Review: Crisol Theater of Idols Is A Solid Horror Story Wrapped In A Familiar (But Visually Rich) Package

by

Horror games can be incredibly effective because the immersive nature of gaming naturally lends itself to creating scary experiences. But a weak story or poorly designed game can easily ruin the effect. That’s what makes Crisol: Theater of Idols stand out. This short horror game, developed by Vermila Studios and published by Blumhouse Games, takes place in a terrifying version of Spain. It successfully combines well-known gameplay with imaginative visuals, resulting in a truly original and memorable experience.

Though it shares similarities with action-horror games like Resident Evil, Crisol: Theater of Idols distinguishes itself with a unique and authentic take on Spanish folklore. Combined with smart gameplay improvements and striking monster designs, the game delivers a genuinely frightening and visually impressive experience. Despite a few small issues, Crisol: Theater of Idols offers a lot to enjoy.

REVIEW SCORE: 4/5

Pros: Cons:
Terrific art and sound design create a vivid setting for players to explore. Relatively short run-time might disappoint some players.
Clever tweaks on the central action-horror mechanics add tension to otherwise familiar gameplay. Occasional glitches can throw off immersion.
Solid story and mastery of tone create a memorably haunting atmosphere. A sense of repetition can steadily creep in due to similar level design and enemy encounters.

Let The Sun Shine In

Crisol: Theater of Idols is a beautifully crafted and unsettling game with a compelling story and striking visuals. Gameplay is similar to BioShock, focusing on immersive world-building as you explore a rundown environment. You play as Gabriel Escudero, a captain of the Order of the Sun, sent to investigate strange events in the nightmarish land of Tormentosa. Like Resident Evil 4, Crisol creates a dark and atmospheric setting, brought to life with details like flickering lights, rain, and unique wooden automaton enemies.

The game’s unsettling religious imagery, particularly the creepy, winged creatures, sets it apart from typical horror games filled with zombies and ghosts. While running through the expansive, yet often deserted, city can become repetitive, the striking visuals keep the experience engaging.

The game strongly evokes a Spanish atmosphere, a clear nod to the developers’ heritage. This cultural inspiration sets it apart within the horror genre, giving it a distinctive feel. The graphics and sound are excellent, though occasional bugs can disrupt the experience. A captivating central mystery, particularly as details of the main character Gabriel’s past are revealed, keeps you engaged. The game excels at creating a believable world, even if some of the smaller design choices aren’t as refined as in other games.

Resident Evil Meets BioShock Infinite In Crisol’s Clever Gameplay

Crisol: Theater of Idols offers gameplay similar to action-horror classics like Resident Evil and BioShock, but with its own interesting twists that build suspense. Players control Gabriel as he explores an island, solving puzzles and fighting enemies. A key feature is the unique reload system for holy weapons: reloading requires sacrificing the player’s own health. This makes every shot crucial and significantly increases the tension, especially when resources like ammo and health are running low during combat.

The game controls are responsive, and the weapons, though not numerous, suit the game’s atmosphere and story well. Exploring the map reveals environmental puzzles, often requiring you to solve them while fighting enemies and avoiding the imposing Dolores. This creates a consistently tense experience, enhanced by a fitting art style. Hidden throughout the map are secrets that unlock weapon discounts or expand on the game’s story. Overall, it’s a strong horror game that feels like a true adventure, and even minor glitches don’t significantly impact the enjoyable experience.

An Engrossing And Nightmarish Experience That Horror Fans Will Love

Depending on how skilled you are and the difficulty you choose, Crisol: Theater of Idols takes between 3 and 12 hours to complete. Some horror fans might find this relatively short, but I think it’s a good thing. A shorter length helps the game stay focused and avoids unnecessary padding that could have lessened the suspense. Crisol: Theater of Idols feels tight and well-paced, telling a focused story about faith and guilt that gets more engaging as you play.

The game’s striking art style really carries it, creating a world that’s both captivating and genuinely scary. Although there are a few small issues with the gameplay, like occasional glitches and some repeated elements, the experience is compelling enough to keep you hooked. The game is also relatively short, which is fine considering its affordable price.

Crisol: Theater of Idols effectively demonstrates the talent of both Vermila Studios and Blumhouse Games, particularly when it delivers focused, individual experiences. The game’s strong artistic vision and well-designed gameplay – which gradually increases in difficulty while also giving you new abilities – make it a compelling package. While it might not reach the heights of the very best horror games, Crisol offers a lot to enjoy during your journey through Tormentosa. This short, impactful nightmare is a must-play for fans of the horror genre.

A PS5 copy of Crisol: Theater of Idols was provided to ComicBook for the purposes of this review.

Read More

2026-02-13 00:10