Xbox 360
Siren: Blood Curse is a third person survival horror game which made its first appearance on the Playstation Network. It’s now released on disc to pick up those with no internet access. The game itself is an Americanised remake of a Playstation 2 title (Siren) and if that raises concerns then read on. Unfortunately although tension is often well measured there are points where controls, speed, image and characters cause sheer frustration and so it would be best to “step away from the console” in order to calm down and appreciate the game. More Siren: Blood Cursing than Blood Curse.
The story revolves around an American television team and American student who have gone to investigate a “missing” village only to stumble on ritual sacrifice. Given the initial video footage you wonder how the camera crew got their jobs but grainy camera work is something that is at the heart of the game. Dialogue and story are also lacking leading to lines where after seeing the ritual sacrifice the ex-wife asks her husband why he is still wearing the glasses she bought him but also has the epithet of killing off the black character in the first reel. Various pick ups fail to explain much more about what is going on and the characters seem to have an unerring ability to split themselves up between chapters with no explanation of why.
Main opponents are Shibito a type of talking zombie that can not be killed, except when you can! Much like any repetitive opponent once you‘ve fought one Shibito you fought them all. The game does the utmost to make the situations different enough to make each one a different challenge but it’s mainly Shibito you’ll meet. Environments are grainy as previously mentioned and you’ll spend a large period of the game moving around in the dark straining at the screen trying to make out what you are searching for and possibly when your next opticians appointment is. This is a great tension builder, not the opticians’ appointment, but would be helped by a better control system. Characters move a little too fast which assists with the feeling of panic but is one of the reasons for frustration as you attempt the same manoeuvre for the seventh or eighth repeat.
The game allows you to play several different characters with slightly differing abilities and goals and this adds variety to the play. Some of these characters can see through the eyes of the Shibito which shows the resolution to some problems. There are some non player characters as well but they have the habit of wandering to the next location before you’ve seen where they’ve gone. Although they don’t put themselves in danger it can sometimes take some time to find them, especially with the lights off.
Which all seems to be shooting down what at its basis is a good game. When the tension is realised it’s great. When you get the better of some of the Shibito you really get a sense of achievement and with the variety of characters you are never bored. Siren: Blood Curse isn’t everyone’s type of survival horror but to advise people to download the demo to get a feel would be defeating the reason for a disc release.
