Viviette: An Underrated Indie Horror Gem

Are you looking for a fright this October? We already published the recommendations for this spooky season, but we're adding on to it with this Viviette review. Although an older title, Viviette is definitely the game to try this Halloween, and in the next few paragraphs, we will try to explain why.

Originally published and developed by DYA Games in 2018, Vivette lets you uncover the mysteries of Neuville's Mansion. Filled with puzzles, the game requires you to use your logic skills or otherwise face demise. Remembering the past can be hard, but with notes and hints, you may be able to make it through. With no map, it can be a struggle, but there are always clues to lead you through the dark, and with limited light, finding the right path can be difficult. To add onto that, there is something lurking in the right, and run as you may, you can't run forever, and one wrong move can lead you to a very bad ending.

Plot

The goal of the game is to find clues, complete puzzles, and escape the evil alive. At the beginning, you will get a prompt to select a difficulty: additional achievements are granted if the hard mode is completed. The story begins with an introduction to the main character, Jules Fosset, who is waking up from a hospital bed. Jules' memory is hazy, so the game transports you to the past, trying to recall what really happened to him back at Neuville Mansion.

Originally, he wasn't alone, as his friends are seen leaving the building after being disappointed about the trip. One person from the group, Jules's sister Felice, is missing, and it's presumed she's still in the mansion. He goes to find her, but after entering the building and seeing her, he's plunged into darkness.

Submerged in darkness, there is an urgency for some light, which can be found outside. Jules remembers that there was someone to search for. Felice! After wandering around endlessly, he sees Felice at the end of the corridor, not looking herself.....Possession! She suddenly attacks him and keeps following the player, building tension and making you apprehensive with every step you take.

While exploring the halls of this mansion, there are notes dotted around that you are able to read and get snippets of the background story. Make sure you explore every corner, as there can't be anything missed. Be careful not to rely on your memory too much with certain things, because if you reload the save or get yourself killed, certain aspects like the puzzles may change slightly so a sharp eye is key. With each completed puzzle, you will get an item that will allow you to explore new areas or somehow help you progress. Make sure you save as you go, using the books highlighted, as you may need to reset where you left off if and when you die, especially if you have to go to the start.

The game has three endings: very bad, bad, and good. One wrong move and the bad ending is a certainty. The good ending has specific things you need to achieve, such as exploring everything. It's more difficult since the game doesn't give you a lot to work with, but it is an excuse to play the game more than once.

My Puzzling Journey into the Madness

The concept of the game is quite interesting but confusing at some points. Exploring the mansion, finding clues, completing puzzles, and unlocking new areas made for a great overall experience. Surviving the horror and making progress with puzzles gave me a sense of accomplishment.

However, there were moments when it was confusing to figure out which direction to go and what to do. I liked the addition of finding the notes along the way to find out more about the backstory of the game. The idea of the enemy lurking in the shadows and being able to see you at any moment made the whole game a lot more spookier and even tense in some places, especially finishing puzzles, because the footsteps could be heard from a distance, keeping you, as the playe,r on your toes.

The idea of the puzzles changing was a great idea, but it was also somewhat annoying. This is because I found that there was quite a bit of going back and forth. An example of this would be lighting the fire on the statues, where if you did it incorrectly, you would have to go back to the first statue and memorize a different pattern. This was the same with most of the puzzles, where some changed when reloading the game or reloading the save if you died. However, I liked the idea of the puzzles changing as it made me think more and explore other areas that I had missed previously.

Aesthetically, the game gives you spooky vibes even before the actual story begins, which makes for a nice Halloween experience. I love the designs of the characters, with traits that make them unique. I find that with some RPG maker games, there can be some repetition in the character designs, especially, but with Viviette they are all unique.

I also liked the simplicity of the design of the mansion, as I tend to think it can be overwhelming if there is too much going on. The colors, due to the horror aspect and the darkness, were quite dull at times, but then something like a small pop of green would make for an effective visual experience and make the moment stand out more. One other thing I'd like to praise is the pixel art paintings in Vivette: they give out the classic horror vibe, which I really love.

Mechanics were quite simple with walking, running, grabbing, and pushing. I thought the game controls were smooth. The only thing I would change is where the enemy grabs you, and you have to try to push her away by repeatedly pressing one button. I struggled with this in some stages of the game, as it didn't register me clicking the button, and if and when you are caught again, the bar doesn't restart which is frustrating as it didn't leave me a chance to survive.

Related to this, there are some frustrating aspects, especially when you are being chased and get stuck on seemingly nothing. These were just minor issues with the movement, which could have been related to how the game was optimized for my devices. Compared to some other indie titles, the Vivette team did a great job overall.

Viviette has a variety of accessibility options, especially with language options. Similarly, the sound volume varies in some moments (jump scares), but you are able to adjust at any moment.

Underrated Gem That Viviette Is

As I said at the beginning, Viviette is an older title. However, I feel like it doesn't get the attention it deserves. Sure, it's a well-known indie title, but it feels like more horror lovers should try it.

While there are some moments that can be frustrating, the game lets you explore at your own pace, go back, and change things to get different endings so overall it is an enjoyable experience. The backstory is very interesting, and the little notes we find around the mansion were probably my favorite part.

If you do end up playing the game, which is available on Steam, make sure to try and get all the endings: it's definitely worth it.

Images: © 2024 DYA GAMES