Past Cure PS4 Review: A Promising Start Ruined by Poor Execution

Sapping away all of your sanity makes the world wobbly for a second, and it's a fitting thematical representation of Ian's psychological state. Unfortunately, this initial promise is squandered as the game meanders along, struggling to utilize its unique mechanics effectively.

Ian, a soldier with a troubled past, finds himself plagued by nightmares stemming from his experimentation and memory loss. The game's attempt at psychological horror is admirable, but it falls short due to poor execution. Instead of relying on jump scares, Past Cure tries to create an uneasy atmosphere, which is commendable given the challenges faced by small teams with limited resources.

The game's mechanics are slow to unfold, with tutorials doled out in a painstaking fashion. You'll learn about standard punches, melee attacks, counterpunches, and finishing blows as you navigate Ian's nightmare world. However, these abilities feel undercooked, and the act of using them becomes mundane.

Astral projection, which allows your spirit to leave your body and activate switches remotely, is woefully underutilized. Slowing down time is self-explanatory, but it fails to make a significant impact on gameplay. The controls for gunplay are loose, making combat feel frustratingly difficult.

The game's narrative suffers from the same issues, with multiple story threads introduced without resolution. Ian's desire for revenge against those responsible for his experimentation takes center stage, but the tale loses its momentum as it meanders along.

In conclusion, Past Cure starts off strong, exploring psychological horror themes and mechanics effectively. However, poor execution and lackluster storytelling render its promising start irrelevant. With a more cohesive approach to game design and narrative structure, Past Cure could have been something special. As it stands, it's an underwhelming experience that fails to deliver on its initial promise.

Past cure ps4