Initially presented as a mod for the legendary DOOM II game from 1994, Total Chaos is a game that has matured into a full-fledged survival horror with the potential to stand shoulder to shoulder with the major titles of that genre (Silent Hill, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Resident Evil..). The engine on which the game is built is called GZDoom, and its roots trace back to the first DOOM game. Total Chaos has been in development for years by an independent developer under the pseudonym wadaholic – real name Sam Prebble.
Versions
The final version of the game was released in November of this year. We played the PlayStation version, which currently costs 24.99 euros on the Store. The game code was provided to us by the developer. Xbox and Steam versions of the game are also available. There is also a physical edition of the game reserved for collectors, published by the well-known Atari. Total Chaos has gone through several versions available to players: The Mod version is a free version available to everyone, but a certain level of computer skills is required to run it. The ultimate version from 2025 is actually a remake/remaster developed in the Unity engine for the latest console requirements. Sam Prebble started working on the game back in 2012, making it the result of his 13 years of effort. Prebble pushed the boundaries of what the GZDoom engine could provide. He incorporated high-resolution 3D models, dynamic lighting, and physics systems that the engine had not been capable of until now. In the final version, the game was ported to the Unity engine to adapt it for consoles.
Plot
The game's plot is set in the 1970s, on the fictional island of Fort Oasis. We play as a member of the coast guard responding to a distress signal from the island. What was supposed to be a routine rescue turns into a fight for survival. Fort Oasis was once a mining colony, transformed into concrete corridors and halls that we traverse over nine chapters. Throughout the game, a mysterious voice communicates with us via radio, guiding us deeper into the island. The story's greatest emphasis is on the psychological aspect – exploring themes of isolation, guilt, and loss of sanity. Spoiler – the game has a secret ending that resembles those in Far Cry games quite early on.
Gameplay
It can be said that this game is an FPS (First Person Shooter), although it is actually a horror-survival game. And an extreme horror survival game, which keeps the player 'on edge' the whole time. Throughout the gameplay, we are accompanied by a sense of discomfort. The music superbly enhances the atmosphere, thanks to Akira Yamaoka, the composer of the Silent Hill series. The game demands a lot from the player. The movement and combat mechanics are simple, but the inventory and its usage are very poorly organized. Because of this, every player must be prepared for countless deaths and respawning at the last checkpoint. Again, this is something that will annoy some and be great for others. For a long time in the game, we do not receive a shooting weapon, so we survive purely on instinct and reflexes. The opponents are humanoid monsters and ghostly apparitions, which are not easy to destroy with just a hammer or similar hand tools. Throughout the game, we must monitor hunger, radiation, bleeding, and stamina – which is a bit too much for a survival horror game. For such games, the good old saying always applies – 'Less is more'. The game also features a crafting system for tools, which is not worth mentioning.
Conclusion
The general consensus among video game critics is that Total Chaos is one of the most atmospheric horror games in recent times. On Metacritic, the game holds a solid 80/100. In our opinion, this game is a top-notch realization of one man's vision. A game that originated 'in a garage' as a mod of the old DOOM game has become a separate horror achievement worthy of praise. Top-notch graphics and a brutal atmosphere accompanied by first-class music make it an unmissable game in this genre. Although it has its flaws, at 24.99 euros on the PlayStation Store, this game is a hit.
Rating
Positive aspects: incredible visual style; top-notch music; level design that creates constant discomfort; interesting story
Negative aspects: poor inventory and crafting system; poorly placed checkpoints; meaningless opponents
Final rating: 3.5/5
A copy of the PlayStation 5 version for review purposes was provided by the publisher Apogee Entertainment
