• Review: Slender (PC)

    by
    Emily "Darkcamllama" Hatcher
    Published on 10-31-2012 06:00 PM
    1 Comment Comments

    Developer:Parsec Productions
    Publisher: Parsec Productions
    Platform: PC
    Genre: Horror
    Rating: none
    Release Date: June 2012

    Want to see me freak out? Well now you can! Happy Halloween!


    For my more genuine screams of fear, check out my first Slender video HERE! Foul language ahoy!

    Now on to the review!


    Presentation
    Think about what tends to frighten most people and dark, deserted woods usually come to mind. Usually it is not the woods itself that brings about the stabbing paranoia and pulse racing fear, but rather what lies inside the darkness, invisible to the poor traveler. Something catches your attention out of the corner of your eye; a rustling in the undergrowth suggests you’re being followed, hunted. Of course, this would mean your pursuer is a normal creature of the woods. The mind kicks into overdrive as your breath quickens and panic sets in. Unlike the prowling creatures of the night, Slender Man is coming for you, and he will catch you completely by surprise. There will be no twigs crackling, save for those under your own feet. When you catch a glimpse of his black and white features, it’ll be too late. Slender Man is just around the corner. Prepare to die.

    Graphics
    For an indie game, the graphics in Slender are great. For powerful PCs it is best to play with all the graphical settings on as this really amps up the vibe of being in a dreadfully isolated forest. Playing without the fog on adds to the tension, obscuring vision. Slender Man blends in just enough with the surroundings to make unseasoned players second guess what they may see. Without the fog, the woods are simply dark and foreboding, but no less sinister. The rusty looking metals creates a feel that the area truly has been long abandoned. Large trees and structures loom out of the darkness, and Slender Man could be waiting behind them. Approaching them too carelessly could bring on a quick demise. The scrawling print and drawings on the notes you are to collect look well done, as if they were written frantically or in a state of mental collapse.

    Sound/Music
    The audio in the game is probably some of the most ominous, horrifying that could have been used. Personally, I find the music and sound effects to be the real terror-makers in a horror game. Silence is done very well too, for that matter. At the start of the game before finding the first page, the only sounds are those of your own creation: breathing, footsteps on the ground, etc. As you discover the scattered pages and the music picks up, the tension thrives. The anxiousness brought on by the music makes you feel as if Slender Man is right behind you (in most cases he probably is). Tones are completely off-putting, in a very delightfully wicked way.

    Gameplay
    There is very little in terms of actual gameplay. Your goal is to collect all eight pages scattered around the woods and evade Slender Man. Controls are standard for PC games, so movement will be very basic. Your flashlight is your sole companion, but it has limited battery life. Using your light will allow Slender Man to detect you more rapidly, but running blind into the woods will naturally hinder your own vision. Sprinting will drain your total stamina, so running is necessary only in dire situations. This will make the game feel slow paced at times, but part of the horror aspect comes from not being able to run fast enough from your stalker.

    Lasting Appeal
    Completing the game opens up several new extras, including day time mode and a mode based more on the Marble Hornets, turning the view into a more camera style rather than just a regular first person view. Some game designers have already created new maps for Slender Man to hunt you on, which means new ways to experience terror. While the premise remains the same, the change of environments allow for a different change of pace. While these new maps may not even be for Slender, they play the exact same. Despite new maps for other Slender-like games, there is no story. For some, getting stalked in the dark may not be enough to keep you going for too long.

    Conclusion
    Checking out the original videos on Slender Man will certainly allow for a better understanding on why this game was created, however it is not necessary. I was introduced to Marble Hornets several years ago, and while I found the initial videos to be rather creepy, the later additions lost a lot of what made the early bits horrifying. You don’t need any prior knowledge of Slender Man to fear him, however. Simply downloading the game and jumping right in serves as a great experience all on its own.

    SCORE
    8/10
    Comments 1 Comment
    1. jizvjogmt's Avatar
      jizvjogmt - 12-16-2012
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  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.

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