Being afraid of the dark is perhaps the most primal worry our species has. The notion of not being able to see what’s creeping your way is an idea as old as time itself, and one that horror movies and games have made constant use of. Would the experience be more intense if our ability to see was taken away completely? That’s the question that Perception attempts to answer.
Brought to life following a modestly successful Kickstarter campaign back in May of 2015, Perception is the brainchild of a married couple (he a game designer with credits on Bioshock and Bioshock Infinite, she a novelist) and built by a small team of former Irrational Games employees. As a young woman named Cassie, players find themselves outside the front door of a decrepit mansion known as Echo Bluff. There’s a mystery surrounding the place, its history, and its appearances in Cassie’s dreams, so some sleuthing is necessary to get to the bottom of things.
So far, so spooky, but the thing that makes this story unique for a horror game (and indeed horror stories in general) is the main character’s disability. Cassie is blind, and therefore so are you. In Perception, the only way to “see” is by tapping her cane, which will temporarily illuminate the pitch-black surroundings in a blue wave of echolocation. Other sources of sound -a leaky faucet, wind whooshing past a busted window- will offer a similar result. It’s a unique premise and more than a simple gimmick, as the game is structured to make Cassie’s brand of sight the only way to get around. Raising the gamma won’t help you here. The game also wants players to toe the line between viewing their surroundings and making too much noise, as it’s possible to alert the ghostly forces that haunt the house. If they successfully catch up to Cassie, it’s game over.
A refreshing thing about our heroine is that she’s no silent protagonist. Cassie is often shooting off at the mouth whether it’s out of boredom or fear, and actress Angela Morris does an excellent job infusing the game with personality. Some moments are legitimately funny and offer a decent tension-breaker before the scares and action ramp up again. Not everyone is a fan of the constant chatter, but there is an option to reduce the talk to plot-specific lines only.
Speaking of the plot, it’s appropriately ambitious and tragic for such a game. When crucial elements are found, the environment can actually change around the player, making all previous knowledge of the layout useless. The disorientation adds to the overall experience.
Some folks will weakly slander Perception by labeling it as a walking simulator. Others have accused it of not being scary. Fortunately, developer The Deep End Games weren’t content to finish the title and forget about it. Since its original release, several updates have been implemented that address the most common complaints. Two additional game modes were included, one that makes the game incredibly easy (in essence a true walking simulator for those who want it), the other makes it more difficult by making the Presence (the previously mentioned ghostie) more aggressive and more common. More dialogue, checkpoints and collectibles have been added since release as well. And there are a handful of amusing easter eggs to locate while playing, which is always fun.
Keep an eye out for some iconic artwork from a certain Mrs. Deetz.
Like some slow-burn horror flicks, the slower pace and melancholy tone of this title won’t be for everyone. For the horror gamer who’s interested in a quieter and unquestionably different experience, Perception is a solid choice. It’s the only time I’ve backed a video game on Kickstarter and not been disappointed.
Perception is available on PC, PS4, XBOX One, and Nintendo Switch.
