Signalis is a survival horror indie game unlike anything I've played before.
The Style
It's what you might describe as "lo-fi" retro graphics. Everything is done in pixel art, and presented in an isometric 2D style for the majority. However, parts of the story are conveyed in a first-person full-3D. The puzzles are also done in first person vignettes. There's no spoken dialogue, but the ambiance, music, and sound design are rich. There's a mixture of Japanese and German printed all over, and the cut-scenes have a graphic-novel anime look. The game really does just have it's own vibe entirely.
Mechanics
The puzzles are unique, and not particularly simple or easy; employing methods where an online guide can't simply give you the answers. Inventory management is tight, and very much like Resident Evil. Limited carry to 6 item types, but you can have more than one of the same item in a stack. But persistent item boxes located beside save points for your excess. Combat takes a little getting used to, and can be difficult especially when ammunition is scarce. I'm playing with a Playstation controller, and aiming can be unreliable. Many reviews criticized the aiming, but gave the game high scores nonetheless. I am doing the same because I'm a conformist stooge.
The Story
You play as Elster; a female Replikant looking for her lover(who is a human woman) at a mining operation. But all of the Replikants are infected and have become murderous. So a little bit of a Dead Space theme going on there. At it's core is a dark psychotic thriller love story, and there's even some scenes that remind me of Silent Hill a tiny bit.
Availability
Signalis is available for PC(Windows), Playstation 4/5, Xbox One a and Nintendo Switch.
The developer is Rose Engine which I believe is based in Germany. I figured Signalis was made with their own game engine, but nope. It's made with Unity Engine.
