BLAIR WITCH REVIEW- BARKING MAD
BLAIR WITCH REVIEW - BARKING MAD
When I first saw that Bloober team was making an official Blair Witch game, I was instantly excited. As a huge fan of the Blair Witch movies, and Bloober’s work (Layers of Fear 1 & 2, Observer), this seemed like a perfect pairing. After playing through the game, I can confirm that it is indeed, an awesome match. The game has been meticulously crafted, and spectacularly draws the player into the Blair Witch Universe. Players will be filled with dread, and constantly watching the area around them, paying close attention to sights and sounds which may or may not actually be there. Without getting too deep into spoilers, the protagonist, Ellis, has been through a lot in his life, and suffers from severe PTSD. As you progress further into the story, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine what is in the forest, Ellis’ mind, or both. The final act of the game is simply mind-blowing.
"BULLET, ELLIS’ CANINE COMPANION, IS NOT ONLY A FURRY FRIEND, BUT AN ESSENTIAL GUARDIAN DURING THEIR DARK JOURNEY INTO MADNESS."
The bond between man and dog has often been explored in games and cinema, but this game really takes that up a notch. Bullet, Ellis’ canine companion, is not only a furry friend, but an essential guardian during their dark journey into madness. Paying attention to Bullet, his growls, barks, whimpers, and taking care of his needs (petting, staying close, giving him treats) are essential for not only his survival, but Ellis’ as well. Similar to several other notable horror games, Blair Witch has multiple endings, something that should entice players to play through the game more than once, to achieve the different endings. For example, in the last act of the game, Ellis can find a battery which is useless in the first playthrough, but carried over to the second playthrough, becomes essential for a storyline of the narrative.
"PLAYERS ARE MEANT TO BECOME FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED AS THEY TRY AND FIND THEIR WAY THROUGH THE FOREST."
Gameplay and atmospherically, Blair Witch feels like a mix of Alan Wake and Outlast, where a flashlight or camcorder are essential weapons against the terrors in the dark. While it can be frustrating trying to find your way through the forest, that mechanic is deliberate. Players are meant to become frustrated and concerned as they try and find their way through the forest. In a few places there are noticeable framerate issues, but for the most part, the game runs smoothly. On the Xbox One X, the graphical fidelity is quite impressive.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
If you are a fan of the horror genre, or simply like a well-crafted story, then I definitely recommend that you check out Blair Witch. I quite enjoyed my time with it, and plan on going back through for achievements, different endings, etc.