In Pneumata, players assume the role of detective David Hernandez, a man grappling with a traumatic brain injury and the loss of his wife. Seeking solace in his work, Hernandez focuses on investigating the enigmatic Clover Hill complex, nestled deep within the countryside. This small town is haunted by a string of murders within its aging apartment buildings.
Following last year’s release of Alan Wake II, it’s difficult to place Pneumata on the same level. While not a AAA title, and therefore not directly comparable on a technical basis, it’s worth recalling how the developers of Deliver Us effectively leveraged their limitations to create a compelling experience.
Unfortunately, Pneumata does not follow this example. Instead, it presents itself as a buggy, visually underwhelming, and inadequately acted game that aspires to much but achieves little.
To its credit, Pneumata offers a reasonably engaging narrative and incorporates clever mechanics involving found VHS tapes that allow players to manipulate the game world. The title also establishes a consistently intriguing atmosphere, enhanced by its mystery and musical score.
Regrettably, the positives largely end there, with the remainder of the experience highlighting the game’s unfinished state. This becomes apparent early on, particularly during the initial enemy encounters. The fact that enemies can withstand multiple headshots from a pistol is compounded by their questionable AI. For example, witnessing an enemy remain stationary after the player ascends a ladder immediately shatters any sense of immersion. Moreover, simple navigation is often impeded by illogical obstacles, such as a cardboard box blocking passage. The inability to jump over even minor obstructions further contributes to Pneumata’s intensely linear and ultimately uninspired design.
The environments are reasonably well-rendered, but the character models appear simplistic, as do their animations. The voice acting is often subpar, resulting in cringeworthy moments.
Furthermore, the game occasionally demonstrates a lack of attention to detail. The example of using a pipe wrench to cut a padlock raises questions about the developers’ research.
In conclusion, Pneumata aspires to emulate Alan Wake but lacks the necessary resources to achieve this ambition. Instead of acknowledging and working within its limitations, the developers proceeded regardless, resulting in a dated and substandard experience, as reflected in the final score.
Perp Games provided a review code for this assessment. Content providers do not influence our editorial process.
