Or is it just a re-skin of an old dog?

Check out Bendy: Lone Wolf right here!

There are some names in horror that instantly conjure up a specific feeling, a particular aesthetic, even. For fans of the genre, the name Bendy brings to mind a unique, unsettling blend of classic rubber hose animation and visceral, inky terror. It’s a series that has carved out a niche for itself, and with Bendy: Lone Wolf, the developers are back to revisit the world they’ve so meticulously crafted. This new entry, which takes the form of a survival horror adventure, positions itself as a fresh take on the formula, but can it stand on its own two feet, or will it be swallowed by the ink? Read on to find out!

A Dog’s Purpose

Bendy: Lone Wolf places you in the well-worn boots of Boris the Wolf, as he navigates the endlessly generated corridors of Joey Drew Studios. The core objective is one that most people who have played a survival game will be familiar with, which is of pure survival and exploration. You must venture deep into the twisted halls in search of supplies, weapons, and even some hidden truths along the way.

The story is mostly told through the environment, with minimal dialogue keeping the focus on the oppressive atmosphere rather than heavy exposition. This spin-off acts as a way to flesh out Boris’s story, explaining his whereabouts during the events of Bendy and the Dark Revival. Without giving anything away, the game’s story is a harrowing journey of self-preservation against mounting odds, providing a compelling, if sombre, tale within the larger Bendy universe.

A Wolf’s Instinct

At its heart, gameplay is a tense, resource-management-focused survival horror experience. You will be constantly scavenging for a range of items in dangerous areas. The levels are procedurally generated, which means each run is different, forcing you to adapt your strategy on the fly. This is indeed a good thing because it ensures a new challenge each time.

Enemies patrol the hallways, each with distinct behaviours, making stealth a primary tool for survival. Naturally, you must be tactical in your movements, as rushing through an area can trigger additional threats, while moving too slowly allows pursuing enemies to close the gap. There is also a dynamic threat system, such as the relentless pursuit of the Ink Demon, which also ensures that no two encounters are the same.

The Tools of the Trade

The mechanics in Lone Wolf are an evolution of those seen in previous titles. Whilst not necessarily a bad thing, it would have been nice to see some improvements or at least additional features from earlier games in the series. While the previous games leaned heavily on exploration and puzzle-solving, this game puts a significant emphasis on survival.

Combat is a new addition, but it is intentionally designed to be a last resort. The main weapon that you start with, for example, is a frying pan. Seriously. As such, combat is clearly not what the developers want you to resort to in order to work your way through the game! On that note, weapons feel sluggish and clunky, making every attack a calculated risk. For example, a well-timed attack is key to battling back the cartoon creeps of the Dark Puddles, which can also be defeated through the clever use of dangerous traps. The game also introduces new collectibles that unlock fresh content, adding to the replay value. You can even place Gent Sticks to mark areas you’ve visited!

The Inky Canvas

Bendy: Lone Wolf doubles down on the series’ sepia-toned cartoon-horror art style, but it’s sharpened with modern rendering techniques that make the world feel more visceral and tangible. In other words, despite there not being very much to look at, it still happens to look awesome! The lighting is where Bendy: Lone Wolf truly shines; weak lanterns burn in the darkness, and the oppressive beams of projectors cut through the gloom. The ink itself drips with a disgustingly oily texture.

The audio design is equally masterful, with heartbeats and sound cues serving as both survival tools and spine-chilling elements of immersion. The grotesque enemy designs, which are warped parodies of familiar cartoon characters, are genuinely unsettling, and I loved it!

A Second Journey

With its endlessly generated corridors and a daily challenge progression system that intensifies as you go deeper into the studio, Bendy: Lone Wolf offers a strong amount of replay value. The adaptive nature of the threats and the random level layouts mean that each new attempt at a run will present different challenges and discoveries. The secrets of the machine are scattered throughout, giving you an incentive to keep playing to uncover all the truths that await.

Conclusion

Bendy: Lone Wolf is a worthy addition to the Bendy franchise. It successfully takes the core concept of its predecessor, Boris and the Dark Survival, and expands upon it, adding layers of tension and a genuine sense of purpose. While the core experience remains familiar, the improvements to atmosphere, and overall content make it the definitive version of this particular survival story. The combat leaves a lot to be desired, however that appears to have been a deliberate choice by the developers, forcing you to think your way around problems rather than barge through them. For new and returning players alike, Bendy: Lone Wolf does a great job in getting your attention and keeping hold of it for a fair while!

Grade: 7/10 – Good