Datura

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: May 8, 2012
User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 50
  3. Negative: 14 out of 50

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  1. GhostsOnTv
    Oct 13, 2013
    4
    This game should have been incredible. I really wanted to like it. What we have here is a classic case of great ideas coupled with terrible execution.

    In Datura, you control a faceless, nameless protagonist wandering through a labyrinthian forest, interacting with various artifacts and landmarks. Each of these leads to what is essentially a mini-game you find yourself launched into a    This game should have been incredible. I really wanted to like it. What we have here is a classic case of great ideas coupled with terrible execution.

    In Datura, you control a faceless, nameless protagonist wandering through a labyrinthian forest, interacting with various artifacts and landmarks. Each of these leads to what is essentially a mini-game you find yourself launched into a dream-sequence (or flashback?) before returning to the home map. Using either the Move or the Dualshock, the controls are intended to mimic real-life motions such as sawing, smashing, twisting, etc.

    Ultimately, the game feels like a desperate attempt to show off the system's motion sensing abilities without much quality control. Attempts to interact with the environment range from awkward to virtually impossible. Even walking around the forest is uncomfortable the game forces you to button-mash constantly to move any faster than a casual stroll, and the lack of any strafe controls made looking around a needlessly troublesome undertaking.

    There's no obvious central theme tying all of the mini-games together, but I actually found that to be part of the game's charm. Wandering around the dreamlike landscape, wondering where I'm going to find myself next was actually really exciting, and kept me hanging on longer than I might have. Ultimately, it was just more effort than fun.    … Expand
  2. Dogfish
    May 11, 2012
    0
    This game uses Sixaxis controls that are completely broken. I cannot progress any further in the game because of the broken controls. This game is unfinished. 0/10
  3. JustinnEveritt
    May 11, 2012
    8
    Datura is an odd experience crafted by the good folks over at Plastic. I've played through the title twice. Once with the Move, and once with the Dualshock 3. To fully enjoy the immersion Plastic intended, I recommend playing with the Move. If you're looking for a simpler trip down the pig hole, use the Dualshock 3 as it makes it easier to navigate the forest but also dumbs down theDatura is an odd experience crafted by the good folks over at Plastic. I've played through the title twice. Once with the Move, and once with the Dualshock 3. To fully enjoy the immersion Plastic intended, I recommend playing with the Move. If you're looking for a simpler trip down the pig hole, use the Dualshock 3 as it makes it easier to navigate the forest but also dumbs down the controls for the various tasks at hand (pun intended). Datura shouldn't take you more than 2 hours (that's including 100% Trophies) and is best suited to be played straight through in one sitting. I would also like to point out the use of 3D in Datura. Plastic actually went through the trouble of adding a Stereoscopic depth option to fine tune your 3D experience. The loose leaves and feathers. The flies. All floating there, waiting to be reached for, but alas, it's only the 3D. Plastic has not found a way to float these awesomely detailed objects in front of you, although it may seem they have. I highly recommend trying this title with the 3D cranked up to 11, a Move controller in hand (again, pun intended) and a six pack of brews our what ever it is you use to lose yourself. At just $10 ($8 for PS+ users) Datura is an affordable risk that may just turn out to be the Indie film turned video game you've been looking for.… Expand
  4. TTW107
    May 8, 2012
    5
    I don't even know how to review this. I've been following the coverage for this game and despite seeing the mixed reviews I still gave it a shot just to see what it was all about. If you are looking for a really exciting game do not buy this. I think the makers just wanted to show that videogames can be much more than your run of the mill game. I don't have the Move Motion controller, so II don't even know how to review this. I've been following the coverage for this game and despite seeing the mixed reviews I still gave it a shot just to see what it was all about. If you are looking for a really exciting game do not buy this. I think the makers just wanted to show that videogames can be much more than your run of the mill game. I don't have the Move Motion controller, so I just had to use a normal controller and at first a few of the parts pissed me off. I thought the controls were absolutely terrible but come to find out on my 2nd play through I was just doing them completely wrong. The onscreen help isn't much help. For a two hour game with somewhat finicky controls and only a few cool parts, I'm not so sure it was worth 10 bucks. I recommend this game if you are a trophy whore (you can easily get all of them on your first play through) or you are just very curious like I was.… Expand
  5. Garfailed
    May 9, 2012
    3
    When you play a game, you expect the controls to work, you expect an appropriate length given how much money you've spent, and you expect there to be some kind of story for the game to tell. Datura fails in all three of these aspects.

