Lunacy: Saint Rhodes is an uncomfortable and dark endeavour. The game offers little guidance and you must use your grey matter to piece together clues and work through an array of problems. This shouldn’t be problematic, but deadly apparitions haunt you and this makes matters worse.
This first-person horror title was developed by Stormling Studios and published by Iceberg Interactive. Moreover, it is a single-player game that drives you up the wall. There is a sense of stealth and an unrelenting antagonist. Accordingly, you must be on your toes as you flit between dimensions.
Lunacy: Saint Rhodes tells a fantasy/horror tale.
I prefer a more realistic horror plot. Yet, if it is done well, I become engrossed in fantastic and outlandish fantasy stories. Luckily, Lunacy: Saint Rhodes does a great job with its bizarre plot. The mountains of lore and the creepy but captivating setting were enough to keep me going. Additionally, the sense of despair and danger kept my heart rapidly beating.
You return to Saint Rhodes and your ancestral home. Things aren’t as they seem and your mind begins playing tricks on you. A moving shadow, an unwelcome noise, and eerie notes turn your blood cold. However, the more you explore, the darker things become. An evil power surrounds the town and it is your job to explore the root causes and banish the demons.
Pretty linear gameplay.
Lunacy: Saint Rhodes pushes its agenda and gameplay through a relatively small world. However, things open up as you flit between dimensions. This well-considered idea adds depth and a sense of danger to proceedings. Moreover, it helps ease the feeling of linear action that could weigh it down.
As you explore the town and the mansion, you’ll discover clues and snippets of lore. Furthermore, you’ll encounter deadly shadow monsters and boss-like creatures. Each of these entities requires a special approach to destroy them. If you fail, death is your guarantee.
If you survive, you must work through different basic puzzles. Moreover, there are keys and clues to discover en route. None of these elements will test you as you are always pointed in the right direction. This was appreciated as Lunacy: Saint Rhodes could have been a mess to play.
Lunacy: Saint Rhodes has a dated appeal.
The developer has done a nice job with the claustrophobic setting. What’s more, the weather effects are great and you are always on edge. However, it is a little dated and rough around the edges. This doesn’t detract from the end product, but it isn’t as polished as A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead or The Casting of Frank Stone.
The audio is where this excels. The incredible ambient sounds are complemented by the eerie and haunting sound effects. Much of the soundscape is clichéd, but I didn’t care. Banging doors make you jump and the haunting noise of the antagonist makes your skin crawl.
Decent controls.
Running from ghostly creatures is terrifying. Consequently, you want to dodge, run, and hurdle any obstacle. Thankfully, the controls are good enough to make this happen. Though the inventory system was a little clumsy, this doesn’t hold it back. Instead, Lunacy: Saint Rhodes is a pleasure to play and easy to master.
Replay value and longevity are limited. There are 2 endings to witness and plenty of lore and collectables to find. If none of these things interest you, you’ll have limited reason to return. As such, only completionists will get the most bang for their buck.
Lunacy: Saint Rhodes is an enjoyable horror game.
I’ve played plenty of horror games recently. This isn’t the best of that group, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I liked the fantasy edge and the multidimensional approach. Furthermore, the eerie creatures and uncomfortable atmosphere were great to witness. Accordingly, though it could have been better, I recommend buying it here! Can you uncover the mystery? Search the town, piece together the clues, and release the darkness from its curse.
