35MM – Review
Apocalypse-themed video games can take a variety of approaches. Whether it’s a horde of zombies or drones with fungus heads, the world we live in is constantly changing. It doesn’t matter what sparked the crisis; video games from the past decade have captured the situation with an authenticity and realism that probes the nature of human existence. In the same vein as games like The Last of Us, 35MM joins the list of depressing titles. Even though this one has a dreadful, lonely, and empty atmosphere that I haven’t experienced before, it’s still an enjoyable experience.
35MM’s lead developer is Sergey Noskov, who also worked on In Rays of the Light, an action-adventure title, before joining 35MM. He’s an excellent storyteller, and he’s also a talented game designer. However, 35MM’s vibes are very similar to those of its predecessor, but at the same time it has a strange, colder atmosphere.
It takes place in a dystopian Russia in the aftermath of a catastrophic event. A man and his companion are out in the wilderness, and you take on the role of the man leading the way. At the beginning of the storey, you are only told that you are sitting outside a house looking at the road in front of you, and nothing else is mentioned. I found the storytelling to be evocative of a quiet, sparseness throughout.
You learn about characters and the history of the world as you go along. This is told in a variety of ways, including flashbacks and monologues from other characters.
In terms of gameplay, it’s a cross between a walking simulator and a puzzle game with survival elements and some shooting thrown in. You have no idea what to do next in the first person. Another survivor tells you to get going and then you’re on your own. Generally speaking, if you see something interesting in the distance, it’s best to move in that direction instead of staying put. In ruins, you can find food and water in the form of rusted-out vehicles or buildings, as well as notes and photos from previous occupants. However, attempting to navigate it without a map will leave you feeling a little lost. Even though the pace of 35MM is a bit slow, it gets more exciting when you’re being chased and other gameplay mechanics are brought into play.
When it comes to 35MM, whether or not you enjoy the quick-time events will determine how you feel about the game. There are also objects that can be interacted with, but I’ve found the cursor to be awkward, requiring you to hit the right spot in order for the game to recognise them. In addition, there is some gunplay to be had, but it isn’t exactly what you’d expect from a shooter-focused game. There are many different styles in this short adventure, and none of them are shooters.
Despite my previous complaints about certain aspects of the gameplay, there is a lot to enjoy in this world. Isolation and loss are conveyed very well through the pacing of the storey, which is interesting and makes you feel shaken when there is a set-piece, playing out an exciting event. After the first playthrough, there are four different endings to experience, but honestly, it’ll be a difficult task to make it through all of them. In light of recent events, 35MM may not be a pleasant viewing experience, but it is undeniably another excellent piece of storytelling from Sergey Noskov.
The 35MM film format conveys a sense of isolation and decay through its visuals. The world is shrouded in low-level mist, with only a sliver of light piercing through it. The game houses have been ransacked and broken as you progress. The roadside is littered with abandoned cars and carts. This is a grim world that the developer has created, but it’s integral to the plot and the action sequences. It has the same sense of artistry as his previous work, which I found pleasing. Despite the fact that some of the characters and animal models aren’t quite up to snuff in close-up, the soundtrack is excellent and perfectly matches the film’s mood.
The 35MM film’s bleak outlook is unnerving. However, the use of storytelling in a drip-fed narrative is excellent. While the graphics and audio are impressive, the game’s gameplay mechanics and controls fall short.
You’ll enjoy 35MM, but I doubt you’ll be itching to go back for another viewing.