    The game's camera is sluggish and does not move freely, so you rely on your movement to correct the angle and it takes away from your exploration of the    When you play a game, you expect the controls to work, you expect an appropriate length given how much money you've spent, and you expect there to be some kind of story for the game to tell. Datura fails in all three of these aspects.

    The game's camera is sluggish and does not move freely, so you rely on your movement to correct the angle and it takes away from your exploration of the landscape. The controls are just terrible. There's no question. Why they decided to publish the game with these issues, I have no idea. Perhaps they weren't capable of a solution.

    And the random, drug-induced events and ending... there was no ending. Suddenly the credits roll, and I wonder why the game just ended. It's short and incredibly dissatisfying. The seemingly mysterious and enigmatic atmosphere drew me into buying this, and I kept an open mind because I like supporting smaller companies, but getting this game was a mistake. If you're really curious, I recommend waiting until it's at least 50% off, because that's a bit closer to what the game experience is actually worth.    … Expand
  6. Person77
    May 8, 2012
    9
    It's an odd game for sure. Do not go into this expecting great controls, the best graphics, or a clear storyline. Still the game stuck with me. It's just so different from anything else out that I can get over a lot of the flaws and appreciate it for being do different.
  7. iBash
    May 9, 2012
    3
    This game, in theory, sounded like it would be perfect for me. Myst gameplay with an artsy, surreal approach and for the Move controller, which everyone who owns it is feeling a severe lack of content for. Sadly, it turned out to be a sad disappointment. First of all, yes, it's true, the game is super short. First playthrough took me an hour even though I was stuck at one gate because IThis game, in theory, sounded like it would be perfect for me. Myst gameplay with an artsy, surreal approach and for the Move controller, which everyone who owns it is feeling a severe lack of content for. Sadly, it turned out to be a sad disappointment. First of all, yes, it's true, the game is super short. First playthrough took me an hour even though I was stuck at one gate because I foolishly thought it was a puzzle Ã… Expand
  8. MegWhiteley
    May 8, 2012
    5
    Datura have much great points, the graphics, the idea, but have a biggest problem, and is the next, is really short. I think that if plastic do this game really large, the score can be better.
  9. J-P-M
    May 10, 2012
    10
    This game may not be too good but it is a fun and very interesting move title so go dust off those controllers you have barely touched lately (COD players) and get to playing this very immersible game just please use a move controller it makes way more sense and please quit whining over 10 dollars quit being so cheap and poor its 10 dollars i spend that daily just going to a appointment orThis game may not be too good but it is a fun and very interesting move title so go dust off those controllers you have barely touched lately (COD players) and get to playing this very immersible game just please use a move controller it makes way more sense and please quit whining over 10 dollars quit being so cheap and poor its 10 dollars i spend that daily just going to a appointment or the corner LMAO… Expand
  10. CPD98
    Oct 16, 2014
    0
    ¡¡HORRIBLE!!
    Creo que no exageraría la decir que es el peor juego para consolas al que he jugado, la trama de esto no tiene ningún sentido ni rumbo ni nada, eres una mano que resuelves minijuegos absurdos a través de alucinaciones, tienes que acariciar árboles para desbloquear el mapa, etc.
    Una paja mental sin sentido.
  11. Locimento
    May 15, 2012
    5
    Well, this game is hard to talk about. The graphics and parts of the game play are great for a 9.99 downloadable game. Although sometimes the controls can be god awful, the game is great at certain points but later that greatness vanishes at a blink of an eye. Mainly because the game makes zero sense. Where are you, why are you there, how did you get in that ambulance at the start of theWell, this game is hard to talk about. The graphics and parts of the game play are great for a 9.99 downloadable game. Although sometimes the controls can be god awful, the game is great at certain points but later that greatness vanishes at a blink of an eye. Mainly because the game makes zero sense. Where are you, why are you there, how did you get in that ambulance at the start of the game, so on and so on. I geuss thats part of the artistic feel of the game. Your not supposed to get it and try to think of what it all means by yourself. But NONE of it is explained and makes the whole experience feel not worth while. Only consider this title if you like weird trippy games that dont make sense. If thats what you like Collapse… Expand
  12. Nijinsky
    May 21, 2012
    6
    It's a very tough game to score properly. Controls:
    I'm not in total agreement with the move controls beign crap. I actually found them reasonably good. However they are very sensitive to your distance from the camera so if you move from your standing position mid game, particulary if you go a step closer to the tv they do get screwed up because the hand will be too far into the screen.    It's a very tough game to score properly. Controls:
    I'm not in total agreement with the move controls beign crap. I actually found them reasonably good. However they are very sensitive to your distance from the camera so if you move from your standing position mid game, particulary if you go a step closer to the tv they do get screwed up because the hand will be too far into the screen.
    Story:
    The game is very short. You should give yourself 2 hours, take your time and play through in one sitting. It is a quite dark and moody feel to it and the story really lets you decide for yourself the meaning. I liked that element but I can see how people woudl dislike it just as much.
    Gameplay:
    Pretty minimal and nothing to rave about. You're walking through a wood. There are some things to interact with if you want to. Your interaction and decision making advances the story a bit and will affect the ending which is good which might make yoiu play again but I rarely replay any game so I'll stick to the ending I got.

