Penumbra: Overture

 PC
Penumbra: Overture Image
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 222 Ratings

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  • Summary: Played from a first person viewpoint, Penumbra is very different from other adventure games. Not only is it powered by a 3D engine utilising cutting edge technology, it also has an advanced physics system which allow for a never before seen environment interaction. The player can openPlayed from a first person viewpoint, Penumbra is very different from other adventure games. Not only is it powered by a 3D engine utilising cutting edge technology, it also has an advanced physics system which allow for a never before seen environment interaction. The player can open drawers, pull levers, pick up objects and more using natural mouse movements creating a highly interactive and immersive game world. The weapon system differs from your average game; swinging a melee weapon is done using the mouse which increases the realistic feel of combat. Fighting enemies is not something best done with brute force though, in most situations fighting is a last resort and the player is often better of using his/her wits. The AI of the enemies will also do its best to hunt and scare the player. The creatures encountered can break down doors, use group co-ordination, interact with the physics and more. Penumbra: Overture keeps players on the edge as they have to explore scary and immersive environments never knowing what is behind the next corner. The world is detailed, graphical as well as a story wise making the player feel part of the world as secrets are uncovered. [Strategy First]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. PC Gameworld
    87
    The highs definitely outweigh the lows and this game breathes new life into an old genre.
  2. Play.tm
    81
    Where Penumbra really wins through however is in its storytelling and puzzle solving.
  3. Boomtown
    80
    The only charge that can really be brought against the game lies within the the aesthetics of the environment.
    All this publication's reviews
  4. GameZone
    75
    It’s like a movie that you can recognize as being a well-made effort, but doesn’t actually engage you all that much.
  5. Eurogamer
    70
    If you're interested in a serious relationship with gaming rather than purely out for a good time, please do take a look at Penumbra. It does some truly clever stuff, has an effectively creepy atmosphere and there's a few signposts in it that action and adventure games alike would do well to follow.
  6. IGN
    70
    Let's just hope they fix the combat and add a bit more character development in the next episode.
  7. 1UP
    50
    Penumbra: Overture hits all the old notes like the Stones on their tenth farewell tour.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 51
  3. Negative: 5 out of 51
  1. MrWeezee
    Jul 30, 2011
    10
    This game was awesome. Truly one of the best horrors out there. Great story, great gameplay, and the ending leaves you wanting to play BlackThis game was awesome. Truly one of the best horrors out there. Great story, great gameplay, and the ending leaves you wanting to play Black Plague right away.… Expand
  2. CarlD
    Jul 27, 2009
    10
    I have been playing horror games, reading frightening novels and drawing some genuinely creepy stuff for many years now. For the longest I have been playing horror games, reading frightening novels and drawing some genuinely creepy stuff for many years now. For the longest time, I was convinced that nothing could ever scare me again unless it was real life or death situations. Then I played Penumbra. I'm not even halfway through the game yet and I have to say it is purely terrifying, thought provoking and a challenging-but-not-impossible puzzle adventure game. Straight up the game only has two things going against it; the step-backwards graphics and the terribly clumsy combat system. The good heavily outweighs the bad, however. The game is practically in perpetual darkness the whole time so often the low-grade graphics are hidden well, and ironically the lighting in the game is incredible. As a puzzle/adventure game, it is certainly well done. It will challenge you to think, but it won't leave you going to an online walkthrough every five minutes. The clearest advantage this game has in the puzzle department is it's excellent physics engine, the HPL. Coincidence that those are the initials of H.P Lovecraft? I think not. But let's face it, what is the real reason we all got this game? To scare ourselves silly, and that's where this game really earns it's stars and stripes. This game had me spooked from the get-go. I was already feeling somewhat reluctant leaving the boat knowing the darkness that surely awaited me and man, was I right. This game is the first to ever have me scream "HOLY SHIT" at the top of my lungs. I play this game in small doses, so for me I'm not worried by the apparent shortness of the game. Really I don't know how you could play the game through one sitting and not be a jibbering wreck by the end of it. My advice to you on Penumbra? If you're a fan of horror or even just someone looking for a game that's more an experience then it is an action-thrill-fest, then get these games. Especially with the sales that mean you can bag them both for a mere 5 or ten dollars each. At that price even if somehow you don't like it, you will have not dug yourself a financial grave.… Expand
  4. Dune_Jumper
    Aug 26, 2014
    9
    My favorite horror game ever made.My favorite horror game ever made.
    ...................................................................................................................    … Expand
  5. SergioVM87
    Jan 4, 2016
    8
    Lo que más me gusta de este juego es que se aleja de los tópicos de fantasmas y armas de fuego. Es un juego que te hace pasar miedo de verdadLo que más me gusta de este juego es que se aleja de los tópicos de fantasmas y armas de fuego. Es un juego que te hace pasar miedo de verdad porque no llevas armas para defenderte, sólo un pico. Además tiene una historia que te intriga cada vez más. Recomendado si estás cansado de juegos de terror con munición de sobra y quieres pasar angustia.… Expand
  6. LA_DOTTORE
    Jun 13, 2012
    7
    I originally only bought this game as a DLC of sorts after playing Amnesia: The Dark Descent and, while this is a great game, barely holds aI originally only bought this game as a DLC of sorts after playing Amnesia: The Dark Descent and, while this is a great game, barely holds a candle to Amnesia: The Dark Descent's spooky, dark gameplay. One thing this game does excel in is puzzles! A lot of puzzles! I bought this game for atmospheric mood and drama (Which I easily got) but puzzles sometimes ruined immersion as there were almost too many so, in conclusion, if you want a dark, atmospheric mood alongside many puzzles get this game though you may not enjoy it if you've played Amnesia: The dark Descent before this!… Expand
  7. nopedotjpeg
    Jul 25, 2013
    7
    This game was very interesting. I loved the atmosphere's and how the game played out. You'll find yourself backtracking some, but not enoughThis game was very interesting. I loved the atmosphere's and how the game played out. You'll find yourself backtracking some, but not enough to be a nuisance. The worst part of the game is the combat. It's very clunky and I found myself raging for quite a bit until I learned certain tricks for certain mobs (no spoilers here.) I picked up all three games in a steam sale some time ago and have just recently played them.
    I'm very glad I did. I actually read each piece of lore/journal/note that I found and became engrossed in the story.

