Welcome, Last Update: June
06, 2007
Genre: Survival Horror Publisher: Gamecock Developer: Renegade Kid
The Ds gets Scary
By Starbuck
It’s not that I’m a morbid person it’s just that I get tired of the shiny happy world of Mario and Zelda so when I heard about Dementium: The Ward I got all excited. Back in the days of the first Resident Evil on the PS1 I was taken in by the survival horror genre and when I read this game was Doom meets Silent Hill I made my mind up to get a DS lite from Dscity all I can say is I haven’t been disappointed.
Story
The game setting is a derelict hospital frozen in time. You play a man who has just awoken in this hell hole. The protagonists of the game are the walking failed experiments that have taken place in this dark damp place. Your job is to find out what has happened to you and how to get out.
Game play
The game plays as a first person shooter with a few puzzles thrown in the mix to spice things up a bit. The Stylus feels well developed on this game it takes on the roll of a mouse allowing you to look around and aim. The puzzles seem a little straight forward and nothing new when you’re used to these types of games. I would say the game play is a solid experience nicely flowing from one terrifying moment to the next.
Graphics
The Graphics themselves are good even though they are a little blocky at times but that adds to the atmosphere of the game. The scenery can get a bit repetitive after a while but then again you wouldn’t go into a hospital and expect every room to look completely different. The style of the graphics are akin to Hellraiser, very dirty and bleak. The games atmospherics are very haunting with the room style very much in league with Silent Hill and the stained blood soaked walls look like your typical NHS hospital. The blocky look is noticeable in your enemies but for a 3D experience on the DS it’s very well done.
Sound
The sound effects on this game are very well done indeed and when played using earphones you will have to look over your shoulder just in case a knife wielding maniac is stood behind you. The music is very haunting and very well composed making an all round immersive game.
Conclusion
There are those out there that have said Dementium really doesn’t go with the DS and its family type of gaming and they’re right but innovation and risk is what keeps pushing the gaming industry forward and stops it from becoming stagnant. With solid smooth game play, good looking graphics and a sound score to make even the butchest man hide behind the couch Dementium: The ward is a must buy for all mature DS owners as it really isn’t meant for the kiddies. Id give Dementium 5/5 and let’s hope this marks a change in genre for the DS.
More coming from Starbuck Soon....
