Perception review

Reviewed on: Xbox One

Every now and then we find ourselves in that old discussion about whether or not games are art, and indie games are often cited as responsible for bringing many innovations and new gameplay concepts to the gaming world. Rest assured I won’t get into that discussion, but what I often notice is that many developers try to take advantage of the indie market’s fame for freedom and cutting-edge innovation to release any old junk without the slightest inspiration or care. Or it may simply be a matter of incompetence.

For example, a guy is determined to make his name in the world of painting but has not the slightest skill or technique to create anything worthwhile, so he takes a canvas and announces to the world that he paints using feces, blood or some other junk as paint. The result is still a pile of shit, but even so he gets his thousands of followers on Twitter, a few exhibitions in modern art museums and even runs the risk of giving lectures at some federal universities.

Perception was born as a first-person survival horror without any appeal, a half-baked story, weak gameplay and bad, confusing mechanics. What convinced whoever invested money in this crap? The protagonist is blind. “Ooooooooooh how interesting” you may be thinking. Well, think a little more because here, I assure you, we have just a canvas painted with shit.

You control Cassie. And she is blind. But apparently she is part of the Marvel universe, and through echoes in the environment she can find her bearings and visualize her way. She is in a haunted mansion trying to find the meaning of her strange dreams. You will come across countless suspense and horror situations like shadows and apparitions everywhere, all extremely cliché.

If the story can’t hold up, maybe the gameplay can? Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, you will face an endless walk to find and collect items throughout the house’s countless rooms. And you will get lost, over and over again. After ten minutes walking in circles around the place you will probably find new definitions for the word frustration.

With simplistic graphics, practically nonexistent sound, sluggish and unengaging mechanics, the game fails in every respect to become a scary and thrilling experience. Even so, someone may let themselves be drawn into the oppressive and uninspired atmosphere and who knows even get a few scares.

Some may even say it is a good idea poorly executed; I prefer to give thanks that the game is short, it would be too much torture if it lasted longer than its few – and frustrating – hours of play.