Venatrix

It's like playing an Xbox 360 game. Its bad but that's what makes it good.

shamefully bad, with a drunk camera, a stuttering response to environmental interactions, and a mundane story

No, look at these "MONSTERS"! Are they going to be scary tonight or not? As an experienced horror player, I can safely say that these are some of the SOLFEST SWEETEst monsters I've seen haha The only thing I like to do with them is exercise with melee attacks using a crowbar.

The game is interesting, at the beginning you have a choice of two characters, either go through as an action movie and kill monsters with your favorite weapon, or slip past them and hide. Depending on the choice of the character and the characteristics of the game, it will be possible to play from the first or third person. Yes, the graphics leave much to be desired, but the plot and the actions taking place in the game are the best substitute.

This game brings me flashbacks of Amnesia: The Bunker. Kinda scary though

[h1]ラヴクラフトを支離滅裂の言い訳に使うな[/h1] 廉価ホラゲとしてはまあまあ水準の高い方に入るかと思います。フルプライスのものほどのクオリティをもとから期待しなければそれなりに楽しめるでしょう。 バグらしいものにもあまり遭遇せず、途中で投げ出すほどの理不尽ポイントもなく、クリアまで遊べました。セールで購入したぶんお得感があります。 とは言え文句をつけたくなった部分も多々あります。 ・文字がデカすぎる上に改行も文章区切りもガン無視した、ブツ切りで読む気が失せる字幕 ・全員他人の言ってる事を否定するので状況を掴む助けにならない登場人物達 ・背景が全く察せられない戯言だらけのドキュメント ・目の前の光景が夢なのか現実なのか狂気の見せている幻なのか、常に判然としない世界観 ・誰の視点で喋ってるかわからないモノローグ ・翻訳が微妙 というあわせ技でストーリーが全然理解できません。 ラヴクラフトって言っとけば適当に滅茶苦茶な事言ってるだけのシナリオでも許される、みたいな免罪符に使われてる感があります。 各ステージの冒頭で三人称視点で武器攻撃でステージを突破するマシューと、一人称視点でステルスしかできないデラを選択してどちらで攻略してもいいというシステムですが、ガンアクションむきのステージのほうが多いのでデラはかなりキツそうです（私は数回試しただけでほとんど使ってません） 銃のかわりにランタンをつけたり消したりできるんですが、それで何がどう変わるのが体感で全然わかりませんし、回避ポイントもないので発見されたら殴られて死ぬしかありません。 ステージによっては敵がでなくなるのでデラのほうが楽な場合もありますが、マシューで全員射殺したほうがゲームとしては面白いです。敵の攻撃を一発くらったらのけぞり中の追撃でハメ殺されるのでそっちもたいがいクソゲーですが。 パズル要素は基本的にオマケです。ちょっとめんどくさいだけであんまり頭を使う事もありません。

game does not run well at all pausing doesnt stop the cutscene, the subtitles are a different mind from the script and the skip button does not skip

