Plastomorphosis is wonderfully retro and this took me by surprise. You won’t be far from the mark if you think of the original Silent Hill and Resident Evil. This rudimentary and dated gameplay may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy old-school gaming or are in your late 30s, this fresh nostalgic nature brings a smile to your face.
This adventure horror experience was developed by VidyGames and published by Samustai. Moreover, it is a single-player title with an apocalyptic and futuristic edge. This strange blend of ideas took some getting used to. However, once you are up to speed, you lose yourself in the sinister and creepy lore-riddled world.
Plastomorphosis has a classic plot.
You play the role of an unnamed protagonist. This faceless individual is searching for a way to improve their life. This is easier said than done as the government appears to control every aspect of your existence. Additionally, a dark energy known as Re.Surs has taken over the world. Accordingly, when you are offered a fresh start, you jump at the opportunity.
As you arrive in Modern City, you notice that things are off. The station is deserted and creepy mannequins are dotted everywhere. Alongside this, there are some smatterings of lore and the offer of help from a stranger. Each of these elements evolves as the gameplay continues. New layers of information come to light and you must complete puzzles and problems as you evade each monstrous creature you face.
A sense of deja vu.
The dated mechanics and old-school approach highlight a golden era for console gaming. However, the janky controls and fixed-screen cameras were problematic. Exploring forms the backbone of this adventure title and it was problematic when you couldn’t see where you were going. If you then add in a lack of direction, things become frustrating very quickly.
However, the lack of hand-holding and the nice array of weapons and limited ammo were a delight to experience. The sense of despair and doom as you await your next jump scare was palatable. Consequently, the developer has done a great job of enhancing the horror aspects. I genuinely jumped many times while rooting around the dank corners. Moreover, those bloody mannequins will make you scream as they seem to appear out of nowhere.
Puzzles and no walkthroughs.
Plastomorphosis is a walkthrough maker’s nightmare. Unfortunately, no solution is ever the same and this keeps things interesting. This ever-changing landscape ensures that exploration elements rarely get old. What’s more, this enhances replay value as you have to work for every solution.
What was frustrating, however, was the constant clipping of the scenery. The hero gets stuck on the furniture and hits the wall repeatedly. Though this wasn’t too problematic, it became tiresome. Unfortunately, the dated controls and fixed camera angles are counterintuitive for modern gamers. Subsequently, you have to change the way you think if you wish to succeed.
Plastomorphosis is gloriously grainy.
The deliberately retro design won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Furthermore, if you have a big monitor or TV this makes matters worse. Yet, I loved the pixelated imagery and the lack of detail. Moreover, the sombre colour palette enhances the creepy atmosphere and this was the perfect choice. Sadly, the animation is off by modern standards and this will make you laugh and scream. This issue compounds the exploration problems and makes the game harder to play.
The audio is where Plastomorphosis excels. The sinister soundtrack and horrific sound effects make your skin crawl. Furthermore, I loved the hollow but effective sounds of your weapons. Though the basic sounds won’t blow you away, the developers have captured that old-school vibe perfectly.
Rough controls.
I’ve mentioned it multiple times, but the controls are not good! The dated approach is authentic, but when you combine it with the fixed cameras and a modern mindset, it is just too janky. This causes plenty of problems that could have been avoided. Had the developer utilised modern control systems, this issue would have been avoided.
Though I enjoyed the creepy gameplay and dated aesthetic, I’m not sure I’ll return to play this. Plastomorphosis was just too frustrating to enjoy for extended periods. However, if you fall for its charms, the ever-changing solutions keep you busy. As such, there is longevity and replay value for horror fans.
Plastomorphosis is an interesting indie title.
Plastomorphosis has its faults, but it does exactly what it sets out to do. The old-school vibe is incredible and I love the dated gameplay. Furthermore, the audio was great and the suspense and jump scares are of a bygone era. Sadly, I can’t ignore the exploration issues and the problems with the controls. Yet, despite these shortcomings, I enjoyed it and recommend buying it here! Can you find a new place to live? Uncover mountains of lore, evade the dark energy monsters, and survive.
