Conarium

 Xbox One
Conarium Image
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

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  • Summary: Conarium is a chilling Lovecraftian game, which follows a gripping story involving four scientists and their endeavor to challenge what we normally consider to be the 'absolute' limits of nature. Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's novella "At the Mountains of Madness", but largely set after theConarium is a chilling Lovecraftian game, which follows a gripping story involving four scientists and their endeavor to challenge what we normally consider to be the 'absolute' limits of nature. Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's novella "At the Mountains of Madness", but largely set after the original story.

    You, as Frank Gilman, open your eyes inside a room filled with strange, pulsating noises. Patterns of lights executing a Danse Macabre on the walls is presented by a queer device on the table. Having recalled nothing other than that you're in Upuaut, an Antarctic base located near south pole, you find the place deserted and have a distinct feeling of something being terribly wrong. Somehow knowing that your memories cannot guide you enforces a strange feeling of vulnerability, a familiar yet alien sensation of being a part of a peculiar whole... Soon you will discover that having used the device during the expedition, you have died but then returned subtly changed, speaking of strange memories and of strange places. You have lost something important or gained something sinister...

    Explore the antarctic base, as well as dreams and visions. Study clues, unlock secrets but avoid macabre beings at all cost.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Gaming Age
    Apr 11, 2019
    75
    Sure, you need to mute it to really get into it, but once you do that, you should find that Conarium offers an enjoyably creepy experience.
  2. Generación Xbox
    Feb 13, 2019
    73
    Conarium is a decent and solid approach to Lovecraft in videogames, that still should have go a lot deeper in the most terrifying and enjoyable aspect of his stories.
  3. SomosXbox
    Feb 16, 2019
    72
    Conarium plunges us in the purest Lovecraftian universe. Cosmic horror, unknown civilizations and mystery are the pillars of the game. The story can be tedious sometimes and puzzles are not really challenging. But if you want a cosmic horror adventure, you should give it a try.
  4. GameSpew
    Feb 12, 2019
    70
    It’s certainly not the ideal game for those expecting sweat-inducing horror or adrenaline-pumping action, but for those who like to explore eerie environments and unravel a good story, there’s a good evening’s worth of entertainment.
  5. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Apr 9, 2019
    70
    A decent Lovecraft puzzler that’s low on action but high on hallucinogenic plant spores.
    All this publication's reviews
  6. TrueAchievements
    Feb 19, 2019
    70
    Covering horror as often as I do, I know by now the telltale signs of a horror game that is little more than a walking sim with a few scripted door slammings. Conarium thankfully rises above this regularly faulty approach by including just enough actual threats to keep players on their toes. It is still an adventure game in part, but it gets that part mostly right too thanks to a good atmosphere and a story worth following whether or not you've read its original inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft. Puzzles and controls leave a lot to be desired, but Conarium does much else well, making it an easy recommendation for any fans of the author.
  7. XBLA Fans
    Mar 26, 2019
    60
    As a horror walking sim adventure, it hardly barely reached it’s potential to keep the player engaged. With no clues or help along the way, it’s a blind struggle to figure out what to do next. It’s not a bad game, and with a few added tweaks it would be much better.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Xbox_Alive
    Feb 12, 2019
    7
    I really enjoyed the presentation side of the game because both the visuals and sound design created an eerie atmosphere that is immersive.I really enjoyed the presentation side of the game because both the visuals and sound design created an eerie atmosphere that is immersive. The story kept me invested throughout my time with the game and because of this there wasn’t really a dull moment for the most part. In terms of content there is a decent amount for you to sink your teeth into and in my opinion they got the length of the game just right. it was sometimes difficult to find where you were meant to be going I actually enjoyed exploring and finding my own way. The puzzles that were included in the gameplay to be a little too simple and the lack of creativity within them made some to be a little tedious. Traversing is a little on the slow side which makes getting to where your meant to go can take an age. Despite the eerie atmosphere present you never truly feel in trouble and a little bit more in terms of depth here would’ve been nice. A walking sim often feels very personal and emotional and there isn’t a lot of content present in terms of the gameplay side of things it is a genre that I do like to play while I kick back and relax. Conarium does however feature more in terms of gameplay when compared to other game’s of this ilk and this does make it stand out a little even if it isn’t the best game I’ve ever played in this genre. For me one of the most important aspects in these types of games is its story and I’m pleased to say that they’ve delivered a very intriguing and in some ways rewarding story here. The presentation side of the game has also been done well with both the visuals and sound design combining with the story extremely well. I would however have liked to have been scared a little more and it would also have been nice to have been able to traverse a little quicker because finding where you’re meant to go can be tedious due to the pace. In terms of content the game offers you a decent amount for you to explore and even though some of the puzzles are a slightly disappointing it does break up the gameplay well. If you’re a fan of walking sims I have no doubt that you’ll enjoy what Conarium brings to the table because it takes you on an adventure that stays interesting throughout and it gets the most important aspects dead-on.… Expand
  2. SenorKoquonfaes
    Nov 22, 2019
    6
    The game is primarily a Lovecraftian-style walking simulator with a few puzzle solving elements. Some of the puzzles are perfectly straightThe game is primarily a Lovecraftian-style walking simulator with a few puzzle solving elements. Some of the puzzles are perfectly straight forward, but there was a calligraphy based one and a light based one that were both rather inane with the clues not being a whole lot of help.

    From a visual standpoint, the game is equal parts beautiful and creepy. It does a great job of building an eerie and mysterious atmosphere as well as nailing the subtly in it's horror elements through it's visuals and audio design. The development of the game was done by 3 people, so I'm impressed the game looks and plays as well as it does. The publisher is only 13 people strong, so good work all around.

    The game is rather short, I completed my play through in a little under 3 and half hours. The game is also very linear, occasionally a branching path will pop up as a means to find a collectible, but then it's right back onto the main path.

    The main character's voice acting is pretty brutal, which is unfortunate because the game's sound design is well done. Funny enough, the game offers a "Silent Mode" which doesn't allow the main character to provide commentary throughout the game.

    The game has two endings and I'm not a fan of either one of them. The endings are separated by making a binary choice and then solving an extra puzzle. They both end the game rather abruptly and come across as fairly ambiguous as to what's concluded within the story.    … Expand

See all 3 User Reviews