Introduction

If you've ever wanted a game that combines scenic coastal views with existential dread, look no further than Draugen. It’s set in a quaint Norwegian village that’s about as deserted as a high school gym during finals week. It’s more ‘The Shining’ than ‘Baywatch,’ but hey, who doesn’t want to explore the darker side of Norwegian folklore while hunting for their missing sister? Sign me up!

Gameplay

Draugen follows Edward Harden and his chatty imaginary friend Alice—who's definitely not a figment of his imagination—on a quest to locate his missing sister, Betty. The gameplay is presented in six chapters, like a really emotionally charged TV miniseries, where each day stretches on forever as players explore the ailing village of Graavik. The main activities consist of piecing together the fate of the townsfolk through... drumroll, please... **dialogue choices and environmental exploration!** In layman's terms, you’ll be searching for clues while making decisions that’ll have all the emotional consequence of a butterfly landing on a leaf. Oh, did I mention the puzzles? Yeah, they’re a thing. But worry not; they’re generally on the easier side, more like ‘find an object’ than ‘solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded while reciting Shakespeare.’ You’ll encounter relics of the locals: letters, diaries, and random clothing items that Edward insists belonged to his sister—because nothing says ‘I love you’ quite like creepy obsession. As the plot thickens, Edward’s skeptical nature clashes with Alice’s warm-hearted approach. Spoiler alert: you’ll probably start questioning who actually needs therapy here.

Graphics

Prepare to have your breath taken away by the visuals. Draugen’s graphics are like an Instagram filter that decided to have a little existential crisis. With the Unreal Engine 4 powering the game, expect to traverse beautifully rendered fjords, charming yet ominous houses, and atmospheric lighting that seems to be perpetually in the golden hour—seriously, do the Norwegians have a perpetual sunset thing going on? The landscapes are not just pretty wallpaper, though—anxiety hangs in the air as you wander through these pastel-colored scenes that whisper secrets of the village’s tragic past. Coupled with the moody soundtrack, you can almost hear the villagers warning you to get out... or at least put on a sweater.

Conclusion

Draugen might not quite be a ‘masterpiece’ in the same way that sprinkle-covered cupcakes are not a five-star Michelin dish—but it’s still a delicious little treat for fans of narrative-driven adventures. The engaging story about psychological trauma cloaked in a mystery unfolding in a picturesque yet haunted Norway will leave you with just enough questions to make you reconsider your own life choices. If you wish to explore the beautifully eerie landscape while trying to piece together the motivations of a man with some serious issues, grab your PS4 and dive into Draugen—just don’t forget to pack your imaginary friend! I give Draugen a 7 out of 10, and that’s mainly for the beautiful scenery and the unnerving exploration of the human psyche. Now if only Edward had bothered to call the authorities instead of taking a long, sad walk, we might have avoided all this grief.

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