INFRA

Why was this not a hit!? Infra has some of the most in-depth lore of any modern game I've played, alongside the stunning graphics that hold up even today, 10 years later. Alongside the great puzzles and amazing pacing, I have no complaints, yes some of the puzzles are difficult, but that's the point. No complaints, Amazing game!

INFRA is a walking simulator, but it's also a quest through and through. You can't even imagine how much detail this game holds and how deeply the community has delved into discovering Steelburg's secrets, which the developers haven't left on the surface. I'd say INFRA is a true ARG within a virtual world, where secrets are often hidden around the next corner, but not every player will think to look beyond them. The game is based on solving puzzles and documenting various damage or anomalies with your camera. During our "inspection," we'll pass through numerous dark places, like city catacombs, poisoned sewers, collapsed factory corridors, and even the habitats of the city's marginalized. Naturally, Mark can't carry any weapons, meaning we won't be able to defend ourselves. We won't encounter a single living soul throughout the game, but this won't stop us from experiencing numerous stressful situations where the main enemy isn't aggressive humans, but large-scale destruction, natural disasters, and critical infrastructure damage. Stalburg is truly hanging by a thread from a man-made disaster, and we'll see this firsthand. Recording all the infrastructure damage isn't necessary, as it's quite challenging due to its skillful integration into the environment (and the sheer volume), but it will be a critical factor in the finale. If you truly want to save the residents of Stalburg from a terrible fate, you'll have to work hard. Of course, it's difficult to say much about the landscapes in a 2016 game about endlessly crawling through sewers and dungeons, but the developers of INFRA have squeezed every possible resource out of the Source engine to make the player's adventure truly engaging. All locations are meticulously detailed, feature destructibility, and boast a wealth of details that are fascinating to explore and examine. Amusingly, the locations are so well-developed and interconnected that, as you progress through the game, you could literally draw a map of Stalburg and it would logically make sense. Employee correspondence, newspaper articles, tape recordings, and even graffiti—everything makes sense and fits seamlessly into a coherent narrative that you piece together yourself. While initially limited to corruption and blackmail letters, later, the depths of Stalburg will reveal a new side, with documents revealing references to "Underground Justice," a sect worshiping the guillotine, toxic mushrooms favored by drug addicts, mass executions of ordinary civilians who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and even a creature called Mörkö, who drags people into the darkness who decide to wander the catacombs. INFRA is certainly a personal adventure where we won't encounter a single soul along the way, but thanks to the skillful work of the level designers, wandering through claustrophobic corridors and abandoned buildings will constantly create a feeling of discomfort and the constant presence of something invisible behind us. Perhaps it's just our imagination, or perhaps "Underground Justice" really is watching our every move... I would call INFRA a true gaming monolith that demands attention and concentration. This game isn't meant for speedrunning or attempting to solve puzzles blindfolded, as literally any wrong decision could destroy the city and all its inhabitants. Broke a window? Get a fine. Turned the wrong valve? The drinking water supply is cut off. Didn't notice a crack in the wall? Congratulations, you're in danger. INFRA requires a thoughtful approach, where you gradually digest the information gained over the course of 50+ hours and genuinely enjoy exploring the catacombs and technical networks of Stalburg. And of course, only our attentiveness will allow Mark to successfully complete his shift, as there are countless ways to die in the game, and sometimes death can lie in unexpected places. If you're a fan of Source games with their physics and world-building, enjoy complex, intricate plots with unexpected twists, and are patient enough to sit in front of a monitor for 50 hours for a satisfying ending, then INFRA will be the long-awaited adventure you've been putting off. A unique game that definitely deserves more attention from the gaming community and a hidden gem from a bygone era of indie releases.