The Renovator: Origins is an occasionally cliched experience filled with chilling moments and a twisted approach. The first-person perspective drags you into a scary and claustrophobic world. Moreover, the authentic Russian dialogue enhances the atmosphere. Though it isn’t the most polished title, and progress can be confusing, it gets most aspects right, and it is a joy to play.
This indie horror game was developed by Peace Studio and published by Axyos Games. It is a single-player horror title with plenty of puzzles to solve. The dark is a scary place, and the developer has delivered the right blend of jump scares and genuinely scary moments.
The Renovator: Origins leaves you guessing.
The Renovator: Origins uses some tried and tested mechanics to create a familiar horror foundation. However, many of the puzzles leave you guessing, and you must search each small location for clues and a way to proceed. Though this slow, methodical approach may annoy some gamers, fans of the genre will love piecing together the information and solving the problems they face.
You play the role of a museum restorers son. His passing is sudden, and the protagonist needs to visit his father’s estate to come to peace with his loss. As he begins his journey, things take a turn for the worse. The art becomes his new realm, and paranormal activities are his new norm.
Slow burner.
This psychological horror plays with your mind and pushes you into dark places. The use of shadow, light, and blind corners keeps you guessing throughout. Moreover, ghostly figures and sudden changes to already navigated arenas make you jump and gasp.
Searching each location for valuable items such as matches and kerosene is key. The darkness is not your friend, and candles and your handy lamp will keep you in the light. Alongside the sinister ambience are plenty of handwritten clues. These give you an insight into your father’s mindset and help you to understand the key elements of this strange plot.
The puzzles are less abstract, however. Most of the challenges involve you finding or moving a specific item. Thankfully, this is padded out nicely with some interesting cutscenes and plenty of jump scares along the way.
The Renovator: Origins looks great.
The Renovator: Origins is creepy. The earthy colour palette enhances the oppressive nature of the Eastern European setting. The grey buildings and muted colours work perfectly with the uncomfortable plot and weird goings-on. Alongside this, each small location is a joy to explore. Each of the classic horror moments was well-executed, and the seamless transition from creepy to normal was a pleasure to witness.
The audio blends calm music with a chilling vibe. These juxtaposing ideas create a sense of normality amongst the paranormal elements. Furthermore, the excellent ambient sounds show that life goes on outside the protagonist’s plight. This incredible soundscape delivers a truly atmospheric indie gaming experience.
Clumsy controls.
I’m not a fan of clumsy controls. They hold a game back and create unnecessary frustration. Unfortunately, The Renovator: Origins is guilty as charged. Though the navigation elements are good, using items to solve problems is annoying. I became stuck multiple times because the game doesn’t automatically use the item you have in your backpack. This makes you explore unnecessarily and wastes so much time.
This is a linear experience. As such, once you’ve completed every stage, there will be limited reasons to return. Thankfully, the 6-8-hour playtime was good, and though it lacks replay value and longevity, I think it is great value for money.
The Renovator: Origins is good despite my complaints.
The Renovator: Origins is a good indie horror game. Yes, it is occasionally cliched, and there are some controller issues, but these do not hold it back. The story is great, and the puzzles are a joy to solve. What’s more, the atmosphere is horrible, and the jump scares are well-timed. Accordingly, this is a good game, and I recommend buying it here! Can you break away from your father’s work? Explore every room, solve every puzzle, and stay away from the dark.
