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Penumbra: Overture

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8.5 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 28 critic reviews
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Based on 24 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Strategy First Inc. / Got Game Entertainment

Developer: Frictional Games

Genre(s): Action, Survival Horror

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: May 14, 2007

Summary

Played from a first person viewpoint, Penumbra is very different from other adventure games. Not only is it powered by a 3D engine utilising cutting edge technology, it also has an advanced physics system which allow for a never before seen environment interaction. The player can open drawers, pull levers, pick up objects and more using natural mouse movements creating a highly interactive and immersive game world. The weapon system differs from your average game; swinging a melee weapon is done using the mouse which increases the realistic feel of combat. Fighting enemies is not something best done with brute force though, in most situations fighting is a last resort and the player is often better of using his/her wits. The AI of the enemies will also do its best to hunt and scare the player. The creatures encountered can break down doors, use group co-ordination, interact with the physics and more. Penumbra: Overture keeps players on the edge as they have to explore scary and immersive environments never knowing what is behind the next corner. The world is detailed, graphical as well as a story wise making the player feel part of the world as secrets are uncovered. [Strategy First]

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What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

PC Gameworld

The highs definitely outweigh the lows and this game breathes new life into an old genre.

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Just Adventure

How you react to Penumbra depends entirely on how, uh, adventurous you are feeling when you load the game up. If you are a hardcore traditionalist, you could quickly get turned off by the game's 3D engine, sluggish controls, occasional combat and drab environments. However, if you are open to a new experience and are willing to take the game as it is, you could have a spooky and rewarding gaming experience that could even stretch your idea of what an adventure game can be.

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Pelit (Finland)

A creepy and atmospheric horror adventure. The advanced physics engine makes the experience truly immersive. On the minus side, combat is a bit cumbersome and the plot could use some polishing. Still, very promising. [Aug 2007]

Play.tm

Where Penumbra really wins through however is in its storytelling and puzzle solving.

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Gamer's Hell

Penumbra: Overture will surely strike a chord with fans of adventure and horror games.

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Thunderbolt

Creeping around in the dark with only a flashlight to hand whilst the wind whistles through a passageway and footsteps can be heard around every corner can be extremely disconcerting, and it's a testament to good game design that it manages to unsettle right from the start.

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Boomtown

The only charge that can really be brought against the game lies within the the aesthetics of the environment.

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Worth Playing

Penumbra: Overture focuses on delivering immersive gameplay by providing an engaging storyline, a surreal atmosphere, and a very creepy playing experience.

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AceGamez

At a cost of only £15 for an online download, it's an absolute must for any PC adventure gamers out there.

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Computer Games Online RO

It's short enough to come across as an appetizer, this pilot episode's ending leaving you more confused than when entering the first tunnel of the mines

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PC Format

It's not beautiful, it's not that long, but it's spooky and well worth a look. [Apr 2007, p.71]

The New York Times

Despite its action sequences, at heart this is a puzzle-based adventure game. Adventure-game designers often appear to be lagging about a decade behind the rest of the game industry, so it is refreshing to see developers willing to innovate within the genre.

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GameSpot

Penumbra is loaded with creepy psychological horror that really gets under your skin.

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PC Gamer UK

Penumbra is very likeable and accomplished. Clunky presentation holds it back, and wonky writing keeps you at a distance, but it shows potential. [May 2007, p.74]

GameZone

It’s like a movie that you can recognize as being a well-made effort, but doesn’t actually engage you all that much.

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2404.org

Overture is very short at 5-6 hours. The benefit of that is that the middle stretch isn't terribly long by any means, so in a way, Overture benefits from its short runtime.

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PC Gamer

It may not be Best in Show, but it's slavering in the top dogs' general direction. [Aug 2007, p.66]

IGN

Let's just hope they fix the combat and add a bit more character development in the next episode.

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Adventure Gamers

The emphasis on physics adds a unique dimension to Penumbra: Overture. If you're willing to sacrifice story for atmosphere, it's a decent catch for horror fans, but those looking for point-and-click fare may be turned off by unavoidable action elements.

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GameDaily

The game shows a great deal of polish, considering the odds stacked against it.

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Eurogamer

If you're interested in a serious relationship with gaming rather than purely out for a good time, please do take a look at Penumbra. It does some truly clever stuff, has an effectively creepy atmosphere and there's a few signposts in it that action and adventure games alike would do well to follow.

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GamerNode

A creepy independent title that succeeds in its focus on refining established gameplay elements rather than defining its own.

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PC Zone UK

Avoid combat and it remains an extremely smart adventure game with a lot to offer. [May 2007, p.82]

VideoGamer

Available for less than £10 online, the many great physics-based puzzles and unrelenting feeling of fear are well worth the asking price, but don't expect a game that will compete with multi-million pound projects.

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games(TM)

The good does outweigh the bad, because as a horror game it successfully horrifies. It’s also one of the darkest games we’ve played since the original "Silent Hill." [Apr 2007, p.106]

RewiredMind

You can overlook the sloppy graphics, the poor narrative and the occasional rudimentary puzzle, because the design of Penumbra sometimes reminds you how inspired it is, offering the player some genuinely interesting puzzles in a properly spooky setting.

