P.A.M.E.L.A. (Early Access, English)

System Shock 2017

Despite the rather apalling name P.A.M.E.L.A. is hardcore scifi survival horror game. More than bit like in System Shock the main character wakes up from cyrogenic sleep in the futuristic town of Eden. Somekind of nanovirus pandemic has mutated all inhabitants to bloodthirsty monsters. The controlling artifical intelligence P.A.M.E.L.A.is the force behind awakening the main character. The goal of the game is to find out what has happened and save the city - somehow. The game is on early access at this moment and it's getting regular updates. I did produce a 'let's play'-video from the unboxing and first test. Keep in mind the video isn't current version.

Game Information

Name: P.A.M.E.L.A. Publisher/Developer: NVYVE® Studios (2017)
Platforms: PC Type: survival-horror, open world
Age Ratings: ?
Reviewers: Rami (37)
Footage: 

Trailer 2
let's play

Mechanics and gameplay

The most interesting feature of the game is 'permadeath', meaning if the player characer dies everything starts all over again with no equipment and money. Player needs to scan the trash bins and bodies for everything useful. One of the biggest dangers is to die on hunger or thirst. The hacking of locks is possible and there's maintenance closets for switching power to different areas and opening new possibilities. Fixing the cryosleep chambers opens up new places for starting the game. Additionally player recieves gene points to improve their character for next game. The game offers full freedom for the movement and player character can be improved with different gadgets and weapons. The possibility to craft brings up tactical choices with the turrets and traps.

Is it for gamers?

Horror games have some appeal with them. Despite setting being classical of the classic one, the sneaking around is interesting since death ends the game. This leads to situations where player likes to avoid mutants rather than picking the fight with them. The combat in the game is mainly close quarters with shields and electromagnetical tricks giving some variety to the man-to-man fight.

The game is quite beatiful which does rise some brow since the game is made on the top of Unity. Too bad especially "day 1" publish of the game was quite broken. The first version loaded first level 20 minutes at the first startup. However this was reduced to 3-5 minutes after that. Still I have to admit the game has it's charm despite Unity being maybe totally wrong platform for this kind of project.

Ethical message?

Games namesake AI is scaringly human and part of neural network in Eden. The dialog implies that Pamela is indeed emphatic AI. In the town there's second, secretive AI called 'Deep Frame'. Pamela is feeling guilt about pandemic and it's up to player to find the truth. Speakers around the habitat give hints of deep story and leave player wonder if the failing of nanites in the West Eden her fault really?

Interesting features:

There's lots of running away and hiding in the game. The overall difficult is rather high because 'permadeath'. This kind of game developement is actually quite old fashioned, however there's players who want to have challenges and actually win the game. Crafting possibilities mean that player can found a base for him or her to have breather, make food and sleep.

Scary or Distressing elements

The game has strong elements in visuals and sounds. The overall theme and mood isn't really fitting to the kids. Despite game being gorgeous I would recommend against playing it when kids are watching (yes, even geeks get kids at some point). One tool which might give rough idea of how scary games is could be https://www.scaredtoplay.com/-site.

Downloadable content?

Nope.

Age rating?

The game doesn't come with age rating but there's Commonsensemedia.org review. However the site doesn't really have scales for evaluating scary, distressing or horror elements. In theory these are something that could be indeed evaluated.

So called “Nightmare Fuel”-test gave 13 points when Alien Isolation was given 4 and Amnesia 16 points. These numbers are rough estimates but shown here to emphasize the point that Commonsense Media recommendation of 15+ years of age should be taken seriously.

Players can talk about

• What makes game scary?
• What do we know about infection and infected in Eden?
• Does 'permadeath' frustrate? Why? What is the message of the game developers when it's not possible to save game for new try?