Those Who Remain | PC Review
I was hungry for a good, narratively driven horror game and Camel 101’s Those Who Remain answered my call. This is an extremely atmospheric title that immerses you in its world, and refuses to let you go until you reach one of its endings. It’s not without its flaws, though. There are several mechanics and issues that may turn off avid horror aficionados.
Beware the Mystery Realm
Those Who Remain puts you in the shoes of Edward, a man who has lost his daughter and is cheating on his wife. When he drives to a hotel to break things off with his mistress, though, the world transforms and he finds himself somehow tied to a young teenager’s death. Creepy figures with glowing eyes lurk in the darkness and force you to stay in the light to stay safe. Getting too close to them triggers paranoia in Edward, and can even result in a one-hit kill. The ambience is wonderful and causes more fear than most of the enemies do. The locations are suitably unsettling and most objects can be interacted with. Jump scares are scarce, but are effective when they are used.
A Mixed Bag
I adored the story and it compelled me to see what would unfold next. The act of having to forgive or condemn certain characters due to their actions was a treat and provoked deep thought. Your actions and decisions affect the story and determine which of the game’s three endings you’ll receive.
There are definitely flaws, though. A personal grievance was the fact that Those Who Remain triggered severe motion sickness for me. I wasn’t comfortable while playing, and could only stand to play for small chunks of time. This won’t be an issue for most players, but it’s something to keep in mind.
The controls are extremely clunky and take a while to become accustomed to, and the stealth sections really drag the game down. You can’t crouch or sneak, so you’re forced to just hide behind walls or objects and hope you aren’t spotted. I did have a few instances where the enemy that I was hiding from seemed to spot me through a solid wall and rushed me, forcing me back to a checkpoint. Checkpoints are spotty and scarce, so this led to some frustration with having to replay some sections over and over.
Final Verdict
Those Who Remain has an interesting, strong story that puts your moral compass to the test and a tense, thrilling ambience. The controls, checkpoint system, and the motion sickness it caused held it back for me. It’s a solid horror title but has its share of flaws.
This review is based on a Steam copy of Those Who Remain provided by ONE PR Studio for coverage purposes. It is also available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Mac with a Nintendo Switch version coming this summer.
Those Who Remain
$19.99
Pros
- Excellently Crafted Story
- Unnerving Atmosphere and Locations
- Interesting Moral Choices
Cons
- Triggered Motion Sickness
- Clunky Controls
- Scarce Checkpoints
- Poor Stealth Segments