In the past few years, the ocean and horror have become an inseparable duo in the gaming community. Along with recent events, the ocean is a vast and scary world. Barotrauma adds to that fear and allows players to look that fear in the eye. Whether it is by themselves or with a sound buddy system, there is a ton Barotrauma brings to the table, and is cheaper than the alternative real-world experience. With a dash of old-school sci-fi and a pinch of fantastic atmosphere, Barotrauma is here to make waves with its simple yet gripping gameplay and story.
Barotrauma is a game with dangerous gameplay and a fascinating plot that will keep you on edge. The player’s task is to maintain control of their submarine while defending themselves from deadly monsters that lurk in the depths of a strange ocean. Players must control their submarine’s numerous systems while fending off attacks from perilous animals in this suspenseful and demanding game. Barotrauma’s plot is surprisingly cleverly written and captivating. You have to find out what happened to the former occupants of the undersea research facility on Europa as a player. The game does a fantastic job of keeping you on your toes and exemplifies thalassophobia, or a fear of the water, in its most accurate form. The AI is ok, but to combat thalassophobia, it is recommended that you bring friends.
The cooperative gameplay is where Barotrauma comes to life, which makes the idea of becoming trapped in an alien ocean full of creatures seem less daunting. Every player can choose from various jobs aboard the submarine, each with their own responsibilities. The ship has six different roles. The submarine’s commander controls the course and has the ability to issue new commands to the crew. The security guard controls the turrets and is prepared to repel sneaky trespassers. The medical officer attends to injuries and guards against disease. The ship’s mechanic manufactures manufactured goods and fixes ship damage. The engineer creates objects that use electricity as well as repairs power systems. The helper is also capable of manning two distinct neighboring stations because they are proficient in all the aforementioned tasks, but not any of them.
Any spare time will be used by mechanics, engineers, and medical personnel to create new goods from raw materials. This might include repair tools, stimulants, power sources, and more. The fabrication station is where crafting is done. Here, every item possibility is displayed; however, the search box allows you to focus your search. The interaction with the fabricators could be more comfortable, making them a dangerous choice if you’re already in peril.
One captain, one mechanic, and one security guard are typical beginning positions, however, they can be changed. At numerous stations and outposts around Europa, additional crew members can also be hired. In single-player, one person controls each character simultaneously, with the AI handling the unmanned characters’ more straightforward duties. The AI does basic tasks like fixing or healing very well, but it frequently ends up dead if it charges an adversary or moves to a part of the ship that is flooded.
One of Barotrauma’s distinguishing qualities is its visual aesthetic. The game’s visuals have a distinctive and retro-futuristic style that calls to mind vintage science fiction books and films from the 1950s and 1960s. From the cramped confines of your submarine to the darkly illuminated corridors of abandoned research institutions, the world of Barotrauma is full of fascinating and realistic landscapes. The game’s visuals add to the immersion and overall ambiance of the experience, in addition to being aesthetically beautiful.
For some players, Barotrauma’s high learning curve can be the sole drawback. It can take time to become used to the game’s principles and understand the user interface when specific events occur. The game is not very forgiving to beginner players. However, it is the type of game that merits learning. It’s a game where you’re supposed to make errors, take the lessons you learn from them, and employ them moving forward.
The game is mainly peaceful, with occasional bursts of utter fear. You choose your objectives and work toward them at your own pace. The moment of panic that you experience while creating the foundation for your most recent pixel castle, though, is more intense than any scary video game. It’s the knowledge that as long as you solve the issue quickly and effectively, everything will be OK. But if you make a mistake, some of your work is lost. Barotrauma mimics that pattern. The dull majority of what you’ll do enhances how delightful the dangerous stuff is.
Barotrauma is a hidden gem amongst the endless sea of survival horror games. The visual esthetics give it an excellent vintage science feel with its 50’s/60’s sci-fi theme. The gameplay is calming and gives the player’s a chance to build out their ideal submarine. And then, when the unknown appears and sends the crew into a frenzy, it builds up the fear and makes you question your choices up to that point. The AI makes the single-player aspect seem underwhelming and needing improvement, but if you have friends and are ready for a good time, Barotrauma might be a great way to spend a few hours.
