A relatively unknown Cracked Heads Games debuted in 2019 with Silver Chains (SVC). With supernatural horror being my least favorite genre because of countless tropes; little ghost girls, playful nature and putting souls to rest just to make a point (also present btw). Lately I've been finding myself somewhat possessed and playing games I otherwise wouldn't in a million years. Since I love nothing more than to shove my preconceived notions in me own mug, I convened with the spirits and-

Fortunately, SVC exceeded the little speck of hope I had and succeeded in getting under my skin. Not going to lie, I could also recall the wonderfully thrilling, entertaining times I had from Layers of Fear or Find Yourself. However, unlike those two focusing on the human psyche- this is purely and vividly a ghost story. Would you give it a sliver of chance~


https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2473843460

The Gist:
Peter no-last-name, miraculously survives crashing into a tree. He staggers off, finding a mansion in the wilderness and learns he is not alone. Soon the residents make it clear they want something of him... A friendly game of scavenger hunt, hide-and-seek or monster; they all seem to either want him dead or at least nearer to it~

! I spy with my little eye... a dummy!!



(a) Making Up for Lost Time!
Begins linearly as you don't quite know what to expect, so you enter every room apprehensively. You’re eased into the playful puzzles that tries to train you into being inquisitive of every nook and cranny. Not before long, one angry mother starts to plague you and closets become your sanctum sanctorum! The whole mansion becomes accessible like a grand playground you need to proceed with both caution and attentiveness.

The scavenger hunt portion where you don a monocle to spot things otherwise hidden to the naked eye are where things get mighty interesting! The rush of successfully figuring and locating hidden items. To sum up; collect items, get frightened, hide and repeat- remember it like it's an incantation to seal away evil!! There's one really fun-aggravating boss at the end that again, reinforce everything you've learnt. Best of luck~

TIPS
1) Seriously, remember your basics.
2) Items are used automatically
3) "Mother" can be avoided without closets (some).
4) Solutions stay the same


(b) You See A Ghost or Something?
Mansion doesn't have many memorable rooms but I was completely vulnerable because of the realistically deserted and opulent Winchester House vibe it had going for it. Something about being in a rickety house, creaking every chance it got made me cower in the closets forever. Encounters with the ghost lady are largely unpredictable and it's just sadistic for closets to be included as decoration... or are they?

And no joke, went through most of my first playthrough without seeing her fully (my eyes were shut) and I just dove headfirst in the closets to wait it out. Sound design- real great establishing of atmosphere. Especially the soundtrack, which is rare for an indie horror!! Soothing at times cause of the piano numbers and cynical when it comes to orchestral arrangements.

Making hallways, rooms out to be needlessly (don't appreciate it) more dangerous and that something will jump at me. And here we are again, in the closet... Voice performances were above average! But Peter's VA sounded a bit flat with emotional lines.


(c) A Picture Paints A Thousand Words~
I actually have vexes with the story but I must commend it's not lacking in any of the visual, sound or any other department. So, if you like The Woman in Black (2012), The Conjuring (2013) or any of James Wan's supernatural films then SVC is right up your alley. In all honesty, there's only so much you can work with when it comes to ghosts, but here it's moving, intimidating and the pacing is brilliant!


(d) Shackled Prisoners...
SCARY: 1st) SVC helped me realize that being embroiled in misunderstanding is absolutely petrifying. The ensuing confusion and waywardness is one thing. But when it's something so unexpected, anti-climactic you don't even have a chance to explain yourself... It's like having a mouth but no voice in one of those sleep paralysis episodes.

2nd) The resulting intense feelings of sorrow, grief and vengeance are powerful motivators with life of their own. Linger and manifest, contorting into forms we can't even begin to comprehend. It's fascinating and yet at the same time saddening. Personally, I don't believe in ghosts- but after SVC, I like to think there can be...

3rd) Lastly, closure- which means facing ugly truths that could leave one in an even worse spiral. Denying it may be something you've gotten real skilled at but what of the consequences that one day will bubble up to the surface? It's a rock and a hard place, frankly I have no idea what's the answer.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2473856506


(i) For. PETE's. Sake.
This is a recurring complaint but the auto-saves are spaced out far apart so that when you get instant killed; you have to backtrack and pray you react quicker next time! Even the final confrontation- a fleshed out boss battle where you will be subjected to many deaths and long loading screens. SVC can be a test of patience, but remember all love takes time~


(ii) OUIJA Look at That...!?
Puzzles are not too tough but only so due to their design. Say the ones where you have to count your steps or not going close enough for the interaction prompt to pop up. If that's not bad enough, you also need to rely on your own keen eye and deduction for the unspoken objectives.

