“Dark Atlas: Infernum” is a disturbing first-person horror game that combines elements of psychological survival horror with an esoteric story about the end of the world. The game is developed by Night Council Studio, a Spanish developer whose only release so far is Dark Atlas. They present themselves on their website as follows: “Yes, we are a dark organization committed to summoning ancient terrors. Of course, we relish the sacred art of storytelling. Dark Atlas: Infernum will be the first of our rituals..” The publisher is Selecta Play ('Brotato', 'Blasphemous II', 'Among Ashes'..). The game has been available to everyone since November 14 of this year, on platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox X, S, and One. We played the PlayStation version.
The game is set in an expansive transmedia universe, which includes the horror podcast Noviembre Nocturno, a Spanish podcast that deals with everything frightening, as well as science fiction. Clips from this podcast accompany us throughout the game.
The world in the game is on the brink of collapse – violent electrical storms, called “umbras,” appear, accompanied by spectral beings – so-called “imprints” – which are humanoid, ghostly figures that stand still and do not react, yet their presence creates a rupture in dimensional barriers and hints at an impending apocalypse. General chaos reigns, and in that chaos, new tyrannies spread, while various sects and demonic cults fight for control over the remnants of humanity. The game puts us in the role of Natalia Asensio, a former Grand Mistress of the oldest occult order in the West, the Night Council. We wake up trapped in a dusty basement, drugged and with partial memory of our identity. Our main goal is to unlock all of Natalia's memories and stop the apocalypse. Throughout the game, we are accompanied and commanded by a mysterious entity known as “The Word.” It is a voice in Natalia's head, and we must follow its commands.
“Dark Atlas: Infernum” is primarily a psychological horror where physical and mental realities intertwine. The gameplay relies on survival, exploration, and puzzle-solving, with an emphasis on caution. Natalija is an esoteric leader, not a soldier, so we do not use any attacks or any kind of combat in the game. In fact, the game does not offer that possibility at all. The only elements are stealth mechanics; we can only move, hide, crouch, and pick up and place items in specific locations. Sound is a crucial aspect of this game, as we must listen for footsteps and analyze our surroundings. Each level of the game contains closets and corridors where we can hide. The most important aspect of the game is exploration. It is key to discovering items like occult artifacts, which we need to progress to the next level. These occult artifacts further enhance the feeling of cosmic, esoteric horror.
The graphics are top-notch, and the visual style is dark yet intricately crafted. The lighting is eerie, and the environments are meticulously designed. The effort of the developers is immediately evident, along with their great focus on detail. The atmosphere is constantly unsettling, largely due to the sound effects. Although “Dark Atlas: Infernum” is not a standout game in the psychological horror genre, we liked the visual style and dark atmosphere. The puzzles are not too difficult, but there are some that can take quite a bit of time. This can be prolonged due to the lack of clear guidance in the game, which may either annoy some players or appeal to them greatly. The voice actors who lent their voices to the game also did a good job. It’s up to you to decide whether this game is worth 14.99 euros on the PlayStation Store (a similar price is on Steam). Our conclusion is that it is worth it, as for that price you can play an interesting psychological horror with a chilling atmosphere.
A copy of the game for review purposes was provided by the publisher Selecta Play
