Survival horror game Conscript is a nightmare worthy of World War I

As a gamer with a deep appreciation for historical accuracy and immersive storytelling, I find Conscript, the latest game from solo developer Jordan Mochi, to be an absolutely captivating and poignant experience. Having grown up playing classic survival horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, I was immediately drawn in by Conscript‘s promise of a World War I-themed horror game that shuns supernatural or sci-fi tropes in favor of an unflinching portrayal of the horrors of trench warfare.

Americans generally don’t remember the first World War as vividly as they do World War II. The explanation for this is complex and understandable. While World War II had a clear enemy in the Axis Powers, headed by Nazi Germany, the first World War can be seen as an intricate web of trade agreements that plunged into the depths of military violence following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and the chain reaction of events that followed.

From my perspective as a history enthusiast, I’ve noticed that World War II is frequently portrayed as a noble conflict in novels, films, TV shows, and history books. It’s described as a struggle for the survival of human civilization itself, pitting democracy against fascism. In contrast, there’s an unmistakable sense of regret when it comes to World War I. No matter how you look at it, wars are inherently sad, and that sentiment is particularly strong when considering the First World War.

As a gamer, I’d describe my experience with “Conscript” as follows: This game, developed single-handedly by Jordan Mochi under the name Catchweight Studio, is a chilling survival horror title that pays homage to the haunting worlds of Resident Evil and Silent Hill. However, unlike these series, “Conscript” refuses to lean on supernatural or sci-fi elements for its scares. Instead, it offers an unadulterated depiction of the gruesome realities of trench warfare – mustard gas attacks, the fear of getting your skull crushed by a trench shovel, and the relentless terror that comes with every step you take in no-man’s land.

During the Battle of Verdun, the longest-lasting conflict in World War I with over 700,000 casualties, players take on the character of André, a French infantryman drafted to fight against the Germans alongside his brother Pierre. Following an enemy assault on their camp, André becomes separated from Pierre. In an attempt to rejoin him and make it back home safely, André braves the perils of an enemy-occupied base. However, as supplies run low and German forces become more aggressive, André is compelled to employ increasingly drastic measures for self-preservation.

During my first few hours of playing Conscript on Steam Deck, I was greatly struck by how ingeniously thought-out the game’s concept is. Mochi’s creation simplifies and refines the survival horror elements found in early Resident Evil and Silent Hill titles, adjusting them to fit this unique project. The player experiences the events from a bird’s eye view, observing their journey as they navigate the intricate, war-ravaged trench fortress labyrinth.

In this intense battlefield, bullets fly overhead and mortar shells detonate on-screen, shattering trench tunnels and injuring hapless infantrymen nearby. Foes wriggle over barbed wire obstacles and advance towards you, attacking with knives, shovels, or gunfire. The battle rhythm is both methodical and chaotic, compelling you to search for precious ammunition and stolen weapons from fallen allies and enemies. Each weapon, whether it’s a shovel, a dagger, a rifle, or a shotgun, demands your left trigger hold, followed by aiming with the left joystick and releasing your aggression with a right trigger press. Ammunition is limited, so every bullet expended matters; melee weapons deteriorate, meaning each strike could potentially leave you open to enemy attacks.

In this game, the way to guide the player toward their objective in the intricate network of trenches and subterranean caves is less direct. Instead, players are encouraged to rely on their instincts as they explore different paths, using their map to help eliminate potential routes that don’t lead to their goal. This method may seem challenging initially, but it adds to the game’s authenticity by requiring players to make crucial decisions under pressure, akin to the experience of trench warfare.

In “Conscript,” monstrous creatures akin to Nemesis from “Resident Evil 2” or Pyramid Head from “Silent Hill 2” are absent. At least, I haven’t come across any during the first few hours of gameplay. Instead, the characters are all human – terrified, freezing, and enraged individuals who long to return to their loved ones just as desperately as André does. Unfortunately, the harsh realities of war and the game itself ensure that many of these people will not get that chance.

After defeating an enemy in the game, I occasionally discover intriguing items among their belongings – photographs of unknown people or unfamiliar houses. I cannot learn the identities of these individuals or the locations depicted. The game provides no insight into the significance of these mementos to the fallen soldiers. Nevertheless, André continues to amass them. I’m unsure why he does so. Maybe it’s a reminder that, despite his actions in battle, he remains human and every life taken, regardless of circumstance, is a deeply personal loss for someone else.

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2024-07-23 16:19