CONSCRIPT Reviews
A grim reminder of the senselessness of war and the best old-school survival horror game in ages.
Conscript is a worthy entry into the Survival Horror genre and comes highly recommended. It takes all the ingredients of the genre and marries them to a vital and under-represented part of history in video games to create a standout title that deserves a wider audience.
Conscript is brutal and unnerving, with the reality of war ever present, and it's take on the survival horror genre feels new yet familiar.
A mixed bag, then, but certainly not unenjoyable.
Conscript's grimy, disturbing setting and gruelling combat are effective and poignant, and a sturdy and well-crafted survival horror skeleton keeps things compelling.
Despite wearing many of its influences on its sleeve, CONSCRIPT never ends up feeling derivative, instead it carves out its own identity through a raw, layed portrayal of trench warfare. There are some slight rough edges, to be expected in-part due to the game largely being a sole venture, but nevertheless CONSCRIPT hits where it matters and succeeds in creating an affecting depiction of its source material.
A survival horror inspired by the classics of the genre, Resident Evil above all, but with a rather original setting. The sources of inspiration can be felt from the very beginning, which will make long-time fans happy, but the strong setting and some little gameplay variations manage to give Conscript its own dimension.
Review in Italian | Read full review
To its credit, Conscript maintains a high level of intensity regardless and doesn’t cheapen the experience by adding unnecessary supernatural elements or moments of levity. Similar to its survival horror brethren, it features multiple endings, and while some are more impactful than others, all boast the same dedication to authenticity and the anti-war themes that put it in the same conversation as other Australian anti-war classics like Peter Weir’s Gallipoli.
Conscript may not be a true survival horror, but it taps into that legacy and roots it in fertile soil.
Conscript is a horrifying account of the cost of Verdun, and all of its battles and its loss, framed entirely as a classical survival horror game, for all of the good and bad that implies. It's a punishing, dire take on the war and a unique approach to a genre that I'd mistaken for being creatively wrung dry.
Wrestling with Conscript's controls is, without a doubt, its main source of dread and horror, which is likely not what it was going for in the first place. When its combat mechanics don't get in the way, the sound design helps instill a sense of unease, but fear is thoroughly absent beyond a few choice first encounters.
Conscript is unlikely to deliver genuine scares, but this old school, atmospheric survival horror romp is still easy to recommend to fans of the genre.
Conscript is a terrific survival horror that sticks to the genre while tries to do something new: the brutal setting of the First World War and the absence of classic monsters. The result is one of the best indie horrors of the last decade.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The developer understands what makes an enjoyable survival horror game and he made one that is very respectful of The Great War, while also showing just how terrifying the experience could be. It feels very authentic and the deftly executed story and atmosphere kept me drawn in every moment.
Conscript doesn't shy from its inspirations from classics while presenting its unique ideas and engaging puzzles. A must-play for fans of the genre.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
For those survival horror fans who can lean into the lo-fi, top-down aesthetic, Conscript will be an engaging fusion of familiar elements with an under-used setting. Its sometimes frustrating traditionalism and abyssal bleakness is unlikely to win over new recruits.
Jordan Mochi's singular vision can occasionally get ensnared by questionable design choices, but it's still a ride easily worth volunteering your time and money to experience.
The incredibly atmospheric CONSCRIPT once again demonstrates that even small teams with limited budgets can come up with surprisingly strong passion projects. If you’re looking for a WW1 game that immerses you in a fitting sense of despair, then CONSCRIPT comes highly recommended, unless the mention of Resident Evil-like gameplay triggers spontaneous feelings of desertion. The frequent backtracking, minimal inventory, sparse management, and occasionally awkward controls are things you'll have to accept, along with the digital footprints left in your ankles.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
One of the most interesting approaches to survival horror, where monsters, zombies, and creatures are replaced by the horror of war and the melancholy of soldiers fighting to return home.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
CONSCRIPT is the first title from Jordan Mochi and his studio Catchweight Studio, a 2D survival horror quite influenced by the classic mechanics of the first Resident Evil and masterfully set in the horrible and brutal First World War. The horror of war awaits us as we have not seen before. If you like the genre and you like the first Resident Evil with CONSCRIPT you will not fail despite some details to improve.
Review in Spanish | Read full review