Below (2018)

 PC
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 67 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 67
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 67
  3. Negative: 24 out of 67

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  1. EvilEmperor2
    Jan 16, 2019
    10
    Esse é um ótimo jogo tecnicamente, que tem todo um design de Titan Souls e tem gráficos magníficos ao meu ver, e quanto mais você joga, mais viciante fica, mostrando ser superior a muitos jogos que vi em 2018.
  2. Panoramixomix
    Dec 29, 2018
    10
    *DISCLAIMER FOR ANYONE NON-SURE IF WANNA BUY* Yes, game is hard and can be frustrating. But it is precisely designed part of its experience. Yes, there is permadeath. But the game does have many kinds of game saving mechanics. Firstly: after every second or third level (or sth like that) you get acces to a shortcut: from Island to a certain floor. There are many of such shortcuts, they are*DISCLAIMER FOR ANYONE NON-SURE IF WANNA BUY* Yes, game is hard and can be frustrating. But it is precisely designed part of its experience. Yes, there is permadeath. But the game does have many kinds of game saving mechanics. Firstly: after every second or third level (or sth like that) you get acces to a shortcut: from Island to a certain floor. There are many of such shortcuts, they are regular. Secondly: on one of first floors you can find an oniric equipment storage mechanism, which allows you to hoard items and food. Thirdly: on the Island, and from shortcuts there are certain areas filled up with a certain items. For example: floor 3 is the best for gaining crystals, if You know how to survive there. That allows you to make preparations for next stepping into the depth. And, of course, you can find your last dead character and take its items - it is easy, because the map shows you exacly where it is. What is more, the map is very easy to follow, and always shows you: if the room is safe or not, what are directions to walk from this room, and if there is a secret in this room. So no frustrating exploration - your task is to find the way, enlight hidden things and investige them, in interactive way. Yes, there are one-kill traps. But they are visible and easy to disarm, they are to force you to be careful and understand importance of light in this game. Game have no tutorials and dialogs. It is atmospheric rougelike, much more interactive than you think. It is hardcore gaming, but very fluent and immersive. *END OF THE DISCLAIMER*

    Was waiting for such a game for so long! Seems normal artistic-indie atmospheric fight exploration game, but the trailers and ,,first 15 minutes" do not show much, so you are not sure what to expect. You run the game. No start screen, no tutorial, even no menu. Lonely boat on an ocean. Lonely island. You step into the cave, and then...

    To the last moment you have no idea what you can find in the depths. What you will have to do, to survive. Hunting for mices to not starve? Eating raw meat, and then vomiting, placing yourself in danger if attacked? Will you see the traps? Will you figure out, how to disarm or protect from them? You know, half wounds you will get, will be bleeding. How many bandages you made before? One? Great, this time you are not dead. That monster wasn't worth risk, you know, you wouldn't be able even to get meat from it. You want to explore that corner? Do you have enough lantern crystals or torches to get there, go back to the next camp and don't get killed in between? Well, if so, you're welcome... Did you wonder about that strange sounds around?

    On the surface - simple crafting based on four/three slots to combine, simple combat without stamina, not many weapons or items to colletc, nice looking locations with no hidden rooms.

    If you look correctly - perfectly working deep mechanics connected to the narrative and gameworld logic. Suprisingly many resources to get from environment, and even more items to create with them. Dynamic, movement-based combat with emphasis on timing and aiming, where every weapon has its application, and any wound is a big step to fall, or victory. Beautiful, spacious locations, filled up with different resources and dangers, every single level with its own specific atmosphere and desing construction. Discreet, easy to understand HUD, an affordance to explore with no pointless tries to find the hidden door, but some shortcuts and keys to special places.

    And, of course, great soundtrack by Jim Guthrie, which do not need to be praise :)

