There are levels in between the memories that usually contain intense chase scenes within the realm of cyberspace. Other times, I would solve simple but satisfying puzzles in a school, and occasionally use weapons sparingly-not necessarily for combat. Later, when I was exploring the vents, the threat would appear in the same vents but in a different location. While I did have to collect three more squares, I also had to hide from the immediate threat that patrolled the aisle. One of the most terrifying memories was the airplane. ![]() Master Reboot does introduce other ideas, some of which are scarier than others. It’s an interesting idea, although most of the game involves searching and collecting random items. There are no objective markers, and you have no immediate ideas of what to do apart from exploring each memory. Like its story, Master Reboot’s mechanics rely on players’ sense of discovery. ![]() While this risks producing a visual style that seems too erratic, I think it actually finds a balance that creates something equally spectacular and horrifying–the sillier aspects only enhance the horror. ![]() So at times, Master Reboot balances a visual style that’s equal parts futuristic, silly, and sinister. Usually these fleeting glitches hide faces of a threat I felt like the game was mocking me. But glitches are coordinated with the aforementioned footsteps, making me feel paranoid despite the wonderful aesthetics. In other cases, some of the levels contain jagged architecture similar to that of Kingdom Hearts 2, which are used to retell childhood memories. At times, Master Reboot looks like it’s an ambitious visually designed game inspired from the best of science-fiction. Essentially, I would often hear footsteps that weren’t mine, and I heard things that made me question if I were seeing things from my peripheral view.īut if I were to look at the levels alone without considering the sound, I would have guessed that Master Reboot was a science fiction story without any inkling of horror–that is until the levels incorporate spectacular lighting and shadow effects. But, I would have gradually picked up on something sinister due to the amazing sound design. If I hadn’t researched this game as a reviewer, and I had gone in blindly, I would not have expected a horror game from the offset. I mentioned in the introduction that some horror works really well when the threat initially appears silly. It’s an effective way to present a story that uses the setting to create immersion. To counter-balance this, the game would introduce demonic sigils, which demons would use to accuse me of causing everything that’s wrong with the soul cloud. Rather than finding notes on the ground, I would find doctor’s notes, instant messages, and even internet pop-ups (all of them are represented by blue rubber duckies). I don’t want to reveal anything beyond that the soul cloud and the player are connected however, I will say that the way in which I discovered my past was effective. Fortunately, there are details hidden throughout the game, giving you the opportunity to put the pieces together. Even though you find details you about the soul cloud that makes it seem like paradise, you wouldn’t think so because of the threats that remain hidden from your peripheral vision. You don’t know this when you immediately begin the game. When the customer dies, be it a family member or the soon-to-be deceased, he or she has their soul uploaded into the cloud where they can relive their memories. Customers only need to purchase an island, which will host smaller, island-sized settings for their memories. Death is no longer a thing thanks to a group of engineers who have created the soul cloud. This cloud is different than the ones we’re accustomed to today, but it works similarly albeit for dead people. So here’s Master Reboot, a game that takes place in a version of cyberspace that at times is vibrant, futuristic, and even whimsical but the setting is a thin veil that barely hides its sinister undertones.Ĭyberspace is not the correct term for Master Reboot’s setting it actually takes place in the cloud. Afterall, we didn’t initially create clowns to be sinister beings yet years later we have a percentage of people who have a real phobia of clowns (coulrophobia). On paper, it seems kind of silly yet, sometimes the silly things in horror are truly sinister. Cyberspace is not a typical setting for a horror game, at least when compared to ghost towns or haunted houses.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |