SIGNALIS

It's a challenge to merge old genres with new in a way that'll scratch that familiar itch and still feel relevant. Signalis perfectly captures the feel of the classic Resident Evil games while having its own flair and purpose. The moment players start in the abandoned vessel and begin exploring and gathering information, they'll discover remnants of something oppressive and cruel, and that sense of mystery only increases with every note, enemy, and area you encounter. While the game excels with shooting and combat, Signalis really makes its mark through its puzzles. Unique and clever, every puzzle creates a perfect balance between challenging and accessible – making players think meaningfully to continue onward. But the game rarely holds your hand or easily forks over the answers to in-game puzzles or riddles. It can be mildly frustrating getting stuck on a particular head-scratcher, but it gives you everything you need to overcome any potential obstacles.

Keep in mind that this is "old-school" when it comes to the unique visual style and how it handles itself, which might be off-putting for players that don't like survival horror. You only have six inventory slots throughout the entire game. While there are storage boxes available in every "save room" to put away things you don't immediately need, it's easy to come upon relevant objects you won't be able to get with a full inventory. That means trekking back to the nearest storage box to micromanage your belongings, which is a pain. The combat system also takes getting used to because engaging in every fight wastes sparse resources, leaving you vulnerable for later battles. The unraveling of the main story as players progress, equal parts engaging and terrifying, more than makes up for the minor flaws. Just when one question is answered, three more are asked, and the game sticks the landing during its conclusion. If you want a trip down memory lane that's fresh and innovative, Signalis is a game you won't want to miss.