Review by Jon Donnis
Unholy by Duality Games offers a haunting dive into a world torn between dystopian reality and a nightmarish, parallel dimension. The narrative, revolving around Saidah's desperate search for her abducted son Gabriel, is steeped in emotional turmoil and psychological dread. What stands out most about the game is the unsettling duality of its settings: a cold, oppressive totalitarian society on one side, and the grotesque Unholy City on the other, where fear and suffering reign supreme.
The game's artistic direction is undeniably striking, plunging players into a disturbing yet captivating atmosphere. The visuals, crafted with a macabre beauty, linger long after the screen fades. The environments are richly detailed, and the eerie soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly, heightening the sense of dread as you traverse through the shadowy corridors and haunting landscapes. The design of the Unholy City, with its monstrous inhabitants and mask-wearing castes, feels both unique and deeply unsettling, adding layers of depth to the game's lore.
Gameplay in Unholy is a mixture of exploration, puzzle-solving, and stealth. The ability to use masks to assume different abilities adds a strategic twist, allowing players to infiltrate, deceive, and survive in the hostile world. This mechanic provides a refreshing approach, but at times the stealth sequences can feel overly difficult, occasionally breaking the flow of immersion as you painstakingly attempt to evade enemies. The puzzles, while serviceable, don't quite hit the mark in terms of innovation, often feeling a touch too straightforward for the complex world they inhabit.
One of the game's standout features is the unique weapon system, where emotions such as anger, fear, and desire can be harnessed to interact with the environment or manipulate enemies. This adds a creative layer to combat and puzzle-solving, but it might not be enough for players seeking more traditional action or horror mechanics. The game's narrative, though rich in atmosphere and world-building, leans heavily on psychological horror rather than conventional jump scares, which might leave some genre purists craving more immediate frights.
While the story is compelling, Unholy does suffer from technical shortcomings. Bugs, especially from Chapter 3 onwards, detract from the experience. Graphical glitches and frustrating issues such as white screens upon death can hamper progress, undermining the tension and immersion the game strives to build. However, if these technical hitches are addressed, the game has the potential to stand as a solid entry in the psychological horror genre.
Unholy offers an engaging, if somewhat flawed, journey through a world dripping with atmosphere. Its blend of narrative-driven horror, creative mechanics, and stunning visuals make it worth exploring, especially for fans of slow-burn psychological horror. Despite its technical imperfections and occasionally generic puzzles, the game's evocative world and unique use of masks and emotions create a memorable, if not perfect, experience. With some polish, Unholy could shine even brighter, but as it stands, it remains a solid and eerie adventure deserving of a fair 7.5 out of 10.
Out Now on Xbox https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/unholy/9NCWT2FGHXST