    If you're looking for an adventure game, then try this one out, the controls take some getting used to, but once you do you'll find their very intuitive and clever.    … Expand
  8. Broyax
    Aug 21, 2020
    0
    Ils ont fait un effort, dis donc: un jeu d'aventure tout en 3D avec des textures et tout et tout... en vue subjective en plus ! ça se veutIls ont fait un effort, dis donc: un jeu d'aventure tout en 3D avec des textures et tout et tout... en vue subjective en plus ! ça se veut horrifique mais c'est juste chiant et tout là-dedans est si mal fait qu'on arrive pas à croire que tout soit aussi mal fait... à part les graphismes tout-à-fait potables quand même.

    Mais tout le reste... ça reste un jeu d'aventure à la mords-moi-le-noeud, scripté, dirigiste et chiant. L'interface est juste horrible et bien plus terrifiante que tout le jeu entier : une interface cauchemardesque boulottée par une bande d'incapables, oui ça fait vraiment peur...!

    Le personnage a deux de tension ou un peu moins, la moindre action est d'une pénibilité extrême ; m'est avis qu'il devrait partir en pré-pré-retraite dès maintenant parce que c'est trop pénible et lent d'ouvrir un tiroir... ou alors, il devrait arrêter le Prozac. Donc en résumé, ça m'a à moitié soûlé et à moitié endormi, car cette torpeur est contagieuse... de toute façon, j'ai pas trouvé le script suivant permettant d'avancer comme l'on décidé la bande d'incapables qui ont démoulé cet étron de jeu.

    J'ai trouvé la poubelle par contre et j'ai fait un panier avec le boîtier et le disque : du premier coup ! c'était la partie la plus amusante du jeu (avec la désinstallation).    … Expand

See all 51 User Reviews

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72
#72 Best PC Game of 2007
35
#35 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007

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