Gloomwood
" Atmospheric action-stealth indie with masterful mechanics and immersive audio, but incomplete story "
Gloomwood Review
Gloomwood is a stealth-oriented immersive sim blending survival horror with rich Victorian steampunk aesthetics. Players praise its masterful stealth mechanics, atmospheric sound design, and detailed world-building that evokes classics like Thief and Dishonored. The game rewards strategic resource management and exploration, with a unique inventory system and a save mechanic that challenges players to avoid quick-saving abuses. Despite being in Early Access, it offers a polished experience with minimal bugs and a growing, engaging storyline pieced together through environmental storytelling and scattered notes.
However, players note that the game is still incomplete, with some content and story elements missing or in progress. The research and serum crafting systems, while innovative, can feel tedious and require frequent backtracking. Controller support remains unofficial and is a frequent request. Some users report occasional bugs, save file corruption, and desire improvements in AI behaviors and object physics. Overall, Gloomwood is highly anticipated to become a standout title upon full release, with many players eagerly awaiting further updates and expansions.
Highlights
Players highly praise Gloomwood's stealth gameplay mechanics, which offer multiple approaches and reward careful planning. The game's atmosphere, including sound design and directional audio, creates a tense and immersive experience reminiscent of classic immersive sims.
The art style combines retro 90s/00s aesthetics with detailed environments and character designs, enhancing the Victorian steampunk vibe. The narrative is subtly delivered through environmental clues and overheard dialogue, engaging players in piecing together the story. Combat flexibility, inventory management, and exploration-based progression are also frequently highlighted as strong points.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the incomplete state of the game due to its Early Access status, leaving some story elements and content unavailable. The research and serum crafting mechanics are often described as tedious and requiring excessive backtracking.
Controller support is lacking official implementation, frustrating some players. Occasional bugs, including save file corruption and soft locks, detract from the experience. Some players find combat sluggish, melee mechanics questionable, and AI detection could be improved. The physics of objects can be unpredictable, and players desire more enemy voice lines to enhance immersion.
Pros
- • Masterfully-crafted stealth mechanics rewarding strategic play and resource management.
- • Immersive sound design with excellent directional audio enhances the horror atmosphere.
- • Detailed Victorian steampunk art style blending retro and modern aesthetics.
- • Engaging environmental storytelling through notes and overheard dialogue.
- • Flexible combat allowing both aggressive and stealthy approaches.
- • Unique inventory system with realistic item management and upgrades.
- • Save system using gramophones prevents save-scumming and adds tension.
Cons
- • Incomplete story and content due to ongoing Early Access development.
- • Research and serum crafting mechanics are tedious and require backtracking.
- • Lack of official controller support frustrates many players.
- • Occasional bugs including save file corruption and game soft locks.
- • Combat can feel sluggish and melee mechanics are sometimes questionable.
- • AI detection and behavior could be improved for better stealth experience.
- • Object physics are unpredictable, causing items to behave oddly.
Rating Criteria
Trapped in a dark, Victorian city consumed by an ancient curse, you must plan your survival and daring escape using nothing but stealth, an arsenal of eccentric weapons, and your wit in this haunting adventure inspired by the immersive sims and survival horror greats of the late 90s and early 2000s.