505 Games has released Virginia for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
I have always been a fan of first-person thriller games and the dark journey that they can take you on. Virginia is a title that not only takes you on a mysterious adventure but teaches you how to look more closely at the world around you.
The title can only be played solo which is a real bummer. The chance to experience a thriller with some of your friends would really have taken the game to the next level. However, I get the concept that playing the game alone creates more tension and makes the atmosphere that much eerier to play.
Virginia takes place in a quant little down that has some dark secrets hidden beneath its warm exterior. Players step into the shoes of Agent Anne Tarver who just graduated from the FBI and her first case involves a missing person who seems to have just vanished from existence. For anyone who watches shows like Criminal Minds or maybe Sherlock will really feel at home in the world that is Virginia.
While your character may be inexperienced, her partner Maria Halperin, has worked on several cases and will use her expertise skills to guide you along the way. As the name might suggest, the game takes place in the town of Kingdom in Virginia. The case at hand involves a small boy who has disappeared and is something that really tears at your heart strings--especially if your a parent.
Players will make their way through the town while searching for clues. There are some aspects that are like a hidden object game in the fact that certain items that you uncover will help you understand what you need to do next and where you need to focus your energy. The case has tore up the community and it is key to keep a close eye on the people around the town because you never know why might connections to your case.
Virginia does a great job of fully immersing the player within the story because of its emotional storyline, fantastic visuals and moody soundtrack. With any good story, a writer must keep the reader interested, or otherwise they will stop caring about the story altogether. The writers for Virginia managed to weave in intricate levels of emotion, anger and mystery so seamlessly that the player feels a connection with the characters from the very beginning.
The mechanics and controls in Virginia are very responsive and easy to master. I had no trouble jumping into the game and heading out to find my first clue. A fantastic element of the game is that players are able to shape the outcome in a way in regards to the decisions they make throughout the story. As with any crime, the more clues you uncover, then the more suspects you will have. As your pool of suspects grow, the evilness behind the reason for the crime starts to emerge. This means the game gets more daunting as you play and you might be playing with your own life while trying to save another.
In the end, Virginia is a fun game that will keep gamers holding onto their seats until the very last moment. However, there are some parts of the story that just aren't clear enough and the confusion of that may turn off some players to the game. If you like mystery and thrills alongside beautiful visuals, then Virginia may just be for you.
Features:
- Cinematic editing that immerses players in a story told in the style of film and TV
- A dreamlike journey punctuated by intense drama and populated by a memorable cast of curious characters
- A stirring soundtrack composed by composer Lyndon Holland and recorded live by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra at the renowned Smecky Studio (Lost Highway, Mulholland Drive)
- An original detective noir story in the tradition of Twin Peaks, Fargo and True Detective
- A striking, painterly art style, steeped in the magic of small town America and the vibrant Virginia countryside.
Reviewed for PC