User Review Retro

The Suffering (Retro)
User Review

Name: The Suffering
Item: The Suffering
Rating: 9
Author: Social_Outlaw

Product Information:

Release Date (NA): March 9, 2004
Release Date (EU): May 14, 2004
Publisher: Midway Games, and Zoo Digital Publishing
Developer: Surreal Software, Midway Home Entertainment, and Next Level Games
Genres: Psychological horror
Also For: Computer

Game Features:

Single player

Local Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Co-operative

Review Approach:

Sorry everyone that I didn't post this review earlier. I didn't know that there was a review page (Since I always focus only on the threads) until a mod told me, so thank you.

Hi my name is Logan97, and today I'm reviewing a true definition of a game, that represents prime. I hope you enjoy your time on this review cheers!

When Surreal Software came out with The Suffering in 2004, it executed traditional survival horror video game from a first-person and third-person perspective perfectly. It allowed us to switch between two different camera angles, which was impressive for how old the game was. The game also had a comical morality system which determines how the player shall act, and how the ending will play out. While the morality system heavily plays intact, there are three options which is: help the person (good), kill them (evil), or remain indifferent to their plight (neutral). Among these three options you determine how the Torque inner beast will react heavily against the deep story. Keep in mind that if you play the right role patience is a virtue will come to the rescue in the end.

The Plot

In the story Torque has been convicted and sentenced to death for murdering his ex-wife and two
children, although he claimed to have blacked out at the time that this happened, and cannot remember anything. When Torque arrives to the Abbott State Penitentiary on Carnate Island, Maryland, strange evil events occur. As Torque hears people talk about him, Monsters out of the ordinary attack the inmates with Razor sharp legs, and arms. Torque suddenly at the moment, cell breaks loose from all the madness, and in the act Torque tries to escape the monstrosity that has happened in the prison. During his grim journey, he is greeted by a spirit of Carnate most famous Occupants: The mentally ill psychologist Dr. Killjoy, the former executioner Hermes T. Haight, and the regretful murderer Horace helped Torque throughout his journey.During the help of the spirits, Torque finds out he can turn into a raging monster once his rage fills up.

Since Killjoy is insane, he is engrossed with Torque heavily, and tries to cure of his problem, although his methods are quite questionable at certain points. Hermes, and Horace, on the other side of the table tries to influence Torque to good or evil Respectfully. Along the journey Torque meets several other characters whose fate is variable. He can team up with other people or correctional officers, which is a good mix if you think about it. Torque has many other options as well on what he wants to do. For example, In the game your deceased family will constantly warn you for good or evil. Also another example, if you kill a good person your decease family will bash you mentally, which is stressful for torque, but if you don't try to save that specific person they will remind of how a good man you was, so it entirely depends on your action, which morality comes into place, and make the game interesting, and challenging at points.

The Aftermath

Overall the gameplay is something you don't want to miss, despite how old it is, it will keep you coming back like a Resident evil series or a Dead space series. There are Eight types of monsters in this whole game, but don't let that fool you even though it is limited. The amazing AI makes up for it in the most satisfying way possible. I can say honestly it's almost up to par with a 7th Gen console, since the monsters know how to time correctly when attacking. The manual target system is something you got to remember. It makes the game more demanding, and gives a little hint of nostalgia behind it if you haven't played it in a while. The levels are scary as hell, but that doesn't stop you, since the environment is also comfortable.

All of the levels in this game, isn't just no regular type of level that is small like every other horror game on the PS2. The levels in this game are astonishing, scary, and it has a wider open environment, and that makes it way more comfortable than something like silent-hill. All of the gun detail is solid on the guns to be a 2004 game. The sound of the guns gives a wider array impact to the experience as a kid or as an adult It gives brings excitement to the plate. The voice acting for the characters in the game, and cut-scene is great to the point where this prequel beat the sequel right out the park. The audio is high, and not low, so that gives a bonus if you want to play this on a flat screen TV, which I have, in addition, most PS2 games have lowered audio quality, but this game is smooth with it, so that gives a big bonus.

There isn't many games like this masterpiece. It is rare to see something like this on a 6th Gen console, which break barriers at this point. I highly recommend you buy this game. This game shows a true definition of prime at its best. The game might not had sold well, but it will be considered a classic like a Dreamcast console. Out of the whole game, cons don't really exist in this game, simply because the full content elevates the element to the point of no return, which makes happiness it's best friend.

Tempers, also just letting you know that Surreal Software has merged with Monolith Productions, Inc, so check out they're new stuff while your at it Cheers! :grog:

Verdict

What I Liked ...

Controls 10/10 (There is always precise movement no doubt)
Audio 10/10 (Provides High audio quality to the fullest to be an 2004 game)
Difficulty 9/10 (Its very hard to get through at certain points, but gives an good challenge in the end, thus making it a pro, and con.

What I Didn't Like ...

Content 8/10 (Pulls off content quite well, but not like its successor)
Graphics 8/10 (Most polish game to be 10 years old, but isn't very sharp with it)
Difficulty 9/10 (Its very hard to get through at certain points, but gives an good challenge in the end, thus making it a pro, and con.

Gameplay

Gameplay 10/10 (It define its Most exciting features, which makes the game more demanding)

Presentation

It comes off with an excellent presentation, that will give you goosebumps.

Lasting Appeal

This game will keep you coming back, for its high replay value.

out of 10

Overall

This game Is a masterpiece to the finest of quality. I highly recommend you get this Tempers.

Reactions: p3rand0r

T-hug
Jun 2, 2014

Great game, I have fond memories of it!

XDel
Jun 2, 2014

I really enjoyed this one. Played it all the way through in FPS in fact. Been meaning to play through part 2, just have not made time for it yet...

p3rand0r
Jun 17, 2014

Great game and great review, im really mad about this because i didn't have the chance to finish it (formatted pc and didn't have a disk) but its easy a 10/10 horror game !

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