Indie Trial Worth Trying: Decay – Part 3 by Shining Gate Software

“Decay – Part 3″ is listed as Action & Adventure, not to be confused with an Action-Adventure game. It is an interactive story mystery game. Games like these bring me back to middle school computer class when we had a selection of five or so games we could play in our free time (Always including, and sometimes limited to, Oregon Trail). Except this one is a horror game…

You’re in a place you’re unfamiliar with and you must find clues to enlighten yourself and solve your way out of the room/off the island/ out of the house/ ect.

So, in “Decay – Part 3,” keep in mind I haven’t played parts 1 or 2, you’re in an abandoned(ish) apartment building or facility. I couldn’t tell exactly which it was but I’m leaning towards apartment building. The surroundings flicker like dying fluorescent lights from a past with cleanliness and upkeep to a present with graffiti and crime-scene remnants.

This effect and the intended overall air of eeriness had me sitting up and paying attention. I am always the girl who knew it was coming but got startled anyway. I was prepared for something to lunge out at me or fall from the ceiling.

Then, after some time where I couldn’t tell if the game had started yet, I realized I’d probably see anything coming because in this game I walk extremely slowly. I was pushing the left stick for a while thinking I wasn’t moving at all.

Sadly, most things in the game environment aren’t clickable. You “explore” rooms and use the D-pad to look around. But you don’t actually look around, you shift perspective. Facing forward. Facing left. Facing right. There’s something obvious to touch and/or take and nothing else. It’s like a museum, just look with your eyes.

From only playing the trial I didn’t see much decision making or storyline options. Simply move forward until you hit a roadblock. Wander around until you find the thing that will clear the roadblock. Or wander around finding the two things you can until you hit a roadblock and then use the things on it. Not super exciting.

While I wasn’t wowed by the game play, I was impressed with the design and curious about the story. I’d totally read the book or graphic novel. Maybe play the game.

I played the trial because I was drawn in by the name and the cover art. You don’t often see quality cover art on crap indie games. Designers tend to correlate covers and contents.

I plan to go back and try 1 and 2, because with what little story I was able to experience I feel this might be a series worth slowly shuffling through.

Decay – Part 3 is available for download on XBox Live Indie Games (240 points) and was created by Shining Gate Software.

Share this article:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on tumblr
Tumblr
Share on email
Email
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp

Recent Posts

Three fortnite character overlooking the map Features

How Fortnite Hurt The Gaming Industry

When Fortnite was initially released in 2017, it was a PVE defense game that didn’t seem like it would be around for long. With the growing popularity of games in …

Master Chief holding his helmet. Halo Infinite Features

What Halo Infinite Should Have Been

https://youtu.be/Cagxj2RchQI?si=_fFf3fs_fsh7d0Fq Many people have a gaming franchise that changed their life in some way. I have life-long friendships that have been formed while playing games like Mario Kart and Golden …

Gaming News

Should You Buy A Meta Quest 3S?

https://youtu.be/EVSbA2Yxx2k?si=G2KXmPguAB_45u5n Meta recencetly heald their Meta Connect conference and announced some excited things if you’re into VR and AR. The Meta Quest 2 was once the hottest item in their …

Halo Project Foundry Gaming News

What Is The Future of Halo?

https://youtu.be/a2CCRgycbLI?si=3juhSUwirUTpKWoJ There have been rumors for years about what is next for Halo. Today during the Halo World Championships, we got our answers. 343 Industries will now be known as …

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind Gaming News

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind | Developer Interview

It may surprise many, but there has never been a Power Rangers arcade beat ’em up game. (I know right!?!?!) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a passion project …

Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch Gaming News

Jay and Silent Bob: The Chronic Blunt Punch | PAX West 2024

Going into PAX West 2024, I knew that I was going to enjoy ‘Jay and Silent Bob: The Chronic Blunt Punch’, but I did not know it was going to be …