Recent reviews by Ghost Pepper

Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere.

Unsettling, disturbing, terrifying.

I'll admit, having your clothes ripped off and getting sucked into a gelatinous ball of flesh and limbs, then running on a rampage to escape the bleak, cavernous, hellish facility of your creators/captors/tormentors was not the direction I saw this thing going.

Stop being cheapskates and pay full price for this kind of stuff. It isn't challenging, there isn't much "game" in the traditional sense of the word, but the presentation is spot on, from the sound design, the modeling and the scenery. Incredible artistry from Playdead, and utterly riveting from start to finish.

Yes. Just yes.

I got this game for free as part of an online promotional.
I stand to make around 20 cents in steam funds from the trading cards.
I am still unsure if it was worth it.

This game is pure tedium.

While from the perspective of level design and gameplay mechanics this title leaves a bit to be desired (indeed, many of the obstacles are overcome with much the same solution), the stunning beauty and artistry presented more than compensate, rendering this more an interactive story than a game in the normal sense. There are no side-quests, nor is there any real purpose in honing one's skills, at least not beyond learning how to control the two characters simultaneously. However, if you enjoy contemplative nature hikes, appreciate minutiae, and are even remotely of an empathic disposition, this one is definitely worth your time. There are moments that will stay with you well past the meager 3-hour duration.

From a technical standpoint, the game ran with barely a hiccup on my 8-year-old laptop, so just about anything with at least an integrated graphics chipset should have no trouble. While a controller is not strictly necessary, it is important to note that the keyboard configuration cannot be changed (wasd+space and arrow keys+right control); since you will be controlling both characters at once, this requires a keyboard that supports many concurrent key presses. Though it is playable, the recommendation of having a controller is a good one.

I bought this game on a whim since I'd received a 75% off coupon through steam. Be sure you exceed the minimum system requirements: my system is quite old, and although I (barely) meet them, the game is-- even on the lowest quality settings-- unenjoyable due to the low framerate. Quite a disappointment, since the look and the concept (and all the favorable reviews) had me really looking forward to it. If you have an even remotely modern system, however, I expect it's worth a look.