Screenshot by Destructoid
Escapism cannot protect you forever.
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Technology dreams and reality merge when something sinister hides behind the doors you’re afraid to open. Already, AILA I want nothing more than to remind you what’s behind it. What mistake have you made and how far are you willing to go to escape your past?
Thrown into the world of advanced technologies, AILA sees you playing as Samuel, a video game tester. With talk of a killer taking the eyes and hands of his victims, escaping into a virtual land of horror seemed appropriate for the broken Samuel. One of the indie horror games I was most looking forward to this year was the November 25 release of the horror game, AILA.
A technological horror that blurs the line between virtual and reality, AILA throws you into different worlds in hopes of reminding you of the past that Samuel is so desperately trying to forget.
AILA has lots of ideas and doesn’t suffer because of them
AILA it cleverly and effortlessly blends horror ideas and subgenres without feeling lost. The inclusion of collectible hunts, both in the form of figures and Red Wagon pages, enhances the inviting level design throughout the title. The compact level design was neat and refined, to a point AILA does not provide a map. Surprisingly, it wasn’t necessary. I found that I easily progressed through the game without any hesitation or struggle as each level was well paced and flowed well with each other.
The problem is that while the setting and concept changes with each world you explore, the gameplay remains the same throughout. Survival and action horror blend into and out of each other AILAIn a promising introduction, monotone, non-intimidating enemies appear in three forms: a compact and common enemy, a larger and stronger enemy, and the level’s boss. The format makes AILA repeatable and completely eliminate any challenges. The puzzles are also simpler than in most horror games, and the boss fights take place in the same miniature arena where you just run in a circle and turn to shoot every time.
Intriguing feed system
Although the game offers narrative choices, each of them boils down to two obvious, binary moral options. The game result also takes into account the final decision in which the choice of the right option is as obvious as Mass effectRenegade and Paragon paths. Karma is not expanded beyond the occasional choice and provides little depth to the story because you don’t shape Samuel like a Quantum Dream game or Baldur’s Gate.
Your decisions really depend on whether you accept or reject the truth that you have not yet learned (but can easily guess). Truth be told, the karma system doesn’t change much, but it’s a fun inclusion. You were told very early on that AILA was tracking your karma and listening to your opinions. However, this only seems to matter in the first hour. Which seemed like a large advantage AILA in his karma system (which had great potential) was a disappointment because it was untapped.
Unreal Engine 5 at full power (except for crazy character models)
It definitely lacked the atmosphere you’d expect from a horror movie. Apart from the first half hour of the game, which clearly had a huge impact FRIbook, rest AILA it offered no suspense as I progressed through each level, solving mostly basic puzzles and brutalizing the rest, engaging in uncomplicated but repetitive combat along the way.
While I enjoyed the story each level had to offer, I couldn’t get immersed in the story because I knew they were created by AILA software. I hope I’m the only one who noticed this, but I have a demanding time investing in characters that are irrelevant to the overarching plot when their existence is purely video game filler. Like BeginningIn A Dream Within a Dream, no one is interested in the extras that populate Cillian Murphy’s subconscious, but rather in the real people that invade his mind.
Much like Cronos: The New Dawn, there’s nothing novel or inspiring about AILA
Although I don’t expect anything original, so of course I borrow from Resident Evil AND Silent Hillacknowledging inspiration from references such as Leon Kennedy’s ID card and combining the medicinal item with a flower for increased effectiveness, makes AILA feel like a follower.
The FRIThe opening style is that of a typical psychological horror film, but with unique elements involving the operate of glitches, televisions, and a remote control to alter reality. This, combined with the overall creepy sound design, resulted AILA forceful start. My joy only diminished when I saw the ubiquitous mannequin featured in many indie horror games. Tired, oversaturated and unfortunately predictable – that’s what I thought about after an hour AILA and stayed until the end, eight hours later.
I was hoping this story would save the game, but it was clear from the start where it was going. The reveal was expected, as was evident from the various hints dropped from the very beginning. Most will get the hang of it quickly if you’re used to horror movies.
If you’re looking for a scary experience, you won’t find it here. However, if like me you are not desensitized to horror AILA it should offer entertainment, suspense and intrigue with its narrative. Those who are fans FRI AND Resident Evil should enjoy this title unless you’re looking for the next influential psychological horror or survival game.
