Martha Is Dead | PS4 Review

This controversial, and soon to be released game that is "Martha Is Dead" aims to impress anyone mature enough to handle it's dark themes. It is a game centered around a particular female character named Giulia, her place in wartime history, and a dramatic telling of events centered around the high cost of psychological trauma brought on by war as well as superstition. The game draws players in early on with the telling of the story of the white lady to the main character, and from there weaves the unfolding tragedy of Giulia and Martha who happen to be the main focus of the tale being told. 

By Giulia's own recollection of events, and her love for photography, we find a living and breathing world filled with a haunting past time atmosphere as well as nerve racking tension. Drifting in and out between the real world, and her nightmares Giulia tries to piece together a murder mystery surrounding the death of her twin Martha. Through intricately detailed investigations brought on by inquisitive player interactions we get to hear, through Guilia's own words, the telling of what transpired as she tried to make sense of it all, all those years ago. There's plenty of plot twists along the way within a world fully fleshed out by interesting characters, their conversations, and the sleuthing that Giulia does. Taking place throughout her home in 1944's Italy, and the outlying grounds that include the lake where the terrible twist of fate occurred we will come to terms with what transpired while immersing ourselves in Giulia's tragic tale.

Mechanically, and feature-wise "Martha Is Dead" is rich with diverse and creative interactive options. Not only do you get to control Giulia's movements, and actions as she goes about her home and the grounds surrounding the property, but there are also other elements of interaction that come into play. Things that include the detailed use of photography equipment, and nightmare specific functions that change her perspective, accordingly. A lot of what you will be doing as Giulia is interacting with key objects in an attempt to complete sequential chapter based objectives which can be found listed in the TouchPad menu as you trigger them through investigation in a first person point of view. Interacting with objects, in general, has a twofold effect in regards to Giulia's journey of understanding. Some are for forwarding her dialogue regarding her story while others are to obtain, and use key items to interact with environmental set pieces.

Beyond the basics, the mechanics involving photography are fully fledged menu oriented mini-games with a series of camera adjustments made available via their own separate menus. Also including access to attachments like lenses, and a flash bulb that are situational when it comes to progressing the plot. There's even a dark room within Guilia's home that has it's own mechanics involving film development that include additional menu focused mini-games to successfully develop and print captured photographs. As far as accessing the camera, and all the other key items of use go they are selected through a pop-up sub-menu where they can be put to use in specific situations. For example there are symbols in the protagonist's world that are marked by a camera symbol. By bringing out the camera in front of these objects of interest you will be able to access the camera's menus, adjust according to three requirements (focus, centered image, and exposure), and capture said photo to store in your album. In the dark room, while developing the photos through a real world process, Guilia's accessing of the album will allow her to pick the correct photograph, and in turn develop it by once again meeting a number of set standards that play into that portion of development's mechanics. 

When it comes down to the more informational interactive objects there are some highlighted by speech bubbles, and others marked by a hand symbol. The speech bubbles get Giulia talking about her current predicament whereas hand symbols are for object interaction, and collecting. In the game, outside of the continuous stream of character dialogue and voice acting, collecting things like the camera, and camera parts are key components in building up to the use of crucial mechanics. When new mechanics are introduced the game gives you the option of a hands-on tutorial that is well explained before they let you continue on using those key features later on. Additionally Giulia chimes in with thoughts on what she's doing as if she's letting the onlooker in on her private life.

Getting inside the traumatized mind of Giulia is done in a few different ways within the experience. We get to take a peek at her diary entries, and are even privileged enough to hear her deepest thoughts as they are vocalized. There's even nightmare instances where her trauma is made manifest in the most jolting, and horrific manners. Ultimately through her environmental detective work we also gain a better understanding of what life was like for her in that time of tumultuous war torn history. The amount of background details, and the culmination of in the moment reactions/actions breathes life into the story of Giulia and Martha.

As far as visuals are concerned this is a beautiful, and haunting game that borders on photo realism, and a sort of artistic indie quality. This sometimes gory, and sometimes sunlit experience is highlighted by an ambient soundtrack that takes in environmental background noise, and period music heard through old timey radios that had to be kept on to appease the government. It's the perfect blend of atmospheric and visual goings on that really make "Martha Is Dead" so extremely haunting, and unforgettable.

The Verdict ...

I went in with high expectations. This was an indie game I was truly, and personally hyped for. It's the reason I went so far out of my way to get it for review. I could see potential coming at me through the preview trailers. Despite concerns of censorship, I went in hoping for the best. To be wow'd by it all. It did not disappoint, and though I got a digital deluxe copy which actually gives you the option to toggle on/off access to the censored content (with a stern warning), I don't believe for a second that the game would be hurt with out that content. If you are squeamish, or can't stand body horror though you have the option to opt out, and if you can handle it you have the option to opt in. It's a win-win situation for anyone looking to play this very haunting. and immersive indie title. 

Features I found mostly impressive during my playthrough included the developer's genius use of actual camera, and camera development features. It fell in so seamlessly into gameplay, and helped bring to life Giulia's love for the hobby of photography. Beyond that I absolutely fell in love with the horror aspect. The use of the white lady tale, and the incorporation of it in relations to the game's own character driven story fit together perfectly. The nightmare sequences were just as shocking as Giulia's lifetime accounts as well. There's definitely an air of psychological horror mixed in with the straight up horror. Particularly with the trauma surrounding Guilia, and how it manifests in the waking and dreaming states that she finds herself in. 

Storytelling, as scattered as it my be in those dual situations, and through pieced together info taken from interaction are brilliantly spun, and in such a way as to keep the player guessing. In the end I was thoroughly impressed, and in one instance scared sh*tless, as I sat alone in my room amidst an eerily silent house playing the darn thing. Rarely ever do I get scared, but this game made me have some serious real world feels. For what it's worth I'd recommend this to any gamer old enough, and mature enough to handle it. It's the type of game that draws you in, and keeps you hooked until the end. It's a horror indie worth both your time, and money. Martha is Dead, is a truly immersive psychological horror title with a deeply realized history, and a story that is fully fleshed out. In closing I'd suggest you pay a little more for the full experience, especially if you love horror like I do. It's only $39.99 for the digital deluxe version I played, and there is a full priced Ultimate Edition available as well, if you prefer.