Sanity Slipping or Solidly Scary?

The realm of psychological horror in gaming often promises a chilling exploration of the human psyche, delving into the darkest corners of fear and uncertainty. ASYLUM, a first-person point-and-click horror adventure, positions itself within this unsettling landscape. But does it truly deliver a descent into profound madness, or does it spiral into madness? Read on to find out!

Whispers in the Dark

ASYLUM casts you into the dilapidated and foreboding Hanwell Mental Institute. From the outset, an oppressive atmosphere hangs heavy in the air. The opening scene, for example, puts you in your car, travelling to the titular asylum. As you look to your right, you are greeted with the terrifying image of a gaunt woman sitting beside you, staring at you.

The environment itself tells a story of decay and suffering, with peeling paint, crumbling architecture, and an eerie silence punctuated by unsettling sounds.

Navigating Nightmares and Unravelling Truths

The core gameplay of ASYLUM revolves around exploration, puzzle-solving, and a constant sense of vulnerability. As you navigate the labyrinthine corridors and decaying rooms of Hanwell, you’ll need to meticulously examine your surroundings, collecting clues and interacting with the environment and NPCs to progress.

The puzzles encountered range from deciphering cryptic notes to manipulating objects within the asylum. As this is a point-and-click adventure, there is no combat. However, this doesn’t detract from the almost overwhelming sense of dread you experience as you wander through the dilapidated building as you can’t help but feel that something sinister is close by, and that you’re only just managing to keep one step ahead, as such.

You carry around a notebook, where you keep track of the things and people that you have encountered. Your notes are a constant reference point as you need to make decisions based on what you have learned throughout your journey and gradually piece the puzzle together as you proceed.

The pause menu is also unique, presented to you as a case file of sorts, with each menu option being its own dedicated entry in said file. This is a nice touch and helps to keep you immersed as you essentially navigate away from the main game.

A Symphony of Suffering

The mechanics of ASYLUM are deliberately slow and methodical. Inventory management plays a role, requiring you to carefully consider what items to carry as you delve deeper into the asylum’s secrets. Interaction with the environment is primarily through a point-and-click interface, demanding careful observation of details. You can’t move your character directly, but when you click a location to move towards, there is a walking animation that shows your character making their way towards it, which is a nice touch.

Sensory Suffocation

The graphics of ASYLUM are designed to evoke a sense of decay and unease. The grim environments look as if they have been painted by hand, and though they reflect the graphics of the early 2010s, they still manage to contribute significantly to the oppressive atmosphere. The intricate architecture and the meticulous depiction of neglect and ruin create a believable and unsettling backdrop for the events that unfold. Once again, the dated nature of the visuals might not appeal to all players accustomed to more modern graphical fidelity.

The audio design is a standout feature, with chilling ambient sounds, and some of the most unsettling background music I’ve come across in the genre (which is a good thing).

Lingering Shadows?

The replay value of ASYLUM might be limited for some players. Once the mysteries of Hanwell have been unravelled, the incentive to return for another playthrough might be diminished, particularly given the game’s focus on narrative and puzzle-solving. In short, once you have completed all of the puzzles and solved the mystery, there really isn’t anything new to return for as any subsequent play throughs will be more of the same.

Conclusion

Exploring creepy buildings is nothing new in the realm of psychological horror games, but ASYLUM manages to hold its own despite the somewhat dated graphics. It manages this with a combination of a constantly-eerie atmosphere, grim surroundings, keeping things slow, deliberate, and excellent audio design. ASYLUM provides a journey into a nightmarish setting that will likely appeal to fans of atmospheric and psychological horror experiences who prioritise immersion and suspense over high-octane action.

Grade: 7.5 – Very Good