Reviews - CognacCologne

Intriguing and well-executed idea of a game. Controls are very easy to grasp and leaves the player to figure out each section by themselves, like a puzzle almost, but with more deadly jellyfish than most puzzlers. The end "twist" has to do with a certain optical illusion, maybe you'll spot it before then, maybe not, but all I can say is that it's actually pretty ingenious and a touch morbid, especially if you find out seeing the, ah, scenery lying at the very bottom, heh. Atmosphere is topnotch as are sound effects. As you descend further and further it becomes just that much more unsettling. I wouldn't call it a particularly difficult game, though there are a couple of sections (the gang of jellyfish and the end sequence) that I died a fair number of times. You immediately start back where you were with its forgiving autosave function as is perfunctory in games like this nowadays. Overall a cool and unique twist on the "survival horror" gaming genre (yes there are survival aspects, not just dodging the enemies but also needing to constantly collect air bubbles to keep yourself oxygenated/from dying, not unlike the Sonic games, it even has its own "panic music" when you're on the verge of death, heh).

So why only 6 out of 10? While I believe a game should only be as long as needed, this game is really, REALLY short. Most people should have no problems finishing this game in a casual sitdown in under half an hour, and that's including the times you'll die and restart sections. I know that a game like this would get very repetitive if it was very long, but for a game that you have to pay for, even if it is only $2.99, there should be just a BIT more content. As well-executed as it is, it's still a very basic, ultra-linear title with every section basically variations of outwitting the same few enemies and going down further into the abyss. It's a great concept and a fun enough game that's crying out to be expanded on.