Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story | PS4 Review

Sorrowvirus is perhaps one of EastAsiaSoft's most haunting releases yet. Visually impressive, and audibly unnerving this walking simulator that takes place in purgatory has the player, as Wyatt Heyll, trying to break free from his paranormal predicament. Haunted by dolls from the 1940's, and the voices of those he left behind Wyatt tries desperately to discover the clues needed to escape his perpetuated torment. That torment taking place in a disjointed realm where locations, and people are represented by symbols of sorts. Ranging from ruinous rooms, curious corridors with furniture oddly placed amongst debris, humanoid figures draped in sheets, and a host of creepy puppet dolls. All bearing hints of a past existence mashed together like some twisted Wonderland labyrinth. A place where time passed means death by age, and the only thing to stave it off being safe rooms, and grandfather clocks happened upon along the way. 

Hints of an otherworldly apocalypse are made known the deeper Wyatt delves through found files within his altered reality. Details that reference various patients time in purgatory as well as his own. That and information surrounding the Sorrowvirus itself, and a desperate hunt for a cure. 

Sorrowvirus, as a game experience, is a basic walking simulator style of story with a distinctly disturbing art style that blends period pieces, matching voice talent, and a soundtrack that feels hauntingly surreal. The soundtrack alone having been filled with piano chords, old radio tunes, and the distant distorted conversations of people important to Wyatt's journey of discovery. Wyatt himself comes to life, faceless, with basic movement abilities, interactive options, and observation skills in a first person point of view. He can walk, quicken his pace, duck under barriers, and use key items to interact with puzzle elements meant to open up new areas in purgatory.

Progress is made by searching for clues, and reading into the backstory of the Wyatt's unusual life history through audio clips, and hidden files. The audio clips are usually activated by nearing a key location, and tend to involve the relatives of Wyatt. The files, on the other hand, give textual background details on the sorrowvirus, and it's impact on Wyatt as well as other patients, and the population in general. The more of these informational tidbits you happen upon the more sense this confusing story begins to make. 

It seems Wyatt was plunged, without being asked, into purgatory after having contracted the sorrowvirus from his parents who were attempting to cure him, and due to being afflicted he is able to slowly heal, because of purgatory's properties. The cost of it all is a continuous life, and death cycle wherein Wyatt dies, goes to purgatory, and is resurrected. Each time gathering more information while there to better help rescue him from this repetitive cycle. Sometimes landing him in the body of a puppet, or doll afterwards. It is these dolls, in particular, which hail from an old 40's cartoon that also play a role in the given journey. Often times leading Wyatt to new points and places of interest. As if they were the White Rabbit of Alice's own fairytale. 

Puzzle solving in Sorrowvirus, which is a prominent focal point, is mostly tied to clue finding and item gathering. By observing files, the environments, and listening to audio cues you will have the clues you need to solve most puzzles. That being said sometimes items you pick up along the way will play a role in progress too. Opening up pathways not previously shown through item to environment set piece interaction. Things like lighting candles with a lighter will forward the plot through cinematic sequences, and outside conversations done through character voice acting. 

Transitioning between purgatory realms, and safe houses in purgatory is also a key element to the gameplay loop. By moving the hand cursor to touch certain symbols the environment will physically distort, and change in appearance and layout. Within these alternate realms Wyatt will find safe areas which will stop the flow of time, and buy him some time as he looks for clues between that point and the next grandfather clock. Speaking of clocks the grandfather clocks can be touched in a similar fashion, and it will slow time for a while. Ultimately defying the inevitable death until death comes calling.

Overall Sorrowvirus a somewhat linear experience with progress being made through sections of sleuthing, observation, and interaction or puzzle solving. The length of a playthrough depends fully upon the players' ability to find the clues that need finding, and to solve the puzzles that need solving. Those who like to really immerse themselves in the gameplay experience though will find a rich world with tons of details that are worth taking the time to look at. It's a game that grows richer in content the more you pause to take it all in. 

The Verdict ...

EastAsiaSoft's library grows more impressive each month. Nabbing this gem of a title shows that the publisher seeks quality experiences, and those of a budget price. I found Sorrowvirus to be an eerily delightful adventure that explores a certain concept of the supernatural. The life after death experiences that humans know little about. The developers' take on purgatory is definitely one of the more interesting ones. They showcase it as a haunting hellish existence that in some ways mirrors the inhabitant's personal life. Seeing it all through Wyatt's eyes was truly a spectacle to behold, in that regard. Playing it in upscaled 4k on a 4K TV was a mesmerizing experience, and one I won't likely soon forget. Thus it is my professional opinion that "Sorrowvirus: A Faceless Short Story" is a game worth buying, and experiencing at least once. It gets my blazing seal of approval for it's artistic, and creative achievements. That and it's exploration of the unknown.