It’s often said that we know more about the dark side of the moon then we do the crushing depths of our own oceans. In the pitch blackness of the far deep lie new creatures, unexplored phenomenon and the makings of an engrossing horror experience. In Narcosis, by developer Honor Code, players take on the role of a diver employed to help uncover these mysteries in a fully functioning deep-sea lab. However, when an undersea earthquake destroys the facility and kills off most of the crew it’s up to you to survive at the bottom of the sea, with no hope of rescue. With events beginning to spiral out of control it begins to become difficult to distinguish reality from your own oxygen deprived hallucinations. Narcosis is an engaging experience that balances the cold beauty of the ocean floor with claustrophobic horror.

Trapped in what the main character calls a “walking coffin” you don’t have the range of motion you might expect in other horror titles. Instead movement is ploddingly slow; although, amusingly, turning is very fast. Each footstep is measured, as befits a half ton suit. While a slight levitating boost ability is available it runs out of power quickly and takes a good amount of time to recharge. With your helmet blocking the corners of your vision you’re able to check your vital signs by looking at the bottom of the screen at a mounted display. The player is also equipped with a basic knife to fend off sea creatures and a flare gun to illuminate areas, sometimes proving incredibly necessary to find your way to the next area. The arm mounted flare cannon is incredibly versatile; acting not just as a source of illumination, but also as a distractor for many hostile creatures. Despite being in what is essentially a suit of armor the player is still incredibly vulnerable. Not only do they need to conserve a dwindling supply of oxygen and flares, but they must also contend with more active threats.

As science has shown, fish resent humans. Nowhere is this more clear than in Narcosis. Be it cuttlefish, giant anglers or horrifying spider crabs, almost everything wants to kill you. And they do it darn well too. Combatting creatures and seeing… “things” … causes your heartrate to increase and consume O2 at an accelerated pace. With your suit damaged from the initial disaster numerous threats can puncture your faceplate and kill you through rapid decompression. While you carry a knife that can kill, or at least fend off most foes, it’s a laborious process. Sneaking around, the fair of so many horror games, is usually the safer bet. Yet worse than the occasional angry squid are some of the more unsettling sights in Narcosis.

Oxygen deficiency has been linked to several health issues including, but not limited, to depression and paranoia. In Narcosis this takes the form of strange altered landscapes, spooooky ghosts and other, stranger things. Narcosis follows all the tropes, i.e. the occasional jump scares and “there’s a monster right behind me isn’t there? I’m not turning around,” but manages to inject several clever twists. A Silent Hills P.T.esque repeating hallway, rooms that flip to the side and require you to platform on unmoved desks and chairs, and the damn clicking sound the crabs make are all highlights. While I was never afraid while playing Narcosis, I was certainly tense. With limited vision and movement obscured both by water and your suit Honor Code Games have infused their first title with a distinct feeling altogether different from its oft compared counterpart S.O.M.A. For one the enemies you face are not horrendous monsters, but instead real animals (albeit with some gameplay liberties). The story too, while condensed, tackles an altogether different, more grounded, theme.

Narcosis tells a narrative of survivor’s quilt. Gameplay is interspersed with dialogue from a radio interview, with the main character promoting his new book about his experiences. This narrative ploy is wholly unique and captivating. Rarely do horror games tell you who lives and who dies from the onset. Still there’s a big twist that I’ll not spoil here, that completely shakes up the narrative and left me shocked by the conclusion. However, this does not take away from the fact that Narcosis is a very short game. I was able to complete it within two hours. At $20 this puts it at a higher cost to most movie theater trips of a similar time investment. While there are collectibles hidden around the well sculpted world, the main draw is the tight and well narrated story. A narrative that is sometimes bogged down by minor gameplay frustrations.

Narcosis’ environments are surprisingly beautiful for the bottom of the sea. Sadly, many of the bumpy protrusions and outcroppings serve to hinder your progress. More than once I was caught on obstacles that, since you’re unable to see down thanks to your suit, took a long while to extradite myself from. A particularly aggravating platforming section took numerous attempts to complete after I fell off the narrow awnings several times. Still Narcosis is not a particularly difficult game. Minus sometimes awkward controls I rarely felt in real danger. This might turn off players expecting a more challenging experience. As it is, the game shares more in common with walking simulators than survival horror experiences. This is not necessarily a critique but instead a symptom of the desire to craft a stronger story.

I enjoyed my time with Narcosis. The oft times beautiful and terrifying depths are melded with a fantastic single player story. The unique narrative and clever gameplay ideas meld together to create a strong first title by Honor Code Games. While the short gameplay length and sometimes awkward controls hamper some of these moments overall the title is well worth you sinking some time into.

8.5 out of 10

Check Out the Narcosis Gameplay Trailer:

Narcosis is available for PC and Mac via Steam for $19.99.