Post Trauma – Everything You Need to Know

Modern Triple-A games often stick with either photorealistic visuals or a style similar to Fortnite, but it’s in the indie scene where we find games like Post Trauma that aren’t shy about paying tribute to classic PS1 aesthetics. This game takes inspiration from timeless survival horror titles such as Silent Hill and Resident Evil 1, featuring fixed camera angles and a deliberate, strategic gameplay style. In this article, we’ll explore the numerous ways Post Trauma embodies the charm of classic survival horror games, giving you 15 essential facts to consider before purchasing it.

Unreal Engine 5 Graphics in Classic PS1 Horror Style

Nowadays, creating a game using Unreal Engine 5 isn’t exceptionally unique, but when it’s done in the classic style of ‘Post Trauma’, that sets it apart. Even though an indie developer made ‘Post Trauma’, they effectively use UE5, showcasing dynamic lighting and high-quality textures through surreal settings. Additionally, ‘Post Trauma’ incorporates several elements to evoke its PlayStation 1 survival horror influences. The most notable among these traditional techniques is the fixed camera angle used in ‘Post Trauma’.

Fixed Camera Angles

Instead of using a popular over-the-shoulder camera style like in games such as Dead Space, Post Trauma opts for a dynamic fixed camera angle that adjusts for each new room or environment. This creative choice offers an intriguing perspective, as evidenced by the various angles showcased in trailers, suggesting the team is adding unique twists to enhance the visual appeal of Post Trauma.

Cramped Inventory Management

A key feature of traditional survival horror games is strict inventory control, and that’s definitely a part of the gameplay experience in “Post Trauma.” You’ll only have access to five item slots, with an extra ten separate slots for crucial items, plus a storage chest. On the other hand, Resident Evil 1 offered six item slots. Unlike RE1, individual items in “Post Trauma” won’t occupy more than one slot, but you can still combine them as needed.

Limited Save System

In line with our anticipation, it’s not possible to store the game progress randomly whenever desired. Instead, you’ll find designated safe areas where you must deposit your game data, similar to traditional survival horror games. Here’s hoping these safe spots are strategically placed without forcing too much backtracking.

Classic RE-Style Puzzles

However, even though these aspects are present, they don’t fully encompass the entirety of the traditional elements that make up Post Trauma. A significant portion of the gameplay revolves around delving into intriguing environments, which invariably leads to solving puzzles. Indeed, exploration is a key focus in Post Trauma, as evidenced by the number combination padlock on the train that requires players to hunt for number clues hidden on walls and windows. Moreover, one classic puzzle type found within this game is the mannequin/statue arrangement puzzle. Given these elements, doesn’t it appear that Post Trauma is checking off all the traditional survival horror boxes?

Debut Project For Red Soul Games

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, it’s mind-blowing to see what Red Soul Games has pulled off with Post Trauma. From the strategic use of fixed camera angles that keep you guessing, to the eerie, otherworldly vibe that feels like it was crafted by an industry veteran, this is their very first public game! Now, Red Soul Games may be a “super small” studio based in Spain, but they’ve certainly punched above their weight with Post Trauma. They’ve got some heavy hitters backing them too – Raw Fury, the team behind Sable and Cassette Beasts, is their publisher for this title.

Psychological Themes Revolving Around Main Character

In this scenario, you play as Roman, a middle-aged train conductor, who is plunged into an eerie, dreamlike state following a panic attack. The narrative delves deep into psychological themes, suggesting that the terrifying events unfolding in the ever-changing surroundings are reflections of Roman’s internal turmoil (similar to the movie “Event Horizon”). The game boasts a fully voiced cast, with Togo Igawa portraying Roman and Autumn Ivy and Hyoie O’Grady lending their voices to other characters.

Monster Design Takes a Cue From Dead Space and The Thing

In the game “Post Trauma“, it’s not just the main characters whose voices you’ll hear. You’ll also encounter a host of terrifying creatures that add another layer to the experience. The monster designs in this game are truly captivating, standing out among all other aspects. For instance, pulsating tentacles line the ceilings, and some enemies have grafted heads on their mutated bodies – these elements showcase the game’s body horror effectively. To add to the diversity of monster designs, there are also bizarre-looking alien creatures and a robotic adversary that is seen choking Roman in the trailer.

Doesn’t Shy Away From Blood and Gore, Very Much Earning Its M-Rating

It’s no shock that the blend of terrifying monster aesthetics and disquieting settings earns an M rating, given the frequent bloodstains on walls and the monsters’ grotesque nature, often featuring grafted body parts and copious amounts of gore adorning their twisted forms. Fans yearning for a survival horror game that doesn’t shy away from pushing boundaries will find Post Trauma particularly gritty and appealing.

Slow Paced and Light on Combat Like Classic Silent Hill Games

In Post Trauma, battles and grisly scenes unfold. Unlike Dead Space or Silent Hill, combat isn’t a regular occurrence; instead, fights are scarce, much like in Silent Hill. The majority of your time is spent navigating the constantly changing surroundings and solving puzzles to progress through the game.

Combat Is on the Simple Side, Consisting of Repetitive Attack and Dodge Mechanics

In battle scenarios, the fighting appears to be quite straightforward. Based on the trailers, the character Roman only has a single attack move for close-quarters combat and a basic dodge maneuver. It seems that a simple strategy of attacking then dodging repeatedly could be effective in basic skirmishes, resulting in a lot of repetition. However, ranged gunfights have been scarcely shown in the teaser, leaving us with limited insights for that aspect. In any case, we’re eagerly anticipating that the full game release will introduce more depth and variety to the melee combat mechanics.

Some Combat Encounters Are Unavoidable

As a gamer, I’m really picking apart the melee combat because there are some battles I have to face to move past blocked paths in this game, Post Trauma. For instance, in one of the trailers, they showed the spider abomination fight where it seemed like the webs blocking the way were destroyed with the spider. But here’s the catch – not all battles can be dodged. Some are mandatory if I want to progress further in the game.

Reality-Bending Environmental Design Reminiscent of The Evil Within

In the game “Post Trauma“, the vanished spider web after victory isn’t an isolated event. Numerous routes are obstructed by ghostly apparitions and supernatural entities. The settings in the game are akin to a bizarre nightmare, offering players plenty of diverse and unexpected experiences within the game locations.

Clever Shifts in Camera Style, Shifting From Grainy CCTV Imaging to Clear 4K Depending on Context

Absolutely, in the game Post Trauma, the camera angles remain consistent but change in style across different scenes. Some areas boast crystal-clear 4K UE5 detail, while others are blurred with CCTV compression and reduced resolution, such as during the confrontation with the spider mutant enemy. It will be intriguing to observe how the camera adjusts and distorts throughout the gameplay.

Creepy Sound Design Meant To Confound and Spook Players

The importance of sound is crucial in any top-notch survival horror game, and it appears that Post Trauma delivers on this aspect. As you traverse the game’s setting, you are frequently met with eerie background noises. You might hear the distant thud of objects falling or footsteps as you explore, and there is always a certain level of white noise in the ambient sound. The music for Post Trauma is composed by renowned music cover artist Nicolas Gasparini. From the trailers, it’s evident that the indie team behind Post Trauma has a keen eye for creating subtle and unsettling audio effects, drawing inspiration from classic survival horror games. At present, a demo of the game is available on Steam to give you a taste of the experience before Post Trauma’s official release on March 31st.

2025-03-14 13:42