Signalis

 PC
Signalis Image
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 108 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Awaken from slumber and explore a surreal retrotech world as Elster, a technician Replika searching for her lost partner and her lost dreams.

    Discover terrifying secrets, challenging puzzles, and nightmarish creatures in a tense and melancholic experience of cosmic dread and classic    Awaken from slumber and explore a surreal retrotech world as Elster, a technician Replika searching for her lost partner and her lost dreams.

    Discover terrifying secrets, challenging puzzles, and nightmarish creatures in a tense and melancholic experience of cosmic dread and classic psychological survival horror.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. PC Invasion
    Oct 26, 2022
    95
    Signalis borrows concepts that made survival-horror games successful. However, the unique twists, quirky style, and abundance of puzzles make it a mesmerizing romp.
  2. Screen Rant
    Oct 25, 2022
    90
    Much like NieR: Automata's storytelling, Signalis heavily focuses on philosophy and requires multiple playthroughs to get the true experience. While some may not resonate with ambiguous storytelling, the only true flaw is the inclusion of Lovecraft's mythos. The story is initiated when players find a copy of "The Yellow King," a powerful god of malevolence in Lovecraftian lore. This inclusion is not only distracting due to the anticipation of if/when he'll appear, but it gives the impression that the story isn't confident in its own identity. Cosmic horror doesn't require Lovecraft to succeed, and developers Barbara Wittman and Yuri Stern prove that through the unique story, world, and gameplay that define Signalis and make it a must-play 2022 release.
  3. Cubed3
    Oct 31, 2022
    90
    SIGNALIS is a title heavily inspired by survival horror classics, and a survival horror classic itself. It's a fantastic experience that goes back to the '90s, and at the same time feels like a fresh, modern take on the basic Resident Evil/Silent Hill formula. Visually stunning, highly immersive and atmospheric, and an absolute joy to play (and re-play) this sinister and eerie sci-fi tale is a no brainer for fans of dark, psychological horror video games.
  4. SpazioGames
    Oct 25, 2022
    80
    Signalis is a true retro survival horror with a unique visual style and a compelling story.
  5. TheSixthAxis
    Nov 4, 2022
    80
    Signalis is a thought-provoking and atmospheric title that is a genuine standout for fans of the more cerebral elements of survival horror, although one that does require you to look past some of its more dated aspects.
  6. Vandal
    Oct 25, 2022
    78
    Even though it isn’t very scary, Signalis is a great take on the survival horror genre, particularly if you are a fan of the classics.
  7. GamesRadar+
    Oct 25, 2022
    60
    All this administrative juggling also takes its toll on a story that's hard enough to follow even when it has your full attention. With a cast of characters that can be difficult to tell apart, crucial details buried in reams of documents, and a penchant for surreal interludes, it takes some work to keep up with the haunting undercurrent of Signalis. At times it does seem worth the effort, because there are intriguing themes burrowing away behind the scenes. But then you find a key that prompts yet another trek across the current area, and perhaps it doesn't after all.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 39
  3. Negative: 6 out of 39
  1. candidKlutz
    Nov 20, 2022
    10
    Signalis is an absolutely outstanding survival horror game. A very oldschool style of survival horror, too, and all the better for it. YourSignalis is an absolutely outstanding survival horror game. A very oldschool style of survival horror, too, and all the better for it. Your inventory is incredibly limited, so your choices for what you carry with you are very important. The story has enough that's easy enough to understand that you can still follow the plot, but it has far more mystery and lore for you to piece together and figure out what's happening that makes it so much more engaging to interact with. People are going to be theorizing about the story for years to come, and I for one can't wait for it. I think that any fan of survival horror games, horror in general, or even just retro aesthetics should play this game. It is easily my 2022 game of the year.… Expand
  2. Gaioti
    Nov 5, 2022
    10
    Ergo Proxy meets Silent Hill 2 with a good dose of amazing original ideas.
    Need I say more?
  4. SimonProSJ
    Jan 11, 2023
    10
    An absolute masterpiece, the PlayStation 1-like graphics manage to mix perfectly with the dark atmosphere of the game which is complemented byAn absolute masterpiece, the PlayStation 1-like graphics manage to mix perfectly with the dark atmosphere of the game which is complemented by the amazing soundtrack and intriguing at the same time as catching story… Expand
  5. Stampede60kk
    Oct 29, 2022
    8
    The concept of game is great, the visual style of PSX era is awesome, the plot the atmosphere is stunning it will take you untill the end ofThe concept of game is great, the visual style of PSX era is awesome, the plot the atmosphere is stunning it will take you untill the end of the game. I have little bit problems with isometric style of the game and only 6 item baggage. Isometric style not so comfortable to play, you can't even see what's near to you that's why you will maybe misfortune the right item (as key) thinking it's pack of ammo, and because of small baggage you will often leave many things on the ground.… Expand
  6. Rincemac
    Nov 22, 2022
    8
    TL;DR: A challenging, visually and narratively compelling Survival-Horror game and spiritual successor of the old day's "Resident Evil" typeTL;DR: A challenging, visually and narratively compelling Survival-Horror game and spiritual successor of the old day's "Resident Evil" type games. Get if you're into hard-ass and "weird" experiences, enjoy the glimpses into this strange universe with socialist-fascist undertones. Very worth it if you like a good challenge.

