Kholat

 PC
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 38
  3. Negative: 4 out of 38
  1. Power Unlimited
    Jul 24, 2015
    48
    Supposedly Kholat is six hours long but we couldn’t tell because we stopped playing after two. [Aug 2015, p.084]
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  2. DarkZero
    Jul 20, 2015
    40
    Simply put, Kholat fails to properly balance its moody aesthetics while keeping the player actively invested. It is yet another case of an experience that is beautiful to witness, but boring to actually engage in.
  3. Riot Pixels
    Jun 15, 2015
    40
    Story is the worst nightmare in Kholat. I expected supernatural stuff, maybe dark sci-fi, or some evil KGB agenda… But the writers took all these three plot ideas, then added parallel worlds, secret objects and cruel science experiments. This is the most absurd and eclectic mishmash of themes I have ever seen in a horror game that tries to look serious.
  5. GameSpot
    Jun 8, 2015
    40
    Its ideas reveal the game Kholat wanted to be, but its aspirations soar far higher than the game it became. What good is a mystery if you don't care about what it might tell you?

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 146 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 146
  2. Mixed: 48 out of 146
  3. Negative: 29 out of 146
  1. nattigre
    Jun 9, 2015
    10
    This game is a cold shower for all the lazy game players used to being led by a puppet master throughout the game. This is new, this is fresh.This game is a cold shower for all the lazy game players used to being led by a puppet master throughout the game. This is new, this is fresh. The lack of action that we're all used to is rewarded by the atmosphere of an adventure and perfectly thought-out environment. And this is just inspired by the Diatlov Pass Incident not based on it. The compass and not knowing where we are on the map (we have to remember everything on our path and be really observant), although frustrating at the beginning, is a nice touch.… Full Review »
  2. ItsMuchMore
    Jun 26, 2015
    7
    Kholat is a horror game based upon the Dyatlov Pass incident where nine hikers lost their lives in the Ural Mountains. Horror games for meKholat is a horror game based upon the Dyatlov Pass incident where nine hikers lost their lives in the Ural Mountains. Horror games for me have never truly been “horror”, I will admit that they have never been high on my list when it comes to choosing what to play. The horror genre had started to rely a little too much on “Oh look something large and ugly” is jumping out at me and let’s not even mention the tendency to love the colour black.

    So when Kholat passed across my screen, my interest was piqued, promising open world progression with an immersive exploration experience powered by the unreal Engine 4. Horror games in my opinion have always sought to limit your freedom as a way to heighten your sense of tension. Kholat however manages to provide that freedom yet at the same time impress a sense of claustrophobia. Within a few minutes, the game had passed the goosebumps test, the shudder up my spine of a genuine scare and not one of the “things jumping out at you” variety. That sense of fear didn’t leave through my playthrough.

    The freedom afforded to you by the game could be a blessing or a curse depending on you, the explorer. After the opening video, you are placed in a deserted train station, no heads up display, no objectives, just you and your desire to explore. There are no readily apparent ways forward and the initial finding your way towards the hiker’s camp is up to you. There was no doubt in my mind however when I saw the path below that it was about to get interesting.

    Full Review @ItsMuchMore    … Full Review »
  3. fludziom
    Oct 4, 2015
    4
    I was lured into playing this game by the voice acting cast. Unfortunately that was the best part. The game is yet another walking simulator aI was lured into playing this game by the voice acting cast. Unfortunately that was the best part. The game is yet another walking simulator a la Dear Esther only with enemies (annoying orange thingies). Luckily, there aren't many of them. The game is an artistic attempt to explain why 9 Russian students went missing in the Ural Mountains in 1959 sadly by using paranormal theories and ghosts (the orange thingies). A failed attempt in my opinion. The core gameplay is all about walking and collecting collectibles-notes that drive the story forward. With the shift button you can run but only short distances. When trying to run you will always hear heavy breathing which gets annoying after a while. The game has a map but it doesn't tell you were you are. You notoriously don't know where you are. That and the orange enemies are a major source of frustration especially at the beginning. On the positive side not knowing where you are makes you remember locations and using that knowledge you always trying to locate yourself on the map which is somewhat fun. Poor optimization. At 1080p the game runs on average 40 fps on a high end pc. Only for hardcore walking simulator fans.… Full Review »
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