Scholar's Mate

Scholar’s Mate fulfills its purpose very well. Obviously, there are the risks of a short, puzzle-based game, such as the complete absence of replay value, but in terms of challenges, visuals, and immersion, it is all quite pleasant.

Scholar's Mate puts you in a cramped scenario filled with pursuit and hard escape room puzzles to solve. While this sounds good, this game may not be for everyone, Pacing can feel uneven, and the constant pursuit can be aggravating when trying to solve multiple puzzles. Still, there's something fun here for horror fans and puzzle lovers, especially since the game only asks for $12.99.

Solving the obscure puzzles of Scholar's Mate can be troublesome enough, and so when you also add in a pursuer and limited stealth mechanics, you're left with an experience that is generally unrewarding and frustrating.

An earnest effort at recreating the puzzling contraptions of an escape room mixed with an Outlast-like antagonist, Scholar’s Mate falls victim to the most insipid storytelling, boring gameplay and obtuse puzzles. While it may look the part of a horror game, the only true terror will stem from the fact you could have just gone to a real escape room, and gotten more value for your money.