We Were Here

Horror games are usually designed to be enjoyed in single player, given the fact that the developers strive to make the players feel as alone and as scared as possible. That’s not always the case, on the other hand, since you only have to think about games like Left 4 Dead to see that even multiplayer titles can be fairly scary if they are done right.

We Were Here is a first-person puzzle game with horror elements and an interesting twist when it comes to the gameplay mechanics, given the fact that it’s only playable in multiplayer. Hence, the main idea is that you have to use in-game walkie-talkies and actual microphones to communicate with the other player in order to solve the puzzles and figure out the mysteries.

The whole action takes place in a creepy medieval castle, so there’s not much originality in this regard. Obviously, the players start in different rooms, which is why it’s vital that they keep in touch and communicate with each other. The puzzles are not particularly tough, but they are interesting, and they also require a bit of creativity in order to figure out the solutions.

Most of the gameplay mechanics are standard for a first-person adventure game, but they feel a bit sluggish sometimes, although they do not hurt the overall experience. You can pick up objects and examine them, as well as interact with a few items that allow you to solve puzzles, but other than that it’s all pretty straightforward. The radio works on a push-to-talk basis, so you do not have to worry about making too much noise in your microphone.

Lastly, the graphics are very nice and detailed, even if the rooms are pretty small and unimpressive most of the time. The atmosphere is great, on the other hand, especially thanks to the nice lighting and decent sound effects that keep you on edge. You can even use a VR headset for extra immersion, although it must be mentioned that the game has a few framerate problems even without VR.

In the end, We Were Here is not an exceptional game, but it has a very solid foundation to build upon. Hence, the fact that you have to communicate with other people in order to solve puzzles is great, albeit not original, so it would be nice to see more episodes in the series.