Searching for another horror game to keep me entertained brought me to File Destined. Sit back and get ready to be immersed into another first-person psychological horror, Miss Moon (yay!) This is the type of game that gets me. This is the style of game I could play constantly. The unsettling atmosphere, the clever use of depletable light source, and the perfectly timed jumpscares when you least expect it. Shut up and take my money!!
Setting the Scene
Set in an abandoned hospital, you play as Oliver Hamilton. An investigator from the Ohio Police Department who is investigating a high-profile murder case. You are looking for clues around the place, but quickly realise things in this building are really not what they first seemed. The dank, eerie atmosphere feels heavy, and reality is questionable. Rooms keep changing, shadows are looming, and you find yourself not knowing where to turn! Is it only me that’s excited yet?
Out Like a Light
The noises you hear while making your way around are so unnerving, almost demonic crying, doors slamming, eerie atmospheric music, everything that would terrify you to hear in an abandoned building. As you walk through each part of the hospital. The environment can suddenly change altering the path you were taking to become something more sinister and harrowing.
No Spoilers
I don’t want to ruin the game by telling you too much about it, as it’s only a couple of hours long. I believe that any horror’s advantage over you is the unknown; not knowing what you’re having to deal with is probably the best part!
Game Mechanics
You cannot run in the game, only walk, and when inspecting items, it can be a bit slow. Just remember to turn off your lighter whilst in inspecting mode, as it will still deplete. There’s no combat; you are just trying to find and piece together evidence of the murder case, making it a more straightforward linear walking sim. You can pick up and inspect a lot of items, but most of them are insignificant and feel like a little bit of a waste of time. But I suppose it makes you have to look at everything to see if it relates to the case or not. I was a little upset that you cannot remove the centre dot for screenshot purposes. I really think games made now, especially with amazing artwork, should be able to have an on/off button so we can appreciate it more.
Achiever
One thing I love is getting achievements on Xbox, and I was constantly getting them throughout, which is always good, and felt this game was an easy one to get 100% on. I didn’t look at the achievements beforehand, but only missed two of them on my first play through, which is pretty good for not knowing what they were.
Final thoughts?
I was addicted to this game and didn’t want to stop playing it. A little sad when it ended, but determined to find more hidden horror treasures such as this. File Destined is an unnerving, creepy little masterpiece. A short but superb entry into the psychological horror genre. Highly recommended if you like a little twisted horror to bend your mind a little. Play it. Seriously, go play it!
