Ad Infinitum

Ad Infinitum is a great horror game that really captures WW1's terror, and it runs quite well on the Steam Deck with tweaks.

Overall, Ad Infinitum doesn’t really offer anything new to the genre. Narratively, it simply drives home once again that war is hell and that families are complicated. On the gameplay front, there’s the usual mix of exploration, stealth and puzzles, and a lack of conventional combat. But while it lacks originality and innovation, there’s something somewhat compelling about it. It has some great creature designs, too. While it won’t blow you away, if you’re after a creepy game to waste eight or so hours with, you could do worse. Whether you’ll play through it again to reach another ending, howe...

I found myself unable to wrap my mind around how Ad Infinitum made me feel by the time its eight-hour journey came to an end. I always dreaded a return to the story-heavy, labyrinthian mansion sections but was excited to see what surprises the true nightmare sequences had in store. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t call attention to the fantastic score, which dodges horror tropes with a solid variety of sounds. However, as I closed in on the last act of the story, the inconsistency had taken its toll, and I was ready to finally lay the adventure to rest.

From start to finish, Ad Infinitum is an incredible psychological horror game bolstered by a stellar soundtrack and great storyline that focuses on the tragedies of war. Although slightly held back by minor bugs and lack of consistent scares, Ad Infinitum still succeeds in spades showing that 2023 indie titles are as great as AAA.

Ad Infinitum is a little off balance when it comes to how difficult and unfair a few of its challenges are compared to the rest of the game, but with enough patience or guidance to make it through those sections, the rest of the game is set at an intense pace, while an excellently creepy atmosphere and a family whose horrors and the trauma they and the war have imparted onto the protagonist fill the game with character.