In a world where psychological horror games come a dime a dozen, 'MADiSON' manages to claw its way to the top with a rather unique mechanic involving an instant camera. Think of it as a mix between 'Pokémon Snap' and nightmarish dread—where instead of cute creatures, you capture ghosts that might want to turn you into their dinner. Welcome to the world of 'MADiSON', where even the walls have eyes, and those eyes are very much judging you.
'MADiSON' puts you in the shoes of Luca, a teenager who receives a birthday present that’s less of a gift and more of a curse—a camera that belonged to a serial killer. Instead of snapping pics of your school friends or your adorable cat, this camera is used to connect with long-dead spirits while solving puzzles that feel straight out of a mansion-sized escape room gone wrong. The gameplay revolves around solving various puzzles and uncovering secrets through the lens of your instant camera—literally. You’re going to be expected to photograph elements of the environment that are not visible to the naked eye. This mechanic cleverly integrates the horror theme with gameplay, giving you genuine moments of adrenaline that will make your heart beat faster than a caffeinated squirrel. Puzzles range from mildly frustrating to 'why must you torture me?' levels of difficult, but as they unfold, they deepen the lore of the house (trust me, it's as haunted as a house can get).
Visuals in 'MADiSON' are a mixed bag of beautifully crafted environments drenched in atmospheric dread and some character animations that might make you tilt your head in confusion. The game runs on the Unity engine, and while it’s impressive in creating creepy atmospheres, some graphical quirks—like the occasional frame drop when things get intense—can pull you out of the moment. However, the haunting art style and shadowy corridors more than compensate, turning every dark corner into a spectacle of fear and intrigue. Just be prepared for some jump scares that will make you spill your soda!
'MADiSON' delivers a solid experience for horror fans searching for a fresh, spine-chilling adventure. It cleverly combines unique gameplay mechanics with a narrative that shines a spotlight on the eerie memories and tragic stories of the past. While the occasional awkward animation and puzzle frustration might plague your journey, the suspense and thrills more than make up for these bumps in the road. So grab your camera, face your fears, and dive into a haunted house that’s probably better left explores only in the safety of daylight. Would I recommend it? Absolutely—if you enjoy sleepless nights and paranoia. 'MADiSON' might just be the frightfully good time you didn't know you were missing.