    I played this on Xbox, to be totally clear, so I recommend using a controller if on PC. As Signalis is in Game Pass right at launch it was a good chance to pick up and get into - and it sure was a hell of a positive surprise! Signalis throws you right in your "Replika" body without any big fanfare. You don't know who you are - literally as the unit you are playing, and figuratively as the player - you just know you have to find your partner unit who misteriously vanished, leaving only a photograph as proof it ever existed.

    And so you go down into a mysterious base, very much driven by a strange urge to find your partner - since you are a unit of exploration and support, as you find out by reading up on your tech specs - and discover a derelict base full of dead units walking, afflicted with a mysterious disease, or whatever you would call it on machine-human hybrids. The mystery gets deeper and deeper as you progress, at first slowly, then at an almost breakneck speed in the middle stages of the game, as puzzle after puzzle gets thrown at you.

    Weapons are sparse, as is ammo - so you'll need to think before you shoot. Sometimes that is not at all possible and the game will set you up to fail. Saving is done in true Resident Evil style, at red glaring monitor stations - there is no auto save. So when you fail one hour after your last one, you will have the pleasure of re-doing everything.

    Strong points of the game:

    Narrative - the weird, fascist-germano regime that seems to be controlling this part of space will probably make you shake all by yourself, reading the strange suppressive messages strewn all around the base as you discover more about yourself and the world.

    Graphics - they are a weird, intentional pixelated mess, throwing you back to what gaming used to be ca 1995-2000 roughly. The game artfully masters to render into this 90s pixel filter.

    Sound - it's dead quiet most of the time, but the game masters audio cues to clue you into "danger close" moments. The atmosphere is seriously dark.

    The bad:
    Aiming mechanics are finnicky and hard to control - the auto aim does sometimes lock on to the wrong enemy without much control for the player.

    Inventory - the game keeps the inventory to 6 items max at every point. There actually is a short narrative bit explaining it to the player, but that doesn't make it any better. The game would benefit from giving you means to expand your inventory. The back-and-forth tracking due to this at later game stages is very annoying.
    Overall, super strong game with great narrative and a serious challenge. If you can work with the finnicky aim mechanics and the "no guide given" outside of the narrative - you'll have a blast.    … Expand
  7. Pmstz
    Jan 30, 2023
    7
    Nice game !
    If you like this kind of Survival game, just do it.
    ++++++++++
  8. Zer0TheHer0
    Nov 4, 2022
    0
    Can't change keyboard binds. this is unacceptable in this time and age. There is no excuse for the lack of complete key rebinding otpion.

See all 39 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Best PC Game of 2022
62
#62 Most Discussed PC Game of 2022

Current PC Games

Full List »
93 Dwarf Fortress
92 Resident Evil 4
91 Chained Echoes
89 Portal with RTX
89 Pizza Tower
89 Hi-Fi Rush
88 Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania
87 Dead Space
86 8-Bit Adventures 2
86 Kynseed
86 The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure
86 Returnal
86 A Space For The Unbound
85 Meg's Monster
77 Contraband Police
76 System Shock
75 Atomic Heart
75 Dead Island 2
70 Storyteller
69 Firmament
All Current Games »