Infernium

Infernium is a first-person graphic adventure and survival horror game set in a nightmarish, puzzle-filled world inspired by Dante’s Inferno. Players navigate through nine interconnected circles of hell, solving cryptic puzzles and enduring psychological dread as they uncover the dark secrets of this hauntingly beautiful yet punishing environment. The game blends eerie atmosphere, minimal guidance, and old-school survival mechanics to create an immersive, if often frustrating, experience that rewards perseverance with a deeply unsettling journey.

Infernium: A Descent into the Labyrinth of Hell

Introduction

Infernium is a game that defies easy categorization. It is a survival horror experience, a puzzle adventure, and a first-person exploration game all rolled into one. Released in 2018 by Carlos Coronado and his team at Undergames SL, Infernium presents a unique vision of hell that is as beautiful as it is terrifying. The game draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including Dark Souls, Pac-Man, Myst, and Portal, creating a blend of gameplay mechanics that is both familiar and innovative. This review will delve deep into the game’s development history, narrative and thematic elements, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and its reception and legacy.

Development History & Context

Infernium was developed by Carlos Coronado, who also created the critically acclaimed MIND: Path to Thalamus. The game was built using the Unreal Engine 4, which allowed for the creation of stunning visuals and intricate level designs. The development team was relatively small, with 36 people credited, including developers, testers, and localization consultants.

The game was released on April 3, 2018, for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. The development process was marked by a strong focus on accessibility and modding support, with Coronado emphasizing the importance of making the game moddable and configurable for a wide range of players.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Infernium is set in a surreal and interconnected version of hell, where the player takes on the role of an unnamed wanderer. The narrative is delivered through environmental storytelling, with snippets of text and imagery scattered throughout the world. The game’s lore revolves around five friends who discovered a way to enter Infernium while scuba diving. The story is told from the perspective of one of these friends, with the player uncovering the personal interactions and experiences of the group.

The game’s themes are deeply rooted in the concept of hell as a place of eternal punishment and suffering. However, Infernium subverts this traditional depiction by presenting hell as a beautiful and vast landscape, filled with intricate puzzles and challenging enemies. The game explores themes of isolation, perseverance, and the human desire to escape from suffering.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Infernium is a first-person adventure game with a strong emphasis on puzzle-solving and survival horror elements. The player’s primary abilities include harvesting light orbs and teleporting to specific locations. The game features a variety of enemies, including ghostly figures that relentlessly pursue the player, reminiscent of the ghosts in Pac-Man.

The gameplay mechanics are designed to be challenging and punishing. The player has a limited number of lives, and each death sends the player back to a regeneration hub. The game encourages experimentation and exploration, with the player needing to figure out the game’s internal logic and puzzle solutions through trial and error.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Infernium presents a unique and visually stunning version of hell. The game’s environments are vast and varied, ranging from towering castles to icy snowfields and subterranean waterfalls. The art direction is a high point of the game, with the Unreal Engine 4 allowing for the creation of detailed and immersive landscapes.

The sound design in Infernium is equally impressive, with a soothing soundscape that lulls the player into a false sense of security before shattering it with sudden, violent stings and frenzied violins. The game’s audio design plays a crucial role in creating a sense of tension and dread, enhancing the overall horror experience.

Reception & Legacy

Infernium received mixed reviews from critics, with a Metacritic score of 67. The game was praised for its unique vision, stunning visuals, and challenging gameplay, but criticized for its punishing difficulty and lack of direction. The game’s reception was polarized, with some players finding it deeply rewarding and others finding it frustrating and obtuse.

Despite its mixed reception, Infernium has developed a cult following among fans of survival horror and puzzle adventure games. The game’s unique blend of mechanics and its stunning visuals have made it a memorable experience for those who have played it.

Conclusion

Infernium is a game that is not for everyone. It is challenging, punishing, and often frustrating, but it is also deeply rewarding for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to uncover its secrets. The game’s unique vision of hell, its stunning visuals, and its innovative gameplay mechanics make it a standout experience in the survival horror genre. While it may not be a classic, Infernium is a game that will be remembered for its boldness and its willingness to take risks.