THROUGH THE WOODS Review for PlayStation 4

Through the Woods is a third-person horror game developed by Antagonist and published by 1C Company. Through the Woods caters exclusively to players who prefer single-player games, as its sole mode constitutes a linear, single-player experience that delivers a powerful, sobering tale aiming to show the depths of maternal devotion. As Through the Woods does not incorporate fighting, crafting, or any other form of action other than running through the game’s version of the country of Norway, it will be best received by players who can fully immerse themselves in the game’s plot.

Players receive their views of the in-game world filtered through the perspective of a mother named Karen, who features prominently throughout Through the Woods as the game’s protagonist. The game begins with Karen recounting the event that induces her to traverse through the woods. In the opening scene, players are introduced to Karen and her young son Espen. Much of the subtlety of the situation can be missed, as certain information that augments the storyline and reveals how estranged Karen and Espen are from each other is divulged to players solely if they explore places like Espen’s treehouse and Karen’s house. When Espen is kidnapped by a man named Old Erik at the pier, Through the Woods commences in earnest.

Karen goes on to attempt to rescue her child, which comprises the remainder of the game’s overarching storyline. While this setup may seem typical and even cliché for a horror and adventure game, Through the Woods manages to retain a level of uniqueness. What allows for Through the Woods to differentiate itself from the multiplicity of other games in the horror genre is the fact that it incorporates Norse mythology and Norwegian folk tales to propel its story toward its conclusion.

Players travel through woods filled with Viking villages and littered with dead bodies to find Espen. They stumble across giants, trolls, witches, Huldra, draugr, and other characters from Norse myths and engage in sometimes thrilling chase scenes. They need to crouch, manipulate light, run, and interact with the environment. However, the most poignant moments of the game occur when players find old letters scattered throughout the in-game world that allow them to peel away at the mystery that is central to the game and to help them uncover the truth about the man who abducted Espen.

The woods itself is deep and rich yet dark and empty. The game’s developers successfully tap into primal fear evoked by being alone in an open yet disturbingly solitary environment in their depiction of the Norwegian woods that give the game its name. Through the Woods captures the hopelessness and desperation that Karen feels and amplifies these emotions through its portrayal of the landscape itself. The game does not rely on using jump-scares to produce feelings of horror in players, instead allowing the unnerving openness of the forest to create an aura of uneasiness and keep players guessing at every turn.

While the game masterfully implements its storyline, some aspects are lacking. For players determined to hustle their way through the game without exploring the nooks and crannies of the world, the whole experience can last as little as three hours. The graphics are not up to par for current-generation games, and this is most evident in the design of the character’s faces. Additionally, frame rate problems occur semi-frequently and the voice syncing can feel off at times.

How much players can immerse themselves in Through the Woods’s plot will play a central role in determining how they will perceive Through the Woods as a game. What gives the game a distinct identity is the fact that it adeptly incorporates Norse mythology into its fundamental gameplay. It manages to retain tastefulness in its elicitations of horror and encapsulates raw emotion in the figure of Karen and in the woods themselves. Despite outdated graphics and occasional frame rate and voice syncing problems, Through the Woods is a game worthy of a recommendation.

Rating: 7.5/10

Take a Look at the Through the Woods Console Launch Trailer:

Through the Woods is available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam and other digital platforms.

Jori Grossman

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I'm a recent graduate of Columbia University. Gaming has been a passion of mine my entire life; I enjoy everything from RPGs and FPSs to stealth and narrative-driven games. I love the deeply immersive quality that good video games inherently possess, and am looking forward to highlighting games worthy of acclaim. When I'm not studying or reading, you can catch me playing games like Uncharted, Dishonored, The Witcher 3, and Far Cry.

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