Overview of Conscript: A Unique Survival Horror Experience
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia is micro-indie newcomer: Jordan Mochi with his landmark survival horror title: Conscript. Having been developed under the banner of Mochi’s solo studio: Catchweight Studio for the last seven years, Conscript is a top-down, sprite-laden spiritual-sibling of classic survival horror games from the original PlayStation. Showcasing Mochi’s love for classics such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill, Conscript captures the soul of survival horror whilst holding down its own identity, set during the horrifying trenches of WWI in Verdun, France.
When it comes to historical settings in video games, none are quite so oppressive and bleak than those set in World War I. Primarily reserved for first person shooters like Verdun and Battlefield 1, WWI is a particular period of history that is arguably the dawn of mass-scale armed conflict that would dictate the wars to come; showcasing humanity in one of its grandest moments, but also one of it’s bleakest.
Conscript: A Blend of History and Horror
Conscript places you in the shoes of a young French soldier named André, who is caught up in the brutality of the Verdun campaign during the height of WWI. Amidst the chaos of the battle, André embarks on a personal and desperate mission to find his missing brother, Pierre, who was last seen near the front lines.
Gameplay and Atmosphere
In terms of gameplay, Conscript is interesting, and in more ways that one. As aforementioned, the game is heavily inspired by survival horror classics such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill, and features several mechanics and tropes that fans of either franchise will recognize instantly.
Immersive Atmosphere and Sound Design
In terms of atmosphere, Conscript pulls no punches in making you feel uneasy as you traverse Verdun’s trenches. Despite opting for a pixel-art style, the simplistic aesthetics don’t detract from the experience and actually work to the game’s credit at conveying the bleakness and human horrors of WWI by utilizing a muted color palette, highlighting a sense of hopelessness within the trenches.
A Unique Identity in Survival Horror
Overall, Conscript is a masterful blend of classic survival horror mechanics and a unique, historically grounded setting. The game’s emotional story, atmospheric presentation, and challenging gameplay make it a standout title in the indie horror scene.
A PlayStation 5 review code was provided by Team17.