As video games advance technologically, more and more people are looking for simpler experiences that take us back in time. The latest game to try to exploit our nostalgic memories of childhood (or adolescence, depending on your age) is called Crow Country and, like the classics of yesteryear, it manages to create a cozy atmosphere with few resources while offering an attractive story. .
The visual aspect is the first thing you notice when you start playing this indie adventure, and like most PlayStation or Sega Saturn titles of the time, the graphics are made up of simple polygons and squares. At first glance, it is very reminiscent of the games released for the aforementioned consoles around 1997, but although the design is minimalist, it manages to convey a surprising amount of detail and emotion by intelligently dealing with self-imposed limitations.
The genre it operates in is “survival horror,” but it’s certainly not the kind of horror with visually grotesque imagery and “jump scares” galore, instead here it’s the setting and tone that act as a guide, leading to the uncovering of a mystery that becomes increasingly uncomfortable the deeper you go. It may not be the best story out there, but the developers manage to keep your attention and interest until the end.
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I won’t give too much away about the plot itself (as the narrative is one of the game’s greatest joys), but in short, you take on the role of Mara Forest, a curious girl who travels to an abandoned amusement park that has previously been the site of several supernatural events following the disappearance of its founder, Edward Crow. At first glance, it looks like it’s all tall tales and nothing more, but the more you explore the abandoned attractions and facilities, the more you realize that there’s a disturbing amount of truth behind all the myths and stories.
You’re not completely helpless when things fall apart, however, as you can use both items and gunfire to defend yourself against various vermin. It’s true that the experience is mostly focused on solving puzzles and participating in the story, as in games like Resident Evil, but the action moments provide a welcome “break” of calm, and it’s a pleasure to clear the awkward atmosphere with a few loud explosions and gunfights every now and then. However, aiming can seem a little dated and clunky even to the uninitiated, as you’re viewing everything from above, but if you were around in the late ’90s, you’ll feel right at home with the slightly more archaic controls.
Crow Country is also almost perfect in its length. It takes around 6-8 hours to complete, and it’s not too short that you feel like you haven’t gotten your money’s worth, but without making you wait long or dragging out the experience. When the credits started rolling, I was just very happy with what I had been given, and considering the price is around 15-20 dollars, there are no complaints about the value.
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Because at the end of the day, Crow Country is a very well composed horror adventure that mixes the best of the past without us having to get our old Sega Saturn out of storage. Certainly it’s not a masterpiece like its obvious inspirations from 25 years ago, but for those who want to experience the same kind of brilliance as the first era of PlayStation, Crow Country is a great option to treat yourself to now during the summer months.
