Blair Witch analysis (PS4 Xbox One PC)

Bloober Team are responsible for bringing the terrifying popular story of the Witch of Blair to the videogame genre. The legend takes the form of survival-horror and, despite using clichés that we have seen a thousand and one times, it manages to generate a raw sense of anguish thanks to its superb setting. The game limps in some ways and chests on others, but in any case, achieve your goal. If you are a fan of horror games, watch out, because Blair Witch may make you sweat a fat drop.

Ellis, a damaged mind

In Blair Witch we get lost in a dark forest only accompanied by our inseparable dog, Bullet. We live the story of Ellis, a former military man who does not take too well to be alone, since horrible memories of his past flourish again. From a story to the movie, and from the movie to the video game.

Bloober Team are responsible for bringing the terrifying popular story of the Witch of Blair to the videogame genre. The legend takes the form of survival-horror and, despite using resources that we have seen a thousand and one times, manages to generate a raw feeling of anguish thanks to its superb atmosphere

. The game limps in some aspects and puts out chest in others, but in any case, it achieves its goal. If you are a fan of horror games, watch out, because Blair Witch may make you sweat a fat drop.

Loneliness, tension and anguish

The great strength of this title is the setting. The sound design is spectacular (we'll talk about it) and, together with the structure of the stages, get an immediate immersion. The forest is very well designed, and I assure you that more than once you will end up completely lost within its thicket. This has a double edge, since on the one hand it brings a touch of realism to the formula, but on the other it can generate quite tedious situations. There is no visible HUD, except for the object selection wheel, which generates the same feeling again.

The feeling of constant insecurity and tension is very well achieved. You feel like someone is constantly breathing in your neck. However, if you end up getting lost and going around in the same place, that feeling gradually fades away. It is the main problem of the game's narrative; I would have liked it better if he took something else from my hand, to fully enjoy the great moments of tension

. It is true that the dog can show you the way, but AI is not entirely refined and can sometimes be frustrating.

A peculiar way to alter reality

Mechanically, the game has some interesting idea, but again it is limited to using the resources that work most in the genre. I don't know how many times I will have seen flashlights and video cameras in horror games, but of course they are very recurring utensils. It seems as if, to some extent, we could not do terror without using these resources. Blair Witch, despite falling into clichés, brings some interesting insight. The camcorder can be used to alter reality if we visit the place where the tapes were recorded, which generates a series of quite innovative puzzles.

On the other hand, as far as mechanics are concerned, we have Bullet. Our dog is the only (friendly) company in our adventure, and therefore has assigned key functions. Bullet will lead us to the clues, warn us of the dangers and is a key element of our mental stability. The relationship that is forged with the dog is key to understanding the story.

A chilling sound design

Sound is what really stands out in this title. The binaural experience is scary to a horror game, and Blair Witch takes advantage of it very well. The sounds of the forest, Bullet or our own footsteps create an atmosphere that, in my opinion, It is much more powerful than the game's own aesthetic. Both complement each other, of course. Another thing that Blair Witch has done well is that he has known how to choose great dubbing actors. The dialogues and interactions are perfectly credible, and acting in general has surprised me for good.

In short, Blair Witch fails to escape the sack of "horror game" more or less generic, but a good gap is made. If you like the formula Outlast, Slender and this type of survival horror in the first person, you will enjoy Blair Witch. Regardless of how refreshing and fresh it may be, it must be acknowledged that the game has made me sweat several times. After all, that is one of the great goals.