Basically this means certain parts eat up way longer than necessary with the destination clearly displayed when wearing the monocle but getting there is another issue because you forgot or overlooked key items.


x Final boss' AI
x Crouching and then standing up in specific corners will lock movements


~ Unconvincing start; macguffin car crash to kick off the events leading to SVC
~ Why now after so many years?!


https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2473834312

SVC summons an all too uncanny ghostly premise, cranking it up with a mind's eye-level exploration! Housing malevolence, unpredictability to its encounters albeit with a few haunting design choices~ In fact, going around the mansion playing medium is what makes uncovering the plot so worthwhile. The property itself is daunting with the Victorian aged interior, complete with creaks, groans and well before any antagonists make contact. The length may be longer than a few of James Wan's films combined but feels just right.

The auto-saves may be beyond saving making for a purgatory-like and or Sisyphus boulder rolling to recoup progress losses. Coupled with some unique yet obscure and arguably heavy-handed approach to its puzzles. The same goes for its guiding of objectives. Both of which could deter you from continuing and jumping to the conclusion that it's bugged.

Though I wasn't convinced by the stitched together story, I can't deny SVC boasts a bloody good effort. And once you've lifted that veil, you will see it as a misunderstood soul that's actually your kindred spirit, if you're a horror lover that is~


How this isn't more popular- I know why, but your loss!

