PGC NEWS

The Quarry, the latest interactive horror game from Supermassive Games, the creators of Until Dawn, launched on June 10th for PC, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox One X, and PS5. Featuring a star-studded cast including David Arquette, Ariel Winter, Justice Smith, Brenda Song, Lance Henriksen, Lin Shaye, and Ted Raimi, The Quarry promises a chilling summer camp experience. This review delves into the game’s strengths and weaknesses.

The Quarry

After two months at Hackett’s Quarry summer camp, seven teenage counselors—Abigail, Kaitlyn, Nick, Emma, Ryan, Dylan, and Jacob—decide to throw a farewell party. Ignoring the camp owner, Chris Hackett’s, strict instructions to stay indoors, the group’s celebration takes a terrifying turn. Hunted by bloodthirsty creatures and stalked by armed strangers, the teens find themselves in a fight for survival. What secrets does Hackett’s Quarry hold? Where did these monstrous beings come from? And who are the mysterious figures lurking in the shadows?

A Descent into Terror

The Quarry

Unlike Supermassive Games’ previous title, House of Ashes, The Quarry successfully delivers genuine scares. The vulnerability of the teenage protagonists, armed with limited defenses, creates a constant sense of dread. Forced to rely on evasion and stealth, players face tense quick-time events (QTEs) and breath-holding minigames, where failure can have deadly consequences.

The Quarry

The game’s atmosphere also contributes significantly to the horror. The darkness shrouding the summer camp setting, combined with subtle hints of unseen threats, keeps players on edge. The constant feeling of being watched creates a palpable sense of unease throughout the exploration.

The Quarry

A Homage to 80s Horror

The Quarry

The Quarry pays homage to classic 80s horror films, evident in its setting, characters, and plot. From the familiar summer camp trope to the archetypal teenage characters, the game evokes a nostalgic sense of classic horror cinema. Even the menu screens, designed as vintage movie posters, contribute to this nostalgic aesthetic.

The Quarry

Replayability and Choice

The Quarry

The Quarry excels in its branching narrative, where player choices have significant consequences. Even seemingly minor decisions can have a butterfly effect, impacting the characters’ fates later in the game. This encourages multiple playthroughs to explore the various outcomes. The chapter select feature allows players to revisit specific sections without restarting the entire game.

The “Movie Night” mode adds another layer of replayability. This mode allows players to pre-determine the characters’ fates based on factors like their combat skills and personality traits, then watch the story unfold like a movie. This is a useful feature for discovering different outcomes and exploring missed content.

Technical Hiccups and Missed Opportunities

The Quarry

Despite its strengths, The Quarry suffers from some technical flaws. Unnatural facial animations, occasional audio glitches, plot holes, and stilted dialogue detract from the overall experience.

The Quarry

The relationship system, while present, feels underdeveloped. While the game tracks character relationships based on player choices, the impact of these relationships on the gameplay remains minimal. Furthermore, the slow-paced exploration in certain sections, even with the “fast walk” option, can become tedious.

The Quarry

Conclusion

The Quarry delivers a thrilling horror experience with its engaging narrative, tense gameplay, and homage to 80s horror. While some technical issues and missed opportunities hold it back, the game’s replayability and branching narrative make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre. The Quarry successfully captures the essence of a classic teen horror film, providing a suspenseful and entertaining adventure.