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Game Chronicles

Penumbra remains a mediocre adventure game with a small handful of interesting elements, and pee your pants moments.

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1UP

Penumbra: Overture hits all the old notes like the Stones on their tenth farewell tour.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 24 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Carl D gave it a10:
I have been playing horror games, reading frightening novels and drawing some genuinely creepy stuff for many years now. For the longest time, I was convinced that nothing could ever scare me again unless it was real life or death situations. Then I played Penumbra. I'm not even halfway through the game yet and I have to say it is purely terrifying, thought provoking and a challenging-but-not-impossible puzzle adventure game. Straight up the game only has two things going against it; the step-backwards graphics and the terribly clumsy combat system. The good heavily outweighs the bad, however. The game is practically in perpetual darkness the whole time so often the low-grade graphics are hidden well, and ironically the lighting in the game is incredible. As a puzzle/adventure game, it is certainly well done. It will challenge you to think, but it won't leave you going to an online walkthrough every five minutes. The clearest advantage this game has in the puzzle department is it's excellent physics engine, the HPL. Coincidence that those are the initials of H.P Lovecraft? I think not. But let's face it, what is the real reason we all got this game? To scare ourselves silly, and that's where this game really earns it's stars and stripes. This game had me spooked from the get-go. I was already feeling somewhat reluctant leaving the boat knowing the darkness that surely awaited me and man, was I right. This game is the first to ever have me scream "HOLY SHIT" at the top of my lungs. I play this game in small doses, so for me I'm not worried by the apparent shortness of the game. Really I don't know how you could play the game through one sitting and not be a jibbering wreck by the end of it. My advice to you on Penumbra? If you're a fan of horror or even just someone looking for a game that's more an experience then it is an action-thrill-fest, then get these games. Especially with the sales that mean you can bag them both for a mere 5 or ten dollars each. At that price even if somehow you don't like it, you will have not dug yourself a financial grave.

Byron H gave it a5:
You could end up really hating this game, or getting into it and tearing straight through. The atmosphere is wonderful. You feel a real sense of isolation, and the ambient sound is excellent. What little music there is reminds me of Silent Hill's selections. The physics and lighting are wonderful, and, in fact, without those things, the visuals would be 1997-era. The monster animations are not good at all, and are best left unseen. The good news is, you shouldn't be spending much time staring at the creatures. The overall darkness of the game hides its sins well, and, in fact, the brighter certain sections of the game are, the less interesting it becomes. The combat system has been mentioned before- it's effectively worthless, don't fight anything. On one level, I see this as an intentional design choice, but on the other, it seems like the game was altogether too tailored to the use of a Novint Falcon (but I wonder how much use even that would be!) It is so terrible that honestly I wish that the player had been left with no option to fight- it would have been far better for the game. Again, if you're doing it right, you shouldn't be fighting (I solved most fighting related situations by throwing things and running.) Even despite all of that, I haven't had so much fun with an adventure game since Zork Nemesis! It is strange to say that a game with so many problems is worthwhile, but if you really like adventure games, you will be able to look past them. If the adventure game mindset does not appeal to you, this game is not even worth 5 dollars on Steam.

Brandon K gave it a10:
I have been gaming for years, and nothing scares me. Movies, games, etc, it's all mundane and boring. Saying that, this game SCARES ME. The first time in years a game has made me feel like this. This alone is enough for the game to get a 10. However, the game play is very unique and unlike anything I have played. This game made me interested in adventure games again. Ignore the reviews from people who have "played it 5 minutes" as they are clearly the type of people who shouldn't be playing adventure games in the first place.

Matt L gave it a9:
A good horror/suspense game. It's the first game I've played that has the opening sequence ask you to turn off the lights, and if you do, the game becomes a whole lot better. Interesting mix of physics puzzles, traditional adventure "find the item" and general confusion of "wtf is going on?" Excellent dialog as well. Cons: The "combat" interface is terrible (though I suspect it may be on purpose to encourage running rather than fighting) and a few of the puzzles are more repetitive than necessary. Overall, great game, especially at the $5 Steam price.

Noah S. gave it a3:
Luckily, I bought this on Steam for 5.00 last night. Looks promising, but I have played it for about 5 minutes and it's rife with clipping issues and un-intuitive play. I'm going to give it another chance, as I see other reviewers have thought better of it than my first impression. There's nothing I like better than a good horror/survival game, even though this one has the ever-present Lovecraft references and familiar, hackneyed plot. 1-sided textures in a game and my flashlight not illuminating the crawlspace I am in almost lowered my SAN score immediately... I'll cross my fingers, do a little Voorish sign, and hope I can find the good things other posters have mentioned.

Kent B gave it an8:
Penumbra is sucha good game. You really have to think befor you act. The puzzles are very hard in my opinion but its that what makes the whole game fun. At first I thought this was just some "click´n click" game. But I was wrong. You face alot of scary things. Light sudenly turns off and you hear voices and alot of other creepy things. For people whole like abit of clickin´ and horror game this whould be it. Grapichs are great.

Bastian V. gave it a10:
Penumbra is just different than anything you've seen before! This alone makes it a MUST-HAVE. But it comes even better, Penumbra is well designed, it has good graphics and balanced gameplay. I would throw away all these so called AAA titles for it!

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