'Wow...'
Those are the words that escaped my mouth after I finished this game. Like a tidal way of feelings washing over you, receding, and then letting you revel in what just overwhelmed you.
As a general scardey cat, I'm happy that the horror in this game didn't make me jump and scream. No, instead it made my heart drop into my stomach as dread for what happens and then my hands ball up into fists and my teeth to grind as anger replaces it after events happen and horrifying scenes play themselves out. I won't spoil the ending, but I'd say that if felt anger and rage like I did... hold onto it until the finale.
As mentioned earlier, this game does a great job at slowly filling you up with dread. You know that things aren't quite right, that things are certainly heading towards something sinister, and our protagonists does it as well, and perhaps worst of all we grow attached to someone who will be involved in the culmination of that dread. Until... well...
You see the horrible scenes play themselves out.
I'd say the strength of the game, aside from the slow build of dread is how it shows the multiple ways our protagonist also shows that same sense of dread. How it's handled, how they rationalize it, avoid it, come to terms with it, and ultimately... act upon it. In addition, I think that the game hits on themes that many people may go across in their lives. Power and it's use, the unintended side-effects and consequences of our ambition, and how the road to hell can be paved with great ideas, good intentions, and pure pursuits. But when that resource is exhausted... blood, bones, and suffering will do well.
At some point, you have to decide whether to keep walking, turn away, or dismantle the road itself.
Now with that poetic rambling over with, gotta give mad props to the voice acting. While sparse, it's used expertly well in the places that it appears. It was a pleasant delight whenever they popped up and, naturally, they fit the characters well.
Likewise, the music was fantastic. My favorite is how it plays during the introspective segments, and I believe that it shifts as the game goes on, but that might just be me.
UI is good, and the cinematic use of various parts of the screen, speech bubbles, and even a notebook/phone at times is very clever. Gives some nice dynamics to the game and keeps things fresh, same when interacting with the characters and how the sprites and camera shuffle and focus on various parts to highlight the text.
All this to say... props. This was an amazing game, and an excellent spinoff!