▷Song of Horror review: survival horror with artificial intelligence 🥇

The Spanish house Protocol Games finally released the first two episodes of what turned out to be a great horror surival. I'm talking about Song of Horror, a videogame adventure in five episodes - three of which will be released in the coming months - which has all the elements necessary to scare you: a mystery to be solved, a disturbing music and above all an entity called The Presence able to honor the horror category .

Obviously there are some flaws, but the result did not disappoint us at all. We talk about it in our review.

Song of Horror review: a paranormal and unpredictable mystery

It all begins with a brief introduction to our first character. Daniel, as soon as he got home from work, he receives a phone call from his boss: Sebastian Husher, a famous writer who collaborates with the protagonist's agency, It's disappeared together with his whole family. Certainly not the best of Fridays for our unfortunate protagonist who still has no idea what will happen to him shortly thereafter. After a few moments dedicated to learning the basic commands, Daniel arrives at Mr. Husher's mansion. A'gloomy and very cinematic atmosphere welcomes our assistant editor.

A very large house full of details leads our character to follow a mysterious and disturbing music from carillon. It is only the beginning: the evil entity that will accompany us throughout the rest of this horror adventure, with at times psychological connotations, will make us lose track of Daniel, who was trapped in the darkness of this Presence. The first episode of Song of Horror begins.

The characters, this time able to save themselves from the evil presence, are initially four. The plot is therefore divided between the various rooms of the immense residence of Sebastian P. Husher, each one more and more gloomy, full of mysteries and objects. We will be led to resolve puzzles of medium complexity with the typical dynamics of a point and click but with an atmosphere worthy of the most successful horror titles.

La permanent death, one of the main features of Song of Horror, leads us to weigh every single step. In fact, each character has different characteristics in terms of strength and psychological stability, as well as in terms of the light source used. Death following the meeting of the Presence inevitably leads to the choice of another character. In case everyone is overwhelmed by the darkness, all progress will be lost and you will have to start all over again.

A small and vital piece of information: in the event of the death of a character, all the objects and clues collected will be left in a bag at the exact point of death. This information can be used by the remaining characters.

With three difficulty levels, it will not be difficult to reach a compromise and, once part of the mystery has been solved, you will be catapulted into an antique shop, the setting of the second episode of Song of Horror. Same dynamics, increasingly thick puzzles and two more characters to choose from.

The story obviously won't end with the antique shop either: subsequent episodes, to be released in December 2019, January and March 2020, will have the burden of concluding these mysteries.

Gameplay atmosphere and dynamics

Among the various suggestions during loading, phrases such as "Light is your best friend, noise your worst nightmare" stand out; nothing more spot on.

On the one hand, in fact, we have mysterious music who opened this metaphorical Pandora's box by releasing the evil presence; on the other hand, the possibility of exploring the setting, typically dark and gloomy, using a source of light, different for each character. From the torch to the candles, passing through the lighters, it will be possible to illuminate specific areas revealing objects and actions otherwise not usable.

There is no combat system: the Presence can only be countered by managing the character's anxiety, avoiding the possible panic attacks, eavesdropping on the doors of still unexplored rooms and possibly rejecting evil shadows trying to get out of certain doors. Everything else is up to your style of play and the way you plan to solve the various puzzles present. The objects and clues, many of which are not useful for solving the mystery, give the right outline information and allow lovers of the genre to immerse themselves completely in the plot.

Graphics and cameras

From the point of view of lights and shadows, the game dynamics come out winning even if the limited budget led to some renunciation. The movements of the characters are so dated and definitely far from my expectations, while the graphics are rather elementary with imprecise models, faces that are not too characteristic and outlined and an antialiasing that is not exactly perfect.

We also find some flaws in the camera system. There third person perspective it is spot on but the fixed cameras are occasionally uncomfortable in certain environments, but helping to raise the general anxiety.

To be incredibly spot on however it is the music sector that raises the level of the game thanks to disturbing songs and noises that will accompany the entire adventure.

Download QR-Code SONG OF HORROR COMPLETE EDITION Developer: Protocol Games Price: 17,99 €

An evil and intelligent "presence"

In addition to permanent death and the gloomy atmosphere, illuminated only by our specific light source, the independent studio Protocol Games shows its workhorse through the dynamics with which The Presence interacts with within the game. Thanks to'artificial intelligence dedicated, the style of play and the behavior of each player will be observed. This set of information will allow this paranormal presence to adapt and contrast the character in the most effective and unpredictable way.

Another noteworthy trait regarding Song of Horror is the influence that the actions of the previously used character have as well as the typical perspective of each of them. The interactions with objects and clues are irremediably different depending on the character chosen and this variability is also influenced by the actions performed previously.

Song of Horror review: is it worth buying?

We can classify this first Protocol Games title as successful. Although the plot and atmosphere are supported by fairly classic gameplay dynamics, Song of Horror offers interesting ideas with an avalanche of elements to interact with, a well-chosen sound design and the thrill offered by permanent death. To make everything even more convincing we think the artificial intelligence that makes each level, puzzle and episode always different and exciting.

Available for PC (Steam) a 7,99 euro, Song of Horror rappresenta a survival horror certainly noteworthy. Protocol Games' commitment will surely leave fans of the genre satisfied.