INDIKA PS5 Review
| Game: | INDIKA |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | 11 bit studios |
| Developer: |
INDIKA isn’t the first peculiar game by a Russian developer that I’ve played this year; the first was Loretta for the Nintendo Switch. Both games have their quirky moments, despite INDIKA’s tone being quite serious, with an undercurrent of comical surrealism.
Indika is the titular character, a young nun tasked with delivering a letter. Throughout her journey, she battles inner demons and questions her religious beliefs. The game could have taken a straightforward approach, but it features a strange mix of realistic 3D graphics and 2D pixelated intervals where you learn more about Indika’s past. You even collect upgrade points and pixelated collectibles as if you are playing an old-school RPG. The infrequent 2D sections are well done, offering sometimes complex platforming and racing elements as Indika’s backstory is told. These parts are short and sweet, providing a contrast to the darker, drabber 3D sections.
During the 3D sections, there are some odd moments, such as a sequence in which a small person runs out of another nun’s mouth after she winks at you, and a puzzle in which Indika can pick up huge walls with a crane to create a new walkway. There are also background oddities for the more observant player. The tone of the game is difficult to pin down. Does it want to be an RPG? A full 3D game that the developers couldn’t afford? Did it want to seriously tackle religious themes, or be surreal like Layers of Fear? Even some of the soundtrack feels out of place, with modern beats clashing against the dark tone of the game. This mixed bag of styles made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the experience and made me question if I should take it seriously or not.
Nonetheless, what is on offer is interesting across the game’s 4 hour duration. A nun as a central character, Indika uses prayer to fight against the evil voice in her head that questions her beliefs and lures her into temptation. This leads to intriguing ideas, such as puzzle sections where you alter the environment by praying and silencing the evil voice within. It’s a shame this idea is only used a handful of times. Along the way, she meets Ilya, initially her kidnapper and then her companion, as they journey to find a mystical artefact called a Kudets, which is said to have powers which would restore his decaying arm. With him, Indika discusses her religious ideas, both of them exploring their meanings as they progress together.
INDIKA offers moments of intrigue, such as the aforementioned prayer puzzles, and the visuals are mightily impressive. It presents some light-hearted and very dark moments and certainly leaves an impression, but mostly leaves you feeling confused as to whether it is being clever or gimmicky.
