Review of The Beast Inside

Horror, which is scary even without mannequins

Even then, it was very rare to find a project that combines all the advantages of this genre (which, by the way, has ceased to be associated with such legends as Resident Evil and Silent Hill in recent years). Most modern horror games have moved away from what we used to call games. The concept of the genre has long lost its original meaning, and the developers of such second-rate projects have simply learned to make money on the ideology of gullible players.

The project that we will consider today can be called a small ray of light among the clichéd and not much different games in this genre.

No signs of trouble

Hoping to escape from the bustle of the city, Adam Stevenson and his wife move to an old country house located near picturesque hills and a small lake. A great start for a horror movie, especially considering that the game is set during the Cold War, and the protagonist is a government special agent who deciphers intercepted Soviet telegrams.

Without having time to unpack things, Adam finds himself in the attic and finds there a locked box with a hundred-year-old manuscript. And here the most interesting begins: from Adam, control passes to a certain Nicholas Hyde, the former owner of the estate. It soon turns out that the hero from the future is a direct descendant of the Nicholas who will control most of the game. Driving Adam, most of the time we inspect the surroundings, trying to protect ourselves and my wife from Soviet spies. Fortunately, the gameplay for Nicholas is much more interesting and varied.

It is worth noting that such a division of the plot had a positive effect on the gameplay, because in addition to exploring locations, abandoned mines and various attractions, the game often throws up surprises and makes you nervous.

Spies are everywhere

We observe such a paranoid mood of Adam Stevenson from the very prologue. Gradually, this thought begins to pester the player. Bugs placed around the house, bloody footprints leading deep into the forest, threatening notes and, of course, corpses - all this immediately suggests that you are not alone here. Although Adam is the ruler?As a natural agent, the protagonist has only rusty scissors and a machete from the weapons. However, the lack of "firearms" from Adam does not make the gameplay dull. The hero in every way shows the abilities of a detective, and a special quantum device helps him in this difficult task. A small device is able to track invisible radiation and can put Adam on the trail of those very "spies". The game world for Adam is open, so in fact this device is used to provide the player with new goals.

Occasionally, while controlling Adam, you will need to perform QTE actions in a timely manner, but basically this is a walking simulator with reading interesting notes.

Run, Forest Nicholas, run!

The authors of The Beast Inside paid a lot of attention to the chases. Of course, there are a lot of ordinary screamers in the game, but for the most part they are either predictable or simply out of place. But the chases are implemented much better: you will have to run away not just in a straight line. The route changes right in front of the protagonist's nose, and in most cases the wrong turn will lead toyou to certain death.

What is the only run from a two-meter butcher worth, in the middle of which you need to have time to open the locked door with a master key. Surely, at a low level of difficulty, there will be no problems, but at the maximum level, you need to try very hard to solve the task in a timely manner.

Plot

The plot gradually takes shape like a puzzle scattered across the floor. As we have already noted, the narrative comes from two different eras, and the player controls two completely different people. But later you begin to understand that everything that happens in the past is somehow connected with the present. And if not directly, then certainly indirectly. Adam roams the woods in search of spies, occasionally returning home to his wife, who is constantly hysterical and demands that her husband stay by her side. But, unable to cope with his paranoia, Adam again plunges into spy games.

Graphic arts

The visual elements in the game are perfectly combined with each other: colorful landscapes are replaced by dark mines, cellars and dilapidated structures. Also at the level of animation of heroes, visual and sound and effects. In particular, we want to highlight the latter: the exploration of the surroundings of the forest is accompanied by an outstanding, relaxing melody. But when danger arises, it abruptly changes to rhythmic accompaniment. Then, when the player reveals the shocking facts, a sad audio track is played.

For the money, visually this project is done very, very well.

The Beast Inside can hardly be called a revolutionary horror, because in addition to two different stories, which are gradually connected?They are in one, he does not offer anything new. The game does an excellent job of combining relaxation and action, which is very lacking in most high-quality horror stories. On our own, we can say that this is one of the best horror games that we have played in the last few years. After all, even the long-awaited second part of Layers of Fear fades against the background of The Beast Inside. Competently alternating levels, change of surroundings and normal saturation, albeit not always suitable screamers, allow you to completely immerse yourself in the gameplay and feel the local atmosphere.