Dual Effect's sequel picks up soon after the events of 2021 original.
Summary
Seeking answers about Anna's terrifying visions, Caroline Walker (real name Emma Wildberger) and adoptive sister take a train to Villa Hess. When Anna is kidnapped by Mother Lucia's cultists (who need her to summon Lovecraftian deity Lord Nautilus), Caroline rolls up her rescuing sleeves and in the process, uncovers dark secrets of sinister town.
Do not let shadows embrace you
First off, choose between Standard or Assisted difficulty.
To unlock Tormented (how innovative), game must be beaten on Standard.
We're thrust into a creepy convent, then (in no particular order), a school, shopping mall, processing plant, cemetery, sewer and bunker.
Boasting masterful chiaroscuro and beautiful melancholy, environments look amazing.
Monsters are tamed by a variety of melee weapons and firearms (which can be upgraded), including hammer, crowbar, nailer, shotgun, crossbow and chainsaw.
Bosses (dubbed entities by Lucia), are Iron Maiden, Doctor Hertz, The Harvester, Pighead and Lovecraftian deity Lord Nautilus.
Hello frustration my old friend
Like original, accomplished love letter to old-school Resident Evil and Silent Hill should be applauded for doing a lot of things right, but awkward controls, clunky combat and annoying fixed camera angles made experience an endurance test.
The 'darkness kills' mechanic returns and illuminating claustrophobic corridors leaves you extremely vulnerable.
Oh, get used to fucking back-tracking.
While I tolerated anything back in the day, 'classic' trope always pissed me off.
Most puzzles are obtuse to say the least and solutions more so.
Several items (weapons and tools) are used more than once for different situations, making shit cryptic later on.
Verdict 6/10
You'll need patience, a stiff drink and something to punch, but shit is worth persevering with.
Then again, I'd suggest most will flip the bird and give up.
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