Venatrix is a horror adventure developed and published by Playstige Interactive that seeks to combine psychological terror, supernatural mystery, and two dramatically different gameplay styles into a single experience. Set within a haunting Victorian-inspired world filled with unsettling visions and sinister creatures, the game follows a narrative that explores fear, trauma, and the fragile boundary between reality and nightmare. Rather than presenting a straightforward horror journey, Venatrix distinguishes itself through its dual-protagonist design, offering players two unique perspectives that reshape both the story and the gameplay. The narrative centers on Matthew Kolth, a paranormal investigator searching for answers within the ominous Hartford Mansion, and Della Hartfort, a young woman tormented by disturbing visions and supernatural forces. As their paths intersect, players uncover secrets connected to strange dimensions, demonic entities, and psychological horrors. The story gradually reveals layers of mystery that encourage exploration and attention to detail. While the plot occasionally embraces familiar horror themes, it succeeds in creating intrigue through its shifting realities and character-driven perspective. The game's atmosphere often feels more focused on tension and unease than on shock value, making the unfolding mystery one of its strongest elements. One of Venatrix's most notable features is the choice between two protagonists, each delivering a completely different gameplay experience. Matthew's campaign emphasizes action-oriented survival horror. Players confront monsters directly, explore dangerous environments, solve puzzles, and engage in combat against a variety of supernatural enemies. His route appeals to players who enjoy fighting back against the horrors they encounter while still experiencing a dark and suspenseful atmosphere. Della's route takes a very different approach. Instead of combat, her sections revolve around stealth, evasion, and survival. Players must hide from threats, carefully navigate dangerous areas, and rely on observation rather than firepower. This design creates a greater sense of vulnerability and fear, making encounters feel far more intense. The contrast between the two campaigns gives the game considerable replay value, as each character offers a fresh interpretation of both the world and the story. The environments play a major role in establishing the game's identity. Hartford Mansion serves as the central location, but players also venture through distorted dreamscapes, abandoned institutions, and surreal dimensions that reflect the psychological themes of the narrative. The developers place significant emphasis on atmosphere, using darkness, environmental storytelling, and unsettling architecture to maintain a constant sense of discomfort. Exploration is rewarding because every location hides clues, secrets, or dangers that contribute to the overall mystery. Puzzle-solving is another important component of the experience. While the puzzles are not especially groundbreaking, they are integrated effectively into the story and environment. They provide welcome variety between exploration and encounters, encouraging players to examine their surroundings carefully. These segments help reinforce the investigative nature of the game and prevent the pacing from becoming repetitive. The creature design is particularly effective at supporting the horror themes. The game features a diverse collection of monsters that draw inspiration from nightmares, alternate realities, and psychological fears. Their appearances are often disturbing and memorable, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere. Whether players choose to confront these threats as Matthew or avoid them as Della, the enemy variety helps keep the experience engaging throughout the adventure. Visually, Venatrix demonstrates considerable ambition for an independent horror title. The environments are richly detailed, and the lighting effects frequently enhance the oppressive mood. Certain locations are genuinely striking in their presentation, especially when the game leans into its surreal and supernatural elements. The soundtrack and sound design also deserve recognition, as they consistently reinforce feelings of dread and uncertainty. Subtle audio cues, eerie ambient sounds, and dramatic musical moments work together to elevate the tension during exploration and encounters. Despite its strengths, the game is not without shortcomings. Some gameplay systems lack the refinement found in larger-budget horror productions. Combat mechanics can occasionally feel uneven, and certain animations or interactions reveal the limitations of the project's scale. The stealth mechanics, while effective in creating tension, may sometimes frustrate players who expect a more polished experience. These issues do not ruin the game, but they can occasionally disrupt immersion. Ultimately, Venatrix succeeds because of its willingness to experiment. The dual-character structure, the combination of action and stealth horror, and the focus on psychological storytelling give it a distinctive identity within the genre. While technical imperfections and occasional rough edges prevent it from reaching the highest tier of horror games, its atmosphere, replay value, and creative design choices make it a worthwhile experience for fans of supernatural and psychological horror adventures. Rating: 7/10

story is full of psychological horror cliches so it wasnt for me but if stick with the game especially after chapter 6, you can play some of trippiest really exotic spooky levels. Also 10/10 for Matthew's voice acting (yeah)

Venatrix, released in 2023 by Playstige Interactive, is a Lovecraftian horror game with a dual protagonist setup, available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. Set in the Victorian era, players choose between Matthew Kolth, a paranormal investigator who fights monsters in third person action/horror style, or Della Hartford, who navigates first person stealth/horror to avoid the same creatures. The game unfolds in the haunted Hartford Mansion and Carcosa Asylum, blending dreamlike sequences with psychological horror. The graphics are below average, with environments aiming for detail but hampered by blurry textures, overly shiny surfaces, and poor optimization. Reviews note visual glitches and blurriness that strain the eyes, alongside atrocious framerates on consoles like the Switch. The story is weak, with a promising premise of intertwining perspectives undermined by terrible voice acting described as echoing and poorly recorded and a disjointed narrative that fails to leverage its Lovecraftian roots. Gameplay is poor, with Matthew’s gunplay limited by short range and clunky mechanics, while Della’s stealth feels mindless and unrewarding, plagued by bugs like sensitivity resets or unresponsive controls. The 57 hour experience has potential but is dragged down by these flaws, earning an 82% positive rating on Steam from 29 reviews, though critics highlight its technical issues. To avoid Steam’s monopoly, buy from legitimate digital stores and activate CD keys on Steam, ensuring Steam earns no direct revenue. Use gg.deals to compare prices and verify retailers. Venatrix disappoints with its subpar graphics, weak story, and poor gameplay, but here’s hoping Playstige Interactive refines their craft for their next title.