Overwhelm

Overwhelm, to me, is one of those small, must-play games that does so much with very little. I’m surprised by how much I genuinely enjoyed the game, and hope more people will give themselves the opportunity to play it. The game isn’t long - with unlimited lives and ammo switched on, it can be beat in under an hour - but replayability with default settings and new game+ will keep hardcore players busy. Overwhelm is one of those small, hidden gems that I’m really hoping won’t be so hidden after all.

Simple yet effective, Overwhelm takes the concepts at the very core of the horror genre and presents them in the form of a nostalgic and addictive game.

Overwhelm is a worthwhile experiment in good, clean, nerve-wracking, terrifying fun. [Issue #40 – July/August 2019, p. 19]

Overwhelm’s dark, intense action makes for a fantastic yet occasionally frustrating horror experience. When you are in the game, leaping around enemies and using your limited ammo to deal with evolving threats, you will be experiencing an immensely satisfying challenge. It’s only a shame that some of the technical aspects can make death too easy and navigation a chore, because the roots of Overwhelm’s concept design are exemplary.

There are few gaming feelings as exhilarating as triumphing over a title as demanding as Overwhelm but that can still make the experience feel more like a chore than a game.

If you’re up for the challenge that lies ahead, and the copious amounts of punishment with the game’s difficulty, there’s no doubt you’ve arrived at the right doorstep. If you’re not ready for those challenges, walk away now because this might not be the experience for you. There’s a good chance of frustration, bouts of rage, and simply the feeling of being overwhelmed. Most definitely — proceed with caution.

Overwhelm takes the action platformer genre to extremes. Despite its borderline unfair camera, players willing to accept the challenge have quite a tense journey ahead of them. It’s a game that controls exceptionally well in order to incentivize skilled play, while leaving enemy placement up to random number generation resulting in a compromise between the two. Due to the more unforgiving aspects, Overwhelm certainly appeals to the very niche audience that values challenge above all else.