It’s commonplace to assume that all video games aim to be fun. And that’s understandable since most of us play them to unwind after a tiring day. That’s not always the goal, though. Sometimes, developers want to explore less pleasant topics, and the result might not be enjoyable in the traditional sense. One such example is Jordan Mochi’s Conscript.
Set during WWI, it’s a survival horror game that borrows mechanics from the genre’s classics. That means your inventory will always feel a little too small most of the time, and your character isn’t going to be Rambo, with his athleticism, aiming, and reloading speed leaving a lot to be desired. That may sound bad, and it sort of deliberately is, but it’s also an excellent way to create tension, as long as nothing feels unfair.
Conscript pays homage to classics of the genre
Rather than run and gun like you might in Call of Duty, in Conscript, everything is slower and more methodical. When enemies are approaching, you’ll have to consider how much ammo you have and labor over every shot since one whiffed bullet could prove costly. And it makes sense, given the setting. WWI was a horrible grind of a conflict that must have seemed never-ending for those involved.
Slowing down the combat also allows the horrors of war to settle in properly. If you were charging through the trenches, blowing away every enemy in sight, you might miss the horrendous conditions, the scarred landscape, and the limbless corpses of ally soldiers. Though unpleasant, these things are essential for creating that sense of horror and emphasizing the main character’s desperate fight for survival in a world where that seems an impossibility.Â
It’s not just the combat that aims to instill a sense of unease and fear. The level design also promises to make you feel helpless by making the trenches and no man’s land appear as mazes. So not only do you have to worry about your resources and enemies, but you’ll also need to spend time route planning to avoid getting caught in an unfortunate position.
Within them, you will also find another survival horror mainstay – puzzles, specifically the environmental variety. That gives you yet another thing to think about while juggling everything else. At times, that could mean dropping some ammo in favor of carrying a crucial puzzle piece, making it dead weight until the moment it helps you progress.
And don’t forget there’s a story in here too
So, if you’re a fan of older Resident Evils and other survival horror games, there’s likely plenty for you to enjoy here. But that’s just the mechanics. The presentation is also key to the genre, something Jordan Mochi appears to be aware of, promising an oppressive soundtrack and unsightly pixel art. It’s ugly in a delightfully grim way that I can only assume was done on purpose to reflect the conditions.
With all that said, it’d be easy to skip over the fact there is a story here since the mechanics and presentation might be enough to sell you on Conscript. It’s not just traipsing through WWI, and that’s the end of it, however. You play a French soldier searching for his MIA brother during the Battle of Verdun. It’s a simple setup and given the setting, I can’t imagine that ends well, though I’d love to be wrong.Â
And judging by the existence of multiple endings, there might be a happy one in the mix. At least, one that’s slightly less depressing. There are also numerous difficulty settings, unlockable costumes, and bonus weapons to find, adding some replay value for those who click with Conscript.
Conscript wades onto the battlefield on July 23rd, where you can pick it up on either PC, Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch. Everything you can think of, basically.Â
Thank you for reading this article. For more interesting coverage of all things indie games, be sure to check out the links below.
- Into Indie Games Homepage
- Best Indie Games of 2024
- Riven (2024) Review
- Conscript Walkthrough – Chapter 1
- Crow Country channels PS1-era Resident Evil, albeit with a more relaxed approach to difficulty
