The profit for Treatment is that this location means the builders are not constrained by the concept of a tangible actuality – and it results in some very fascinating recreation design. Whereas Alan could be very a lot nonetheless a survival horror character, and makes use of lots of the new mechanics at work right here (see yesterday’s piece for extra on that), the best way the world reacts to him may be far wilder.
The important thing distinction is in the way you get round this world – navigation is much less A to B in The Darkish Place, as a substitute taking you from A for a couple of turns round D, a fast detour to Q, and at last to B, the place you had been hoping to be all alongside. Puzzles grow to be way more prevalent. Within the mission I performed, which noticed Alan making an attempt to make contact with somebody to assist him within the Oceanview Resort, this meant making an attempt to enter the entrance door, and realizing I used to be caught in an limitless loop that took me again outdoors. To get in, I as a substitute needed to discover my manner via a maze of rooftop doorways, combating off Taken enemies and utilizing a brand new mechanic that enables Alan to take away mild from, or place it again into an space, shifting its very make-up, to lastly discover my manner inside.
Set towards Saga’s extra action-oriented sequences, it’s a curious, welcome change of tempo, and has the good thing about reflecting fairly how tousled issues have gotten for Alan within the intervening years.
There’s one other key distinction to Saga – the place the FBI agent can enter her Thoughts Place to assist determine how all of this suits collectively, Alan as a substitute enters his Author’s Room, with a completely totally different mechanic to work with. As a substitute of a Case Board, Alan can discover his notes on the story of the Darkish Place and, as a author, he can rewrite them.
Take the Oceanview Resort – upon coming into main areas all through the constructing, Alan’s notes construct on the story of this place – he has notes on the Entrance Corridor, the Ballroom, and extra. However early on, he finds out that it was as soon as the setting of an uncommon immersive theater expertise.
All of the sudden, I’ve the choice to rewrite these areas in that context – the Ballroom shifts from an empty room to at least one with a stage and viewers seating, unlocking new clues, gadgets, and discoveries. Different areas unlock new doorways for me to discover additional.
