking giant tower over me instilled both a sense of awe and mild fear.

Monstrum is likely to draw comparisons with horror games the like of Slender and Amnesia, but the setting of a dark cruise ship adrift in the ocean offers a feeling of isolation that those games just cannot muster. Slender’s forests at least offer plenty of places to run to, but the option of running away is limited in Monstrum.

Tight corridors, a claustrophobic atmosphere, seemingly immortal creatures and the immersive Oculus Rift integration all set Monstrum up to be on the very best horror games to grace PC. Whether or not the game will live up to the possibilities, only time will tell, although we certainly wish the best for Team Junkfish.

For more on Oculus Rift, Indies and Monstrum, stick to Worlds Factory.