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Martha Is Dead, developed by LKA and published by Wired Productions, is a first-person psychological thriller with supernatural elements. Released on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X/S, the game garnered significant attention, partly due to the censorship of its PlayStation version. This review explores whether Martha Is Dead delivers a memorable horror experience or simply relies on shock value.

A Tuscan Tragedy: The Story Unfolds

The game is set in the Tuscan countryside of Italy during World War II. Twin sisters Giulia and Martha, daughters of a German general, lead seemingly different lives. Martha, deaf and bookish, contrasts with Giulia’s passion for photography. One fateful day, Giulia discovers a body floating in the lake – her twin sister, Martha. Their parents, mistaking Giulia for Martha, solidify the deception, and Giulia, for reasons initially unclear, doesn’t correct them. This sets the stage for the game, as players assume the role of Giulia, investigating the mystery surrounding Martha’s death.

Giulia investigating the scene of Martha's death

A Flawed Narrative and Meaningless Choices

Initially, the narrative is intriguing, drawing players into the mystery. However, the final chapters unravel the carefully crafted tension with a poorly executed plot twist. This twist feels jarring and disconnected from the evidence gathered throughout the investigation. A particularly illogical action by Giulia, seemingly inserted solely to facilitate the twist, further weakens the narrative.

Giulia experiencing a disturbing vision

Giulia’s nightmares and encounters with a grotesque apparition add to the unsettling atmosphere. However, the game fails to explain their significance, making them feel like gratuitous attempts at shock value rather than integral story elements.

Giulia interacting with objects in the game world

The game offers numerous choices, most of which are inconsequential. For example, the choice of whether to wear Giulia’s or Martha’s clothes after the latter’s death has no impact on the story, as the house remains empty, devoid of characters to react to the decision. Similarly, the daily task of reading the newspaper, meant to maintain Giulia’s pretense as Martha, becomes redundant after her true identity is revealed.

Giulia taking photographs

Even the word puzzle sequences within Giulia’s nightmares, which initially suggest the possibility of branching narratives, ultimately offer no real choice, forcing players to select the “correct” words. The lack of meaningful choices diminishes the player’s agency and the overall impact of the story.

Close-up of a photograph taken by Giulia

Giulia with her camera

Technical Shortcomings Hamper the Experience

Beyond the narrative flaws, Martha Is Dead suffers from technical issues. Performance on PC, even on systems exceeding the recommended specifications, is problematic, with frequent frame rate drops. The game’s mission design is also confusing, with no clear distinction between main and side quests, leading to potential missed content. The lack of map markers for some objectives further adds to the frustration. The cumbersome bicycle controls and predominantly pedestrian-focused map design render the bicycle largely useless.

Giulia riding a bicycle

Another scene from Giulia's nightmare

Conclusion

Martha Is Dead presents a promising premise and unsettling atmosphere. However, the flawed narrative, meaningless choices, and technical issues ultimately detract from the experience. While the game attempts to delve into complex themes of trauma and identity, its execution falls short, leaving the player with a sense of unfulfilled potential.