Martha is Dead is without doubt something that doesn't pop out from every corner - and for a reason because it is one of if not even the most terrifying psychologically challenging game I've played. Through the game the player is pushed to situations and visions that no sane person would like to watch too long. I mean that there is more than a handful of something caught from the worst nightmares and I'm not only talking about how gruesome they are but they stimulate almost too well of human mind which can snap in the wrong position in the most fatal way. Martha is Dead is the most miserable tale of how monstrous one can become if the current environment and the past direct so.

The game takes place in the small villa in Italy's countryside near the end of WW2 where Allies are pushing forth and the country is more or a less in chaos reigned by National Socialists' Germany. Without spoiling too much of the remarkable story I cover the beginning where Guilia find's her twin sister Martha's corpse in the lake and as terrified she is she is also righteous and wants to find out who killed her twin. Nevertheless through fast twists and turns she also becomes anxious and haunted by the happened events and constantly falls deeper and deeper into state where both player and Guilia question what is actually true and what is not.

Thus it is enough to say that the game is story rich and so rich that the layers within form a stack so huge that it is actually meant impossible to make any proper conclusions for protagonist's morals, fate, visions and past are left open. When I completed the game I watched a couple of analysis and I found out that there might be as many theories that there are players. But that much I know that the feelings I had changed from pure pity to utter rage towards the main character - there was a tiny moment I felt that I had to actually close the game, maybe uninstall it for I barely could watch this circus any longer.

Martha is Dead isn't just psychological creep show though because there is some simple, but entertaining learning matter as well. The biggest feature is gorgeous WW2 era camera, which player uses to proceed in their objects but can use it freely to take pictures whenever and wherever they like and these pictures are developed in old fashioned way in a darkroom with thin red light and devices. The procedure is documented in detail from the beginning to the end also underlining the parts where it would take longer in real life. The telegraph is another thing which is used few times and I definitely know better now how to write Morse code if I ever need to. There is also lot of walking in the small but nice looking area and sometimes the game can feel rather a walking sim than a psycological horror/thriller, which it is but the more peaceful parts work as a good variation at least. The icing on the cake is default Italian voice-overs and I do recommend to play it with those and English subtitles to fill the immersion. English voice-over is available option though.

Even when I had played LKA's previous game 'The Town of Light', other controversial game still giving me creeps, Martha is Dead delivered something unforgettable. The most hawk eyed players have even seen some connections between the games. However, I hold no shame of playing this although I would never recommend this to everyone because Martha is Dead is not for everyone. Period. It is an honest, uncensored and merciless ride into twisted and despaired human mind and I can't judge who is going to 'like' it or not, but for me it was dancing in the nonexistent line of sick taste, art and documentary finally making it over the finish line.

If you should start this game, be honest with yourself and listen to your feelings. If any worse vibes emerges take care of yourself, refund the game and hug some of your loved ones.