Five-six-seven-six. Numbers on the wall. Why can’t they be removed, and what – if anything – do they mean? Wait is a terrifying tale full of things that go bump in the night, and a good one at that. What, not a fan of the creepy crawlers? Well, keep telling yourself that there’s nothing to fear… but fear itself.
Kinda funny how so many titles crafted with RPG Maker are not even remotely, well, RPGs. Don’t get me wrong though, it matters little to me what engine a developer uses, so long as the overall experience is solid, which Wait definitely is. It may seem a tad slow-paced, but in the game meant to keep the player on the edge of his/her seat as tension builds, that’s hardly a negative.
This is not some hectic zombie-slaying shooter in which you’ve got more than enough to deal with the undead apocalypse. In fact, compared to how most video games these days handle ‘horror’, this is quite the breath of fresh air, with its emphasis on exploration and puzzle solving, rather than being chased by some all-powerful being (or, well, an undead horde).
That said, given its Silent Hill and H.P. Lovecraft inspiration, it probably goes without saying that… here there be monsters! Oh, and dying is entirely possible, even if it’s anything but easy. Like I said, slow-paced exploratory horror, not run-for-your-life survival. But when the lights start to flicker and reality warps, chances are you’ll still curse the game for not letting ya sprint! No one wants to roam dark hallways longer than absolutely necessary, after all.
Although with frequent reminders (thoughts?) from the protagonist, getting stuck is nigh impossible. There’s always something to do somewhere, even if it may not be downright obvious or even logical. On the other hand, what horror game really abides by logic? A bad one of course! Anyway, with each passing day (and restless night), the overarching plot becomes more and more clear. Kinda. Whether you’ll live to experience the finale… now that’s another matter entirely.
All in all, in spite of a few typos and an at times less-than-stellar save system, this one’s an example of horror/suspense done just right. Price tag? No such thing, so go ahead and take Wait for a spin, right now! Oh and be sure to a vote in the 2014 Indie Game Maker Contest after playing, eh? Remember, your vote matters!
