Pneumata review

Introduction

If you’re into scaring yourself silly with games like Resident Evil and Outlast, then Pneumata might tickle your horror-loving bones. Developed by one brave soul, this survival horror recently crawled its way onto PS5, Xbox and PC. But is this indie horror worth your time or should it stay buried?

Gaming Heaven

Pneumata oozes atmosphere. The game gets creepier and weirder as you progress, with eerie environments that feel like they’re straight out of a Lovecraftian fever dream. The enemies? Terrifying. They jump out when you least expect it, and their heavy breathing will make you reconsider playing in the dark. Pneumata’s gameplay is a cocktail of Resident Evil and Outlast, so fans of both will recognise elements borrowed from those two titles.

Gaming Hell

However, Pneumata isn’t without its problems. First off, the visuals. The game is too dark for its own good. The animations are clunky, and let’s just say the voice acting could use a little work (like maybe some sleep or a coffee). The puzzles can be frustratingly obtuse, requiring a miracle to figure out where to go next. And for some reason, some padlocks require bullets, while others demand tools to open them. Where is the consistency?!

Final Judgement

Pneumata has some great atmosphere and spooky moments, but it’s buried under too many flaws. If you’re a die-hard horror fan with the patience of a saint, it’s worth a go. Otherwise, maybe let this one rest in peace.