Phoenix Nightmare

A girl's car breaks down, leaving her stranded in the desert. Fortunately, a gas station is just a few meters down the road. However, the owner doesn't like it when you play with his radio, so he knocks you unconscious and traps you underground. The gameplay involves looking for objects that will help you move forward. There is always something in your way that, if you approach it too closely, will kill you. The most frequent dangers are steam and fire, so you need to eliminate those threats with an extinguisher or turn a valve somewhere. Keys play an important role in the game. The majority of the things you come across, including doors and containers, are locked. Because they are so small and the little icon shows up only when you’re really close, finding them can be challenging. Another help are lights that act as a hint that something of interest can be found nearby. The start is promising. However, you soon notice the big issue that stops the game from taking that extra step. I’m referring to the fact that every hazard you shut off resets after loading the game. Since you need to search around a lot, this turns into an annoying hassle. A room with the rat is another idea that doesn’t work. You’re supposed to search the room, but the rat keeps biting you and following you everywhere. Well, all the way to the door where it hits an invisible wall. This also blocks you from entering the room because you can’t simply step over the little rat. The game's overall darkness might pose a problem to some. It's true that you have a lighter that gives you the ability to see two or three steps in front of you, but the fuel it works on quickly runs out, and it's difficult to come by additional canisters. The flashlight you find a bit later does a much better job. There are also several delicate platforming sequences, so you'll need to keep an eye on where you're going. Even though it's odd to see them in this particular game, it's refreshing nonetheless. This talent helps you in evading the man who appears and attempts to kill you from time to time. The interesting design choice is that you can see the exit from the bottom. While solving issues and climbing ladders will get you closer, the goal is always just out of reach. But is also leads to game breaking moments, like when you carry something and drop it into the pit; it’s impossible to get it out. Fortunately, the games autosaves at regular intervals to prevent this. Graphics and sound are decent. The game’s not the best looking for the size it takes on my hard drive, but the atmosphere it creates is good enough. There are no subtitles, so even if the character's voice is pleasant and occasionally comments on the situation, most of it is missed.