Luca awakens in a dimly lit, unsettling room, his hands stained with blood. He finds himself captive to the demon MADiSON and must endure a series of trials to complete a ritual initiated long ago. Armed solely with a polaroid camera, players navigate a terrifying house where danger lurks around every corner.
MADiSON immediately captivates with its detailed graphics and stylized environments, creating a palpable horror atmosphere. The sound design is effective, and the ambient knocks and scrapes emanating from the doors and walls readily immerse the player in the protagonist Luca’s terrifying experience.
The initial puzzle is encountered early on. Its relative simplicity stems from the limited interactive elements within the room. However, the solution’s logic feels somewhat unconventional. I won’t spoil the solution, but its reasoning seemed rather obscure.
Following a tense escape sequence, the next puzzle introduces the use of the polaroid camera. This is where MADiSON begins to present challenges, as the game lacks any preliminary guidance on effectively utilizing the camera. Absent any tutorial or in-game hints, progress relies on repeated experimentation until the correct approach is discovered.
This lack of initial instruction detracts from the overall enjoyment, potentially diminishing player engagement. A more gradual introduction to the camera’s mechanics would significantly improve the experience. A clearer understanding of the intended use would facilitate a smoother transition into the more challenging puzzles that follow.
In conclusion, MADiSON is a visually impressive and genuinely frightening horror game that excels in creating a tense atmosphere. However, the sometimes illogical and frustrating nature of the puzzles detracts from the overall experience. While the game possesses strong qualities, the puzzle design prevents a full recommendation.
Koch Media provided a review code for this evaluation. Content providers do not influence editorial decisions or scoring.
