The Nameless City | PS5 Review.

Publisher: Sometimes You
Developer: Paradnight Studios

PS5 Review

*Disclaimer: I was sent the code for this game on PS5 in return for a review; all opinions are mine and mine alone.

Are you a fan of H.P. Lovecraft? I have the perfect game just for you. The Nameless City is a game adaptation of the novel of the same name by H.P. Lovecraft from 1921. Within both the book and game, it takes place amongst ancient ruins in the middle of ruins buried in sand. Players take on a role as an explorer, stuck in the dessert they come across ruins which lead to a strange and dark passage, which feels like a fever dream. Through the use of exploration, puzzles and narration, you must find where this all leads, what is happening, and why it is so eerie.

When I first came across the symbols, I was unsure of what I needed to do or where I needed to go. I explored every inch of my surroundings to try to make sense of what was happening. At one point, I was met by a giant wall made out of a yellow substance. I wasn't able to pass it until I had the right incantations and did my best to find any hidden places that would lead me to what I needed. I sat bracing myself, scared of what was to come soon, realising this wasn't about horror, it was about the atmospheric feeling of what was going on around you, the sense of wanting to know more.

The low-poly graphics are what made it more eerie. I felt uncomfortable and unsettled at times, especially when I would enter a dark tomb and have to use my torch to find a new symbol for my spells. These are the key to unlocking the path of your journey to the next section of the game. The Nameless City was able to depict cosmic horror in a very cool way; the use of colour, music and even movement made me cautious. It definitely is otherworldy and the puzzles you face are only a small part of the experience. 

I won't lie, some puzzles got me; the use of light in one of them confused me. It took me around 40 minutes to get my head around, as I would move from one platform to another and end up back at the start. Learning how it was done made me face palm, how to solve it was simpler than I was aware of. I guess once these things click, it makes players learn from their previous mistakes and pay more attention. This is a fun short game with beautiful contrasts of colour and story. I know some may not enjoy the added element of the puzzles as they may struggle like myself but personally, it was worth a playthrough.

I do want to add that this game comes with a photo-sensitive warning; it's important you listen to this, if anyone like myself is sensitive to movement, you can also change the sensitivity in settings.

Have a cosy day

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