| The Tartarus Key | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Vertical Reach |
| Publisher(s) | Armor Games Studios |
| Designer(s) | Leonor Parra |
| Programmer(s) | Kevin Colegate |
| Artist(s) | Leonor Parra |
| Composer(s) | Josie Brechner |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
The Tartarus Key is an adventure video game developed by Vertical Reach and published by Armor Games Studios in 2023. It features escape the room gameplay.
Protagonist Alex Young wakes in a strange mansion. She must solve puzzles in each room before she can exit. Some of these puzzles involve other prisoners, and the ending that players receive depends on how many people they save. It is played from a first-person perspective and uses PlayStation 1-era graphics. [1] The puzzles are not timed. [2]
Armor Games Studios released The Tartarus Key for Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on May 31, 2023. [3]
The Tartarus Key received mixed reviews on Metacritic. [4] Describing it as "a must play for puzzle fans", Rock Paper Shotgun said the attention to detail necessary to solve the puzzles makes it "almost an immersive sim" and that some of them "feel revelatory to solve". [1] Although they said puzzle game fans might enjoy it, Eurogamer felt that the game's meta aspects prevented it from becoming scary, making it more like a real-life escape room parlor game; [2] Rock Paper Shotgun instead praised these meta elements. Though acknowledging that The Tartarus Key is not scary, Rock Paper Shotgun felt it effectively evokes nostalgia for a range of horror franchises. [5] Slant Magazine , who did not like the narrative elements, said The Tartarus Key "squeaks by on the strength of its puzzles alone". [6] Push Square praised the retro graphics, writing, and puzzles, though they said some puzzles feel "too obtuse". [7]
Survival horror is a subgenre of horror games. Although combat can be part of the gameplay, the player is made to feel less in control than in typical action games through limited ammunition or weapons, health, speed, and vision, or through various obstructions of the player's interaction with the game mechanics. The player is also challenged to find items that unlock the path to new areas and solve puzzles to proceed in the game. Games make use of strong horror themes, such as dark mazelike environments and unexpected attacks from enemies.
Armor Games is an American video game publisher and free web gaming portal. The website hosts over a thousand HTML5 browser games. Based in Irvine, California, the site was founded in 2004 by Daniel McNeely.
The Cave is a puzzle-platform, adventure game developed by Double Fine Productions and published by Sega in January 2013 on the PlayStation Network, Nintendo eShop and Xbox Live Arcade storefronts via the PlayStation 3, Wii U and Xbox 360 consoles and on Steam for Microsoft Windows, OS X and Linux. It was later released on October 3, 2013 on iOS devices and Android. On December 2, 2013 it was also released on the Ouya. The game has been delisted from console storefronts as of April 2, 2018, making it a Steam exclusive until 2023.
Soul Axiom is a first-person adventure-puzzle video game developed and published by Wales Interactive. The game is set inside a "Digital Soul Provider" called Elysia, and combines exploration with puzzle solving elements to unlock the mystery of your character's digital afterlife. It follows a similar visual style from its predecessor, Master Reboot, and while it is not a direct sequel, it is set in the same world but with new characters, a new story and new set of game mechanics. The game was released on February 29, 2016. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One ports were released in June 2016. The Wii U version launched on September 29, 2016. The game was released on February 27, 2020, for Nintendo Switch as Soul Axiom Rebooted.
We Were Here is a franchise of cooperative first-person adventure video games, created by the Dutch studio Total Mayhem Games.
Maquette is a puzzle-adventure video game developed by Graceful Decay and published by Annapurna Interactive. The game takes place in a recursive world where every action on a table is recreated in the larger area outside. The game was released in March 2021 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows, with a version for Nintendo Switch as well as Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S launching in May and July 2023, respectively.
Wytchwood is an adventure video game developed by Alientrap and published by Whitethorn Games and Whisper Games for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game was released on December 9, 2021.
Silt is a surreal underwater puzzle-adventure indie horror game developed by Spiral Circus and published by Fireshine Games for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, in which the player controls a deep-sea diver who can possess the diverse marine life that enters their vicinity. It was released on June 1, 2022.
KeyWe is a 2021 puzzle-platform video game developed by Stonewheat & Sons and published by Sold Out. The game was released for Windows and Nintendo Switch on August 31, later releasing on September 28 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S ports were released on December 16. KeyWe follows Jeff and Debra, two kiwis working at the Bungalow Basin Telepost Office. KeyWe was prototyped during the 2018 Global Game Jam. Grant Gessel, the technical artist, took inspiration from Going Postal, a story by Terry Pratchett. Rare games such as Banjo-Kazooie and Conker's Bad Fur Day inspired KeyWe's art style. KeyWe received mixed reviews from critics.
Heartworm is an upcoming 2023 independent horror video game by Vincent Adinolfi developed for Windows and MacOS. Described by the developer as a "lo-fi retro horror" game, the game integrates elements of survival horror and psychological horror set in an abandoned house rumored to be able to revive the dead. A demo of the game was published on January 30, 2020, with a revised demo released on the 2020 horror game compilation Haunted PS1 Demo Disc by Irish developer Breogán Hackett.
Chasing Static is a video game released by Headware Games, the studio of independent developer Nathan Hamley. Described as a "psychological horror short story", the game is an exploration-based horror adventure game set in an open-ended Welsh countryside. A demo of the game was released as part of the 2021 horror game compilation Haunted PS1 Demo Disc, curated by independent developer Breogán Hackett. Chasing Static received a mixed reception from reviewers, with praise directed to the game's presentation, writing and atmosphere, and criticism of its short length and ending. In January 2023, the game was ported by publisher Ratalaika Games to consoles.
Miasma Chronicles is a tactical role playing video game developed by The Bearded Ladies and published by 505 Games in 2023. It is set in a post-apocalyptic version of the United States and blends turn-based tactics with stealth game mechanics.
The Last Worker is an adventure video game developed by Wolf & Woof and Oiffy. Wired Productions published it in 2023 for multiple platforms. It is a satirical take on big tech and has the player perform puzzles inspired by warehouse workers.
Dordogne is an adventure video game developed by Un Je Ne Sais Quoi and Umanimation. Players complete puzzles to help a woman recall her past. Focus Entertainment published it for Microsoft Windows and multiple consoles in June 2023.
No One Lives Under the Lighthouse is a 2020 horror-adventure game developed by Marevo Collective.
Killer Frequency is a 2023 first-person horror-adventure game developed and published by Team17. The game takes place in a small town in 1987, where players control a DJ who acts as an impromptu radio dispatcher when a serial killer returns to terrorize the town's residents. The player must take calls from the survivors and solve various puzzles to help them escape the killer. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised its gameplay and comedy horror elements.