Carrion Review

Carrion is a reverse horror game developed by Phobia Game Studio and published by Devolver Digital. Released in 2020 for Android and Microsoft Windows, Carrion is an indie title that stands tall above previously well-established traditional horror giants. The game places players in control of a monstrous entity rather than the helpless human survivors. With its unpleasant yet flowing movement system, ethereal pixel art and extremely satisfying gameplay, Carrion offers a unique and compelling experience.

Maze-like Basement Research Establishment

Carrion begins in a sophisticated subterranean research facility. This complex structure is filled with emasculated laboratories, intricate industrial subways, and well-manned security checkpoints. Cold, metallic halls and bizarre silence make up the structures, strongly suggesting that they belong to a government entity or some powerful corporation whose core business is to carry out secretive yet destructive biological experiments.

However, Carrion’s setting evolves as you progress. It transitions from unsullied, well-maintained research grounds to dilapidated, blood-soaked corridors that bear the marks of the creature’s rage. There’s a clear contrast between the sterile, artificial surroundings and the organic, almost parasitic growth of the monster. This contrast becomes clearly evident as the monster spreads its biomass throughout the facility. Moreover, the deeper the creature explores, the more apparent the game’s environmental storytelling becomes. It reveals signs of past experiments, aborted projects and containment breaches.

Despite the lack of direct narration, Carrion masterfully and accurately conveys the horror of its setting through details such as flickering lights, warning alarms, and workers’ attempts at obstruction. Meanwhile, the oppressive atmosphere, enriched by the mystic soundtrack, creates an ever-present tension, making the setting lively in its own grim way.

More of an Obstacle….

Unlike traditional horror games, Carrion lacks a clear protagonist. The players control an unnamed, shape-shifting monster that is devoid of personality beyond its insatiable hunger and instinct for survival.

Despite the absence of dialogue, the giant creature conveys emotions through its unpredictable moves and wild attacks. However, the human characters serve more as obstacles than as fully developed personalities. Scientists and soldiers react with realistic fear, screaming and running at the sight of the creature.

Meanwhile, heavily armed enemies, including robotic opponents, pose a real threat as the game progresses. In addition, small narrative snippets are provided through flashbacks. These snippets hint at the creature’s origins and the unethical experiments that led to its creation. These moments add a subtle layer of storytelling, making Carrion’s world feel more alive yet tragic.

Formless but Tentacled Biomass

At its core, Carrion is a 2D action-adventure Metroidvania. It epitomizes fluidity, destruction, and evolution. Players assume the role of an amorphous, tentacled biomass that has executed a daring escape from a secure research facility. Instead of running from danger, the deadly and scary creature is the danger itself. Growing rapidly in size and gaining new capabilities, it sweeps everything on its path— consuming scientists, soldiers and ordinary people mercilessly.

Carrion’s controls are impressively smooth and intuitive. Thus, allowing the creature to slither through vents, bring down barriers, and pierce enemies with its sharp tendrils. The game’s power progression is particularly satisfying. As players advance, the creature mutates. And in the process, gains the ability to grow spikes, become invisible, and squeeze through tight spaces.

This Metroidvania-style design not only encourages exploration but also retraction to hitherto inaccessible areas. However, navigation can become confusing due to the lack of a map. This can cause a lot of frustration, especially when trying to determine one’s next move.

Distressing Ambience

Despite its pixel-art aesthetic, Carrion excels in creating a disturbing and oppressive atmosphere. The animations are fluid, making the creature’s movement look organic and horrifyingly realistic. The way it slithers, grabs, and devours enemies is heart-wrenching. The environment design, filled with crumbling laboratories, flickering lights, and pools of blood, reinforces the sense of carnage and chaos.

Carrion’s sound design further elevates the horror. The ambient soundtrack, composed by Cris Velasco, is ghostly and dynamic. It greatly intensifies during moments of action and settles into a strange quietness when the monster disappears. Additionally, the squelching sounds of flesh being devoured and bones being crushed add to the disgusting experience.

Final Verdict

Carrion is an outstanding indie horror experience that successfully flips the genre’s traditional giants. Its fluid movement, horrifying combat and frightening atmosphere make it an extraordinary title, despite some navigational and pacing issues.

While the story remains puzzling and its runtime relatively short, ending in about 4- 6 hours, it offers a unique, distinct, and memorable experience. For hardcore fans of horror or Metroidvanias games, Carrion is worth considering.