Much love goes out to MzCookies! Thanks for the digital coo-key~

[code]Curator page here-->[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/37670120/] DaRevieweD #85 [/url]<-- [i]New review every Weekend[/i][/code] A relatively unknown [b]Cracked Heads Games[/b] debuted in 2019 with [b]Silver Chains (SVC)[/b]. With supernatural horror being my least favorite genre because of countless tropes; little ghost girls, playful nature and putting souls to rest just to make a point (also present btw). Lately I've been finding myself somewhat possessed and playing games I otherwise wouldn't in a million years. Since I love nothing more than to shove my preconceived notions in me own mug, I convened with the spirits and- Fortunately, SVC exceeded the little speck of hope I had and succeeded in getting under my skin. Not going to lie, I could also recall the wonderfully thrilling, entertaining times I had from [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/DeadeGuard98/recommended/391720/] Layers of Fear[/url] or [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/DeadeGuard98/recommended/1504740/] Find Yourself[/url]. However, unlike those two focusing on the human psyche- this is purely and vividly a ghost story. Would you give it a sliver of chance~ [h1]"A Familiar Presence..."[/h1] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2473843460 [u]The Gist:[/u] Peter no-last-name, miraculously survives crashing into a tree. He staggers off, finding a mansion in the wilderness and learns he is not alone. Soon the residents make it clear they want something of him... A friendly game of scavenger hunt, hide-and-seek or monster; they all seem to either want him dead or at least nearer to it~ [spoiler] ! I spy with my little eye... a dummy!! [/spoiler] [h1][+] PROS;[/h1] [b](a) Making Up for Lost Time![/b] Begins linearly as you don't quite know what to expect, so you enter every room apprehensively. You’re eased into the playful puzzles that tries to train you into being inquisitive of every nook and cranny. Not before long, one angry mother starts to plague you and closets become your sanctum sanctorum! The whole mansion becomes accessible like a grand playground you need to proceed with both caution and attentiveness. The scavenger hunt portion where you don a monocle to spot things otherwise hidden to the naked eye are where things get mighty interesting! The rush of successfully figuring and locating hidden items. To sum up; collect items, get frightened, hide and repeat- remember it like it's an incantation to seal away evil!! There's one really fun-aggravating boss at the end that again, reinforce everything you've learnt. Best of luck~ TIPS 1) Seriously, remember your basics. 2) Items are used automatically 3) "Mother" can be avoided without closets (some). 4) Solutions stay the same [b](b) You See A Ghost or Something?[/b] Mansion doesn't have many memorable rooms but I was completely vulnerable because of the realistically deserted and opulent [b]Winchester House[/b] vibe it had going for it. Something about being in a rickety house, creaking every chance it got made me cower in the closets forever. Encounters with the ghost lady are largely unpredictable and it's just sadistic for closets to be included as decoration... or are they? And no joke, went through most of my first playthrough without seeing her fully (my eyes were shut) and I just dove headfirst in the closets to wait it out. Sound design- real great establishing of atmosphere. Especially the soundtrack, which is rare for an indie horror!! Soothing at times cause of the piano numbers and cynical when it comes to orchestral arrangements. Making hallways, rooms out to be needlessly (don't appreciate it) more dangerous and that something will jump at me. And here we are again, in the closet... Voice performances were above average! But Peter's VA sounded a bit flat with emotional lines. [b](c) A Picture Paints A Thousand Words~[/b] I actually have vexes with the story but I must commend it's not lacking in any of the visual, sound or any other department. So, if you like [b]The Woman in Black (2012), The Conjuring (2013)[/b] or any of [b]James Wan's[/b] supernatural films then SVC is right up your alley. In all honesty, there's only so much you can work with when it comes to ghosts, but here it's moving, intimidating and the pacing is brilliant! [b](d) Shackled Prisoners...[/b] SCARY: 1st) SVC helped me realize that being embroiled in misunderstanding is absolutely petrifying. The ensuing confusion and waywardness is one thing. But when it's something so unexpected, anti-climactic you don't even have a chance to explain yourself... It's like having a mouth but no voice in one of those sleep paralysis episodes. 2nd) The resulting intense feelings of sorrow, grief and vengeance are powerful motivators with life of their own. Linger and manifest, contorting into forms we can't even begin to comprehend. It's fascinating and yet at the same time saddening. Personally, I don't believe in ghosts- but after SVC, I like to think there can be... 3rd) Lastly, closure- which means facing ugly truths that could leave one in an even worse spiral. Denying it may be something you've gotten real skilled at but what of the consequences that one day will bubble up to the surface? It's a rock and a hard place, frankly I have no idea what's the answer. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2473856506 [h1][-] CONS;[/h1] [b](i) For. PETE's. Sake.[/b] This is a recurring complaint but the auto-saves are spaced out far apart so that when you get instant killed; you have to backtrack and pray you react quicker next time! Even the final confrontation- a fleshed out boss battle where you will be subjected to many deaths and long loading screens. SVC can be a test of patience, but remember all love takes time~ [b](ii) OUIJA Look at That...!?[/b] Puzzles are not too tough but only so due to their design. Say the ones where you have to count your steps or not going close enough for the interaction prompt to pop up. If that's not bad enough, you also need to rely on your own keen eye and deduction for the unspoken objectives. Basically this means certain parts eat up way longer than necessary with the destination clearly displayed when wearing the monocle but getting there is another issue because you forgot or overlooked key items. [h1]BUGS:[/h1] x Final boss' AI x Crouching and then standing up in specific corners will lock movements [h1]NITPICKS:[/h1] ~ Unconvincing start; macguffin car crash to kick off the events leading to SVC ~ Why now after so many years?! [h1]"Truth Set Free At Last!"[/h1] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2473834312 SVC summons an all too uncanny ghostly premise, cranking it up with a mind's eye-level exploration! Housing malevolence, unpredictability to its encounters albeit with a few haunting design choices~ In fact, going around the mansion playing medium is what makes uncovering the plot so worthwhile. The property itself is daunting with the Victorian aged interior, complete with creaks, groans and well before any antagonists make contact. The length may be longer than a few of James Wan's films combined but feels just right. The auto-saves may be beyond saving making for a purgatory-like and or Sisyphus boulder rolling to recoup progress losses. Coupled with some unique yet obscure and arguably heavy-handed approach to its puzzles. The same goes for its guiding of objectives. Both of which could deter you from continuing and jumping to the conclusion that it's bugged. Though I wasn't convinced by the stitched together story, I can't deny SVC boasts a bloody good effort. And once you've lifted that veil, you will see it as a misunderstood soul that's actually your kindred spirit, if you're a horror lover that is~ [h1]8.8/10[/h1] [b]How this isn't more popular- I know why, but your loss![/b] [i]Much love goes out to [b]MzCookies[/b]! Thanks for the digital coo-key~[/i]