(Review) Apsulov: End of Gods

I’ll start this review by stating right off the bat that I’m not the biggest fan of horror games, so going into Apsulov, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The game is described as being a sci fi Viking horror game, and being a fan of both sci fi and Norse mythology, and because of that description alone, I couldn’t resist buying it.

The End of the Gods…

At its core, Apsulov is a narrative based horror game that follows a young woman lost in an underground science facility designed to research and exploit various artifacts related to Nordic mythology. Apsulov treats Norse mythology as a reality, with all the nine worlds connected to each other and being watched by the gods.

The environments in Apsulov are as stunning as they are sinister, and that's all thanks to the game's incredible lighting and attention to detail...

From the very beginning of the game you are not safe. Your character wakes up confused and with no recollection of where she is and how she got there. The science facility has been overrun by horrific creatures seemingly lead by an unknown entity known as “the spirit”. You must navigate through this facility, avoiding the spirit and its monsters and undo the chaos it has created.

There are very few areas that are safe in Apsulov, and the game does well at keeping you on edge. The atmosphere in Apsulov is one of the best I have ever seen in a horror game. Both its visual and sound design are top notch, and they both work together to create a constant level of tension that’s present from start to finish.

The atmosphere in Apsulov is some of the best I have seen in a horror game. You are always kept on your toes...

Speaking of sound design, you will often hear movement in the distance or the occasional sounds that don’t sit quite right, and it can be hard to tell if these sounds are being created by something that’s about to pose an immediate threat to you. This is made even harder when you’re scurrying in the dark not knowing what’s around the corner. This is what makes Apsulov so terrifying to play.

Destroy or be Destroyed…

As well as navigating through the torn up science facility, you are also able to explore some of the other Norse realms such as Jotenheim and Niflheim. These iconic locations have horrors of their own that you must deal with in order to survive.

As a whole, the level design in Apsulov is really good. Each location you go to is different from the rest, with each realm having its own unique set pieces and challenges. The layouts in the science facility can be a bit confusing at times, and it is easy to get lost, but that never really bothered me too much since I felt that it added to the uncomfortable atmosphere that’s always present in the game.

Sometimes going for a head on approach isn't always the best idea...

As far as the gameplay is concerned, it’s simple but effective. Apsulov is primarily a stealth game. Depending on your difficulty, enemies can kill you in a few hits, so treading quietly is usually the best option. This is further helped by the use of Odin’s Sight, a tool that allows you to see in the dark and view things that are invisible to the naked eye.

However, should you wish to be loud, the game gives you a tool for that as well, in the form of Jangreipr. This tool allows you to defeat enemies should a situation get heated. However, due to it’s limited usage, you can’t exactly go in guns blazing. Eventually, enemies would overwhelm you.

The only major thing that lets the gameplay down is the AI. It isn’t completely bad, but it can be easy to abuse. There were more than a few times where I was able to get off easy. The AI will sometimes give up following you if you are out of their “zone”. If you run fast enough, you might be able to avoid some enemies altogether. It’s no surprise that this can take away from the atmosphere.

Final Thoughts:

In short, I highly recommend Apsulov to anyone who’s looking for a genuinely good horror game with a good story. The atmosphere is some of the best I’ve seen in a horror game, and although there are shortcomings with the AI, it’s still a really good experience.

Pros:

-Unique Setting

-Incredible Atmosphere

-Interesting & Detailed Environments

-Really Good Sound Design

-Good Storytelling

-Genuinely Terrifying to Play

Cons:

-AI is sometimes easy to abuse

Final Rating:

9/10.