    For me - magnificent game. Hope people will find out what precious thing they got to their hands :3    … Expand
  3. foxonarock
    Oct 3, 2020
    10
    I got the game after the explore mode was available, and I feel like my review would have been very different if I had to go trough the original difficulty. This game is an absolute gem. It has a sound design on the level of hyper light drifter(!), with an ambiance so thick it seeps out of the screen and into your room. You can smell the humid air of the cave, the smoke of the campfire. II got the game after the explore mode was available, and I feel like my review would have been very different if I had to go trough the original difficulty. This game is an absolute gem. It has a sound design on the level of hyper light drifter(!), with an ambiance so thick it seeps out of the screen and into your room. You can smell the humid air of the cave, the smoke of the campfire. I am very glad the devs allowed us less hardcore gamer to enjoy this piece of art with an explore mode. The difficulty is still there, at least for me, and dying is still devastating, but i joyfully jump back into the darkness every time.… Expand
  4. Wolfhead
    Dec 4, 2022
    9
    good game for burning a slow one on the midnight oil. it surrounds itself in mystery as you descend into madness attempting to put the pieces together. mechanics are easy to grasp if you're not a five-year-old. everything is clear and easy to understand what's going on in the game unless you have a giant tv then it gets a little weird. I'm playing 1920x1080 on a 55 inch with rtx3080 tigood game for burning a slow one on the midnight oil. it surrounds itself in mystery as you descend into madness attempting to put the pieces together. mechanics are easy to grasp if you're not a five-year-old. everything is clear and easy to understand what's going on in the game unless you have a giant tv then it gets a little weird. I'm playing 1920x1080 on a 55 inch with rtx3080 ti graphics card. beautiful artwork throughout the game. the bow is a little jank since you have to put the enemy exactly on your crosshair otherwise you'll just shoot over them. all in all very good game.… Expand
  5. Hamboy
    Jan 16, 2023
    10
    One of my favorite games of all time. 100% completed, the atmosphere, music and visuals are so strong that I couldn't keep away even though it was a hard and harsh task to finish. Extremely satisfying and memorable
  6. timkrueger
    Dec 14, 2018
    9
    The game is definitely worth the wait. It has a lot going on for it in terms of graphics, sound and overall atmosphere. The combat and machinics are easy to learn, but hard to master. If you like that, give it a try!
  7. MysticalNinja
    Dec 15, 2018
    10
    Beautiful, haunting, deep, atmospheric, intelligent are just some of the ways I can describe my first 30 minutes with this gem. I never played anything quite like this before and I look forward to many more sessions with this mysterious game.

    Thank you Capy for making something this great! You guys are an inspiration!
  8. Bertopia
    Dec 20, 2018
    9
    So far I am loving this game, I died once due to my first in counter of a trap. Since then I haven’t died at all. As long as you bandage yourself and craft/eat plenty of soup and drink water you’ll be fine. I love exploring this game, it’s so pretty and the atmosphere is perfect. I haven’t reach any real tough creatures though, hopefully there’s a mini boss or something the puzzlesSo far I am loving this game, I died once due to my first in counter of a trap. Since then I haven’t died at all. As long as you bandage yourself and craft/eat plenty of soup and drink water you’ll be fine. I love exploring this game, it’s so pretty and the atmosphere is perfect. I haven’t reach any real tough creatures though, hopefully there’s a mini boss or something the puzzles don’t seem to difficult which is kind of disappointing but never seems boring. The combat is fun and feels a lot like Zelda and the game does get more challenging in the later levels, thankfully the enemies get tougher as well. However the fun of discovery still remains. I only have one tip for you, when in doubt use your lantern, it will make this game a whole lot more enjoyable. if you like exploring your going to really enjoy this great game.… Expand
  9. thebestguy
    Dec 18, 2018
    9
    At least I played 6 hours, and the game did not disappoint me. As I've been waiting for, the main theme of the game is to explore the path through the cave, discover the history behind and survive. The most important thing is to survive.
    It's a difficult game, but bad, not at all.
    Excellent music, atmospheric and exciting.
    The wait was worth it.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Most Shared PC Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Apr 4, 2019
    20
    Deep under the ground an atmospheric game was born, which was ruined by incomprehensible mistakes. The game frustrates with malicious difficulty, poor controls and during the bird-view you can´t distinguish good from evil. [Issue#293]
  2. Worth Playing
    Apr 4, 2019
    65
    Below is divisive. Few will argue about the bleak beauty of the game, but everything else sets it up as a title you'll either love or hate, with few reservations. From the lack of instructions to the slow pace and the combat and survival mechanics, there are things that seem to conflict with one another but work fine at the same time. It is a game that asks you to stick with it for a while, and you'll be rewarded with an atmosphere that allows you to interpret things your way. Given some of the game's shortcomings, not everyone will have the commitment to playing until they encounter that "Eureka!" moment. As such, Below gets a cautious recommendation if you weren't already sold on the idea.
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  3. The Overpowered Noobs
    Feb 4, 2019
    60
    For a majority of what BELOW sets out to accomplish, it does well. However, there are aspects which might deter: the potential monotony and a lack of a clear incentive to proceed further and see this story through.
    Read full review
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