"Back In 1995"

"Back In 1995"
Reviewed By: Carless Yen
Developer: Throw the warped code out
Publisher: Ratalaika Games
Platform: Xbox One

Back in 1995 is a tribute of sorts to those classic horror games from the nineties like "Alone In The Dark", "Silent Hill" and "Resident Evil" with the clunky spinning movement controls. I was pretty used to these, because I was a huge fan of those type games. Back in 1995 comes up a little short though when trying to capture that same feel. Those games kept you on your toes , because they threw a lot of enemies and moments where those controls effected your escape. In "Back in 1995" you never really feel any pressure. You could almost walk your way through the game and never really use your weapons. Weapons like a pipe, wrench, pistol, and even a shotgun. I feel like I really only felt in trouble maybe once in the entire game because I turned around to get a drink and didnt realize there was enemies in the room. Games like this can work today though. "Deadly Premonition" is a perfect example. One of my favorite horror games of all times. It copied this same style. Yes it is a some what more expensive game, but not by a whole lot. I remember grabbing it new for 19.99 on release. I was blown away by it. I didn't dislike 1995. I really even liked some things about it. it could have been better though.
They did capture the site and sounds of 90's horror titles like this though. Even has a CRT option to add lines or take them away.
Like Ratalaika previous titles it is even Achievements though and affordable. They have a game every week it seems, and it is really inspiring a lot of Achievement Hunters so I like that a lot. I always look forward to what they release next. Most of the times they are quality, and fun games. I haven't been disappointed by many of them at all. Most I really enjoy. This one I enjoyed, especially the secret ending, and hearing from the developer in game. I love that. I just wasn't blown away like I thought I would be. Horror games are my favorite, and this genre of them as well. So I had high expectations maybe. Check it out for yourself, and let us know what you thought about it.

Pros: Captured the look and sound of 90s classic horror
Smooth Controls
Fun Weapons
Nice hidden ending, and director commentary

Cons: Enemies kind of weak
Story kind of let me down
Not really a scary environment.
No real intensity

Overall: 6.9 Worth a play for Achievement hunters, and people who loved the 90s classic horror genre and want a cheap return to it. Just don't go into it expecting to be blown away by it.