Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 41
  2. Negative: 2 out of 41
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  1. 90
    The Xbox version offers the superior visual experience. Its advanced lighting system casts advanced real-time shadows (much like "Doom 3"), a high-tech feature the PS2 hardware simply can't match.
  2. It has a very good storyline backed by some great character design and some very good scares.
  3. The "big reveal" takes awhile, and because it takes some time to finally happen you'll be fearing virtually everything that goes bump in the night.
  4. We certainly haven't encountered a graphics engine portray an environment as realistically as this. Obviously rocking boats, crashing waves and rain are bad combinations and it's actually possible to find yourself going overboard if you fail to watch your step. That's right, a graphics engine that can virtually knock you off your feet!
  5. Pelit (Finland)
    85
    One of the most engaging environments ever. The stormy sea is the real protagonist as it is always present and always threatening. Otherwise a run-of-the-mill survival horror game. [Mar. 05],
  6. Official Xbox Magazine
    81
    It packs a ton of bedwetting frights into those [few] hours, and there's nothing like a game that leaves you craving even more. [May 2005, p.83]
  7. The game utilises a series of components and dare we even mutter it under our breath, clichés that can be derived from any number of horror films and survival horror titles, which is no big fault since for the most part (travelling aside) the game is an enjoyable title away from the established franchises that does offer some new ideas and details to the genre.
  8. Cheat Code Central
    80
    Best described as "Resident Evil 4"-Lite. It doesn't have the epic quality of the popular Capcom series but for a tight, solid, horror-survival game you could certainly do a lot worse.
  9. A highly polished title that shows that Ubisoft's action-focused approached to the horrific can be gory fun, too.
  10. Although it rigidly adheres to the gameplay mechanics of its spiritual forebears, it does successfully weave an interesting story, in an unusual and graphically lush setting.
  11. Graphically impressive, to the point where those prone to sea-sickness should stay away, and the dark bowels of the ship provide an eerily effective gaming environment.
  12. While the rest of the game falls back to run-of-the-mill survival horror fare, an overall high production value plus intense combat, interesting and bloodthirsty adversaries, as well as an accessible camera controls during combat makes this game worthy of your time, especially to action fans that are previously put off by the static camera angles that have been mainstays of the genre.
  13. 76
    A solid B-movie videogame. It may not be an epic tale, but it packs in enough thrills and zombies to happily pass an afternoon or two.
  14. Not a bad game, but with its lack of replayability and quick playtime, it's just not a keeper.
  15. 75
    It's pretty short-six to eight hours, tops. The Xbox version is the way to go, since the load times between "rooms" are a fraction of what they are on the PS2.

Awards & Rankings

98
53
#53 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2005
39
#39 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2005
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 30
  2. Negative: 3 out of 30
  1. Jan 7, 2021
    10
    This game is soooo goood!!! It reminds me of resident evil 4 which is funny because it didn’t come to the Xbox.
  2. Feb 1, 2018
    8
    One of my favorite hidden gems ever. Love the music and the characters I enjoyed this and my son enjoyed it as well. Im glad they never didOne of my favorite hidden gems ever. Love the music and the characters I enjoyed this and my son enjoyed it as well. Im glad they never did a sequel because its a cult classic in my eyes. Full Review »
  3. Nov 16, 2013
    10
    i remember seeing these classics in my game books back in 2001 and 2 around there. my dad showed me this in game informer. He used to play it,i remember seeing these classics in my game books back in 2001 and 2 around there. my dad showed me this in game informer. He used to play it, and one day i said ima play this. and since that day, cold fear will never be forgotton by me. i still play it til this day almost 10 years since release. Full Review »