Caligo (PS5) | REVIEW | A Philosophical Walking Simulator About Life

Caligo, developed by Krealit and published by SometimesYou, is a short, atmospheric walking simulator that invites players into a surreal, introspective journey through a series of visually striking environments. Previously released on September 22, 2017 on Steam, and soon to be available on the PS5 the game once again positions itself as an exploration of "the darkness everyone descends into one way or another", promising a philosophical narrative about life, death, and personal reflection. With a playtime of roughly one to two hours, it's a compact experience that leans heavily on it's aesthetics and dialogue to deliver it's message. But does it succeed in leaving a lasting impression?

The strongest aspect of "Caligo" is undoubtedly it's visual design. The game's environments are a feast for the eyes, ranging from misty, Beksinski-inspired nightmare-scapes to serene, sun-dappled woodlands that feel almost painterly in their execution. Each scene is meticulously crafted with a distinct atmosphere, supported by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances the mood. For gamer's who enjoy soaking in a game's art direction, "Caligo" offers moments of genuine wonder, like the frozen battlefield where monstrous figures are locked in eternal combat, a tableau that's both eerie and captivating.

Gameplay, however, is where "Caligo" stumbles. True to it's walking simulator roots, interaction is minimal. You walk (at an agonizingly slow pace), listen to voiced dialogue, and occasionally pick up hidden ink drawings for trophies. There's little to do beyond following the linear path, with the only meaningful choice presented at the very end, a decision that feels more like a philosophical footnote than a culmination of your journey. This lack of agency might not bother fans of the genre, but it leaves the experience feeling more like a guided tour than an interactive story. 

The narrative, delivered through fully voiced conversations between the protagonist and various characters (most notable the guide-like figure known as "The Creator"), aims for profundity but often lands in pretension. The dialogue tackles big questions about life, death, creativity, and the nature of existence, but it's delivered in a way that feels heavy-handed and overly expository. The voice acting doesn't help this either. While the effort to fully voice the game is commendable, the performances range from stiff to unintentionally comical, undermining the gravitas the script strives for. Some players might find the philosophical musings thought-provoking, but others will likely see them as rambling and hollow, especially given the story's vagueness about it's own stakes or purpose.

At it's core, "Caligo" is a steeped in thought provoking questions that are never directly answered. It's a visually stunning piece of digital art with a soundtrack that lingers long after the credits roll, and uses it's short-lived narration to make the player think retrospectively about life, and all of it's conjoined mysteries. It tries to answer, indirectly, the meaning of life and why it is that we live, breathe, and create as we were created. Like the protagonist it summarizes it all as a cyclical neverending dance between life, death, and everything that happens between. As heavy-handed as it may be it is still intriguing, nonetheless. 

The Verdict ...

At a budget price point, it's worth a look for walking simulator enthusiasts or those drawn to it's dark, surreal aesthetic. Caligo, is a beautiful shadow that fades to quickly into the mist, short lived, but long remembered afterwards for it's deeply drawn out story and art direction.