Description
Overblood takes place at Lystra Laboratories' hidden research center where a team of scientists have been conducting controversial genetic experiments. The game begins when a system malfunction releases the player character, Raz Karcy (Lars in European releases), from a cryogenic container. Cold and confused, he awakens with no memory. Concerns about his identity are soon replaced by an urgent need to escape, as he reveals the scientists' fateful plan and his role in it.

-Overblood is a science fiction video game developed by Riverhillsoft and published by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation. It is considered one of the first survival horror games to make use of a fully three-dimensional virtual environment, second only to Riverhillsoft's own Doctor Hauzer, a fully 3D survival horror game released for the 3DO in 1994.

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Are you ready for a game that will really put you on the edge of your seat? A game that will test you wits and your calm? A game that will make you brave against fears that you didn't think you could have?

Well, with the Overblood series... it's not about how long it takes to beat the game, or even what you do to beat the game... but when you do what you need to do. Survival is the key, common sense is your map, and intelligence is your guide... without all three, you will surely die.


Graphics- 6/10
With the coming of the 3D viewing aspect in games, the Overblood series often provided a major breakthrough for this new "point-of-view". With controls and layouts similar to the "Resident Evil" video game series(also for the PSX/Playstation/PS1), you had a full view of your character as well as a limited area around you. The graphics for this game were rather plain at first and you wouldn't think much about the game being too exciting, but as you began on your mission to figure out what happened... you uncover horrors and terrors that might begin to stalk you in your dreams. You encounter a darkness that will consume your every thought and might make you even a little paranoid if you continue to play. Being one of the first to start out with a 3D aspect to the game, you cannot honestly expect it to be perfect... but you can be assured that they have made up for the looks of the game, by giving it a terrifying story and even more terrifying game play experience.

Sound- 8/10
Throughout this entire game series, you will encounter minimal music... and with what music they have designed specifically for this type of game, you will often hear a soft but creepy ambiance. Each area of the game will come with its own ambient feeling, leaving you waiting for someone or "something" to pop out and attack you... but full warning, don't wait too long. As the game progresses, the music will actually begin to go completely silent on you... leaving only the sounds of the building itself, whether hearing the sounds of the ventilation system as it blows cool air throughout the whole system, or even the sound of small scrapping noises... something that sounds rather "uncommon" in the real world on a daily basis.

Addictiveness- 7/10
Because this game is generally best played as a "one-time-scare", playing it multiple times may not be as fun as when you played it for the very first time. Unlike with other games, there is no "continue" option for this game and the only way to play it is by having a save point and then trying to reach the end. With constant and sudden effects happening on your screen, you may even jump or feel like you might have a heart attack from all the sudden rush of "strange" things happening. This game is designed to be a "single player" game and is best played when you are completely by yourself... sitting in your room or sitting in a room where it is completely dark... where there are no other noises but the game being heard.

One of the things I did to increase the level of creepiness in this game was to wait for it to become midnight at my house (when I was a kid) and while everyone was sleeping... I would plug in my headset to the TV and sit there with my eyes glued to the screen as I attempted to beat this game. To this day, I still have NOT beaten it... but I did get pretty far before chickening out from being too scared at all the things I didn't know was going to happen.

Story- 8/10
With a very unique story in itself, and a rather simple back drop of sadness added onto it... one can only hope that this game can somewhat compare to the beginning games of the "Resident Evil" series. With a specific unique character to play as throughout the game, you will encounter various "creatures" and various "people" that may or may not be good for your health... but then again, nothing is good for your health. Throughout this game you will be seeing things you thought would never exist, you will be dealing with traps as well as special events that may or may not result in death. And all the while, you will wondering one major thing... "Where am I?"

Depth- 5/10
Because this game is much similar to the "Resident Evil" games, you cannot expect it to be based or added around anything else except the main storyline. Although there is much you can do throughout the game, there is still only one thing you can do in the game... finish the story. The story comes with multiple endings (I think... at least from what I heard from others), and each ending will test you even more than the games themselves... some of the endings may even break your heart and make you hate this game, while others will make you laugh and giggle like a little girl. Although, the only way to find out is to finish the game.

Difficulty- 10/10
This game series truly drives you to be on the edge of your seat, leaving you speechless at times and even scared to continue playing. With sudden events and quick action moments that you may never forget, one thing is certain... death will be around every corner, no room is safe... and there is nowhere to hide. This game will challenge your common sense, your intelligence, and your courage to handle the pressure this game will put on your shoulders. The only way to survive is to think clearly and calmly, to prepare for whatever may happen and to know your way around the area... otherwise, you better be ready for a "game over" screen... cause death is on its way to find you.


Overall- 8/10
Since I have had the chance to play this game for a few months (when I was around 16 at that time, I kind of chickened out a lot because of how eerie this game was), I do know that this game will really put you in an "uneasy" feeling the entire time. With really awkward enemies that you aren't even sure if they are human, undead, or even alien... and with traps located throughout this entire area as well as strange items that can't be explained for, there is no telling what you might encounter. This was one of the creepiest games I have ever played (besides the "Resident Evil" series), and I recommend that you attempt to play it without suddenly jumping from what you may encounter.

SacraRain : This is a terribly great review you made. All I have to say is that your review was well written. Keep up the good work. Have a good day.