Partum Artifex is a first-person atmospheric horror-puzzle game developed by indie developer DalaKoala Games. The game revolves around a serial killer who wants nothing more than to show his gruesome works of art and tell his twisted story to the world. The game is mainly puzzle-based, with an emphasis on narrative and atmosphere. As a player, you need to explore the mind of the killer and solve puzzles that are directly connected to his works.
The Game
The game begins with an invitation to an exclusive art display. As the player, you receive a handwritten note inviting you to be part of the creation of something astonishing. While the invitation seems intriguing, you soon discover that it is an invitation to the property of a twisted and sick serial killer. The game takes place on this property, deep inside a murky forest, and the level design, visuals, and sound direction are engaging and encompass the player in a tense environment.
Short First Look
Story
The game offers an engaging story that delves into the mind of a serial killer whose main way of expressing himself is through art. Through the game, you’ll learn not only why he’s doing his deeds but also how it came to be. The story is told in a way that does not distract the player from the goal of solving the puzzles. As you progress through the game, you piece together what happened in the eerie house and what the serial killer is trying to achieve with it.
Partum Artifex offers immersive environments that encourage exploration. Every detail has been meticulously added to create a realistic environment that makes it easy to imagine the worst lurking in the shadows. The game’s atmosphere is heavy, from eerie hallways to rooms filled with photos of the dead, making it impossible to know what will happen next. Together with an incredible soundscape, the game creates an environment of tension, where the player is unsure what is going to be around the next corner.
The game’s puzzles are intriguing and each one tells its own story related to the serial killer. With the later use of various tools, the world truly reveals the mind behind the murders as his rambling writings become unredacted. The puzzles can be difficult but are doable if you think and really look around for clues.
More Puzzle Than Horror
While the game is more of a puzzle game than a horror game, it still manages to offer a good story, nice graphics, and challenging puzzles. The level design combined with the storytelling and ambivalence create a wonderful environment of tension, where the player is unsure what is going to be around the next corner.
Partum Artifex is an excellent game, especially for an indie developer’s first solo work. The game appears more polished than some of the major dev’s releases, and you can really see the passion the developer put into his work. The game is worth the price and offers a unique experience that is different from other puzzle/horror games.
In conclusion, Partum Artifex is a twisted and immersive horror-puzzle game that offers an engaging story, immersive environments, heavy atmosphere, intriguing puzzles, and brilliant game design. The game is challenging, but doable, and offers a unique experience that is worth trying. If you are a fan of puzzle games/escape rooms, or want to support indie devs, give Partum Artifex a try and leave feedback for the developer. We look forward to seeing future works from DalaKoala Games.
