UEBERNATURAL: The Video Game - Prologue

UEBERNATURAL: The Video Game – Prologue, developed and published by ILIKESCIFI Games, is a small-scale, fan-driven project that leans heavily into its inspirations while trying to carve out its own identity through variety and tone. Centered on two monster-hunting brothers traveling from case to case, the game embraces a mix of humor, supernatural themes, and retro design sensibilities. It’s immediately clear that this is not a big-budget production aiming for technical perfection, but rather a passion project that prioritizes creativity and homage over polish. One of the more noticeable aspects of the game is its willingness to experiment with different gameplay styles. Instead of committing to a single format, it shifts between side-scrolling action, light investigative segments, and occasional arcade-like diversions. This constant change keeps the experience from becoming stagnant, as each section introduces a slightly different pace or focus. The action sequences are straightforward, built around simple controls and reactive combat, while the investigative portions slow things down and encourage players to interact with the environment or follow narrative cues. While this variety is refreshing, it can also make the overall experience feel somewhat fragmented, as the transitions between styles aren’t always seamless. The combat itself is rooted in classic arcade design, favoring accessibility over depth. Encounters are easy to understand and quick to resolve, making the game approachable even for players who aren’t experienced with action titles. However, this simplicity also means that the mechanics don’t evolve much over time, and repetition can set in relatively quickly. The investigative sections add a bit of contrast, offering a more relaxed pace, but they remain fairly basic in execution and don’t delve deeply into puzzle-solving or complex storytelling. Visually, the game adopts a pixel-art style that reinforces its retro identity. The environments and character designs are simple but expressive enough to convey the tone the game is aiming for. There’s a clear sense of personality in how everything is presented, even if the visuals lack detail or refinement. The soundtrack complements this well, drawing on energetic, rock-inspired themes that add momentum to the action and help maintain a consistent atmosphere throughout the experience. As a prologue, the game is intentionally short, functioning more as an introduction to its ideas than a fully developed experience. This brevity works both for and against it. On one hand, it ensures that the game remains focused and doesn’t overextend its mechanics. On the other, it leaves many of its concepts feeling underdeveloped, with little time for systems or narrative elements to grow into something more substantial. It feels less like a complete journey and more like a preview of what a larger project could become. There are also noticeable rough edges that reflect its indie and fan-made origins. Controls can feel slightly imprecise at times, and certain segments lack the polish needed to feel fully satisfying. The mix of gameplay styles, while creative, doesn’t always come together cohesively, and some moments feel more like isolated ideas than parts of a unified whole. These issues don’t overshadow the experience entirely, but they do highlight its limitations. Despite these shortcomings, the game has a certain charm that comes from its enthusiasm. There’s a clear sense that it was created with genuine passion, and that energy carries through in its tone, its humor, and its willingness to try different things. It doesn’t aim to be groundbreaking or technically impressive—instead, it focuses on delivering a fun, approachable experience that pays tribute to the genres and stories it draws from. In the end, UEBERNATURAL: The Video Game – Prologue is best viewed as a small but creative experiment. It offers a mix of ideas that, while not fully refined, are engaging enough to leave a positive impression. For players who enjoy indie projects or are curious about fan-made interpretations of familiar themes, it’s an easy and low-commitment experience worth trying. For those seeking a more polished or content-rich game, it may feel limited, but it still stands as a testament to what can be achieved through passion and creativity. Rating: 7/10