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MrCiastku’s “Apparition” is a first-person 3D mystery horror game, and in this horror title, you play as a paranormal investigator. As for the background story, well…You’ve made your way to a place called Green Creek, which you’ve been interested in for a while, as it’s the home to many strange disappearances.

“Apparition” is naturally set at night. So if you fear the dark, then the game will become even scarier while you play it for sure.

You know, from my point of view. “Apparition” resembles something between a mix of “Dead By Daylight” and “White Light”. However, “Apparition” does not have the same production values as neither of those titles. Even so, “Apparition” does still contain the same jump scares and horror aspects of both of them – and adds a few things of its own.

This is the equipment shop where you buy paranormal investigative items. Well, if you have the points for it that is.

Anyways, before you get to start your paranormal investigation, you start off by selecting your equipment, of which there is a limited amount that you can use (at least until you’ve captured evidence and returned to your car in piece). Then, you arrive at Green Creek with your trusty candle and start investigating – or you can leave straight away. Leaving is quite literally an important part of the game.

You also have the ability to buy a map in the game, and that is something that I would recommend. As the map will come in handy very early on.

You either leave this mortal coil at the hands of whatever roams Green Creek, or you make your way back to the car after investigating the area to build up points in order to get better equipment so that you can return later, continue your investigation and build up more points. The latter, is, of course, the preferred option.

The visuals, music and sound effects is on point in “Apparition”. Furthermore, there are also plenty of Jump scares to be had.

Exploring the area leads you to various campsites and buildings which you can explore and perhaps find objects of interest. However, stay around too long and whatever evil is in Green Creek will take an interest in you, and maybe conduct an in-depth study of your body – using a knife of some sort.

apparition this is how you upgrade your current gear

Once you get into the cellar, you get a chance to craft traps and to upgrade your current gear.

These huts also provide clues to whatever roams this area, and possibly bits and pieces about why they are here. Build up enough points and you’ll be able to one very important item : A Jimmy to open a trap-door, which you can then go down to escape from the evil that is around and also to upgrade your equipment, or create traps – if you have enough supplies.

You get to use a Ouija board to get answers to your questions. In this case, the ghost is called Sara, apparently.

The Ouija board is an important part of your mission. Because not only is it a way of getting plenty of points, but asking the right questions may give you a clue to what is roaming around. Naturally, none of the spirits give you a straight answer…

As for replayability value. Well, your “target” changes with each game, and the same goes for the different apparitions that are roaming around in the forest.

However, you will find that the answers given will frequently change. So obviously there is a lot of paranormal activity around. For example, one person I contacted apparently died in the late 16th century, whilst another in the late 20th century. Of course, you won’t always get any answers either.

Other than that, “Apparition” is certainly a very atmospheric game. I mean, it’s extremely dark and wet (I honestly don’t know how your candle manages to stay alight), with lots of thunder (and rain). All the buildings are also gloomy and the barely lit campsites from which you can conduct Ouija seances doesn’t help to lighten the mood either. To make matters worse, there are jump scares to be found in the game as well.

I truly like “Apparition” so far. I really do. However, the game does suffer from some negative attributes. For example, the game is a single player game only at the moment. Furthermore, the playing area is rather tiny, and the game’s visuals isn’t exactly stunning and beautiful.

Truth be told. The only real drawback with the game is the game area is small, and whilst you are told when you are leaving the area. So it’s not always easy to find your way back, and its mainly because you don’t always know the correct direction nor what the limits are.

Nevertheless, at the end of the day (despite the cons that I have mentioned in this review), “Apparition” is still a very promising first-person survival horror game. So I’m very curious to find out what the final version of the game will be like. Especially since the early access version of the game is already very impressive.

Pros:
+ Atmospheric both visually and audibly (glass breaking and howls all help…)
+ Your “target” changes with each game
+ Jump scares

Cons:
– Graphically, even on higher settings, textures for cars and objects aren’t that great
– Will require a lot of replay in order to collect enough points and pieces to buy decent objects, which may annoy people
– Playing area is a bit small – and boundaries are undefined
– Single player only (perhaps this may change)

Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 3/5
Sound and music: 3/5
Controls: 4/5
Replay value: 3/5
Story: 3/5

tgg grade 4 out of 5

Verdict: 4/5
“Apparition” is a very good start to what could rival some of the more established horror games. However, the graphics need to be a bit better, and the play area needs to be enlarged as well. Furthermore, it would also be great if multiplayer could be added to the game. Even so, “Apparition” is still very playable and enjoyable, and not to mention extremely creepy and very scary.

Title: Apparition
Developer: MrCiastku
Format: PC
Genre: First-person mystery horror
Resolution: User-defined
Release date: 2018-10-31
Difficulty: User-defined
Spent time: +4 hours
Average grade internationally: N/A
PEGI age rating: N/A
Price: 6.52 Euros from Steam