With the release of Until Dawn, now several years ago, narrative-oriented horror titles (if we can call them that) have certainly begun to have the attention turned to them. In fact, seven years have passed since the first big of Supermassive Games arrived on our consoles, a title that was based on typical themes of teen horror combined with the story driven setting of the titles of David Cage and Quantic Dream (a la Detroit Become Human and the like, to understand). The great success of critics and audiences has unfortunately prevented the realization of a real sequel, although the developers have never hidden a certain interest in making it. Of convex, with the series of The Dark Pictures Anthology Supermassive has undoubtedly lowered the quality bar, making us forget not only a possible - and at this point welcome - Until Dawn 2, but also the actual need for such a title. Now, however, quite unexpectedly, the horror narrative released on PS4 in 2015 has finally received its spiritual sequel: The Quarry, that we analyze today in review. That in a certain sense this is the continuation of what we saw with the first Until Dawn is evident right away, starting from the plot of the game that immerses us in a decidedly familiar context.
A tale around the fire, a frightening legend
The story in fact tells the story of an unfortunate group of teenagers, intent on surviving one night to some mysterious and dark supernatural forces that haunt the Hackett's Quarry summer camp. Kaitlyn, Abi, Emma, Jacob, Nick, Ryan and Dylan (as well as the camp manager known as Chris Hackett) then find themselves spending their last night together, a night that soon turns into a nightmare. The presumed presence that haunts the field and the surrounding areas (the witch of Hackett's Quarry) does not seem to be a simple bonfire story designed to scare the most fragile and fearful, but it would seem hide something as true as it is dark.
Without spoiling anything, The Quarry resumes therefore in toto the Until Dawn formula (review here): from the group in isolated house in the woods, to the cast of very young actors (along with some well-known faces), ai twists dictated by the various crossroads that we will be called to face, with great promptness of reflexes. A narrative game in the strict sense, therefore, which is based on branching of choices that influence the continuation of the story. With each chapter we will in fact be called to take control of always different characters, intent on exploring the dark and often claustrophobic game environments, always ready to press the keys indicated on the screen at the right time.
The choices within the dialogues are the more important and incisive activities of The Quarry, given that otherwise the game mechanics do not offer who knows what freedom of decision or movement. Yes, it will be possible to take a look at the future that awaits us (exactly as it did in Until Dawn), thanks to gods tarot left on the path, useful to take a "peek" at the upcoming events and thus make our choices more wisely. Furthermore, following an episodic structure typical of a TV series, The Quarry likes to take itself lightly, without who knows what disproportionate commitment on the part of the player.
Feel free to call it Until Dawn 2
If in terms of gameplay, as per the Supermassive tradition, it is not possible to expect who knows what, it is a technical level than the new horror plays his best cards: first of all, The Quarry is entirely dubbed in Spanish, which is certainly very convincingly linked to the interpretations of actors and actresses of the caliber of David Arquette (Scream), Lance Henriksen (La Casa 7), up to the cast of boys which includes Ariel Winter, Siobhan Williams and Justice Smith. On the technical side, the polygonal models defend themselves quite well, as does the virtual acting has now reached a really high level, noting how much the so-called interactive films are among the most beautiful video games to see. The attention to detail and the first-rate technical realization bring The Quarry closer to a teen slasher from “Notte Horror” on Spain 1.
Little surprisingly, the game needs to about ten of hours to get to the end credits, a fairly small number but certainly in line with the rest of the productions of the genre, including the Supermassive ones themselves. In terms of rhythm, the first quarter of the story runs in a rather classic way, although (just as it also happened with the plot of Until Dawn, here our review) the quality of writing in The Quarry begins to emerge after the first half, with more than discreet twists that help to reinforce the salient points of the plot, in which all (absolutely all) the topoi of the slasher genre are eviscerated and re-proposed, seasoned with directorial choices e jump scare that will not fail to make even the most savvy player jump.
Review
- The Quarry (Tested on PS5) 7.5 Final grade
The Quarry is an absolutely enjoyable interactive film, which once again demonstrates how much horror is suitable for this genre of narrative adventures in which the player's skill really matters very little, in the face of the choices that he will be called to make during his journey. Without bothering the great classics, the latest Supermassive title is none other than Until Dawn 2 in disguise, a title that will thrill (and scare) all those who are looking for a great horror adventure to be experienced all in one. breath, perhaps during these very hot summer nights.