    Overall I'd give it a 6. was good to use the move for soemthign unique but the game is average enough.    … Expand
  13. TurkishCritic
    Oct 30, 2012
    10
    This is probably one of the best games this year. Its original and creative, we all should support this game, originality in videogaming is in danger, not everything should be shooters.
  14. GameMSTR9000
    Jul 10, 2012
    7
    Great game, overall. The presentation, music, and graphics are great. But, the controls SUCK! It takes a while just to do a task, and you might not get what you even wanted to do. The lasting appeal isn't great either, for I beat it in 45 min AND got all of the trophies in my first playthrough. That said, this game might not be worth $10, but it's worth a play.
  15. BaronMonaco
    Dec 3, 2016
    6
    I played this game thanks to the PS+ subscription but I'll be reviewing it like if i paid its full price as it is no longer free to download. Datura is a game much closer to a tech demo for the PS Move than a true game on its own.

    Artistically the game has its own identity and provide a poetic experience about right and wrong and the use of the PS Move is great, but the game is so    I played this game thanks to the PS+ subscription but I'll be reviewing it like if i paid its full price as it is no longer free to download. Datura is a game much closer to a tech demo for the PS Move than a true game on its own.

    Artistically the game has its own identity and provide a poetic experience about right and wrong and the use of the PS Move is great, but the game is so short (less than one hour) it doesn't make it worthy at all (and there's not much to say either).

    In conclusion I doesn't advice the game for any one except if you have the absolute need to use your PS Move as Datura is way too expensive for its length.    … Expand
  16. XxJoseManuelxX
    Sep 30, 2016
    6
    Datura is a first-person adventure game, it was developed by Plastic and published by Sony Computer Entertainment.

    + Atmospheric
    + Intriguing Story
    - Poor Controls
  17. kudynov
    Nov 1, 2016
    5
    Nice visuals, nice soundtrack and that's it. Short, clumsy control (I played with the six axis, not Move), no difficulty to solve the puzzles and a story that is not explained at all.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2012
97
#97 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 45
  3. Negative: 8 out of 45
  1. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Jul 16, 2012
    60
    Short and puzzling in more ways than one. A clunky oddity. [August 2012, p81]
  2. InsideGamer.nl
    Jul 2, 2012
    68
    Datura only takes you about two hours to complete, which starts off by twenty minutes of yelling at the Move controller and fiddling with the unfortunate control scheme. It is then followed by a stroll through an absurd and amazing world, that will create an experience you won't soon forget. An experience, however, filled with non-challenging puzzles.
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  3. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    Jun 29, 2012
    60
    Those with a taste for the unusual will likely enjoy Datura, as it's contemplative and slow and builds surprising tension at times. But ultimately, it's just an interesting yet flawed experiment. [Aug 2012, p.86]
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