{"id":6331,"date":"2024-04-26T05:19:05","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T05:19:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluearrow.gr\/?post_type=product&p=6331"},"modified":"2025-04-20T07:24:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-20T07:24:04","slug":"desolatium-ps5-game","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/bluearrow.gr\/?product=desolatium-ps5-game","title":{"rendered":"Desolatium PS5 Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wow, this\u00a0Desolatium<\/em>\u00a0slideshow is interactive! Wait \u2013 you mean it\u2019s a game? The visual representation in this title from\u00a0Superlumen\u00a0looks like a showreel for an architectural firm, but instead, it\u2019s a\u00a0Lovecraftian\u00a0adventure.<\/p>\n

Let us define the adventure. There are a handful of roles up for grabs \u2013 each chapter showcasing a story arc for the individuals involved in a cultist scenario, all bringing about the party animal, Cthulhu. Oh, how we love that beast in the world of gaming.<\/p>\n

The key character here is a chap named Carter, who, at the start, is kidnapped by an unknown group where one of the assailants is wearing a gas mask \u2013 a concept that stays throughout the game. Carter must escape from their captors, but first, a detour for a half hour or more.<\/p>\n

\"Desolatium
Preppy pop. Source: Screen capture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Desolatium PS5 Review: Squalid As A Rock<\/h2>\n

The opening scene in\u00a0Desolatium<\/em>\u00a0was like the recent(ish) demo on Steam (no, not\u00a0the\u00a0Prologue<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 that was way better), so it was swift to complete that section. However, within a splash of time, I had found myself in a loop, running round and round, trying to figure out where to go, where I was, and what I was supposed to do.<\/p>\n

There are no objectives, only a couple of objects per chapter, if that, and absolutely zero maps or markers in the game. Navigating in\u00a0Desolatium<\/em>\u00a0is atrocious and best suited to the restrictive space of VR gameplay. You are not free to move other than to view, pixel hunting for an eye to indicate a point of interest or footsteps to move to a new room. It\u2019s like\u00a0Doom VR<\/em>, but only in terms of movement, not gameplay.<\/p>\n

If it weren\u2019t for the code for the review, I\u2019d have bailed on it. Instead, I begrudgingly returned to the same chapter, running endlessly around until it became clear that a tiny box needed to be triggered to advance. Without any hotspot keys or the freedom of a mouse, you\u2019re scouring the screen for any hint of interaction.<\/p>\n

\"Desolatium
Innsmouth. Source: Screen capture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why Don\u2019t You Take A Picture?<\/h2>\n

The graphics are the redeeming factor, offering photo realistic scenes, but none of which are animated \u2013 just the 60s pop art in between, which can be pretty cool. The chapter introductions were a highlight, but it would be nice if I could say that about the gameplay or even the story.<\/p>\n

Desolatium<\/em>\u00a0has voice acting, but it was so off, that I switched it to the native Spanish and read the subtitles. The music is excellent. Still, the game\u2019s design felt like a bastardisation of a VR walking simulator fused with a visual novel \u2013 it just didn\u2019t work for me and frustrated me frequently.<\/p>\n

The puzzles are easy, and even if you get stuck, you can walk through one of the handful of scenes (pending you don\u2019t get lost as the camera often faces you in the direction you came) and locate a hint. What is irksome is wandering around small areas, looking for any indication of interaction to advance the story.<\/p>\n

\"Desolatium
The new album. Source: Screen capture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Walking Nightmare<\/h2>\n

And what\u2019s with the story? Highly influenced by H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu mythos,\u00a0Desolatium<\/em>\u00a0likes pop culture references and nods to Kurt Russell, Osamu Tezuka and others. It doesn\u2019t add up. When I reached the conclusion, I was eager to transfer the screenshots to my computer, finish this review and uninstall the game.<\/p>\n

There are multiple endings, but I really couldn\u2019t go through it all again.\u00a0Desolatium<\/em>\u00a0is short, too. Continuing the game from the menu takes you to the end sequence you unlocked, and without multiple saves, you\u2019ll have to go through the monotony of doing it again.<\/p>\n

As an Unreal Engine showcase reel, it was great, but as a game\/story\/experience, I didn\u2019t enjoy this at all. It\u2019s such a contrast from the\u00a0Prologue<\/em>\u00a0that I played back in 2021 on Steam. I note that\u00a0Desolatium<\/em>\u00a0has been released on the PS5, though there is no release date for the PC. Have a look at other reviews\/gameplay videos, but if you\u2019re relying on me, I\u2019m just going to point you to something else.\u00a0The Innsmouth Case<\/em>\u00a0would be a decent starting point. Failing that,\u00a0The Shore<\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0Dagon<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 the latter is free.<\/p>\n