The Bunker Reviews

The Bunker is ranked in the 28th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
4 / 10
Apr 8, 2018

The Bunker was a game I really wanted to enjoy. I love the idea of mixing movies and video games as they are two things I am massively passionate about but this just doesn’t work. It doesn’t work as a video game and it doesn’t work as a movie. While it looks great, the acting leaves a lot to be desired and there just isn’t any involvement for the player as you’re just pressing the A Button a couple of times here and there without ever really having to make choices. It had potential and any future games can certainly learn a lot from this, but my advice is to stay well away unless you’re absolutely desperate for something to do for an hour or two.

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Adam Riley
Top Critic
4 / 10
Oct 4, 2016

Do not be sucked in by the intrigue of Full-motion video 'making a comeback,' as despite good intentions, The Bunker is a bland story with an over-reliance on button mashing that never engages those…well, not really 'in control,' more 'viewing' the interactive video sequences. The concept is indeed a good one, but so poorly executed, leaving an overall feeling of emptiness when all is said and done.

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Renan Fontes
Top Critic
4 / 10
Apr 7, 2018

Despite a compelling performance from Adam Brown, The Bunker fails to capture that same talent in regards to its writing and direction, leading to a messy pseudo-film filled with pacing issues and a lack of commitment to either of the two mediums it's trying to merge.

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40%
Sep 23, 2016

On paper, The Bunker sounds like a fantastic premise for a taut psychological horror that's both claustrophobic and frightening. As it stands, however, the game doesn't hang together as well as it should, most moments of drama provoking laughter when you should be on the edge of your seat. One instance made me grit my teeth and squirm, but the rest of the game is ineffective in generating any real atmosphere. I really wanted to love The Bunker, but it just doesn't work.

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5 / 10.0
Nov 4, 2016

The Bunker is a well written short film with some good acting. It’s not really a game though, so it ultimately fails to live up to expectations.

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Oct 8, 2016

I had a tough time taking 'The Bunker' seriously. It was an admirable attempt at live-action psychological horror, but the John segments meander on and stumble around like the main character. It's not entirely predictable, but nor is it treading new ground.

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55 / 100
Apr 9, 2018

The Bunker on Nintendo Switch is a little hard to recommend, but will certainly find an audience in those who love horror films and want something dreary and dark on their console. While visually impressive and ambitious, it unfortunately falters with its execution and replayability.

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60%
Apr 8, 2018

The Bunker is a decent enough FMV experience and the genre has come a long way since the early 90s, The Bunker certainly shows that. The movie studio Splendy have done a pretty good job and if you look at it like that I can recommend this as good entertainment for a couple of hours. I quite enjoyed it and I think there is a future for this type of experience on the Switch or any console for that matter. As a game, though I think this falls short and my thoughts in the gameplay section reflect that. Unfortunately, the merging of a game and a movie don't really work. This is saved by the fact that it's unique on the Switch and as a movie, it's rather good. I would like to see more like this in future with more emphasis on key decisions affecting the overall story and having more emphasis on gameplay so the player has more to do. In that respect, I think there is still a long way to go till the balance is right.

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3 / 5.0
Oct 12, 2016

If you were trying to convince your past self as to why FMV games would have a miniature comeback, The Bunker probably wouldn’t be the best example to use.

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6 / 10.0
Apr 17, 2018

While The Bunker lets you explore an actual nuclear fallout shelter, accompanied by great sound design and decent acting, it can be completed in a single sitting. There's very little in terms of gameplay variance, and there are other games out there that'll give you more playtime for your $12. Unless you like the novelty of an FMV game on your Switch, give it a pass unless there's a sale.

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Oct 8, 2016

The Bunker won’t be for everybody, but those enticed by a slower-paced experience that’s rich in atmosphere are in for a treat, even if it is over in just a couple of short hours.

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6 / 10.0
Sep 20, 2016

Showcasing a clever narrative steeped in great performances and anchored by a real sense of place, The Bunker sadly doesn't last long enough or offer sufficient incentive to return to its titular subterranean dwelling once the credits roll on this interactivity-light adventure.

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6.2 / 10.0
Sep 20, 2016

The Bunker is a game with big ideas that fails to reach the heights it obviously wants to. The stiffness of movement and animation loops, coupled with the continuity errors and the awkward gameplay means it is constantly drawing you out from being truly immersed in the game. There are things that The Bunker does right and it is definitely an interesting experiment that some may enjoy, but it falls in to all the usual trappings of the genre whilst failing to bring anything that feels new to the table.

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6.5 / 10.0
Apr 9, 2018

It's short, and replayability is pushed for because of the insertion of collectibles and a branching path ending. But I didn't find these enticing enough to come back. Once in the Bunker, was enough for me.

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6.5 / 10.0
Sep 21, 2016

Through the majority of its running time, The Bunker provides a tense ride that those looking for brisk horror experience may genuinely enjoy, though repeated trips back into its post-apocalyptic world may not be quite as fresh or horrific as the first time.

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7 / 10.0
Sep 28, 2016

The Bunker definitely won't revive FMV titles, but it's a bold storytelling platform in 2016 that pays off. The Bunker is surely bound to attract even the most anti-FMV gamers out there.

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7 / 10.0
Sep 23, 2016

The Bunker weaves a compelling narrative packed with amazing performances, authentic sets and believable writing let down only by limited interactivity. If you love a tense, chilling story, The Bunker provides all the mystery and intrigue you could hope for!

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7 / 10.0
Apr 9, 2018

Since it isn’t a very long experience (maybe 2 - 3 hours, total) I suppose you could go back through to try to find everything or see how it could play out differently but I found my one run to be satisfying enough. Overall, if you’re down for an experience in this bleak sort of setting, with a story that intrigues and an outcome that may telegraph a bit but is still interesting to watch unfold, The Bunker is a very different kind of experience you haven’t yet had on the Switch.

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Cubed3
Top Critic
7 / 10
Sep 20, 2016

The main gripe with The Bunker is the limitations with the gameplay. There are no puzzles to be solved, and it is a linear experience where the interaction stems from opening the doors and picking up the key items in order to progress the movie. However, beyond that is a wonderful acting performance by Adam Brown, Sarah Greene, Grahame Fox and the rest of the cast that inhabit the world below in the dark and quiet bunker. Full of mystery and intrigue, this is a remarkable effort at an interactive movie, which works well enough for another attempt at creating a live action video game. This is a gripping movie, and although short, fans of the horror genre looking for something different need to check this out and experience the unforgettable tale of John in The Bunker.

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Digitally Downloaded
Jim S.
Top Critic
Oct 10, 2016

The game is about as long as a movie, making it short at three or so hours in length, but I enjoyed the ride. The gameplay is a tad weak due to the puzzles being very easy to figure out, but realistically you are in this one purely for the storytelling. Also, the game has a satisfying ending which a lot of games seem to be lacking these days.

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