Survival horror fans are eating well with indie titles like Crow Country coming out earlier this year, and now CONSCRIPT. This passion project pays homage to titles like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, set against the haunting backdrop of World War I during the Battle of Verdun. It features all the genre’s hallmarks: limited resources, inventory management, recursive unlocking, puzzles, and yes, plenty of backtracking.

The horror in CONSCRIPT is psychological and atmospheric, with limited jump scares. The narrative makes you sympathize with the protagonist and the other soldiers who have been conscripted and forced to fight. Combat can feel clunky, especially the aiming, with a cursor that shakes violently at times, reflecting the protagonist’s mental state. The giant rats are particularly hard to hit and often more dangerous than the German soldiers.

A hallmark of good survival horror is its map design, and CONSCRIPT excels here. Each major area is well-crafted with interlocking routes, making exploration feel rewarding. Thorough players will find plenty of items scattered throughout the environment, leading to an abundance of ammo and healing items by the end of the game.

The environments are horrifically detailed, with some late-game areas feeling like they’re straight out of Silent Hill. However, outdoor areas can sometimes look busy, making it hard to tell which objects you can pass through. Environmental puzzles make sense for the setting and are never too complicated, though some areas require tedious backtracking to find necessary items.

The music and sound design are effective, with the heavy breathing of gas-masked soldiers adding to the tension. Limited vision when lacking a torch or wearing a gas mask also contributes to the unsettling ambience.

Despite minor issues, I highly recommend CONSCRIPT for its classic survival horror gameplay and haunting atmosphere. The passion behind its creation is palpable, and supporting this title will surely encourage more great work from the developer.